1. Back to School Afternoon 2012-2013 Mrs. Koch 1 st Grade

2. About Mrs. Koch Northern Virginia native Graduate of Radford University, 1993 Taught in Fairfax County 10 years Lives in Leesburg with her husband and two children

3. First Quarter Overview Math Number Concepts/Addition Calendar Patterns Graphing and Data Science Changes in Autumn Sun & Earth

4. First Quarter Overview Cont. Social Studies Citizenship Rules Safety Past, present and future

5. Literacy Two reading assessments during first quarter: DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment) PALS (Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening) These assessments help us choose appropriate books for Guided Reading Groups and find a starting point for reading instruction. **We will discuss results during first quarter parent-teacher conferences.**

6. Specials Art (50 minutes) Music (30 minutes) PE (30 minutes)-Please have your child wear SNEAKERS on PE days. Library (30 minutes) Guidance (50 minutes) SEARCH (50 minutes)-Enrichment program for grades K-3. Focuses on thinking skills and encourages students’ creativity.

7. Homework Beginning week of September 10 th Used to reinforce skills taught in class Develops good work habits, time management and participation Should take no more than 30 minutes

8. 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 or send a note in the morning.

9. Classroom Citizenship Every child will be expected to adhere to our classroom expectations and is encouraged to make responsible choices: 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. 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 sent to the office. Mrs. Koch will communicate to parents about classroom behavior on an as-needed basis.

10. Lunch Please practice lunch numbers over the weekend. Ice cream may be purchased on Fridays. Parents must send a request via e-mail to Mrs. Nichols 48 hours in advance to join students for lunch. Menu is in packet and includes payment information; menus are sent home monthly. Please discuss choices and monitor account!

11. Parties and Birthdays Three classroom parties TBA Birthdays Non-edible birthday items ONLY Donate a game or book to the class : ) Lunch with your child: Requires 48 hours notice via e-mail to Mrs. Nichols. **If you are going to pass out invitations at school, you MUST pass them out to everyone.**

12. Snacks Snack will be eaten mid-morning. Must be something that the child can open independently and eat in five to ten minutes Non-messy snacks, please! Students may bring water bottles. NO NUTS!

13. Communication Monthly School Newsletter Monthly First Grade Newsletter (online on Team Page) Weekly Newton-Lee Envelope Daily Purple Take Home Folder E-mail: Jennifer.Koch@lcps.org

14. Special Activities Star Student Begins in October Star Student will bring in poster, items to share, and a mystery show and tell. Field Trips National Zoo Thursday, October 4 Mount Vernon Thursday, March 7

15. Classroom Supplies The first grade team is requesting a few additional supplies. 2 boxes of tissues (boys) 1 container of baby wipes (girls) 1 box of plastic resealable bags: Gallon or sandwich

16. Volunteer Opportunities Thursday Folder Volunteer (weekly) Literacy Center Volunteers (daily) Room Parents All parents MUST complete a brief training session with Mrs. Nichols before volunteering in the classroom.

17. Conferences Will be held for each family on the teacher workday; Monday, November 5. First quarter progress report will be discussed during these conferences. Please sign up for your conference TONIGHT!

18. CLARITY Parent Portal for Grades K-2 will open in January. Additional tool for communicating student progress Mrs. Winters will be hosting meetings to explain the system and answer questions. Information is available on school web page.