1. Please turn in/fill out the Student Information Sheet and Dismissal plans. Find your child’s spot!

2. Graduated from ISU in 2009 Dream to teach here—2 nd year at Sangamon! Taught 4 th grade in Houston (1 year) Taught 3 rd grade in Thomasboro (2 years) Grew up in St. Joseph, own a house in Urbana Got married this summer! I have a wonderful dog named Mr. Fitzsimmons!

3. - Please do not drop your child off at school until 8:00 or after. - First bell rings at 8:10, at this time students will be dismissed to their classroom. - Last bell will ring at 8:25. **If you would like to walk your child to the classroom on the first day, you are more than welcome to!

4. Students will be dismissed from the classroom at 2:50. If your child rides a bus, they will either load the bus right away or go to the gym to wait for the late bus. If your child is car pick up or a walker, they will exit through the front doors.

5. If your child’s after school plans are going to be different than what they normally are, PLEASE send a note with him or her in the morning or call the office.

6. First graders have recess at 10:15. At this time students are allowed to take their snack to the cafeteria to eat. Each student needs to bring their own snack every day. Milk will also be for sale at this time.

7. Lunch begins at 12:10 There will be 2 hot lunch choices daily and your child will sign up for lunch when they get into the classroom in the morning. Please discuss with your child each day what they will choose for their lunch option. Hot lunch is $1.85 per day or $9.25 per week **Breakfast is now being served. Milk is 40 cents Students may also bring a lunch from home On nice days we often have lunch outside Parents are always welcome to join us for lunch

8. If your child is eating hot lunch at school, you can either send money to school or put money into an account online. - Sending money to school Lunch money should be put into an envelope with your child’s first and last name on it and teacher’s name. - Online (I can show you on the website) If you would like to pay for your child’s lunch online with a credit card, you may do that from Sangamon’s website.

9. **This will be on a sticker in your child’s take home folder. Monday: Art Tuesday: Library (every other week) Music Wednesday: P.E. Thursday: Music Friday: P.E. **We will also have Character counts every other week.

10. Any time you visit school, please make sure that you check in at the office and get an orange visitor sticker.

11. We will celebrate birthdays at school either on or near your child’s birthday. Please do not send party invitations to school unless the whole class is invited. Sangamon is no longer doing birthday treats. However, we will be making a birthday booklet!

12. Six pillars: Trustworthy Respect Responsibility Fairness Caring Citizenship School wide expectations: Be responsible Be safe Be respectful *We also have “Rules of the Jungle” that we’ll discuss.

13. Dojo—Students can gain or lose points based on their actions. Students have a chance to “cash in” their points on Fridays for their choice of reward. Tally mark compliments: whole group Reward coupons (individual) –their reward is class store. If you have “old treasures” at home that you’d like to donate..we would be glad to take it off your hands!

14. There is a volunteer sheet set up…if you’re able to volunteer write down your name/child’s name and the type of activity you’re interested in! Volunteer in our Classroom!

15. Communication is very important! Feel free to contact me whenever you have a question, comment or concern. The best way to get in touch with me is by email. You may also call the school and leave a message on my voicemail or stop in after school. Another great way to get in touch with me is to send a note to school in your child’s orange folder (*with their name). E-mail: bkeith@ms.k12.il.usbkeith@ms.k12.il.us OR brichardson@ms.k12.il.usbrichardson@ms.k12.il.us

16. Your child will have one folder to use for homework and information. One side should be returned to school and one side is to stay at home. Please check it each day and return it to school every day.

17. Your child will bring home baggie books each night, and these should also be returned daily. Your child should read each and every night for at least 15 minutes. Math is optional (unless stated otherwise). More information to come on that!

18. Math (Go Math, Daily Math, & Number Talks) Reading (Daily 5) English Language Arts (Includes Grammar, Spelling, Phonics) Writing Social Studies Science Art Music

19. In first grade math we focus on *adding *subtracting *word problems We also cover: *time to the hour and half hour *geometric shapes and manipulation *ordinal numbers *measurement *fractions in halves, thirds and quarters

20. First grade readers: -practice their newly-acquired reading skills -review former vocabulary words and learn new ones -Learn reading strategies to enhance their reading and connect the reading to themselves -enjoy reading stories that are easy, just right, and challenging

21. for taking the time to attend Open House! I look forward to working with you and your child this year. It is going to be a wonderful year filled with exciting learning activities!