The ABC's of First Grade
Attendance is very important! If your child is absent, please email or call the nurse. If you would like work sent home please call the office in the morning for arrangements to be made.
Your child will have an Assignment book this year. All homework assignments will be written in it on a daily basis. Please check it each night and have your child return it to school each day.
Every child's Birthday is important. Ice cream may be purchased for the whole class as a special snack during lunch. Please make arrangements with Ms. Cavitch ahead of time. Birthday invitations may be distributed in class only if ALL students are invited.
Communication is very important. Feel free to contact me whenever you have a question or concern. I can be reached by phone at (908) 475-4773 ext 3410 or by e-mail [email protected].
Discipline is essential for a consistent educational environment. We work hard as a class to make the classroom a positive and safe place for all. Students are expected to treat each other with kindness and follow our rules. Rules are agreed upon during the first week of school. They include:
1. Show respect.
2. Listen.
3. Do your best work.
Students are always encouraged to follow the rules. Mistakes are sometimes made but children are gently reminded of the rules. If a rule is continuously broken or if the rule broken is serious (ex. hitting another child) a child may have to sit out for a few minutes of recess.
First grade is an Exciting year.
We will be going on aField trip. We always like for room parents to go with us. Chaperones may be picked through a lottery.
We will have G ym/physical education three times a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Students are asked to wear athletic shoes on these days.
Students will have Homework Monday through Thursday. The homework assignments may vary but will mostly include math and reading. Please make sure your child’s homework folder is sent to school each day and that it is checked daily for important information. With each new phonic skill, a story will be sent home for students to read. Parents are asked to initial the booklet daily. Please keep the story in your child's folder until a new one is sent home. In December, homework will include participation in a daily reading log. Students may choose a book from home or school to read each night with a family member. The log will then be dated, signed and returned to school in their folder.
Independence is a goal for students because it builds self-esteem, self-confidence and self-help skills. First graders are capable of doing many things on their own and I encourage them to do as much as they can for themselves in the classroom. .
Don't forget to Join the PTO! Parent participation is important and valued.
TheKeys to a successful school year include good communication between home and school, a positive attitude, homework turned in on time and good attendance.
We will be checking out Library books each week. Please remember to return library books on Monday.
Lunch can be purchased each day. Each student will have a lunch card. The cost of lunch is $3.80. You may send in a check and pay for a week or two worth of lunches at a time. It will be recorded on your child's lunch card and saves your child from having to be responsible for money each day.
Money is difficult for a child to keep track of. Please send all money in a sealed envelope or bag labeled with your child's name.
Each child will enjoy the privilege of being our class Mvp. Watch for your child to come home with more information when chosen.
Our school Nurse is on staff to take care of any emergencies and needed medications. If your child has a fever or has been sick the night before, please do not send him/her to school.
We can place Orders through the Scholastic Book Club throughout the year. If you would like to order any books please let me know. When paying please make checks payable to Scholastic or order online (see website).
Parent/teacher conferences will be held during November and in March. I look forward to meeting each parent individually!
We will have three Parties this year. We look forward to celebrating a Fall party, Winter Holiday party and a Valentine's Day party with our room parents.
Questions? Please feel free to contact me or the school. I try to check my voicemail and e-mail on a daily basis.
Reading is very important. We will be reading, reading, and reading in first grade. Please read to your child as often as possible. They will be coming home with books to read. Allow them to read it more than one time. This increases fluency.
Snow! On days when inclement weather requires a 2-hour delayed opening there will be a shortened lunch.
Scientists! Beginning sometime in the new year students will be given the opportunity to do a science experiment for the class. This allows the student to be the teacher and explain their experiment. Students will practice their experiments at home first with their parents and then they will be the expert for the day. More information will be coming.
Please help your child learn to Tie his/her shoes. We hope that everyone knows how by December!
Are yoU interested in Volunteering? We have two special days that require parent volunteers… apple day and pumpkin day. There is a sign up sheet on the table if you are interested. Please let me know ahead of time if you signed up but can no longer commit to coming in. We can’t run the activities without volunteers. When you come, remember to sign in at the office.
Have your child Wear practical clothes to school. We will make every effort to protect your child's clothes. Also, please label all jackets, sweaters, backpacks, and lunch boxes with permanent ink.
I am looking forward to an eXcellent year.
Please remember that You are your child's first and most important teacher. No one can influence your child's life in the way that you can!
Z is for zzzzzz! Please make sure that your child gets plenty of rest. Setting and keeping a bedtime is a wonderful gift you can give your child.