When a student does not follow these rules, I use the following behavior management system:
- First, I try to give at least one verbal warning, depending on the situation
- Second, the child turns his green card to yellow (warning)
- Third, he/she turns the yellow card to orange (student misses recess and/or other privilege)
- Fourth, the child turns the orange card to red (phone call/note home and/or visit with Mrs. Dunn)
Every Monday, you will receive a behavior report in the red folder. If your child kept a green card each day of the previous week, he/she will receive a good behavior certificate and should get a pat on the back from you too! If your child turned a card, you will see what color on which day so you can have the appropriate discussions regarding behavior.
School discipline forms are also going home for infractions outside the classroom, and for more serious infractions inside the classroom. These forms are to be signed and returned to school the next day, or a second form will be sent home. When a student gets three forms sent home (including tardies) he/she will earn a 30 minute detention after school.
† Uniforms
Please make certain your child is following the uniform guidelines in the school handbook.
Students will share once a week on their assigned day. They should write three "clues" describing their sharing item and conceal the item in a bag. Students will get three guesses and then the teacher will have a guess. The students must write the clues themselves - help with what words to use is fine, but a student will not be allowed to share without the clues written in their own writing. Not only is it beneficial to them to practice writing down their thoughts, but it is also good for them to practice reading back what they have written. Adult writing can also be surprisingly difficult for beginning readers to decipher sometimes, and even the earliest readers have a much easier time deciphering what they have written themselves.
† Student of the Week
When your child is student of the week, a poster will go home in a blue poster tube on Friday afternoon that should be decorated over the weekend and sent back home on Monday morning along with any item the student might want to share with the class. He/she will also have special privileges during the week, including bringing "Buddy" home to spend the week. A page or two in Buddy's journal should also be filled out. Buddy will go home with the poster on Friday afternoon and be due back in class the following Friday afternoon. Please be aware that if your child does not bring Buddy back on Friday, Buddy will not be able to go home with the next Student of the Week.
† Birthdays
Birthday treats are optional, but always fun. Feel free to send in something that we will share during morning snack recess. Individual items are easier to distribute and for the students to eat, and less sugary items are always appreciated. Another option is a small toy or party favor for each child, or a book donation in the child's name to the classroom library in lieu of treats. I just ask that if you decide to send in something that requires serving, that you meet us at the lunch tables at 9:30 to assist with that, and don't forget the knife, spoon or plates! If you send in something like a cupcake or donut, there is no need to come in to help with that.
† Absences
Please send in a note explaining why a student was absent from school. Work missed during an absence will be waiting on the student's desk for his return. You may pick it up sooner, and it will be available after 3:00pm in the classroom. Assignments will not be given out before an absence, and only absences due to illness or family emergency are excused. If your child has a doctor's appointment, please bring a note from the Dr's office and the absence will be recorded as a medical absence. Please do your best to schedule appointments before and after school, especially if it is on a Friday. Most assessments will be given on Fridays, including all Math and Spelling tests. Make-up tests in first grade will not always be given due to the fact that the teacher needs to read the tests aloud and it is difficult to repeat this process for one child.
† Tardies
Children coming into the classroom after 8:00am must get a tardy slip from the office. Three slips will earn a student detention.
†Treasure Chest
Students will have a chance at visiting the treasure chest once per week when I will pull raffle tickets to reward good behavior. Remember that one child's trash is another child's treasure...if you have any items at home that are in good condition, but have been outgrown, please consider recycling them by donating to our Treasure Chest. Thanks!
† Before and after School
There is no playground supervision until 7:45 so early arrivals will be sent to daycare. Students are expected to line up outside the classroom while waiting for the 7:55 bell. Running and playing are not allowed before school. After school, students will wait in the pick-up line with me. Any child not picked up by 3:00 pm will be sent to daycare.
† Contacting the Teacher
I am available by phone at (858) 755-1777 (you will probably be directed to voicemail) or by email at earmao@saintjamesacademy.net (or click the email link on my website). I will get back to you within 24 hours of receiving your message. If you have an emergency, please call the school office as I may not get an email or voicemail message for several hours. If you need to meet with me, please contact me to set up an appointment, as I may already have another appointment and I often have other duties immediately before and after school.
† Parent Library
The bookcase between 1st and 2nd grade is a lending library for parents. Please feel free to browse and borrow any books.
Special Dates in First Grade
1st Grade Masses:
There will be three Friday Masses planned by the 1st grade:
† October 23rd
† January 15th
† March 19th
Field Trips/Holidays:
† In-class trunk show from Heritage Museum/Old Town (Fall)
† Beach Teach at La Jolla Shores by Birch Aquarium staff (Spring)
† Play (to be arranged)
† Halloween - Serenading at La Vida Del Mar with Kindergarten
Carnival, whole school, 10/30, 12:30 pm
† Christmas - Gingerbread Houses/Birthday party for Jesus - 12/18
† Valentine's Day - Baby Shower - K - 6th, collection of gifts for homeless babies
† End of Year 1st grade celebration
Performances
† Christmas Pageant - In Church, December 17th, 7 pm
† Variety Show - In Hall, May 28th
Curriculum
We follow the standards set forth by the State of California and the Diocese of San Diego.
Religion
Text: Blest Are We
Units: Our Church Community, Our Loving God, God's Son, Jesus, The Holy Spirit, Jesus' church of Followers
Liturgy Planning: 3 masses
Daily prayers, and rosary with 2nd and 3rd grades in October and May
Bible stories
Family Life (see permission slip)
Reading/Language
Text by Houghton-Mifflin - includes phonics, vocabulary, comprehension strategies, read alouds, big books, phonics readers, reading anthology, spelling and writing
SRA reading laboratory
4 Book Projects
Independent Reading
Guided reading in leveled groups
Daily Language Review
Journal Writing
Writing Workshop
BOOK-IT reading incentive program
Handwriting
workbooks by Zaner-Bloser
Math
Text: Progress in Mathematics by Sadlier-Oxford
- Numbers, Number Words, Ordinals, Addition and Subtraction Facts to 20, Data and Graphs, Place Value, Geometry, Money, Time, Measurement, Fractions and Probability
Timed tests on basic facts 2x per week
Social Studies
Text: School and Family by Houghton-Mifflin
Units: People Everywhere, Where We Live, World of Work, Everything Changes, Good Citizens
Science
Text: Science by Scott Forseman
Unit A; Life Science
Unit B: Earth Science
Unit C; Physical Science
Unit D: Space and Technology
Students will visit the science lab every other week
Art
Arts Attack Program
Portfolio goes home at the end of the year
Library: Mrs. Kwasniewski
Computer: Mr. Powell
Music: Mrs. Oldham
Physical Education: Coach Elbers
Science Lab: Mrs. Paluso