1. 1 st Grade Parent Orientation September 5, 2013 Mrs. Olivarez Conference time 9:30-10:20 a.m. robin.olivarez@comalisd.org

2. SCHOOL HOURS 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. Students arriving between 7:15 – 7:45 a.m. each morning will report to the first grade hallway. Announcements will begin at 7:35 in the classroom. Class begins promptly at 7:45, students who arrive after this time are considered tardy. *On Fridays all students who arrive after 7:30 will report to the gym for our weekly pep rally. Birthdays will be announced at this time, so if it is you child’s birthday week please be prompt for recognition.

3. ABSENCES A written excuse must accompany your child upon returning to school following an absence. Arrival after 10:00 a.m. is considered a full day absence. If a note is not sent, the absence is considered unexcused. If possible, please let me know ahead of time if you know your child will be absent for any reason.

4. AFTER SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION A written note is required if your child will be going home in a different way than usual. In case of emergency changes, the front office must be notified by 2:00 p.m. to ensure your child gets home the correct way. If I do not receive a note or message from the office, I will assume your child goes home in the usual way.

5. LEAVING EARLY Please understand that if you pick up your child early from school for any reason, normal afternoon procedures will be postponed until the following day. (i.e.: homework assignment, folder stamped, school communication, etc.)

6. SUPPLIES Having to be responsible for their own supplies can be a real task for First Graders. Please be aware that consumable supplies (crayons, pencils, spirals, folders, etc.) may need to be replaced throughout the school year. Notes will be sent home when “specialty items” are needed for projects or assignments.

7. SNACKS Due to our busy days, you are welcome to send a healthy snack each day with your child. Do keep in mind this snack will be consumed at your child’s desk. Please choose appropriate snacks of nutritional value that your child can eat independently and without a mess. Please see the CISD child nutrition website for appropriate snacks. Your child may bring a water bottle to school. Please ensure that it is only filled with water and that it is sent home daily for cleaning.

8. LUNCHES First Grade lunch time is 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. Please make sure your child has the correct amount of money for lunch, or that his/her lunch account is up to date. When sending lunch money to school, please send it in an envelope or baggie with your child’s name and lunch code, as well as the teacher’s name clearly visible. Classroom teachers cannot be responsible for loose change or bills.

9. RECESS First Graders will go to recess immediately following lunch. All children will participate in outside playtime (weather permitting) unless a written note is sent. Please be aware of the weather each day and dress your child accordingly. Tennis shoes are encouraged. In the case if inclement weather, we will have “inside recess” which may consist of center time or a video. For safety issues, there are to be no parents or siblings on the playground during recess.

10. BIRTHDAYS Birthdays are fun, especially when you are a first grader! Invitations to birthday parties may be distributed in class if every child receives an invitation. School employees are not allowed to provide addresses and/or phone numbers of students. You are welcome to bring a store bought baked good to celebrate your child’s birthday that the teacher will distribute at the end of the day. No cakes please

11. BOOK ORDERS Book orders will be sent home periodically. Please make checks or money orders payable to the specific book club. Cash is not accepted. You may also choose to order online. I will include our class code for online ordering. Turn-over time for book orders is approximately two weeks. Check the due date on the order forms so as not to miss out on the great opportunity to share the joy of reading with your child.

12. HOMEWORK Your child will have homework Mondays through Thursdays. Homework will consist of review and reinforcement, and will help build good study habits and responsibility in our First Graders. Spelling lists will be sent home Friday, in the newsletter, in preparation for the following week. Periodically your child will bring home “special projects” for homework. Please watch for these throughout the year and watch for due dates. Homework is due on Fridays and Guided Reading books should be read nightly.

13. CURRICULUM First Grade curriculum includes Math, Language Arts (reading, writing, listening and speaking), Social Studies, Science, and Handwriting. The curriculum incorporates and extends the concepts and skills found within the Comal ISD curriculum guides and the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills). See the district website for details.

14. DISCIPLINE Procedures and expectations are reinforced on a daily basis. Specht’s school wide policy is based on RESPECT, RESPONSIBILTY, SELF CONTROL and NO BULLYING. Children are rewarded daily/weekly for making the right choices during their learning day. All first grade students attending Specht Elementary will have a red behavior folder that needs to be checked daily.

15. GRADING First Graders receive a report card every six weeks to report your child’s progress. Progress reports will be distributed at the mid point of each six weeks.

16. LIBRARY/ACCELERATED READING Your child will visit the library weekly and check out one library book at that time. Library books are due the following week. The librarian, Mrs. Arnold, will send home information about the 100 Club for 1 st graders. Please look for information in the next few weeks.

17. DAILY FOLDERS Every day your child will bring home a red communcation folder, which may include homework assignments, notes or messages from the teachers or office staff. Please remove the papers in the folder nightly and initial daily on the behavior chart. Your child’s Red Folder should be returned to school daily.

18. Conferences 9:30-10:20 Formal conferences are held in the fall and as needed. I am happy to meet with you at anytime to discuss your child’s progress or any concerns you may have. Email or phone calls are other ways to conference with the teacher quickly.

19. Background Check All volunteers are required to complete a background check each and every school year. If you are interested in helping with class parties, field trips, field day, tutoring, etc… You will be required to complete a background check several weeks prior to volunteering.

20. Visitors If you plan to visit our campus at anytime, you are required to stop in the front office and present your drivers license. This will be run through the quick check machine and then you will be presented a badge to be visibly worn during your visit and turned in upon your departure from campus.

21. Your turn Question or comments?

22. Thank you for your support and time!