Dear Parents,

The following are topics that pertain to the curriculum, daily schedule and classroom policies and activities. Please save and refer to this during the year but always feel free to contact me if you have questions or concerns.

SCHEDULE: We begin prayer and attendance at 8:20 and classes begin at 8:30. Anyone arriving after 8:20 is considered tardy. Please check the student handbook for the policy on tardiness. Our morning consists of Calendar/Math activities, Reading, Phonics, Language, Handwriting and Spelling. In the afternoon, we study Math, Creative Writing, Religion, Science/Health and Social Studies.

For the subjects of Science/Health and Social Studies the children will switch classes. Mrs. Brown will teach Science/Health and Mrs. Whitaker will teach Social Studies. These subjects will be taught one day a week. Our plan is to switch on Tuesday afternoon.

Specials:

Monday: Story time with Mrs. Luchsinger; Computer (starting the second quarter)

Tuesday: Music

Wednesday: Spanish and Gym - Please be sure your child wears gym clothes and gym shoes on Wednesdays. See student handbook for details about OLV spirit wear. First graders wear their gym clothes all day instead of changing.

Thursday: Mass and Library (Books need to be returned on this day).

Friday: Music and Art

Lunch is at 11:25, so there will be no morning snack. Please encourage your child to eat a good breakfast before coming to school.

GRADING: The Archdiocese of Cincinnati has a standardized report card used throughout the archdiocese. The grades reflected on the report card are as follows:

               O (Outstanding)                    S- (Below Satisfactory)

                S (Satisfactory Progress)      N (Needs Improvement)

These grades are used for Religion, Language Arts, Expression, Handwriting, Math, Social Studies, Science, Health, Gym, Music and Art.

Please Note: There will not be a separate grade for Reading on the report card. The grade for Language Arts includes Reading and Phonics.

Expression includes spelling, grammar and creative writing.

When correcting your child’s work, I usually use a fraction to denote the number correct over the total items (24/25). I also try to use a sticker, star, smiley face or comment to encourage your child. We go over all directions together, do examples and practice the work before the children are expected to complete work independently. Graded papers will come home in the Brown Envelope (usually on Mondays). When you sign the Brown Envelope that lets me know that you have seen the papers. Ballpoint pen or Sharpie markers work best on the laminated surface of the envelope. You may also use return address labels instead of signing the envelope. It is not necessary for you to return the papers in the brown envelope. Occasionally, I will request a paper be returned; but it will always be stamped “Please sign and return.”

Daily practice work and fun papers will come home in the GREEN “TAKE HOME FOLDER.” These papers are not included in your child’s grade. They are practice work.

PLEASE RETURN THE GREEN FOLDER EACH DAY. The green folder will be sent home daily. If you have anything that needs to go to the office or myself, please put it in the green folder.

DISCIPLINE: I use assertive discipline in my classroom. For example, “Joe, I like the way you raised your hand.” “I am so proud of the way you walked quietly in the hall.” It usually works because children enjoy compliments and positive remarks.  

I also have a “Bear Jar” in my classroom. Several times during the day, I try to catch the entire class cooperating, following a classroom rule, receiving a compliment from another teacher, etc. When this happens, I put bears in the jar. When we fill the jar, the class gets a reward (extra recess, movie with a treat, etc.) It helps our class work together as a team.

If a child is having discipline issues, they will be dealt with on an individual basis (removed from activity for a brief time, 5 minute loss of recess). If discipline issues continue to be a problem, the child’s parents will be contacted and a behavior plan will be developed to help the child develop appropriate classroom behavior.

I HAVE ATTACHED A COPY OF THE CLASSROOM RULES. I would appreciate it if you would discuss the rules with your child. THANKS!

READING: For the first couple of weeks, we will be reviewing letter sounds and simple sight words (the words on the inventory list). When we begin the reader, I will be covering about one story per week. The story will be used to teach vocabulary and comprehension. Many stories in the reader will be too hard for some children to read independently. If this is the case with your child, read to them and have them follow along reading words they do know or help them sound out a few new words. On Fridays we will take a vocabulary and comprehension test over the story.

You will receive a vocabulary list for each reader and I will list the specific vocabulary words and story we will be working on in my weekly newsletter and also on my website. I encourage you to read to your child as often as possible. Children learn to read fluently and with expression by our example and modeling.

I will be teaching the whole class together, as well as teaching in small groups. Our reading series has leveled books and extra stories to reinforce phonic skills. I will use these books and other leveled books to work with children in small groups. These groups are flexible, which means students are not necessarily with the same group all year. I will be evaluating reading levels at the beginning as well as periodically throughout the year.

 While I am working with small groups, the students will be working at centers. This allows students the opportunity to practice skills taught in class. Centers may include writing, math, spelling, puzzles, art, phonics, reading, etc.

SPELLING: We will start spelling once we start the reader. Each week students will have a new list of 10 words that follow the phonics skills that are being taught that week and 2 challenge words from the vocabulary list. The 2 vocabulary words will be graded as extra credit and not mandatory spelling words.   A spelling list and spelling packet will be sent home on Friday in the Green Folder.   Students are to complete one page of the spelling packet each night and return the completed packet by the following Friday. Our spelling tests will usually be on Fridays. LOOK FOR THE FIRST SPELLING LIST AND SPELLING PACKET TO COME HOME ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2^nd. OUR FIRST SPELLING TEST WILL BE ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9^TH.

