Stone Lakes Elementary

First Grade

Dear Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to 1st grade! First grade is an exciting time as children embark upon
new adventures in the world of learning. This is a year of important transitions,
as well as one in which acquisition of new skills is accelerated. During first
grade, your child will learn how to read, write stories, add, subtract, and so much
more. We hope to make your childs learning experience a fun and exciting one,
and to instill a love of learning that will last throughout your childs years of
schooling.
We are looking forward to working with your child this year and helping
him/her to achieve his/her full potential. The following includes all you will need
to know for a fabulous first grade year.

A-Zs of First
Grade

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Absences: Please send an excuse note into school with your child the first day
he/she returns to school from his/her illness.
Art: Art class will be held with Ms. Armour weekly!
Accelerated reader: Your child will be reading books and taking quizzes about
the book on the classroom computer.

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Birthday treats: Birthday parties for students and teachers are not permitted.
However, if you would like to send a simple treat to school for your childs
birthday (i.e., cookies, cupcakes),I can distribute the treat after lunch. Treats
cannot be home-made, but must be purchased and presented in the original
wrapping.
Binder: Students will have a binder that is sent home and returned each day. It
includes their planner, which needs to be signed daily. It is our main source of
communication.

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Conferences: Please make sure you sign up for a report card conference.
Conferences will be held in early November.
Computers: We will be using the computers regularly in our classroom and
students will go to the lab at various assigned times. Many websites we use at
school can be used at home for enrichment or reinforcement.

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Discipline: We believe in creating a classroom community of caring and
cooperation. Our classroom management is structured using a positive
reinforcement system. Your teacher will contact you if there are any ongoing
behavior issues that we need to discuss.
Severe/Repetitive inappropriate
behavior will result in an immediate time-out, phone call home, or principal
referral.
Dismissal: Please arrive promptly to pick up your child. First grade class
dismissal begins at 3:00 and 2:00 on Wednesdays.

Drop off: There is no adult supervision before 8:30. If you need supervision
prior to this, please see extended day. Upon drop off, your child will walk to the
pavilion where they will be escorted to class as a group.

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Emergency Cards: Please make sure you fill out and return both emergency
cards. One is for me and the other is for the nurse. If any information changes,
please let me know asap.
E-mail: This is the best way to contact your teacher. Please feel free to contact
me with any questions or concerns this way.

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Field Trips: We will have in-school and off-campus field trips. If you are
interested in chaperoning, please sign-up as an Additions volunteer ASAP. You
must sign up each year as an Additions volunteer.

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Grades: In First Grade students receive the following grades:
S=Satisfactory; W=Working on Skill; N=Needs improvement; U=Unsatisfactory

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Homework:
Homework helps review and practice skills and concepts
introduced in the classroom. It also teaches good work habits and responsibility.
Homework is passed out Mondays and to be turned in on Fridays in their
Homework Folder.

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Independent Reading: Students are expected to read independently every
night. During this time, students will be practicing the reading skills and
strategies they have learned. Nightly reading for 15-20 minutes is essential!

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Journal Entries: Your child will keep a journal at school where they will write
creatively and about specific prompts.

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Kindness: Students in our classroom are encouraged and expected to treat all
members of our class as well as others with kindness and respect.

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Library: Students will be able to check out books independently or as a class on
a regular basis. Please make sure your child treats library books with care. There
is a fine for lost or damaged books.
Lunch: Lunch money should be placed in a sealed and labeled envelope. You
may also use mylunchmoney.com. to fund your childs cafeteria account. A lunch
menu is sent home each month. Make sure lunch boxes are labeled with your
childs name.

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Music: Music class is held with Ms. Scott weekly!

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News: A monthly calendar will tell you about our grade level news, special
activities, and upcoming events.

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Open House: Open House is in September! It is a time when we will share
detailed information about our class and curriculum. Please Attend!

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Parent Involvement: Your support of school activities makes your child feel
important and sends the message that you value school. If you are able to
volunteer, please let your teacher know and be sure to sign up as an Additions
Volunteer at www.volunteer.ocps.net.
Parent/Teacher Relationship: We believe that a good parent-teacher
relationship is necessary for maximum school success. Throughout the year we
will communicate with you through notes, telephone calls, quarterly reports, and
parent-teacher conferences. We encourage you to contact your teacher if you
have any questions or concerns at any time. If you are interested in helping in
the classroom, on field trips, or would like to eat lunch with your child at school,
you must fill out a volunteer form (see parent involvement).
Phone Calls: Please refer emergency calls or change of transportation to the
office.
P.T.A.: Each year this organization works hard to provide activities and
essentials for Stone Lakes Elementary. Please JOIN!!
P.E: PE is held 3 times a week with Coach Bitton.

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Questions? Please email. Your teacher will respond as soon as possible. Please
keep in mind we are unable to respond during instructional time.

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Reading Homework: Reading is the most important part of homework. It
should not be done independently. Someone should be listening for errors,
asking questions about the story, and providing positive feedback. Please read
15-20 minutes daily.
Rules: We will discuss and review classroom and school rules during the first
few weeks of school. Make sure to reinforce your childs behavior at home.

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Spelling/Word Study: We will be learning new high frequency words weekly
along with a new spelling pattern. During the week we will do activities with
these words to allow the students to become familiar with them. Starting in
September, students will have weekly spelling tests on Friday.
Spellingcity.com: Words will be posted here every week. This is an excellent
resource for students to practice words through games and online tests.
Snacks: Students will have to bring a healthy individual snack daily due to our
late lunch. Please make sure its not messy and easy to eat while they are
working. For example: a cheese stick or pretzels.
SPIRIT STICKS: Students will have many opportunities to EARN Spirit Sticks
that are exclusive to 1st grade.

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T-shirts: Students are encouraged to wear a Stone Lakes t-shirt every Friday!
We will be ordering grade level shirts for field trips, field day, and special days.
Tardies: Timeliness is very important. School starts at 8:30. Students are
expected to be in their seats ready to begin the day when the bell rings.

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Unique: Each student is unique. Children come with a variety of personalities
and learning preferences. Some children are strong visual learners and can see a
word once and remember it forever. Other children are better auditory learners
and can easily hear and blend sounds to figure out many words. Some children
need a lot of structure and guidance; other children are very self-directed. In our
classrooms, various instructional techniques and methods will be used to help all
students be successful and to meet the individual needs of each student.

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Visitors: Visitors are welcome, however they are required to check in at the
office and obtain a visitors pass. EVEN visitors having lunch with their child,
must be approved Additions volunteers.

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Water bottle: Research shows that students perform better when hydrated.
Students are welcome to bring a water bottle to school. Make sure it is labeled
with your childs name.

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X-perience! If you would like to come in and share your experience (cooking,
travel, job, etc) we would love to have you come in and share with the class. Just
let me know.

X-tended Day: Extended day is available from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. for before
and after school care.

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This will be a wonderful year and it will zoom by! We know we are going to have
a fantastic year!! Thank you.
Mrs. Shutters