2. Welcome to First Grade! Where Learning Grows Each Day! Mrs. Desmarais: jdesmarais@nisdtx.org 817-215-0497jdesmarais@nisdtx.org Ms. Feller: tfeller@nisdtx.org 817-215-0495tfeller@nisdtx.org Mrs. Hinte: bhinte@nisdtx.org 817-215-0463bhinte@nisdtx.org Mrs. Moore: kmoore@nisdtx.org 817-215-0496kmoore@nisdtx.org Ms. Scheerle: mscheerle@nisdtx.org 817-215-0499mscheerle@nisdtx.org

3. Tonight, parents will… know and understand their role in the Parent Learning Community. know ways they can be involved with their child’s classroom and school. understand the expectations of a student at Samuel Beck Elementary

4. NISD Beliefs

5. Samuel Beck Mission Statement In partnership with the community, Beck Elementary is committed to success for all learners, ensuring a safe environment that implements rigorous, relevant curricula and focused instruction.

6. Schedule Doors Open at 7:20 Tardy Bell: 7:45 Lunch: 11:45-12:15 Recess: 12:15-12:45 Electives/Conference: 12:55-1:50 Dismissal: 2:45

7. Communication Student Handbook and Code of Conduct at www.nisdtx.org/studenthandbook Class websites at www.nisdtx.orgwww.nisdtx.org Select Beck Elementary>Staff>Teacher Name Daily Communication Folders Pay lunch account online: Parents>Menus/Food Services Should your child bring lunch money with him or her to school, it needs to be in an envelope or bag with your child’s name, the teacher’s name, and “lunch” written on the front of the envelope. The envelope needs to be placed in the clear pocket sleeve of the Daily Communication Folder. Transportation changes must be in emailed to the front office at beckelem@nisdtx.org by 2:00 p.m. beckelem@nisdtx.org Parent/Teacher fall conferences

8. TEA Website TEA website: www.tea.state.tx.uswww.tea.state.tx.us - Select “T” from A-Z menu; - Select “Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills” - Scroll down to first grade

9. Home Access Grades Online NISD provides grades online through the Home Access Center (HAC). Paper copies of progress reports and report cards can be provided for students in grades 1 – 5 upon request. Kinder students will receive a paper copy due to the format. First grade report cards start the second six weeks. A letter will be sent home with each student that has the information parents need to access grades online. If you have not received this letter about the Home Access Center (HAC), please contact the front office at www.beckelem@nisdtx.org

10. Grades The grading system for NISD is as follows: 100 – 90AExcellent Progress 89 – 80BAbove Average Progress 79 – 70CAverage Progress 69 – 0FUnsatisfactory Progress (Failing) Other areas of study such as art, music, PE, work habits, social behavior, and student progress are marked as follows: E = Performs consistently at excellent/above standard expectations S = Performs consistently at standard expectations N = Performs slightly below standard expectations U = Performs consistently below standard expectations

11. Homework Guidelines Check for homework in daily folder Read every night Parent involvement

14. Classroom Management Love & Logic www.loveandlogic.comwww.loveandlogic.com Daily Communication Calendar

15. First Graders Set Goals!

16. Writers’ Workshop Teacher directed opening mini-lessons to model and encourage children to become writers Independent student writing related to topics of choice, retells, nonfiction, and a variety of genres Student goal setting and guidance through individual conferring and small group work Students share work in response group and author’s chair

18. Readers’ Workshop Whole group reading Mini-lessons provide pre-reading activities such as directionality, concepts of print, book awareness and introduction of reading strategies. Independent reading activity

20. Guided Reading Small group reading according to instructional needs with teacher guidance Reading material challenges students’ instructional needs and increases comprehension, accuracy, fluency, and vocabulary Reading strategies are modeled and practiced.

21. Social Studies Citizenship Families Communities Laws and Rules Holidays and Customs Historical Figures Time Lines Maps Goods/Services

22. Level CLevel J

23. Science Students will explore: Physical science – matter, heat and change, magnets, force, prisms Earth science – rocks, soil, water, weather, temperature, clouds, the moon, the sun, seasons Life science – animals, food chains, interdependence, lifecycles Science Inquiry Showcase- Spring, 2013

24. Math Units Patterns Two and three dimensional shapes Counting money Telling time Addition and subtraction up to 18 Measuring Fractions Creating graphs Problem solving strategies We love Math!

25. Technology in Action Student laptops and iPad carts Electronic Chalkboards Data Projectors Document Cameras Distance Learning Media Cast CPS Receivers (think George Jetson!) Eduphoria Home Access

26. Electives Art Music P.E. Rotation Schedule

27. Dress Code See handbook for dress code guidelines: Shoes (sandals must have strap – no flip flops) Clothing (no tank tops or spaghetti straps)

28. Make-Up Work Beck’s Guidelines: Make-up work may be requested only if a child has been absent for more than two days. Parents may email the front office before 9:00 a.m. to request homework on the second day of an absence. The make-up work will then be available at the front desk at 3:20 p.m. on the second day. Work will not be sent home with siblings, neighbors, or friends. Teachers often need to work with children when they return to school, so not all work will be sent home.

29. Birthday Celebrations Parents may provide a treat for a child’s birthday that will be served during the last hour of the day. Please provide individual servings for the celebration (i.e., cupcakes, cookies, etc.). Napkins must be provided. Treats are to be dropped off at the front office, or the student may bring them to the classroom in the morning. Parents are not to be in attendance at this time, and we do not take pictures of this celebration. Personal party invitations may not be handed out during the school day. The child, however, may stand outside the classroom door as students are leaving for the day to pass out party invitations.

30. Special Events Fall and Spring Field Trips Winter Party Fairy Tale Ball (Valentine’s Party) Field Day (May)

31. STAAR Testing Dates DateDayGradeSTAAR Test 2-AprTues4thWriting - Day 1 Tues5thMath 3-AprWed4thWriting - Day 2 Wed5thReading 22-AprTues3rdMath Tues4thMath 23-AprWed3rdReading Wed4thReading Wed5thScience 13-MayTues5thMath - Retest 14-MayWed5thReading - Retest 24-JunTues5thMath - Retest 25-JunWed5thReading - Retest

32. Parent Volunteers Background checks must be completed and on file with the office before parents volunteer. Thank you for volunteering!

33. We are looking forward to growing with you this year! Thanks for coming!

34. Questions or Concerns?