1. Acorn Class at Ightham Primary School

2. Welcome! Miss Cook – Class teacher
Mrs Jarrett – PPA cover on a Wednesday morning
Teaching assistant is Mrs Larson
Parent Class representative is Mrs Barden

3. Routines Morning arrangements.
Stay in early years play ground until 8.45am, then bring children to the side door once it has been opened. The school day begins at 8:50am. If you are late, please sign your child into the school office.
Please do not let children or siblings play under covered way with any toys or equipment before school.
Next week, encourage children to come in independently. Hang up own coat, put own book bag in box and find name card on door.
Afternoon arrangements
From next week (WC: 12th September), children to be collected from classroom door at 12:30pm after they have eaten lunch.
From 19th September. Collection at 3.15 pm from classroom door. Please be patient while we get to know your faces 

4. Routines Reading books
Books are changed on a Monday. You will be sent home three each Monday to read and re-read throughout the week. Bugclub will begin when your child starts full days. Books set every 2 weeks.
No words to begin with. Next level book sent home when assessed to be ready.
Homework
Sent home on Friday. To be returned by following Wednesday.

5. Routines Woodland Learning
Every Monday afternoon – Children to come into school wearing long, comfortable trousers/jogging bottoms/leggings every Monday. No dresses/skirts.
Children need a named pair of wellies in school everyday.
All-in-ones – Named and kept in school everyday. PE
Wednesday afternoon
Children will need a named kit (shorts, T-shirt, plimsolls/trainers) in school everyday. NAME EVERYTHING – EVEN TIES!
Children will be encouraged to undress and dress independently.

6. Uniform Please label EVERYTHING! Smart uniform is required everyday
No nail polish
Long hair should be tied up everyday
Please ensure your child knows where their items are labelled – should be able to identify bottles, bags, jumpers etc. as independently as possible
Please ensure your child has a waterproof coat in school everyday
Earrings to be plain studs only. Must be able to be removed by child independently for PE.

7. Medicines
All medicines need to be taken to the school office by an adult.
Medication form to be completed
Inhalers / Epi-pens (2) to be in school at all times. Please send inhalers / Epi-pens into school in clear plastic boxes and ensure the box is clearly labelled.
Allergies/dietary requirements – Please let us know ASAP if you have not already

8. Home-School Contact Book
One of the important links between home and school
Signed daily by parents and staff
Comment on your child’s reading – Daily where possible.
Any messages for us – regarding pick up, child’s well-being etc. If urgent, let us know in the morning.

9. Our Partnership Weekly Newsletters From headteacher every Friday.
From myself every Friday – Acorn class specific. Our newsletter will tell you what we have been learning this week, what we will be learning next week, any reminders, key dates coming up and any messages
Our newsletter will let you know what your child is learning in Literacy and Maths the following week and will also tell you what phonics sounds and tricky words we are focussing on throughout the week.
Sent home in book bag each Friday.

10. School Website
Webpage has lots of information!
Timetables, key days, show and tell, curriculum overview, newsletter, home support materials.
Acorn Class Blog
Secure blogging website made specially for primary schools. Password protected - only accessible by you. Share our exciting activities. Updated a few times a term.
Let me know if you do not want your child to appear on our blog.
Parent Mail
How school shares important information regarding non-uniform days, whole school events, class specific information, important notifications about cancellations etc. Please speak to office if you have not signed up for this.

11. School Houses
Each child will be assigned to one of the four school house families – siblings will be placed in the same house.
Show and tell dates
Your child will be given a specific week in which they can bring in a toy or item of interest to talk about. This may be linked to topic. List to be sent home tomorrow and at the beginning of each term.
Topic - an over view is given at the beginning of every term – this will be on the website shortly. This term it is ‘Marvellous Me’ and ‘Into the Woods’.

12. Behaviour
School code of conduct and behaviour policy can be found on the school website.
Class rules and expectations
Adults clap out a rhythm, sing a short phrase or shake a tambourine. Children are expected to stop and look at the adult and echo clap or phrase. Adult emphasises need to listen for instructions. A good learner needs to be a good listener. 
At carpet times visual cards are shown to emphasise expectations for good sitting, good listening and waiting turns to speak. These are reinforced constantly.

13. Sun, rainbow and sad cloud – Children all start on sun
Sun, rainbow and sad cloud – Children all start on sun. If they show great behaviour or learning their name is moved onto the rainbow and they are rewarded with a special sticker. If they make choices that do not follow expectations, their name will be moved onto the sad cloud. They will then have time to show they can make better choices and move back up the chart. If this doesn't happen, then will have time to think with an adult and if persistent, will be discussed with parents.
Star of the day – If a child shows outstanding behaviour or learning, they may be chosen to be ‘Star of the Day’ and rewarded with a special sticker.

14. Marble jar – To encourage positive behaviour as a collective class
Marble jar – To encourage positive behaviour as a collective class. A marble is given to reward working as a team, showing excellent behaviour/attitude as a class. Filling the jar will be rewarded with a treat at the end of term.
Super hero capes – linked to Building Learning Power. Children are encouraged to use important characteristics of learning. Rewarded with a cape to wear for the day.
Children are also rewarded for making good choices through verbal praise, class applause, a sticker or a house point.

15. Timetable
The termly timetable can be found on the Acorn Class webpage on the school website.
Timetable will vary to follow children's interests.

17. Healthy School We are part of the Healthy Schools Network
The children are provided with fruit in the morning.
Every child is entitled to a carton of milk everyday up until they turn 5. Can continue to pay for this after birthday.
Only water in water bottles. This is a whole school requirement. Please bring in named water bottles until PSA provide bottles.
Please don’t keep bottles in book bags due to leaks!
We encourage walking to school where possible.

18. Open Classroom
Drop in time for Acorn Class is Thursday between pm
Share child’s work
If you have anything you would like to discuss
If any concerns, please make a note in the home school contact book to speak to me at another convenient time.

19. Marking Work will be marked against the specific Learning Objective
2 stars and a wish
Pink for positive comments
Green for next steps
In Reception most marking will be verbal feedback

20. Assessment
Your child’s progress will be recorded in their Learning Journey Folder.
We will be trialling Tapestry. I will provide more information around this when it has been fully set up.
Monitoring the skills that children are developing
Enabling us to plan effectively in order to meet children’s learning needs.
Parents’ Evenings
We take into account your child’s learning at home – so we would love to hear all about it!

21. Absence Please notify the school by telephone before 8.50am
If your child is physically sick or has diarrhoea, they should be kept home for 48 hours even if they appear to be fine.
If your child arrives after the register has been taken, please ensure you sign them in, in the school office
Requests for Annual leave - appointment to see Head teacher
Pupil attendance target is 96%+

22. Parent Volunteers
If you would like to be a parent volunteer, please advise the class teacher.
Meeting to take place Friday 9th September at 9am in library with Miss Avery.
Can volunteer in other classes.

23. Key Dates Coming Up...
Harvest festival – Friday 14th October. Reception and KS1 in school hall.
Acorn class Christmas performance – Friday 2nd December at 9:15am in school hall.
Please check Parent Mail and the school website for other important dates throughout the year.

24. If you have a question, please come and talk to me 