1. Getting Geared-up to Learn Mrs. Thompson’s First Grade Class 2017-2018
Back to school night
Getting Geared-up to Learn
Mrs. Thompson’s First Grade Class

2. Class Procedures- Before School
Drop-off begins at 7:30 am.
Kids can play on the first grade playground until the bell rings at 7:58 am. Yard duties are there to supervise.
Students line up in front of the classroom and wait to be let in, after the bell rings.
Tardy? – If your child arrives after the class has gone in and the door is shut, they need to get a tardy slip from the office.

3. Class Procedures – After School
Class is dismissed at 2:05 pm.
Pick up options include:
1. Meet your child at the door when the bell rings. Please choose this option if you can pick up your child immediately after school gets out.
2. Meet your child in the grass area on San Mateo. Supervision is provided there until 2:15 pm.
3. Meet your child in the flagpole area at the front of the school. Supervision is provided there until 2:15 pm.
Students picked up after 2:15 will need to be signed out in the office. Make arrangements for after school care/transportation with the school district, the YMCA or Kindercare and your child will be escorted there after school.

4. Class Procedures – Snack
10-minute snack break given daily
Please send your child with a small snack to eat each day.
Donations – Snacks donated to the class are used for any student who does not have a snack.
If your child has any diet restrictions, please make a note of it on their emergency release card.
Any snack items brought to class must have clearly labeled ingredient lists.

5. Lunch Procedures Lunch starts at 11:10 am and lasts for 20 minutes.
A 20-minute recess break immediately follows lunch.
Cold lunch students eat in the outside covered picnic area.
Hot lunch students eat in the cafeteria.
Students are escorted to lunch for the first few days of school and then they will be expected to walk their designated eating area on their own.

6. Homework Procedures
Homework is sent home on Fridays, provided that I have a parent helper to check it in.
Your child has 1 week to complete the work and will turn it in the following Friday.
Homework should be kept in the blue homework folder at all times.
Spelling lists are always on the first page of the packet. Spelling tests are on Fridays.

7. Clearly label any items brought to school.
Supplies
Most classroom supplies have already been provided.
Recommended additional classroom supplies
Large glue sticks
#2 Pencils
Reusable water bottle
An old, oversized shirt, smock, or lab coat for messy class activities.
White board markers – blue or black
Homework Supplies (Keep at home) –
#2 pencils
Scissors
Ruler
Crayons, Markers, or Colored Pencils
Erasers
Glue sticks or white glue
Clearly label any items brought to school.

9. Book Bridges
Your child will soon bring home a book for them to read each night at home.
The book is chosen based on your child’s reading level.
Read it at least 3 times and then return it to school to receive a new book.
A parent helper will read the book with your child and help them select a new book.
Parent volunteers are essential for this program to work.

11. Sight Word Lists
Starting next week, your child will receive their first sight word list.
Practice them until they can say them without hesitation, then sign and return the sheet.
Your child will be tested in class and given the next list to practice.
Some students will move through lists daily, while others will need a week or so per list.
There are 22 different sight word lists.
Hang on to old lists for later review.

12. District Assessments Given every 5 weeks
Cover standards in both math and English.
Standardized – Multiple choice
You will receive a small slip of paper with your child’s scores for each exam.

13. Lexia Supplements our core reading program.
Students work at their own level.
Students spend minutes logged in daily.
Can be accessed from home via
Usernames and passwords will be sent home next week.

14. AR – Accelerated Reader
Encourages independence in reading.
Strong focus on reading comprehension.
Students read a wide variety of books and take short reading comprehension quizzes to earn points.
Students are tested to determine which level of books are best for them.
Each student has a quarterly and yearly goals for the number of points earned.
Books can be read at school and at home. Tests can only be taken at school.

15. STEAM Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math
Incorporated into daily instructional activities and centers.
Highlighted on Fridays during designated STEAM time.
Encourages creativity, perseverance, critical thinking, and problem solving.

16. Singapore Math Concrete Visual Abstract Lots of hands-on activities
Focuses on understanding the process, not memorizing it

17. Volunteer Opportunities
Book Bridge Helper – mornings, before recess
Teacher’s Assistant – any time, daily and homework check-in every Friday
AR Reading Buddy – 1:20-2:05, daily
STEAM Assistant – 11:50 – 1:00, Fridays
Class Photographer
Room Parent/Party Coordinators
Please sign up for an available time slot on the Volunteer Sign-up sheet. All volunteers must have board approval before they start working with students.

18. Contact Info.
Texts are best – (909) –
School phone number – (909)