| Attendance: 1st grade is a continuous experience with each day's learning built on the day before. If your child must be absent, please be sure to send a note of explanation each time. Acceptance: Students will treat classmates and others with respect, regardless of any differences. Arrival: School hours are from 9:15-3:30. Breakfast will be served and eaten in the cafeteria starting at 9:00. There is no supervision of students before 9:00 unless the students are signed up for 21st Century or Extended Day. |
 | Being the Best Person: I hold high expectations for each and every student. I expect and encourage each student to do their best in whatever they do. Books: Our classroom and Media Center have an excellent selection of books at all reading levels. Students learn when they are surrounded by books. I hope that you will surround your children with good books at home. |
| Communication: Every night your child will bring home their blue "STAR" (Students Taking Awesome Responsibility) Communication Folder. I will be sending home graded papers, tests to be signed and other important forms. Some classwork may need to be corrected and returned. Please empty the folder each night. This will let me know that you have seen all school work and important papers. It also helps to keep your child organized and prevents an overflowing folder. If you have a note and it doesn't fit on the front calendar/behavior chart, please place it in an envelope on the RETURN to SCHOOL side, so that I see it. I will check the folder every morning for lunch money and notes from you. You will find the calendar/behavior chart in the front sleeve of the folder and the Newsletter/Homework form, in the back. Daily behavior will be marked and any comments noted. Remember to sign the behavior chart and write the number of minutes read each night. Look for weekly homework sheets, math, spelling, fluency, etc. each Monday. Make sure to return all papers, in the folder, on Friday. Children love to share what they are learning. Please remember to give praise and encouragement. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call me at school 437-7533 and leave a message. Or you can email me at narinm@flaglerschools.com. I will get back to you as soon as I can. Character Education: BES believes in the education of children to become people of good character. Each month we will learn a new character trait and apply it in everyday school situations. This will help children grasp the concepts of good character education. Conferences: Parent conferences are held twice a year. During these conferences we will discuss your child's strengths and weaknesses, homework, behavior and any concerns that you may have. It is important for us to work together, therefore your attendance at these conferences is of high importance. Look for a conference time request form in late fall and early spring, complete it and return the form to school the next day. Time slots fill up very quickly. I will try my best to schedule you at your requested time.
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| Discipline: I want to provide a positive learning environment for all children and I do not anticipate any behavior problems. We will be very busy learning and having fun. One way to achieve this is to recognize good behavior and work habits. Good behavior will be rewarded with STAR Tickets. At the beginning of each week, every child will receive 5 STAR Tickets. I will also use a color coded behavior chart in the classroom. Each child will begin the day on GREEN and that is where they want to stay. If they choose not to follow classroom or school rules, they will be given a verbal warning. If the behavior continues, the child will turn their tag to YELLOW and he/she will have to give me 1 STAR Ticket. 3 STAR Tickets will be given to me, if the child changes his/her tag to ORANGE. BLUE indicates that the student's behavior is inappropriate and all STAR Tickets will be given to me. Students with orange or blue may possibly have a time-out in another classroom or may need to call home to discuss his/her behavior. Students also have opportunities to earn extra STAR Tickets throughout the week. If they are doing something above and beyond, like helping someone out, then he/she will receive additional STAR Tickets. Students are responsible for turning their own tags and for telling me why they had to turn their tag. Yellow, orange or blue behavior will be indicated on their monthly behavior chart. Usually, on Friday, the students will be given the opportunity to pick from the small prize box (5 tickets) or the big prize box (10 tickets). If a student decides to save their tickets, they will have an opportunity to pick from a special 20 ticket prize box. Again, students have opportunities to earn more tickets! This structure will insure that all children in our class can learn. I'm sure you desire your child to become all he/she can be. With your support of our classroom discipline system, I will be better able to teach and help your child to reach his/her potential. Differentiated Instruction: All children are unique and special. Students in my class are at many different instructional levels. It is my responsibility to instruct and move each child to his/her next level. Students may be learning different concepts at different times. With this type of teaching in the classroom, you can be sure that your child's individual needs are being met. Dismissal: Students who walk or are picked up by their parents will be released at 3:15. Car riders will be picked up in the circle on N. Palmetto at 3:20. Remember to request a car number from the front office, if your child will be a car rider. |