CREATIVE WRITING: Your child will begin writing in our class immediately. At first, the creative process may consist only of pictures and a few letters. Soon individual words will begin to appear in their work. As the process develops, I encourage the use of “inventive spelling” – writing words the way they sound to the child (phonetically). At the beginning, this often excludes vowel sounds and sometimes the final sound. I also encourage the children to use the word wall that is in our classroom. It is a list of simple sight words. Please encourage your child to write often (a thank you note to Grandma, a letter to a friend, a sentence about a picture they drew, etc.). Writing will not be sent home on a daily basis. Each child has a Writing Journal/Folder which will be kept at school.  Our class will also write and illustrate several class books. When we make a class book, I work with the children individually to help them edit their writing.

HANDWRITING: When practicing at home, encourage the children to write their letters and numbers on the handwriting lines. NUMBERS AND LETTERS NEVER BEGIN ON THE BOTTOM LINE; ALWAYS START AT THE TOP AND GO DOWN.  (See attached handwriting sheet). Students should be writing their name using a capital letter only for the first letter in his/her name.

MATH: Our school uses a program called Saxon Math. It helps children understand the concepts of math, as well as, learn the basic addition and subtraction facts. A letter about the math program and details about how to complete math homework was already sent home. The homework needs to be corrected, signed/initialed by a parent and returned the next day. I also use several Math Your Way activities along with Saxon Math.

HOMEWORK: Most of the time, homework consists of the oral reading, vocabulary, spelling packet and math paper. Homework will be listed in my weekly newsletter. Try to make homework fun by taking turns reading, playing a memory game with the vocabulary words, etc. I suggest that you complete homework in small time frames. For example, study vocabulary words and read for 15 minutes, take a break and then help your child with the math paper.

MASS: We will attend Mass weekly on Thursdays at 8:30 a.m., as well as on Holydays and All School Mass days.   Please feel free to join us at Mass.

PRAYERS: In first grade, we will learn the following prayers: The Sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be and Guardian Angel Prayer. We also sing some of our prayers and make up our personal prayers to thank God and ask for His help. Each day we point to a country on the globe and pray for the people who live there.

BAYLEY PLACE: Our class will visit Bayley Place, a retirement/nursing home across from Mount St. Joseph College. In the past, it has been a wonderful experience and I think a way to teach the children how to live their faith as Jesus did. When we visit, we make cards or crafts for them, sing songs, play Bingo, etc. You will receive a separate letter about Bayley Place dates and activities.

SOMEONE SPECIAL: In our classroom, we have an “All About Me” bulletin board. Each child will have a turn to be the “Someone Special.” If your child is the “Someone Special” for the week, he/she will bring home a form and a poster on Friday to be filled out with your help. Your child may also bring his/her favorite book to school that week for me to read to the class. This activity is a great way to encourage oral language, practice listening skills and build self-esteem.

Your child will also bring home the guessing jar when he/she is “Someone Special.” You will need to help your child find between 50 and 100 items to place in the jar. (Example: pennies, buttons, legos, crayons, etc.) Count the items with your child, but instruct him/her not to tell anyone how many items are in the jar, not even their best friend! The other children in the class will have the opportunity to guess (estimate) how many items are in the jar. On Friday, we will count the items and group them in various ways. The items will be returned in a zip-loc bag. Thanks for your cooperation with the activity. The children love it!

SUPPLIES: Glue sticks and pencils will need to be replaced several times during the school year. You may want to buy these supplies while they are still on sale.   I will try to send a reminder home or have a reminder in my newsletter about supplies running out. PLEASE STICK TO THE ORIGINAL SUPPLY LIST (GLUE STICKS, #2 PENCILS, SMALL BOX OF CRAYONS, ETC.) WHEN REPLACING SUPPLIES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION.

BIRTHDAYS: You are welcome to send a treat for your child’s birthday. Cookies, cupcakes or individual bags of snacks work best in the classroom. You are also invited to be a guest reader for your child’s birthday. This is not mandatory, but the kids love it! If you indicated that you would like to be a guest reader on the “Help Wanted” paper, I will contact you to arrange a convenient time for you to read. I’m flexible and can work around your schedule.  If your child has a summer birthday, you may celebrate their half-birthday or select a date in May to celebrate.

TRANSPORTATION: If your child is going to go home a different way than you indicated on the transportation form, please write me a note. If you forget to write a note, please call the office and they will let me know. Thanks! It is a priority with me that your children are safe.

VOLUNTEERING: It is mandatory for you to have the Child Protection Decree and Fingerprinting to participate in field trips, be a room parent, volunteer in the classroom, etc.

COMMUNICATION: You will receive a weekly newsletter in the Brown Envelope (usually on Monday) to communicate curriculum, activities, homework, etc. for the week. You will also find my newsletter, vocabulary words and spelling list posted on my school website. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns with a note, email or phone call. I believe that communication is very important! If it is a matter that needs to be addressed during the school day, please send a note or call the office at 347-2072. They will get the message to me. My email address is whitakerl@olv-school.org. My voicemail number is 347-8877. My phone number at home is 347-9453.

Thank you in advance for all your help and cooperation. Your children are a precious gift and I will do my best to help them learn and grow. I am looking forward to a great school year in first grade!!!!

Sincerely,

Linda Whitaker

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