WELCOME TO FIRST GRADE!
2011 – 2012
Dear Parents,
My name is Janet Casey. I am very pleased to have your child in my
class this year! My class philosophy is that children can have fun while
learning. It is my sincere desire to accomplish this by using a variety of
teaching methods such as whole group instruction, independent work,
cooperative projects and learning stations. I know that by working together
we can make this year an enjoyable, rewarding, and productive year.
Attached you will find a copy of the F.I.S.H. Binder Overview,
Homework Habits, MES Discipline Policy and General Grading Procedures. I
hope this will inform you and your child of what to expect this year and
answer any questions that may arise. Please read, sign and leave this
information in the F.I.S.H. Binder so I can be sure you have received this
important information.
Please feel free to contact me through my school email at
janet.casey@stpsb.org or send a note with your child, or call the school
office at 845-3671 to leave a phone call request. I will get back to you as
soon as possible.
I am looking forward to a wonderful year with you and your child.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Janet Casey
First Grade Teacher
==============================================================================
=======
I have received and read the following information for Mrs. Janet Casey’s
First Grade Class.
1. F.I.S.H. Binder Overview
2. Homework Habits
3. MES Discipline Policy
4. General Grading Procedures
___________________________
___________________________
Student’s Name Parent’s Signature
______________________________
Date
F.I.S.H. BINDER OVERVIEW
(Family Involvement Starts Here)
FISH Binder Rules:
· Take care of your F.I.S.H. it will be used all year!
· Take out and leave at home any “Daily Work” each evening. (Left side
of binder.)
· Take your F.I.S.H. home every day and bring it back each morning.
· Keep your F.I.S.H. clean.
· Show your F.I.S.H. to your parents every day. They will be so proud
of your new responsibility!
FISH Don’ts:
· Don’t make any marks or drawings in or on your F.I.S.H.
· Don’t put any papers in your F.I.S.H. that do not belong.
· Don’t eat or drink in front of your F.I.S.H.
· Don’t leave your F.I.S.H. at home, in the car or bus, or at daycare.
FISH Binder Contents: (Listed by Section)
· Left Inside Cover – In this section you will find daily work from
school, notes from your teacher, office notes, PTA, community flyers, etc.
These are to be reviewed and “Left At Home” each night.
· Zipper Pouch – Use this pouch when sending money to school. Money
should be placed in a sealed envelope, labeled with your child’s name, my
name, and its purpose. Money should be sent separately for each purpose.
· Fill A Bucket Page – This will be explained on the School/Classroom
Discipline page.
· Weekly Homework and News Section – Our weekly homework assignments,
class overview, and news will be placed here, along with required homework
sheets, cafeteria menu, etc.
· Parent/Teacher Communication Folder – This folder is for daily
communication between you and me, as necessary. Here we can write
transportation changes, ask questions or simply write comments. If you write
a message, I will initial it and respond if necessary. I ask that you do the
same. That way, we will know that each of us has read this section, even
when a response is not necessary. Please stress to your child that this is
for TEACHER and PARENTS only. I may include important correspondence here
too. (Conference scheduling or important communication about your child’s
day). These items will require your immediate attention. Please date all
correspondence.
· Reading Section – In this section, students will use reading list,
reading homework choices, practice stories, and reference pages. Please do
not remove these materials. This section will have weekly additions and will
be replaced at the start of each new unit. Materials will be used in class,
for homework and reading practice.
· Spelling Section – In this section, students will use spelling list,
spelling homework choices, study guide, and a reference guide for Manuscript
handwriting. Loose leaf paper will be provided here and can be used for
homework assignments. Please do not remove these materials. At the start of
each new unit, we will update these materials.
· Math Section – Math reference materials, math strategy information,
and study guides for math facts will be added as instruction progresses.
These items may assist you and your child with math homework assignments.
Please do not remove this important reference information.
· Right Inside Cover – This section is for anything that needs to be
reviewed, completed and sent “Right Back” to school.
HOMEWORK HABITS
Why do I assign Homework? I believe homework is important because it helps
reinforce what has been learned in class, prepare students for upcoming
lessons, teaches responsibility, and helps students develop positive study
habits.
When will Homework be assigned? A weekly homework and class overview will be
placed in the F.I.S.H. binder every Monday. Your child will have a homework
assignment each night, Monday through Thursday. Homework will be placed in
the F.I.S.H. binder each night. Your child may take longer to complete
assignments at first, however once they get into the routine of doing
homework; assignments should take no more than about 30 – 45 minutes each
night. If homework is a struggle at home, more than likely, it is a sign of
struggling in school. On occasion, I will assign special family projects
that may be completed over several days.
