First Grade This and That

Arrivals All students will line up outside my door along the wall on arrival. If you are bringing your child to school please have them line up against the wall to go into the classroom. You are welcome to come into the classroom and drop off backpacks or supplies and then meet us outside to line up. Good-bye’s (especially on the first day) can be hard on a child. A quick hug, kiss and goodbye are the best way to help your child with the adjustment. I will take a class picture the first day against the wall and then we will head into the classroom. This is a good time to make your exit. Bring your cameras for first day photos. Rest assured I will be taking plenty myself! Kk Lunch If your child is having hot lunch he/she will need to pay for it in the cafeteria before school starts for the day. Snacks Students need to bring a snack from home every day. Please try to keep these snacks nutritious. A few good examples of quick easy snacks would be: granola bars, fruit, crackers, or any type of healthy finger food. Your child may also bring a water bottle to school and keep it at their desk. Recess All students will go outside, weather permitting. If your child is too sick to go outside, he/she should be at home. Sharing We will “show ‘n share” throughout the week. Your child will be assigned a specific day to bring something from home. This is a great way for me to get to know your child and their interests. Students may bring in something to share with the class on their day only. Please leave all other toys at home. Organization I will send home a monthly newsletter at the beginning of every month along with a calendar of events on the back. This will include events happening in the classroom. Every Thursday I will send home the school newsletter and other paperwork from the office as well as paper and projects we have been doing in class. You may receive other special notes throughout the month so please check your child’s backpack every night. I check my email on a daily basis so if you ever have any questions or concerns you can always email me for a quick response. tittsworth.jill@meridianschools.org Book Orders Book orders come home monthly. Please know there is no obligation to purchase books. Please make checks payable to: Scholastic. Homework A homework packet will go home on Friday and will need to be returned the following Friday for credit. It will include nightly reading, spelling words, sight words, and math practice. Daily Reading I do strongly recommend reading to, with, and by your child for approximately 15 minutes daily. The BEST way for your child to learn to read or to improve his or her reading ability is to read to your child! I will also be doing leveled reading groups everyday so each child will get what they need. Birthdays New West Ada School District health policies prohibit birthday treats at school. Your child’s birthday will be celebrated at school. If you would like to bring in something please let me know. Birthday invitations may be distributed at school if there is an invitation for every member of the class. If only a few children are invited, please DO NOT send them to school for distribution. Each child will get a “Birthday Book” that needs to be filled out and returned to school as soon as possible. Special classes Music, P.E., Computer, Art and Library will all be taught once or twice a week. Volunteers Parental involvement is key to your child’s learning. If you would like to volunteer please complete the volunteer checklist and turn it in to me. I will make a volunteer schedule for the year and send it home according to the checklist. If you are unable to come and help on your scheduled day please let me know. Attendance Your child’s progress, both academic and social, is influenced to a great extent by daily participation. Regular attendance without tardiness is key! School starts at 9:05 and ends at 3:55. Backpacks Backpacks or bags are an important item and are necessary from the first day of first grade to the last day. Please make sure it is a regular size backpack. Small backpacks usually don’t fit all their papers, books, etc. Dismissal I will walk the children outside at the end of the day. You will need to complete a permission form for alternate pick up. If your child is going to go with an older sibling, please have them meet the child outside and not in the classroom. If your child takes the bus please make sure I have the correct bus number for your child. It may not be the same bus they come to school in.