Here is a working list of common questions that parents have asked me. I will
add more questions and answers as the year progresses.
- When is the first day of school?
- When does school start?
- Where do the students go in the morning?
- What should my child bring on the first day of school?
- What happens if my child is upset the first day of school?
- Can I stay in the classroom the first day of school?
- When does school end?
- Where will the students be at dismissal?
- What is the modified traditional calendar? Holidays?
- Can I help in the classroom? Can I visit the classroom?
- How can I contact you?
- What are your class rules?
- Can my child celebrate his or her birthday in class?
- Can I distribute birthday party invitations in the classroom?
- When is homework due? How do I know if my child has homework?
- Why do you have Thursday Early Out days?
When is the first day of school?
The first day of instruction is Monday, August 15.
It is a reverse minimum day so school starts at 10:10am. Dismissal is at 2:25pm.
When does school start?
The gates to the school open at 7:45am. (Please do not drop off students
earlier than 7:45am, as there is no adult supervision before then.) I pick
up the students at line at 7:55am. Instruction begins promptly at 8:00am.
Students do their first assignment and I take roll in the first 5 minutes of
class - so if your child is late, he or she will be marked tardy and will also
miss valuable instruction.
Where do the students go in the morning?
The students will line up in the courtyard near the Multi-Purpose
Room/Cafeteria. There is a line for each class. Our room number will be
marked in chalk on the ground the first week of school. We will line up at
the same spot throughout the school year. I will come and retrieve the
students before the first bell rings and lead them to class. (On the first
day of school, you may come immediately to my room E-2)
What should my child bring on the first day of school?
Please look at the "Supply List" page on this website. Make sure your child
has a backpack filled with the supplies listed on that page. He or she also
needs to bring a lunch (or $2.25 lunch money for the cafeteria). Make sure
that he or she wears appropriate clothing for summer since the weather is hot.
And students need to wear closed toed shoes with a backstrap - flip flops are
not allowed for safety reasons.
What happens if my child is upset the first day of school?
It is not unusual for a beginning first grader to be anxious about the first
day of First Grade. They are leaving the security of Kindergarten, have a new
teacher, and are worried about making new friends, etc. It helps if the
parent calmly reassures the student, says goodbye, and then quickly leaves.
Often, it is the anticipation of a parent leaving that makes a student upset;
he or she typically calms down once the parent is gone. The student can then
focus on the fun of the first day of school! As a teacher, I do everything I
can to make each student feel welcome and I make sure that the first day of
school is as stress-free as possible.
Can I stay in the classroom the first day of school?
As a parent, you are welcome to visit the classroom at any time. I have an
open door policy and love to share our classroom with interested parents.
However, on the first day of school, the presence of the parent can make a
child more upset than necessary. Often, it is the anticipation of a parent
leaving that worries a child; typically he or she is more at ease once the
parent leaves.
When does school end?
The final bell of school rings at 2:25pm. Please make sure that you or
another caregiver pick up your child on time. It is important that your child
knows his or her after school transportation plans. On Thursdays, dismissal
is at 1:50 pm. Please be aware of this change on Thursdays. On minimum days,
dismissal is at 12:20pm.
Champions provides after-school child-care for a fee. Please go to the office
for more information on how to enroll your child in Champions.
Where will the students be at dismissal?
After the final bell, I will lead the students through the large gate between
the Kindergarten building and School Office. Parents can either wait for the
students there or come to the classroom and wait outside the door until I open
the door at dismissal. I ask that the students let me know who they are going
home with so that I know in case of miscommunication between caregivers. By
the third trimester, I no longer lead the students to the gate as they already
know how to get there and have developed a pick-up routine with their caregiver.
What is the modified traditional calendar? Holidays?
Our school has switched to a "modified traditional" calendar. You can see a
detailed calendar at http://www.egusd.net/calendars/index.cfm or look under my
calendar tab on this website.
Can I help in the classroom? Can I visit the classroom?
You are welcome to visit the classroom at any time. I have an open door
policy. If you do come to visit, be prepared to help out in the classroom...
I encourage parent involvement and always have activities and projects that
could use a parent's touch. Drop in and see what we do in first grade!
How can I contact you?
You can call me at the school - 916-681-1390 - or by email at
rtaylor@egusd.net. I am available for your phone call from 7:00am - 7:45am
and 2:45pm - 4:00pm. At other times, you can leave a message but please note
that I may not be able to return your phone call or respond to your email
message until next business day. If the message is urgent, please let the
office staff know.
What are your class rules?
My classroom rules are very simple and based on common sense and courtesy:
1. Listen Always
2. Be Polite
3. Follow Directions
4. Work Quietly
5. Be Responsible
Can my child celebrate his or her birthday in class?
Birthdays are a fun time and the passing of each year is very special. We
love to honor each child's birthday in class - we sing "Happy Birthday" during
morning meeting. However, we cannot hold class parties since we do not have
time in our academic schedule to do so. If you would like to honor your
child's birthday in the classroom, you can do so by donating an appropriate
book to the classroom library in your child's name. I will read the book to
the class during morning meeting. You may also send in a food treat for the students, but I discourage the parents from bringing
birthday cupcakes or other sugary treats to school because of student food
allergies and the fact that the sugar "amps up" the students and makes
learning difficult during the school day. We also have a very impacted
academic schedule.
Can I distribute birthday party invitations in the classroom?
No, you cannot, unless you invite the ENTIRE class. This means that
invitations can only be distributed by mail or at the end of the school day,
after dismissal. It is also against First Grade policy to distribute
invitations at lunch or recess. If you need help getting mailing addresses,
please contact me at least 1 week in advance of your mailing date.
When is homework due? How do I know if my child has homework?
A homework packet will be assigned EVERY MONDAY and is due EVERY FRIDAY.
There are several ways to know if your child has homework. Check the
take-home folder in his or her backpack and ask your child. Look at the
website to see what is posted.
Why do you have Thursday Early Out days?
After dismissal on Early Out days, we meet as a grade-level to to share ideas
for better teaching and develop best teaching practices. It is our
opportunity to work on collaborative curriculum development so that we can be
better teachers for your children.