Mrs. Burnett’s First Grade ABCs A Absences - Excessive absences hinder a child's progress. If your child is absent, please send a note to the school when he/she returns. Please include your child's name, teacher’s name, date of absence, and the reason for the absence. These notes are kept in the student’s folder in the office. Arrival - Your child should come to school no earlier than 7:30 AM. Car riders should be dropped off at the car drop off and then he/she walks to the C hallway and sits by our classroom, C105. Teachers are on duty starting at 7:30 AM. First Bell rings at 7:55 AM; Tardy Bell rings at 8:05 AM. Assessment - Report card assessment is done every six weeks. End of the unit and chapter tests are given regularly and spelling tests every week. Your child will also be given Reading Fluency Tests. We want each first grade student to be reading 60 words per minute before going to second grade. Attendance - Regular school attendance is essential for your child to make the most of his/her education. Please make every effort to have your child at school everyday

B Backpacks - Backpacks help your child carry folders, notes, projects, and books to and from school. PLEASE CHECK YOUR CHILD'S BACKPACK DAILY. Rolling backpacks will not be allowed. Behavior Chart - This chart will let you know your child's behavior for the day. Example: green great job! (Everyone begins on green each day); yellow warning; blue 5 minute loss of privilege; purple 10 minute loss of privilege; orange loss of entire privilege; red office visit. Please initial the chart every day in the appropriate date box. Birthdays - Birthdays are very important to children. If you would like to bring treats for the class on your child's birthday, please contact me and I will let you know the best time depending on that day's schedule. Book Orders - I will send home Scholastic book orders each month for you and your child to look over. Box Tops for Education - We collect box tops for our school. If we collect enough, the class can earn a party. Breakfast - Breakfast is served beginning at 7:30 AM each morning. Parents are encouraged to add money to your child's account weekly or monthly. Bullying - Bullying will not be allowed. This is a bully free classroom. Bus - Students are eligible to ride the bus if you live two miles from school. Bus registration forms must be filled out completely and signed by the parents. ALL STUDENTS MUST BE REGISTERED TO RIDE THE BUS. Riding the bus is a privilege and improper behavior will not be tolerated.

C Character Traits - Each six weeks Ms. Adler will introduce the children to a new character trait. The traits are: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship. Children earn tickets when they show that certain trait. Each six weeks one child is chosen to be a Star Student. This child must exhibit the character trait we are working on. At the end of the six weeks the office draws tickets (names are on the ticket) and prizes are awarded. Classroom Web site - Our class has a classroom web site. We can be found at Click on Class Pages, Elementary School. and then Mrs. Burnett’s First Grade Class. Clothing - Please dress your child in comfortable clothing that is appropriate for first grade. Bellville ISD has a dress code that will be enforced. It is a good idea to label all coats and sweaters. I also have been known to keep my room a bit on the chilly side. Your child may want to keep a light sweater or jacket in his/her cubby! Communication - Communication between home and school is very important. If you feel the need to talk to me, please call the school, send me a note, send me a text, or me. I will get back with you as soon as I can. Computers - We have two computers in our classroom and an interactive smart board. All computers have Internet access. Your child will be taught the proper way to use a computer and then be taught to use the educational software in our classroom. Your child will have daily computer time in first grade. Your child will also be going to the computer lab weekly

Conferences - I will be scheduling several conferences throughout the school year. If you feel the need to contact me at any time, please call the school, send a note, or me to make arrangements for scheduling a conference. Counselor - Ms. Adler is our counselor. She works with our children on the character traits, guidance and testing. D Dismissal - Dismissal is at 3:25 PM. Please do NOT come to the classroom to pick your child up. Your child will be dismissed by me and will go to the designated pick up locations with a teacher. Car riders will sit in the hallway by the car drop off and loading area. Bus riders will be taken to the cafeteria and made sure each child is in the correct bus line. Walkers and Day Care will be taken to the front of the school and placed in the proper places. Discipline - In the classroom and school there are 5 major rules that your child should follow. These are: 1. Listen and follow directions; 2. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself; 3. Work quietly and do not disturb others; 4. Walk quietly in the building; and 5. Respect school and personal property. These rules are summarized by the 3Bes Be Respectful; Be Responsible and Be Safe Dress Code - Students should be dressed in accordance to the Bellville ISD dress code. E Early Dismissal - Several times a year we will have an early dismissal. You will be notified by a note letting you know the specific day and time of the dismissal.

- I can be reached by at my school address: Emergency Cards - Your child will have an emergency card on file in the office. At least two working phone numbers are required in order to contact parents in case of illness or emergency. F Field Trips - We take several educational field trips during the year. When you registered you filled out a general consent permission slip, please make sure that you have signed and dated this form. I will send out information of when, where, and time before the field trip takes place. Fire/Disaster Drills - Your child will participate in fire/disaster drills throughout the year. We will practice the procedures before each drill so that your child will be prepared. First Grade Kids - First Grade is a special time for your child. I want to make this experience the best possible. Kids come first! Fund Raisers - Our school participates in several fund raisers throughout the year to raise money for various things for our school. We hope that everyone can participate, but it is not required G Good Conduct - Good conduct goes hand-in-hand with observing the Six Character (trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship).