| Enrichment: Students performing above grade level, will be given opportunities to strengthen their understanding of concepts. It may be reading a chapter book, completing a book report or having extra computer time. |
 | Family: It is very important to me that your children and myself come together as a family. We will work together, learn together, eat together, and much more. I encourage the children to respect and take care of each other. With our classroom family, there are no limits to our accomplishments. |
| Grading: Assessment of student learning is very important. This data allows me to differentiate instruction. The following grades will be taken, usually, on a weekly basis and will be used to calculate final grades for each progress report and report card period. Math Social Studies and Science |
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Homework: Homework is assigned on Monday for the entire week and is due on Friday. Your child may complete the activities on the nights most convenient for you, but to receive credit, the homework must be returned on Friday. Please do not send in homework early. Remember to write the number of minutes read on the front calendar. Hands-On Activities: The best way to help children learn is to make learning fun. Important concepts can be learned by doing meaningful hands-on activities. I like to provide children various experiences where they are able to make choices about their learning. There are times that seat work is required and necessary, but for the most part, our classroom will be an active learning environment. Last year we hatched chickens and raised Monarch Butterflies. |
| Independence: 1st graders are ready for their independence, yet they need lots of direction. I will give them direction and allow them structured independence. |
| Journals: Each day students will write in their journals. They will use concepts learned in phonics and reading instruction. I would encourage you to have your child write in a journal at home, about thoughts, feeling or ideas that he/she may have. I use journals to teach important concepts of spelling, sight words, sentence structure, punctuation, and other skills. |
| Kindness: Students in my classroom are expected and encouraged to treat everyone with kindness and respect. Hitting, fighting, name-calling, and making fun of others will not be tolerated. |
| Lunch: Students may buy lunch in the cafeteria or bring their lunch from home. Lunches are $1.50 and $.40 reduced. Milk is $.40. It would be most helpful if you could send the full amount for the week on Mondays. This clears up any confusion for the child and reduces the chances of losing money. Please place the money in an envelope with the child's name and their lunch number on the outside. You are welcomed and encouraged to come have lunch with your child anytime . We eat at 12:45 p.m.. If you owe any money, a note will be sent home with your child. Lessons: The instruction planned for each day is taught in a variety of ways. There is scheduled large group instruction, while other instruction is taught in small groups. Some activities are student led, as they choose specific skills to work on. Laughter: Laughter is an important part of our daily learning. It is good for everyone and helps learning to blossom and grow. Students are not expected to be perfect, neither am I. Everyone makes mistakes, but learns by trying new things. We all have to be able to laugh and learn from our mistakes.
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| Money: All money that is sent to school must be in an envelope and labeled with the child's name, teacher's name and room number. (Mrs. Narin, Rm. 13-109) Math: Students will be instructed in math each day. Just as sight words are important to reading, addition and subtraction facts are equally important in math. Students need to learn these addition and subtractions facts rotely, meaning that they must memorize them. Please practice by using flashcards or timed tests. Students will work on and develop problem solving skills, along with algebra, geometry, computation and other skills.
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| Newsletter: A weekly Newsletter will be sent home every Monday keeping you informed of all First Grade happenings. Spelling words will be listed and homework assignments included in the Newsletter. Nurse: Students will be sent to the nurse's office if they are injured on the playground/classroom, or if I feel they may be running a temperature. If your child needs to take medicine during the school day, it must be brought to school by a parent or guardian. The nurse is the only person permitted to dispense medicine to a child. |
| Ownership: One of my many goals, as an educator, is to motivate children to want to learn on their own and not just learn because they are expected to do so. Students are encouraged to learn something new each and every day, even if it's just something little. By doing this, they will be taking ownership of their own learning. |
| Parent Involvement: I would love for all parents to be involved in the education of their children. For many students, homework will be something new this year. They will need your help and encouragement. Please show your child that he or she and school are very important by attending some of our school events. Read to your child and have your child read to you every day. Ask your child to tell you what happened at school today. Please don't accept the word "nothing", because we do a lot more than nothing. Progress Reports: Students will receive progress reports four times a year. These progress reports come out around 4 1/2 weeks before report cards and will give you an idea of how your child is progressing in all academic areas.
