MRS. WAGNER’S
CLASSROOM GUIDELINES
Welcome to first grade! This year is going to prove to be a wonderful experience for your child. This guide will help you with most questions you have about school and classroom procedures.
School Procedures:
Arrival Time and School Start Time: Students must wait outside until 7:20 a.m. At 7:20 a.m. students will need to walk to their locker and sit in front of their locker after hanging up their coats and backpacks. The first bell rings at 7:30 a.m. At this time students may come into the classroom to get ready for the day. The tardy bell rings at 7:40 a.m. If your child is tardy they will be required to go to the office and get a tardy slip. Being on time is a very important life skill that students should learn at a young age. Being tardy not only makes it difficult for the child that is late, but it disrupts the rest of the class.
Absenteeism: If your child is going to be absent from school, please be sure to call the school at 815-547-3546 to report the absence. If your child is going to be absent for a few days you may want to request a folder with missed work. Please call in the morning to request this folder, so that I have the opportunity to get everything together. If your child is going to leave during the day for an appointment, please send a note in the morning. This allows me to rearrange the day for your child, so that they don’t miss anything important.
Breakfast: Meehan School serves breakfast every morning. If your child is going to eat breakfast at school they need to go to the cafeteria by 7:30 a.m. The cost for breakfast is $1.50 and this is deducted from their lunch account.
Lunch and Recess: We have lunch at 11:30 followed by recess. The whole time allotted is from 11:30 -12:15. If your child is going to take hot lunch, please be sure to send the lunch money in an envelope with your child’s name and the amount on it and put it in their take home folder. This is very important since many young children do not remember that they have lunch money in their pocket. You also have the option of paying for their lunch online. Go to www.cafeprepay.com and follow the steps. This method is done through credit card only. Daily lunch costs $2.00.
Dismissal: The school day is over at 2:05 p.m. If your child is a pick-up or walker they will be taken out the back door. If your child is a bus rider they will be taken out the front door. I request to have a note anytime that there is a change in how your child is getting home. This will allow for every child to get home safely and without worry.
Classroom Subjects:
Reading: We spend a lot of time reading everyday. We have a new reading series that we will use for reading as a whole class to teach good reading skills. We will also use leveled books from this reading series and the bookroom to work in small groups. In small groups, your child will be reading at a level that is just right for them and we will work on the reading skills that we have been learning as a whole class.
Spelling: Every Monday your child will bring home a spelling list (this is included with the weekly homework sheet). Throughout the week we will do spelling activities that will help your child with the spelling words. Nightly practice at home is important. Every Friday your child will take a test on the spelling words and dictation sentence.
English: We will work on sentence structure and punctuation.
Math: We will be working from our workbook and use a lot of manipulatives and games to learn first grade math.
Handwriting: Students will work on writing correct formation of letters and numbers on a daily basis.
Science: Science is taught through the use of class big books. Science is not graded in first grade. Your child will be introduced to many interesting topics.
Social Studies: Social Studies is also taught through the use of big books. Social Studies is not graded in first grade.
Nutrition: We will dedicate time each week to learn about healthy living. We will learn about the food pyramid, food groups, exercise and how this keeps us healthy.
Specials:
P.E. Students will be in p.e. everyday from 1:10 – 1:35 p.m. with Mr. Bergman.
Students need to bring a pair of gym shoes to leave in their lockers. This allows Meehan School to maintain a safe gym floor for all students to use for years to come.
Music: Students go to music twice a week on Wednesday and Friday from 1:35-2:00 p.m. with Mrs. Towry.
Art: Mr. Beard is the art teacher! Students will be attending his class on Thursday mornings from 7:50 – 8:35 a.m.
Computer Lab: Our class goes to the computer lab on Monday and Tuesday from 8:50-9:20 a.m. Your child will need to bring a pair of headphones in a labeled Ziploc bag to leave at school. Mrs. Carlson, the computer lab aide, helps us while we are in the lab.
Library: Each week your student will go to the library to check out two books. One book will be at their AR (Accelerated Reader) Level. The other book is a free choice. Our library day is on
Friday at 12:30 – 12:45 p.m. Please be sure books are back every Friday morning. Our wonderful librarian, Mrs. O’Brien, and librarian aide, Mrs. Lass, will help us each week.
Classroom Procedures:
Behavior: Classroom behavior is extremely important for your child to learn and for the rest of the class to learn. This class uses a card system to help a child with behavior that is not acceptable in a classroom. If a child is disrupting the class the following procedure is in place:
1 - Verbal Warning
2 – Card is turned to green
3 – Card is turned to yellow- a note is sent home describing the behavior and for parents to sign and return the following day. Child will miss ten minutes of recess.
4 – Card is turned to red – a note is sent home describing the behavior and for parents to sign and return the following day. Child will miss entire recess.
If a child continues to have difficulties following classroom procedures then a conference may be needed. In addition, a child may be sent to see the principal or to sit in time out if inappropriate behavior continues.
Birthdays: Birthdays are important! We love to celebrate birthdays. Please let me know a day in advance when you plan bringing a birthday treat. This allows me to rearrange our schedule to allow for the birthday celebration. A small treat that is easy to pass out works the best. Some examples are fruit chews, goldfish crackers (individually wrapped), cookie. Also, we do not pass out drinks for birthday celebrations.
