Back to School Night 2019-2020

1. Back to School Night 2019-2020 Mrs. Jennifer Koch First Grade

2. First Grade Fun • Reading & Writing Workshop: Mini-lessons to teach strategies, independent practice, partner work. Individual student-teacher conferences and individualized instruction. • Math Workshop: Whole group lessons, independent exploration, small group focused instruction • Science/Social Science: Inquiry and project-based. New Science standards incorporate engineering.

3. The Leader In Me Designed by Franklin Covey to empower individuals to lead themselves and others. • Students will be guided through lessons of the “7 Habits of Happy Kids”. • You will receive optional activities to complete at home as we discover each habit. Please take the time to discuss how your child is putting each habit into action. https://theleaderinmeonline.org

4. Overview of The Leader in Me • Is a process designed to help teachers develop leadership skills in their students. • Helps students discover their unique strengths. • Gives all students an opportunity to shine—to become leaders. • Helps infuse the language of the 7 Habits into all the curriculum. The Leader in Me:

5. Classroom Citizenship Every child is expected to be Responsible, Respectful, and Ready to Learn! • Each child will begin the day with the opportunity to show excellent effort and cooperation. • A child who is having a difficult day will be encouraged to make positive changes and reflect on his/her behavior. This promotes responsibility and ownership. • Every child has the right to be happy and safe in school. If another student is extremely disruptive to the well-being or safety of others, he/she will be referred to administration. • Mrs. Koch will communicate to parents about classroom behavior on an as-needed basis.

6. Literacy Two reading assessments during first quarter: • DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment) • PALS (Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening) These assessments help us choose appropriate books and strategies for individualized reading instruction. **We will discuss results during first quarter parent-teacher conferences.**

7. Lunch10:30-11:00 • Please practice lunch numbers over the weekend. • Ice cream may be purchased on Monday with enough money in lunch account. • Menu is available on LCPS website and includes payment information. • Please discuss choices and monitor account!

8. Snacks • Snack will be eaten mid-afternoon. • Please send items that the child can open independently and eat in five to ten minutes • Healthy snacks, please! • Students may bring water bottles. • NUT FREE products only!

9. Attendance and After-School Plans Attendance • Please make sure that your child eats a healthy breakfast and arrives on time each day. • Your child must bring a note in the morning in order to change after-school dismissal arrangements. • If there are last minute (during the school day) changes to your child’s after-school transportation plans, please contact the office (DO NOT RELY ON EMAIL!) • If you plan to pick up your child early, please contact the office BEFORE 12:00 if possible, or send a note in the morning.

10. Homeworkbegins mid-September • Monthly reading log • Read for 15-20 minutes each night. • Find creative ways to deepen learning- “Choices”! • Raz-Kids and Dreambox • Later in the year, these programs will be available to reinforce skills and practice concepts introduced in the classroom. • These require internet connection and a password will be provided.

11. Special Activities Leader of the Week Begins later in September • Will focus on each student’s strengths and how they see themselves as a leader. • Schedule will be posted on my webpage. Field Trip • More information to come!

12. Parties and Birthdays Three classroom parties • Harvest Party (October), • Friendship Party (February) • End-of-Year Party (June) Birthdays • Non-edible birthday items ONLY • Donate a game or book to the class **If you are going to pass out invitations at school, you MUST send one for every student.**

13. School Health Office • Used for emergencies only! • Minor cuts , scrapes, stuffy/runny noses, and general complaints will be handled by teacher when possible. • ALL medications (EVEN COUGH DROPS) need to be kept in the school health office. Students are NOT allowed to keep medications with them. Please bring them directly to the health office.

14. Volunteer Opportunities All parents new to volunteering MUST complete a brief training session with Mrs. Johnston or Mrs. Thiessen before volunteering in the classroom. A “Sign-Up Genius” will be sent out to invite parents to volunteer for a variety of activities.

15. Conferences • Will be on November 4th . • First quarter progress report will be discussed during these conferences. • Please sign up for your conference TONIGHT!

16. Communication • School Newsletter • Connect Ed • Twitter Handle: @jenkoch1nle • Weekly Newton-Lee Envelope (Thursday folder) • Daily Take Home Folder • Class email updates • E-mail: Jennifer.koch@lcps.org • “Seesaw”-digital portfolio

17. Mrs. Koch’s Webpage http://www.lcps.org/Domain/8381

18. NLE PTO Rocks! Special Activities Special Programs Materials and Equipment!! Volunteer Opportunities Go to https://www.ptboard.com to join the PTO and become an active member of our NLE community! *Room Parents will communicate with you through PT Board.*