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| Questions: Please feel free to contact me anytime you have questions or concerns. You can write a quick note on the behavior sheet, call me directly between 8:15 and 9:00 a.m. or 3:30 - 4:15 p.m. at 386-437-7533, ext. 1109, or email me at: narinm@flaglerschools.com. I will get back to you as quickly as possible. Please realize, I am with students all day except for 45 minutes during special area, at which time we sometimes have meetings. I may not get back to you until that evening. In case of an emergency, call the office directly and they will get in touch with me.
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| Reading: Learning to decode words, understanding what has been read and teaching reading strategies are a few of the skills that your child will learn this year. Studies have shown that those children whose parents are actively involved in the reading process will become the best readers. Reading to your child and listening to them read to you is most important. Report Cards: Students will receive report cards every nine weeks. The report card will give you an understanding of your child's strengths and weaknesses. Please review the report card and don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns. Recess: Students will have recess each day for 30 minutes. We do go outside, so please remember to dress your child appropriately. I do not take recess away as a consequence for inappropriate behavior. However, there may be times when I feel it is necessary for a child to take a few laps. Rules: Please review the following with your child. Be Respectful and Responsible 1. Listen carefully when others are speaking. 2. Follow directions the first time. 3. Raise your hand and wait to be called on. 4. Keep hands, feet, objects and comments to yourself. 5. Use your "bullpup" (inside) voice in class. Eager to Learn and Well Prepared 1. Always try your best. 2. Complete all classwork. 3. Keep your desk neat. Stay Safe and Cooperate 1. Walk in the classroom. 2. Be quiet and listen during an emergency.
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| Sight Words: A sight word is a word that is easily recognized by looking at it and not sounded out. The more sight words a student can recognize, the more fluently he/she will read. I encourage you to work on sight words with your child using flashcards. The list of the most frequently used sight words can be found at: http://www.geocities.com/broomesroom/overandover.html Snack Time: We will have a small healthy snack in the morning. Rather than sending individual snacks, it works nicely when students bring in a snack for the entire class, once a month. If everyone send in one (1) item for the month (pretzels, animal crackers, raisins, cereal, snack mix, etc.), we will have plenty. Currently, we have 21 students in our class. Special snacks (cupcakes) for birthdays are always welcome. Per district policy, only store bought items are permitted. Snack supplies, such as plates, napkins, cups and plasticware maybe requested throughout the year. Please inform me if your child has any food allergies. Scholastic Book Clubs: Each month I will send home book order forms for you to review with your child. Scholastic offers many wonderful books at reduced prices. Orders may be placed online using a credit card, or you can send in a check payable to Scholastic Book Clubs. If you order from multiple book clubs, only one check for the total order is needed. To order online go to: www.scholastic.com/parentsordering. User name: narin1 Password: bullpups
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| Transportation: Kindly notify me by written note any day that your child will be going home in a different way. Many times, children get very upset when they tell me they are supposed to be a car rider and I believe that they should be on the bus. A simple note will prevent a lot of problems.
Technology: Our classroom has 3 computers. Computers will be used to reinforce math and reading skills and students will be able to use the internet through my school website. I hope that you will visit some of these sites with your child at home. |
| Units of Study: We will learn all about weather, land formations, plant life, people and their community, animals, and natural resources, just to name a few. |
| Volunteers: There are many ways to volunteer and each one is an important part of making our year a great one. You might assist with class parties/projects, make center games, work and/or read with students or help with other class activities. You must be an approved school district volunteer and have a badge with an expiration date on it. Visit www.flaglerschools.com and click on documents to obtain a volunteer application. BES has a policy of visitor check-in, and you will be required to sign-in to visit any location in the school. Our classroom will be very successful with the help of a few volunteers.
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| Writing: Writing is directly connected to reading. Students are taught skills and strategies that help them to read. They then learn to apply these skills to creative writing. I encourage you to create a special place in your child's room for writing. Make a special box with crayons, markers, pencils, pens, erasers, stickers, glue, etc... that he/she may use to design and create wonderful stories. Students that write well also read well.
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| X-tra Special, Special Area Classes: Students will have art, physical education, science, computers, health and fitness and music classes this year. Students MUST wear sneakers for PE. |
| Year Long Learning and Fun: I am looking forward to working with you and your child. He/she will learn a lot this year and we'll be sure to have lots of fun in the process. |
| Zooming Through Many Skills: First grade is jam packed with lots of things to learn. I feel confident that your child will be successful in mastering these many skills. If we work together, keep in touch and reinforce skills at home, then this will be "Z" best year ever! |