H High Frequency Words - Your child will receive six lists of high frequency words that he/she will need to practice. These lists that are sent home may be cut apart to use as flashcards. Please practice with your child daily on these words. Start practicing them all right now if you want. They can be found on my webpage under the "resources" tab. Homework - Your child will have homework during the week and some additional home projects. Homework needs to be returned the next day. You will receive a homework schedule at the beginning of the school year. I Illness - Please do not send your child to school if he/she has a temperature. If your child becomes ill at school, you will be called to come and get your child. We need at least two working phone numbers at all times in order to contact you in case of illness or emergency. Immunizations - All students must be immunized against certain diseases or must present a statement that the student should not be immunized. Proof of immunizations must be presented to the school within 30 days of enrollment. Inappropriate Behavior - Inappropriate behavior includes, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, the following: talking or playing during instructional time; running in classroom or hallway; misbehaving in line/classroom/cafeteria/bathroom; failing to follow instructions; disrespect of school personnel; disrespect of school or personal property; threats; and fighting.

J Journal Writing - Your child will write in his/her writing journals on a daily basis. You should see a growth in your child's writing throughout the year. K Kids - I am looking forward to teaching these wonderful first grade "kids". "Kids come first!" L Library - We have a scheduled library time every week. Your child will check out two books each week. They must return their books in order to get a new one. Our librarian is Mrs. Politsch. Lunch - You are welcome to come and eat with your child or bring a lunch to him/her. Please sign in at the office and wait for us in the cafeteria. You can deposit money into your child's account either weekly or monthly, low balance letters will be sent home at least twice a week. M Music - Your child will attend music on each week. Our Music teacher is Mrs. Pritchett. N Newsletter - A newsletter will be sent home monthly. It will contain information about our thematic unit, classroom activities, announcements, and upcoming school events.

Nurses Office - Nurse Butts is our school nurse. She will take care of your child until you can be reached to pick him/her up from school. She also administers all medications to students during school hours O Outside - Your child will have outside time daily, weather permitting. Please dress your child appropriately for the weather. P Parent Involvement - I love parent involvement! Please be involved in your child's first grade year as much as you can. I will send home a volunteer form at the beginning of the school year. Parties - We will have various parties throughout the year. Our room parent will contact you to help with our celebrations. Physical Education - We have a scheduled 45 minute physical education class daily. Playground Rules - Playground rules will be reviewed during the first week of school. Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence - Each morning we will recite the pledge of allegiance to the United States and Texas flags and observe one minute of silence. Principal - Our principal is Mrs. Karen Sloan. PTO (Parent/Teacher Organization) - All parents are encouraged to join the schools PTO.

Q Questions - Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child's education. I will make every effort to meet with you and discuss your concerns. R Read - Read to your child daily and let your child see you reading daily. Our goal is for your child to be reading 60 words per minute at the end of this school year. Recess - your child will have recess every day for 20 minutes. Report Cards - We are on a six-week grading period. Your child will receive a report card each six-weeks. This year your child will be given number grades. The report card will be a computer print-out. Just tear off the bottom, sign and return it in the envelope. Restrooms - We have restrooms close to our room and your child is allowed to go when needed. Room Parents - If you would like to be a room parent, please let me know. Rules - We have five rules in first grade; 1. Listen and follow directions, 2. Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself, 3. Work quietly and do not disturb others, 4. Walk quietly in the building, 5. Respect school and personal property. S Safety - Your child's safety is top priority. I take every precaution when your child is in my care. Please send a note with your child or call the school if he/she is to go home a different way.

Schedule - The daily class schedule can be found at the bottom of this page under the "resources" tab. School Supplies - You can find our school supply list on the OBryant Primary's web page. Sometimes we run out of certain items and I may ask you to replace supplies during the year. Shoes - It is very important to wear comfortable shoes. I suggest closed toed sneakers for all of our first grade activities. PLEASE NO SANDALS OR FLIP FLOPS!!! T Tardies - Students late to school (after 8:10 am) are considered tardy. Your child will need to go to the office and get a tardy slip. We start a morning assignment at 7:55 each day. Your child will fall behind if he/she is not at school on time. Toys - Toys from home are not allowed unless they are brought for special activities. Transportation - If your child will be going home a different way than what I have in my files, you MUST call the school or send me a note. I will not let your child go with another adult or a different way unless you have notified me. The adult also must be listed on the pick up form in the office. U Units and Themes - In the newsletter I will put the units/themes we will be discussing that month.

V Visitors - Please make sure that you sign in at the office before you come to the classroom. I will be looking for your sticker when you enter the room. The school district also has very strict procedures for all visitors entering the building. More information on this will be sent home at the beginning of the school year Volunteers - We always need volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering in our classroom, please contact me. Like I mentioned above, I would love to have you! W Water Bottles - Water bottles are needed at the beginning of school when it is so hot outside. I want your child to stay hydrated during the day and water bottles are a convenient way to get water quickly. Water bottles will be sent home everyday to be washed. Don't forget to send them back each day. Work Stations - Literacy stations are where students work while I meet with small groups of children for guided reading. Y Yearbook - You will have a chance to buy a yearbook in the spring. What better way to capture those elementary years than with a yearbook.

Z ZZZZs - Your child should get plenty of rest each night. First Grade students require hours of sleep a day. It is so important for your child to be alert and ready to learn each day. Set a bedtime and be consistent.