This page will answer questions commonly asked by students and parents.
- Do I need a back pack?
- What time is lunch?
- Can I eat lunch with my first grader?
- Can my first grader buy ice cream or snacks in the cafeteria at lunch?
- What time are our specials? What are the specials?
- When is recess?
- When is our library time?
- When do we have homework?
- How long should we spend on homework?
- Can I bring cupcakes or treats for my first grader's birthday?
- What is the password to the Neely Gnome web page?
Do I need a back pack?
It is a good idea to have a backpack to put student's Daily Take
Home folder, Monday folder, library books and any other items that need
to be taken to and from home. Be sure all items from home( lunch bag/box,
jackets, backpacks) are labeled with student's first and last name. If you have
not purchased a backpack for your first grader, please be sure to get one without
wheels so that they will fit easily into our hallway cubbies.
What time is lunch?
We have lunch at 12:06-12:36 everyday. You are welcome to eat
lunch in the cafeteria. If you are buying a lunch please let me
know so I can include you in the lunch count that I send to the
cafeteria by 8:00 am.
Can I eat lunch with my first grader?
We always love it when we have a "guest" for lunch. If you plan
to have lunch with your first grader, please be sure to send in a
note or e-mail in the morning indicating your lunch choice if you
plan to buy lunch in our cafeteria. This way I can
let the ladies in the lunchroom know so they can prepare
accordingly. I need to let the cafeteria know our count by 8:00a.m.
Can my first grader buy ice cream or snacks in the cafeteria at lunch?
The first graders can buy ice cream at lunch on Fridays with your
permission. If you do not want them to buy ice cream at school
you need to contact the cafeteria and have them note it in their
computer so that there will be no confusion. Ice cream costs 65
cents and can be purchased using their lunch cards only on
Fridays. First graders are discouraged from purchasing extra
snacks that are available in the cafeteria on a daily basis. We have
found that the students do not eat their lunches when they
purchase these snacks and then are hungry at the end of the day.
What time are our specials? What are the specials?
First grade goes to specials at 9:10-10:00 everyday except on
Fridays.On Fridays our specials time is 10:00-10:45 because of
our Enrichment time (E-Slot) in the morning from 8:00-9:00. Our
specials are art, music. This is my conference time
if you need to get in touch with me.
When is recess?
First grade goes to recess right after we have our lunch at about
12:45.
When is our library time?
Our library time will be on Friday 1:30-2:00.
When do we have homework?
We will be using a computer based reading website called Raz-Kids for
homework assignments this year. Each student will receive a log in and
password to access books that they can read or listen to on their reading
level. Their teacher will assign a reading level for them to start with and
monitor their progress throughout the year. The site provides differentiated
reading with hundreds of leveled books. The students can listen to a book on
their level to model fluency or read books with the help of pronunciation and
vocabulary support. They will also be able to test their comprehension of the
story by completing a multiple choice quiz. After reading, listening, or
taking a quiz they will “earn” stars which they can spend in the Raz Rocket
store to buy items to outfit their own rocket and planet! The more they read
the more stars they have to spend!
How long should we spend on homework?
We are asking each student to read for 10 minutes four times a week. The days
for homework are flexible and should fit into your schedule. Teachers will
be communicating throughout the year on your student’s at home reading
progress. We appreciate your support and assistance in helping your first
grader begin to develop a love for reading and responsibility for completing
homework assignments.
Can I bring cupcakes or treats for my first grader's birthday?
Laurel Mountain has a policy of no sweet treats for birthdays. I
make a celebration on each student's special day. The
students enjoy their day of celebration and do not miss the
cupcakes or sweet treats!
What is the password to the Neely Gnome web page?
At the parent orientation on the first week of school I give all
of the parents a magnet to put on their refrigerator with our password.
If you lose your magnet or can't find it, you
can always look on the front cover of your Gnome's blue Daily Take
Home Folder. There is a sticker with all of the instructions you will need to sign up
for conferences, celebrity reader, or volunteering in the classroom and our class password is there as well.