1. On your child’s desk is a note that he/she wrote to you today. Please take a moment to write your child a little note on the same paper! Please sign and date the Highlights form that is on your child’s desk. We can receive FREE gifts for our room even if you check “no”. Thank you!

2. Welcome to Parent Orientation! Mrs. Svajger (shh-vy-ger) First Grade Timmons Elementary School 2014-2015

3. MRS. SVAJGER … is married to George Svajger. has a little boy named JUSTIN (who is in SECOND GRADE!). has been an educator for 23 years graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. graduated from John Carroll University with a Masters in Elementary Education. loves to write silly songs or poems to help children learn!

4. Parent/Student Handbook Each family was given a handbook in the blue Timmons folder on “Meet the Teacher” day. Please be sure to read it! In it, you can find information about the following items: * absences * safety drills * tardiness * dress code * early dismissal * visitors * bus passes/pick-up notes * fees * lunch purchases * PTO * medication * many other things!

5. Monday - Computer Tuesday - Art Physical Education Wednesday - Library Music Thursday - Music Physical Education Friday - Art

6. When your child is STAR of the week, he/she will: complete an “Overall Me” poster. bring 5-8 personal items and several photos to school to show the class. take the estimation container home to fill. pick a favorite book for the teacher to read. bring home our class (stuffed) pet and journal!

7.  Raffle ticket system: Tickets can be earned for positive behavior and can be lost for repeated inappropriate behavior. Students may choose to “cash in” earned tickets for rewards on specified Fridays throughout the school year. Class puzzle: Working together as a team, the class earns puzzle “pieces”. Once the entire puzzle is completed, they may have an extra recess, flashlight reading, or other special activity.

8. Approximately 10 minutes of written homework will be given most nights Monday – Thursday. Assignments may include: math practice, activities to review a story we have read, handwriting practice, word work activities, etc. In addition to written homework, your child is expected to spend 10-15 minutes each night reading or being read to.

9. HOW CAN PARENTS HELP WITH HOMEWORK? Allow your child to work independently on his/her homework, but read directions or answer questions for clarification if needed. You may prompt your child to look for letters or numbers written backwards, but allow him/her to find and correct them. Check the weekly homework sheet for the week’s assignments, sight words, special information, etc. Please be sure to sign it each evening! Helping your child to pack his/her bookbag each night will encourage and model responsibility!

10. Halloween Party Winter Holiday Party Valentine’s Day Party

11. We will be attending the theater this year! The second field trip has not been decided yet! More details coming soon!

12. Brain Breaks! Each day we build new brain cells and get our blood pumping and oxygen flowing by taking BRAIN BREAKS! (movement breaks!).

13. (First Grade Common Core State Standards) Students are going to be asked to “think about their thinking!” How did you know? Explain your answer. What evidence did you find? Tell the strategy that you used.

14. Conferences in October and February Email – beth.svajger@kenstonapps.org Phone – 440-543-9380 Newsletters (twice a month) Homework Folder Friday information Notes home

15. Sign up for an October conference and take a reminder slip (sign-up sheets will be in the hallway after the presentation). Sign up to be a Guest Reader if you would like to read to our class some time this year!