What are your child’s Homework responsibilities? I expect students to do
their best job on each homework assignment. Homework should be neatly done.
All written work should be done in pencil. I expect homework assignments to
be completed and returned to school the next day. Some projects will have
longer to complete. Assignments not completed will be recorded as
incomplete. If there is a legitimate reason why a student is unable to
finish the homework assignment, the parent should send me a note in the
Communication Folder stating the reason it was not completed. Only then will
it be marked excused.
What are the parent’s Homework responsibilities? Parents are the key to
making homework a positive experience for their children. Therefore, I ask
that parents make homework a priority at home. As parents you will be
responsible to oversee, help, and check homework assignments. Students
should be provided the basic necessary supplies and a quiet homework
environment. Please set aside a time and routine every day for homework
completion. Homework assignments will be given in a regular routine. This
will help to establish good work habits and aid in your child in becoming an
independent worker. Furthermore, please provide praise and support. Do not
allow your child to avoid doing their homework and contact me if you notice
your child struggling to complete assignments. I will make myself available
to help you and your child with any homework needs.
What about TESTS? Students will be given weekly tests and other types of
assessments to monitor progress. Students will have a VIP Folder (Very
Important Papers) sent home each Tuesday. With the VIP Folder, parents can
view, monitor, and reinforce achievement with Graded Papers and a Work Habit
marks for the week. Please review, sign and return the VIP Folder then next
school day.
Please read and discuss this homework policy with your
child.
MES DISCIPLINE POLICY
“Be a Bucket Filler”
Classroom management and discipline is important to each student’s success,
confidence and well being. All children should be able to come into the
classroom and feel safe and secure. It is important that each student learns
to develop self-discipline and good work habits. Madisonville Elementary
follows a school-wide rules and discipline plan. You can find this plan in
the Student Handbook. While following general class rules, we have combined
two positive programs: FISH Philosophy and Be a Bucket Filler.
How does your child become a Bucket Filler and follow the FISH Philosophy
Principals?
· Choose Your Attitude: Each of us can choose our attitude, every
day. Student’s “choose” how they react to each other and “choose” how their
mood effects the day.
· Be There: We can be there, by being a good listener, staying on
task, using good manners, and being kind to each other.
· Make Their Day: We can make someone’s day with a simple smile,
lending a helping hand, showing respect towards others, and using kind
words/actions.
· Have Fun: We can have fun at school, while learning, and working
with others each day.
What are the basic classroom rules and expectations?
· I will listen and follow directions carefully.
· I will speak with permission and stay in my assigned area.
· I will keep my hands, feet, and objects to myself.
· I will use good manners and always wait for my turn.
· I will do my best work and take care of materials.
How does the classroom management system work?
Young students are energetic, so throughout the course of the day, teacher
correction may take the form of verbal feedback, reminders, increased
proximity to the student, a change of activity or environment, and non-verbal
signals. Almost all first graders need redirection by the teacher throughout
the day. When I see good choices, I can surprise students with Fish
Tickets. Students write their names on the tickets and place them in the
class bucket. Throughout the week, I will draw tickets at the end of the day
for a reward. Students will not have every good choice rewarded, but the goal
is to create a positive classroom environment by focusing on making good
choices.
Behavior will be communicated in the following ways:
· When the picture of a bucket is in your child’s FISH binder at the
end of the day: This means that your child had a good day and any problem
behaviors were corrected in school as needed. J
· When a reflection sheet takes the place of the bucket: This means
that your child was not able to correct a behavior after attempts to redirect
them. Students have a reflection time to think about his/her behavior and
choices. The reflection sheet will replace the bucket sheet. Please
discuss, complete and return the next day.
· When two reflection sheets take the place of the bucket: If your
child continues to have a difficult day, they may be sent to another
teacher’s room to fill out an additional reflection sheet to refocus and
conference with that teacher. The reflection sheet will be sent home for
completion, in addition to the first reflection sheet.
· When a Minor Discipline Form takes the place of the bucket: If your
child is still struggling after the second reflection or has a more serious
behavior that warrants an office referral, a Minor Discipline Form will be
filled out. One copy will be turned into the office; two copies will be sent
home, one of which is to be signed and returned to the teacher. If a child’s
behavior does not improve, then a parent conference will be requested.
Further discipline measures are detailed in the Parent Handbook.
GENERAL GRADING PROCEDURES
Grading: Every Wednesday, your child will bring home a VIP folder (Very
Important Papers). This folder will contain graded papers from the previous
week. Please sign the record sheet on the inside of the folder and return
the folder the next day. This folder allows you to see your child’s progress
on test and work habits in class. All papers must be returned and will be
kept on file for our records.
