Commonly Asked Questions
- How do I contact you?
- When is homework due?
- What about Guided Reading?
- What about Student of the Week?
- Will my child having spelling tests?
- What are word wall words?
- What about the math program?
- My child is going home on a different bus, do I have to write a note?
- How do I sign up for class parties?
- How can I sign up to help in the classroom?
- What about hot lunch?
- How will my child be assessed this school year?
- How will my child be graded?
- Can my child bring birthday invitations to school?
- Should my child have a separate set of gym shoes?
- When is library check-out and what are the rules involved?
- Do I have to view teacher news letters electronically?
- Can my child bring in a water bottle?
- What does your reading program consist of?
How do I contact you?
The best way to reach me is to call County Line Elem. directly at
262-253-3465.
E-mail is another option for quick questions and comments. I check
this often throughout the day. ssiefkes@germantown.k12.wi.us Please do not
call me at home unless it is an emergency. Thank you!
When is homework due?
A weekly green homework calendar will come home with your child every
Monday. This calendar describes the weekly assignments. All assignments
are due every Friday. If assignments are completed ahead of time, feel free
to turn them in sooner. Most homework assignments should not take longer
than a half an hour however, there will be times when additional projects or
activities may take longer. The assigned homework calendar allows you to be
flexable when completing the assigned activities. Many children are
involved in extracurricular activities outside of school. Please complete
work when it best fits your schedule, but remember ALL work is due by
Friday. If you have questions requarding homework, please feel free to e-
mail me or call County Line. Homework allows students to begin developing
strong school responsibility.
What about Guided Reading?
Our classroom will participate in small guided reading groups two times a
week. Groups will take place on Tuesday and Thursday during their regulary
scheduled reading time. When not working with the teacher, students will be
working through several seat-work and center activities. Guided reading
will begin in October, once level testing has been done.
What about Student of the Week?
Student of the week is arranged very differently from Kindergarten. I will
choose a student each week. They will receive a special bag, which they may
fill with items they would like to share. Students will also have a special
me poster to complete for their sharing time. Students will be allowed to
share on Friday for the LAST 20min. of the day. Treats are welcome!
Will my child having spelling tests?
Yes, but they will begin in October. Students will be given a list of 10
words to study for the week. Students will then be tested each Friday.
Students will also be asked to spell the 5 weekly Word Wall Words that are
given each week for an extra challenge. Students will also be asked to
complete unit workbook pages for each set of spelling words as part of their
homework.
What are word wall words?
Word wall words are a list of high frequency words commonly seen in text
or used when speaking. Your child will be assigned 5 words each week.
Students will participate in several in class activities or games using
these assigned words. Practicing these words will also be part of your
child's homework. In my parent letters I will commonly abbreviate them
as WWW. Many of these WWW will overlap with the spelling lists.
What about the math program?
Our district has implemented the use of a program titled, Growing with Mathematics. This
program is geared towards allowing students opportunities to better develope number sense and
use strategies that best suit their learning needs. Students will receive ample enrichment by
working with many different games, projects, and group work learning
opportunities. Additional fun packs may also created using supplimental activity
sheets for students who need additional enrichment, support, and practice
when needed. Home review and practice of skills is also STRONGLY encouraged.
My child is going home on a different bus, do I have to write a note?
YES, YES, YES!!!! Please fill out a yellow office slip to inform both the
office and me of any changes. If your child has an apointment, going home
with a friend, leaving early, etc. PLEASE write a note. I can not send any
child with a change in transportation without a note. Thank you!!!
How do I sign up for class parties?
There will be a sign several sign up sheets available during open house.
Please sign your name if you wish to assist in developing party activities,
donating supplies, or sharing a treat or supply item. Parties celebrated
this year include:
Halloween
Holiday
Valentine
)
How can I sign up to help in the classroom?
Please fill out the parent request form included in my first grade
packet of information. I will send home a monthly volunteer calendar to
help keep things as structured and organized as possible. Again, I try to
give all parents an opportunity who wish to help throughout the year.
What about hot lunch?
For many, this will be your child's first opportunity to take hot lunch.
Your child will be assigned a 4 digit code (even if they only need milk).
They will need to eventually memorize this code to make the lunch process
faster. Take time to practice this code at home. When making a payment,
please send a check payable to Germantown Lunch Service. Don't forget to
include your family account number on the check. If you have any further
questions regarding lunch service call Sue Uselding at 253-3419.
How will my child be assessed this school year?
Along with ongoing formative assessment, your child will participate in
several summative assessments at the end of each math, science, and
s.studies unit. Results of those assessments will be sent home to you in
your child's take-home folder. Assessments are standards based and will be
scored on a minimal, basic, proficiant, or advanced level of understanding.
Students will also be assessed on their reading progress through the use
of a running record reading assessment. Students in first grade have semester reading qoals
set by the district which each child is expected to meet to be at grade
level.
How will my child be graded?
Students in grade one do not use traditional letter grades. Students will
be scored based on ongoing formative and summative assessments. Report cards will be
standards based and come home on a newly implemented trisemester schedule.
Can my child bring birthday invitations to school?
Unfortunately, no. As a first grade team we decided the best way to avoid
hurt feelings is to no longer allow students to pass out their invitations
during the school day. Please mail invitations or give other invited guests
a telephone call. We greatly appreciate your support concerning this matter.
Should my child have a separate set of gym shoes?
Our gym teacher does not require a separate set of gym shoes, however I
strongly encourage families (especially young ladies) to bring in another
pair of shoes to keep within the classroom. This can eliminate hurt
feelings that occur when students are unable to participate during scheduled
gym times or climbing wall activities due to missing athletic shoes or shoes
that are dirty. An additional pair of socks is also encouraged.
When is library check-out and what are the rules involved?
Primary age students in grade one are only allowed to check out two books at
a time. My rules within my classroom are: if you don't bring your books
back you may not check out new ones. This helps in eliminating overdues and
teaching responsibility. Library check-out is every Tuesday.
Do I have to view teacher news letters electronically?
No, but electronic news letters save paper and teacher time. I would
greatly appreciate all parents register their e-mail address through
the NewsFlash link. A request for a hard copy of the news letters will
come home in the fall.
Can my child bring in a water bottle?
Yes, please!!! We do not have a water bubbler within our classroom, so to
save time I encourage every child to bring in a water bottle to keep within
our classroom. Water bottles will then go home each Friday to be cleaned.
Disposible bottles will be thrown out.
What does your reading program consist of?
I have a balanced approach to literacy. This is sometimes referred
to as a Four Block Model. My reading time incorporates the following:
word work (phonics and word patterns), shared reading, guided reading, and
guided writing(Writer's Workshop). Each portion of the reading block gets its equal amount of
time. I use the district implemented basal reading series and skills list as the base
from which I teach my reading block.