First Grade 101

1. First Grade 101 by Amy Harding Alyssa Stas Dan Flank

2. Assessments • DRA: The DRA 2 is administered at the beginning, middle and end of the year to measure accuracy, fluency, and comprehension in reading. • - BOY: no cap on level but desired goal is a 6. • -MOY: level 10 or higher • - EOY: Level 18 or higher • Kathy Richardson assessment: The Kathy R. assessment is a Math assessment used to measure student math skills in the areas of subitizing (grouping numbers) and combining. • Writing Benchmark: Administered at the beginning and end of the year to measure students writing abilities in the areas of ideas, organization, word choice and conventions. • BOY: stage 4 and EOY: stage 6

3. Field Trips • Upcoming field trips will be schedule by the 1st grade teachers. • All field trips will require a permission slip to be sent home with information specific to each event. All parents will need to fill out the form and send it back to their child’s teacher in order for the child to go. • Parent chaperones are based on the venues occupancy. Some field trips will allow for as many parents to attend as we need and others will only allow a small number. • Your child’s teacher will inform you of the venues policy.

4. Grading Policy • First grade will not have a report card sent home this first 6 weeks. • Parent/Teacher Conferences will take the place of report cards in October. • Grades are as follows: • ~ 100-90 A • - 89-80 B • - 79-70 C • - 69-below Failing • E= Student performs consistently at excellent and or above standard expectations. • S- Performs consistently at standard expectations. • N= Performs slightly below standard expectations. • U= Performs consistently below standard expectations.

5. Online grades • A letter was sent home for each students with a Home Access Center login and password. • Progress reports and report cards for students in grades 1-5 are viewed online through the Home Access Center. • If you have not receieved the HAC letter, please contact us at: beckelem@nisdtx.org

6. Make-up work • Guidelines: • Teachers often need to work with children when they return to school therefore, no work will be sent home to complete. • Work will not be sent home with siblings, neighbors, or friends.

7. Newsletter • Each Friday the newsletter will be emailed out. • Our newsletter is made through S’more, an online flyer website. • We will have each newsletter link posted on our teacher webpages. • It is essential that you read the newsletter. You will be informed of upcoming events, what your child is learning, and updates on what is happening in our grade level.

8. Special Events • Fall and Spring Field trips • (more information coming soon as we plan for trips) • Christmas Party • Fairy Tale Ball & Valentines Party will be held on the same day, February 13th. • Field Day

9. Specials • Beck has grown so much this year that we have the privilege of having three new wonderful teachers added to our Beck family! • P.E.: Mrs. Blakely and Mr. Maclin • Art: Mrs. Gamache and Mrs. Foland • Music: Mrs. Conrad and Mr. Garza • Please see the specials teachers webpages for more information.

10. Standards based bulletin boards • Standards based bulletin boards are a wonderful piece that allows teachers in Northwest ISD to showcase their students best practices in the classroom. • The following are the components that make up an SBBB: • Quality student work • Standards (TEKS) • Description of task • Rubrics • Insightful teacher commentary and student commentary.

11. Parent volunteers • We are always in need of volunteers! Throughout the year we will need help with projects and help with activities in the classroom. • Talk with your child’s teacher for upcoming volunteer opportunities. • A background check must be completed and on file with the office prior to volunteering on campus.

12. Thank you for your time • We look forward to working and growing with you this year!