Weekly Progress Reports: Weekly Progress Report will be sent home in your
child’s Very Important Papers (VIP) Folder. This will provide you with
information on your child’s work habits and grades. Many times student
achievement and grades are a direct reflection of work habits, not just
behavior choices. Work habits are addressed separately in the weekly VIP
folder along with weekly test. Please discuss with your child the importance
of having good work habits, along with making good behavior choices.
Daily Work: Your child will keep a Daily Work folder at school. It will be
used to keep completed work, unfinished work and anything in progress. Each
day, students will bring home completed work for your review. Work will be
placed in the Left inside of the F.I.S.H. binder. This will help keep you
informed of our daily class work or special art projects. You can “oooh and
ahhh” over these papers and keep them at home. I’m sure you will want to
praise your child and hang some of these papers on your refrigerator.
Progress Reports: Interim reports are sent home in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th
quarter of the year for all students. Report cards are sent home at the end
of each quarter (approx. every 9 weeks). The following grading scale will be
used for all first grade students:
1st Quarter – Report card reflects attendance, conduct and work
habits only.
2nd, 3rd & 4th Quarter – Subject grades will be added.
E=Excellent/Exceeds Stated Goals S=Satisfactory/Meets
Stated Goals
N=Needs Support/Progressing Toward Stated Goals
U=Unsatisfactory/Not Grasping Stated Goals. **Please note that a
grade of U is not a passing grade.
Accelerated Reader: Accelerated Reader (AR) is an exciting computer program
that enhances reading comprehension. Each student will complete a STAR
Reading Assessment. This will aid in choosing the correct independent
reading level for your child. A student will first select and read a book of
his/her own choosing from our school or class library. An AR book list is
posted on our school website and books can be identified in our school
library by colored dots. After reading the selected book at least three
times, the student will take a short comprehension test on the computer.
Points are awarded for correct answers and points are added to a total
score. Student in my class are required to read a book on their reading
level once per week and take the corresponding test.
On the Web: To help with communication to our parents and students, we can
be located on the web. Our class web page will keep you up-to-date on news,
homework, spelling and reading list, as well as classroom happenings. Please
visit the following information sites often.
St. Tammany Parish School Board site: http://www.stpsb.org/
Madisonville School site:
http://madisonvilleelementary.stpsb.org/
Our class room web page:
http://www.teacherweb.com/LA/MadisonvilleElementary/JCasey/
Your teacher's email address: janet.casey@stpsb.org
GENERAL CLASSROOM PROCEDURES
Money: Please send money in a sealed envelope, labeled with your child’s
name, my name, and the purpose. Your child’s F.I.S.H. binder has a safe
keeping zipper pouch to help with sending money safely.
Supplies: It is important for your child to have the supplies he or she
needs. I will send a note home when supplies need to be replenished. A
$10.00 fee will cover additional materials that are needed to help make our
classroom successful. Occasionally supplies are needed for special
activities and events. Notices will go home for these items at the
appropriate time.
Breakfast and Lunch: .60 for breakfast full price and .30 for reduced
breakfast. Lunch is 1.00 for full price and .40 for reduced. Extra milk
is .50. When sending money for the cafeteria, place money in a labeled
envelope with your child’s name and cafeteria number. It is helpful if money
is paid monthly or weekly.
Labeling: It is not necessary to label all classroom supplies. Some
supplies like glue, pencils, notebooks and folders will be shared. It is
important to label items such as your supply box, crayons, markers, backpack,
lunch box, coats, sweaters, etc.
Conferences: If you would like to schedule a conference, the best times are
between 7:45-8:15 a.m. or 3:30-4:00 p.m. You can send an email
(janet.casey@stpsb.org), write me a note, or call the office (845-3671).
Our communication is important to the success of your child.
Attendance: Regular attendance and arriving on time is expected. If your
child must be absent from school, send a written note or doctor’s excuse.
The office will mark the absence excused or unexcused based on the reason for
the absence. All absences with no written communication will be marked
unexcused.
ASC: After School Care will start Monday, August 8. The time is 3:16 to
6:00. ASC forms should be filled out before attending along with the tuition
fee. If paying by check, please write your child’s name on the check.
Transportation: Communication is important to insure that your child gets
home safely from school. If at any time, your child’s normal routine is
changed, a written note is required on that specific day. If no written note
is received, or the office has not been notified prior to 1:30, your child
will be sent home by his/her usual method of transportation. To find your
child’s bus driver: St.Tammany Transportation Hot Line telephone number is
985-898-3373. On the web go to: http://maps.stpsb.org/edulog/webquery/
Please feel free to contact me through my school email or send a note with
your child, or call the school office at 845-3671. I will get back to you
as soon as possible.
Thank
you,
Janet Casey *Please fill out and return emergency cards by Monday.
