Welcome to
Miss Sibley's Class.
Procedure Handbook
Classroom Reference
Guide
Dear First Grade Families,
Some important information to start off the year!
I know this is a lot of information, but please read it carefully.
Each child will receive a red school folder. Please take good care of it so that you do not have to replace it. This folder will go home everyday and needs to return every morning. Inside you will find two pockets, a keep at home pocket and a return to school pocket. Please keep ONLY what is supposed to go in each pocket. If, picture money or an important note is placed in the keep at home pocket, I may over look it. I will check the return to school pocket each day. Your child’s daily behavior sheet will be kept in the return to school pocket. It will need to be signed and returned each day. Homework will go home each Monday (possibly on Fridays) and will be placed in a pocket on the back of the folder. Homework is due at the end of the week, not the next day. You know your child and your family’s schedule; you pace and do homework according to what works best for you. If you miss or forget a night…breathe! It’s okay. If you can’t do it that week, it is okay. Along with the homework, you will find our class newsletter each week as well. The newsletter will inform you of class events, school events and skills we are working on in class. You will also find a suggestion on how you can pace homework if you choose to pace it this way.
The front of the folder will have a paper book that your child will read to you each night. Reading is crucial at this point. Even if you do not do homework, please read this book with your child or have them read it to you or both each night. The book needs to come back the next day. Daily work will be placed in the keep at home pocket and does not need to come back, it is for you to view so you can see what we are doing, but you do not have to return this daily work. Use it as a review, save it, or discard.
Graded papers go home every Wednesday in a separate yellow folder and need to be returned the following day. Please keep ONLY graded papers in the yellow folder. Discuss these papers with your child and then put them back into folder. Sign the provided lined sheet in the folder. ALL TESTS/QUIZZES/PAPERS THAT HAVE A D OR AN F MUST BE SIGNED BY PARENT OR GUARDIAN ACROSS THE TOP, this is in addition to signing and dating your name on the lined sheet. Your signature on the lined paper signifies that you saw and discussed the papers with your child and by signing D and F papers I will know that you are aware of your child’s grades. Begin with the first page and use the first line when signing. If you have any comments or questions about the graded papers feel free to write these on the comment line next to your signature.
***Tests will be given weekly, generally on Friday, but you will be notified on the homework sheet or in your child’s folder if it is not on a Friday. As of right now, let’s assume all tests and quizzes will be on Friday.
*** We love to celebrate birthdays. Feel free to send cupcakes, cake, or drinks when it is time to celebrate your child’s birthday. Check with the office to drop off birthday treats, unless you send them with your child on the bus.
*** Our classroom rules and consequences will be written together as a class the first few weeks of school. The children will play a part in helping me decide what they think the best rules would be to help us have a safe and happy classroom. Once we have discussed and understand the rules each child will sign the rule “contract.” They will be posted in the class and I will reinforce and remind the children daily what is expected. Listed below are a few things that I like to reinforce in the classroom.
- Always be ready to learn by paying attention!
- Say please and thank you.
- Dream Big!
- Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
- Be respectful and use your manners.
- Do your best.
- Try new things.
- Make mistakes.
- Raise your hand.
- 10. Follow Directions-school and classroom.
- Work hard!!!
12. No loud talking unless given permission.
In addition to classroom expectations, your child is responsible for school wide rules as well. Each day your child will have a behavior chart go home with him or her. You are to sign and return each day and comment if you need to. GREEN: Means great day. BOTTOM OF GREEN: Redirection/Warning ORANGE: Means redirection, after warning at least once your child has been redirected. YELLOW: Warning for failure to adhere to redirection and your child will have time out with warning that stricter consequences will follow if behavior is not taken care of. BLUE: A blue face may result in one of the following: Written reflection work, office recess detention or office before school detention. RED: Office referral. At times I may write notes or make phone calls home regarding your child’s behavior. If there is a serious problem, then you will hear from me or possibly the office that day either by phone, note in the folder, or email so that we can address and discuss what we need to do. Children will be praised and rewarded in class often. Good behavior will not be overlooked. I will have a take a break area that your child may be asked to sit in if they are not listening or cooperating. This is not a negative thing, but simply a place to calm down, regroup, and get ready to join the class again. If I feel that the loss of a privilege is necessary then that may take place.
As I learn each child I will begin to learn what works for them and what does not. Together you and I can help them be successful. Once again, rules will be repeated, practiced and discussed. They will be clear so that the child knows what is expected, and that when they break the rule they understand why there are consequences. My goal is not to point out the negative and constantly drill “move your clip.” I want the children to have a positive experience and not be worried about what face they are on. There may be times that I may write you a note about a wrong choice or a not so good behavior. I may ask you to talk to them about it, or I may just be informing you. Each day is different and you just never know about a first grade classroom. If I feel that I need to address something major, you will hear from me and we can decide if we need to conference or what we can do about your child’s experience.
The first three-four weeks of school we will do lots of procedure practicing. For example we will learn expectations on entering and leaving the classroom, walking in halls, class time, pencil sharpening, bathroom time, etc.
Let’s make this a great year!