Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to First Grade at Transfiguration School! My name is Mrs. Henderson and I have the privilege and honor to be your partner and your child’s teacher for the 2017-2018 school year!
Common Core and California State standards for first grade are high and we will be covering many new and exciting topics. We will also work on religion, social studies, science, Spanish, classroom procedures and expectations, and social skills. I am passionate about teaching young minds and I provide a structured, fun and hands-on learning environment.
Here is an overview of our classroom and school’s policies and procedures:
ABSENSES AND TARDIES
If your child is ill, please keep him/her at home. I understand it is sometimes a difficult decision to make, especially when it must be made first thing in the morning, but it will help your child feel more comfortable and prevent others from becoming ill.
It is extremely important for your first grader to be on time! But if your child arrives late, your child must obtain a tardy slip from the office before coming to class. Please do not escort your child to class. It can become very distracting for the rest of the class.
STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Each month, one or two students will be selected as first grades’ Student(s) of the Month. It will be based on the student(s) that is demonstrating the school wide SLE for the month. Your child will be given a Star Student Poster to fill out, decorate and return to share with the class. This poster will hang in the class until the new Student of the Month is selected!
HOMEWORK< GRADING< REPORT CARDS< THURSDAY FOLDERS
Homework will be given in two parts: Daily and Weekly. Your child will receive daily work reinforcing what lessons were taught in class that day and are to be returned the following day. Weekly work consist of a reading log, book report, and spelling work. These are all due on Friday. Your child should ALWAYS color pages when possible, even if it is not specified. This is a way of developing his or her fine motor skills and handwriting. Late work will NOT be accepted unless your child has an excused absence. Please clean out your child’s folder weekly.
Student’s work is graded on a 1-4 Rubric…
4 – Mastery 3 – Satisfactory
2 – Needs to Improve 1 – Below Grade Level
Every Thursday school information and upcoming events will be sent home in a “Thursday Folder”. Please make sure to review and return any information needed the following day. Please place any information for me in your child’s homework folder.
UNIFORM (S), MASS, P.E., LUNCH
Please review your policy handbook for uniform guidelines. P.E. is Tuesday and Dance class is Friday. Please make sure your child wears his/her P.E. uniform and appropriate shoes on these days.
Our lunchtime is 11:20 a.m. daily. If you choose to have the school provide lunch please check with the office. If you choice to send your child to school with a lunch please remember we are A PEANUT FREE environment! Whether you choose to have the school provide lunch or send your own, it is a good idea to still send a healthy snack for your child daily.
Please review your child’s behavior calendar or the school calendar for Mass days so you will have your child in the appropriate uniform. NOTE: Ties are REQUIRED for both Girls and Boys on Mass days.
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
We use a behavior chart consisting of three colors (green, yellow, red), which indicates how your child is behaving in class. If your child makes good choices all day, he/she will stay on green. If your child has received a few warnings about following classroom expectations, he/she will move to yellow. Finally, if your child continues to make inappropriate choices, they move to red. With both yellow and red color changes, your child will receive a behavior note for you to review, sign and return the following day. Note: Putting hands/bodies on others, lying, and stealing will automatically result in a color change. At the end of each day, your child will color in the color he/she earned for the day on their behavior calendar. This calendar MUST remain in their homework folder. Please review and discuss with your child daily.
I am anxious for our “team approach” concerning your child’s education. We all have the same goal for your child, to be happy, challenged and secure at school. We need to work together to reach this goal. Writing a note, emailing or remind are all great ways to share information with me.
Together we will make your child’s First Grade year the best year ever!!!!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Henderson
First Grade Teacher