Welcome to First Grade Parent Night! Mitchell Neilson Schools Developing a Leader One Child at a Time!

Leader in Me School Mitchell Neilson Schools is a Leader in Me school in which we encourage our students to find the leader in themselves using the 7 habits. Last year was our second year and we had an overwhelming amount of success using the 7 Habits and Leader Loot. We will continue utilizing Leadership Notebooks to help your child set both personal and academic goals throughout the school year.

Daily Chores Daily Folders will be sent home with important notes and homework each night. Help your child be proactive by signing their behavior calendar and completing their homework. Also, be sure to empty the folder of any notes. Envelope system (all money needs to come in a LABELED envelope inside the brown Money & Notes Pouch).

Classroom Rules I CAN… Follow directions quickly Raise your hand for permission to speak. Raise my hand for permission to leave my seat. Make SMART choices! Keep my teacher happy!

Class DOJO How it works: Class dojo is an online behavior management system. We can access it through any computer as well as my iPhone or iPad. Students are able to earn points throughout the day for positive behaviors but they can lose points for negative behaviors. Much like a clip chart, the positive behaviors will is like them “clipping up” while the negative behaviors are like “clipping down.” You will be able to see exactly how your students behavior was for the day and reasons for earning/losing points.

Discipline Plan All of First Grade will be using Class DOJO. Each day all students will start off with zero DOJO points. Students can earn points for positive choices or lose points for not so positive choices. The square on the students’ behavior calendar inside his/her Folder will be used for your child’s daily DOJO points each day.

Class DOJO Set up a Parent Account There is an informational page in your child’s folder that explains the steps to setting up your parent account for Class DOJO. You will be able to see your child’s behavior report in detail, like below.

Positive DOJO Points

Negative DOJO Points

Homework We will have Word Cards (WCB), Take Home Reader, and a Homework Menu will come home nightly. Word Card Bags (WCB) will be home next week. Each week a new set of words will be placed in the baggie. They will be different colors to distinguish a new set from the old. Please practice these nightly as this will increase your child’s fluency. Also, please return these daily. Take Home Readers (THR) will be sent home as well. There are instructions on the bag letting you know how to utilize these at home. Please return the bag each day as we use these in the classroom as well. Homework Menus will change on a weekly basis. Each night your child should complete one square on the menu. Please initial acknowledging your child completed their assignment.. Homework is due weekly on Fridays. If students do not return their homework on Friday, they will lose a DOJO point for it.

Newsletters A Weekly Newsletter will be sent home every Friday/Monday. A Weekly Newsletter will be sent home every Friday/Monday. Please read the newsletter each week so that you can stay aware of all that is happening in the class and in the school. Please read the newsletter each week so that you can stay aware of all that is happening in the class and in the school.

Absences If your child is absent, please send in a written note even if you have spoken to the teacher.If your child is absent, please send in a written note even if you have spoken to the teacher. Make-up work will be sent home the day the child returns and needs to be completed within 3 days.Make-up work will be sent home the day the child returns and needs to be completed within 3 days. Transportation Changes Changes in your child’s transportation must be given in writing. Please keep in mind we cannot rely on your child’s understanding of how they will dismiss from school.

Contact Information Please be sure to inform your child’s teacher of any updates in your personal information (address, phone numbers, etc.). It is crucial for your child’s safety that we have a current working phone number for your family, in case of emergencies.

Lunch If you come to eat with your child you must check in at the office…be sure to have a driver’s license. Per District policy, no outside food is allowed. You may send in ice cream money. The cost of ice cream is $0.60.

Birthdays You are welcome to send in treats (cupcakes, cookies, etc.) for your child’s birthday. However, don’t feel obligated to do this. Please send me a note 1 day in advance if you plan to send in treats. They will be shared as dessert at lunch time in the cafeteria. Birthday invitations

Student Handbook Please thoroughly read the Student Handbook (parent and student). Contains very important information about our school policies and procedures such as: ** Dismissal procedures and changes ** Severe weather procedures ** Guidance services ** Attendance/tardy policy and consequences ** Transportation policy/bus suspensions ** Dress code ** Fire/Tornado Drills

Report Card Schedule 1 st 9 weeks: Oct. 27 th 2 nd 9 weeks: Jan. 17 th 3 rd 9 weeks: March 20 th 4 th 9 weeks: May 25 th

Parent Conferences Fall parent/teacher conferences will be held on Thursday, October 27th. Spring parent/teacher conferences will be held on Monday, March 20th. We will contact you a couple weeks ahead of time to set up an appointment time.

Fall Break 1 st Week of October October 3 – October 7

SMART Card Fundraiser SMART Card Fundraiser kicked off the first week of school. Please try to sell as many cards as possible. Our school wide goal is for each child to sell 4 cards. This fundraiser not only raises money for our school but for our classroom as well so please try to sell! All orders are due September 9 th.