Communication: A weekly newsletter will be sent home every Monday. This tells what is going on in the classroom and information that you will need to know. It is a good way for you to stay informed, so please take a minute and read it. In addition, I have a webpage that you can access at: http://TeacherWeb.com/IL/Meehan/MrsWagner/
On this website you will find the weekly spelling words, a classroom update, weekly homework, a calendar and other helpful things. You can also email me directly from this site by clicking the email icon. Otherwise, my email address is
To contact me by phone, please call 815-547-3546, ext. 5586. During the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. the calls are automatically put to voice mail. Therefore, please allow me at least one day to respond to your voice mail.
Grading System: The following grading system is used throughout the district.
93% and above = A
85% - 92% = B
75% - 84% = C
70% - 74% = D
69% and below = F
Papers that have a letter grade have been entered into the grade book. Many papers will not have a letter grade, but an “S” for satisfactory or an “N” for needs improvement. If a child receives an S then most of the problems are right on the paper. If a child receives an “N” then the child will need to correct and return the paper. These papers are not entered into the grade book.
Homework: A homework cover sheet along with a list of the weekly spelling words will be passed out every Monday. Homework will be passed out every Monday for the entire week. This homework is to be returned on Friday. Although homework is not graded, I do look at the homework and a student receives a notation in the grade book that the homework was mostly correct. I don’t return checked homework to be taken home, I recycle the papers. If the homework turned in is incomplete or has many errors then it will be returned to the student to be finished at home.
Parent Volunteers: A volunteer sign up sheet will be available at Parent Orientation. If you can sign up to help with a party that is wonderful! I welcome parents that would like to come in and help during guided reading/center time. We do guided reading four days a week for one hour. If a parent can help one day a week for an hour – super! During this time the parent helper usually works with 4-5 children either reading a book or doing a hands-on reading activity. If you are interested, let me know.
We will have a great year together!
Your child’s teacher,
Mrs. Wagner
CLASSROOM GUIDELINES
Welcome to first grade! This year is going to prove to be a wonderful experience for your child. This guide will help you with most questions you have about school and classroom procedures.
School Procedures:
Arrival Time and School Start Time: Students must wait outside until 7:20 a.m. At 7:20 a.m. students will need to walk to their locker and sit in front of their locker after hanging up their coats and backpacks. The first bell rings at 7:30 a.m. At this time students may come into the classroom to get ready for the day. The tardy bell rings at 7:40 a.m. If your child is tardy they will be required to go to the office and get a tardy slip. Being on time is a very important life skill that students should learn at a young age. Being tardy not only makes it difficult for the child that is late, but it disrupts the rest of the class.
Absenteeism: If your child is going to be absent from school, please be sure to call the school at 815-547-3546 to report the absence. If your child is going to be absent for a few days you may want to request a folder with missed work. Please call in the morning to request this folder, so that I have the opportunity to get everything together. If your child is going to leave during the day for an appointment, please send a note in the morning. This allows me to rearrange the day for your child, so that they don’t miss anything important.
Breakfast: Meehan School serves breakfast every morning. If your child is going to eat breakfast at school they need to go to the cafeteria by 7:30 a.m. The cost for breakfast is $1.50 and this is deducted from their lunch account.
Lunch and Recess: We have lunch at 11:30 followed by recess. The whole time allotted is from 11:30 -12:15. If your child is going to take hot lunch, please be sure to send the lunch money in an envelope with your child’s name and the amount on it and put it in their take home folder. This is very important since many young children do not remember that they have lunch money in their pocket. You also have the option of paying for their lunch online. Go to www.cafeprepay.com and follow the steps. This method is done through credit card only. Daily lunch costs $2.00.
Dismissal: The school day is over at 2:05 p.m. If your child is a pick-up or walker they will be taken out the back door. If your child is a bus rider they will be taken out the front door. I request to have a note anytime that there is a change in how your child is getting home. This will allow for every child to get home safely and without worry.
Classroom Subjects:
Reading: We spend a lot of time reading everyday. We have a new reading series that we will use for reading as a whole class to teach good reading skills. We will also use leveled books from this reading series and the bookroom to work in small groups. In small groups, your child will be reading at a level that is just right for them and we will work on the reading skills that we have been learning as a whole class.
Spelling: Spelling is not graded the first quarter. Beginning the second quarter students will be graded on their spelling test. We take a spelling test each Friday. Every Monday your child will bring home a spelling list (this is included with the weekly homework sheet). Throughout the week we will do spelling activities that will help your child with the spelling words. Nightly practice at home is important.
English: Students are not graded in English for the first quarter. We will work on sentence structure and writing a five sentence paragraph.
Math: We will be working from our workbook and use a lot of manipulatives and games to learn first grade math.
Handwriting: Students will work on writing correct formation of letters and numbers on a daily basis.
Science: Science is taught through the use of class big books. Science is not graded in first grade. Your child will be introduced to many interesting topics.
Social Studies: Social Studies is also taught through the use of big books. Social Studies is not graded in first grade.
Nutrition: We will dedicate time each week to learn about healthy living. We will learn about the food pyramid, food groups, exercise and how this keeps us healthy.
Specials:
P.E. Students will be in p.e. everyday from 1:10 – 1:35 p.m. with Mr. Bergman.
Students need to bring a pair of gym shoes to leave in their lockers. This allows Meehan School to maintain a safe gym floor for all students to use for years to come.
Music: Students go to music twice a week on Wednesday and Friday from 1:35-2:00 p.m. with Mrs. Towry.
Art: Mr. Beard is the art teacher! Students will be attending his class on Thursday mornings from 7:50 – 8:35 a.m.
Computer Lab: Our class goes to the computer lab on Monday and Tuesday from 8:50-9:20 a.m. Your child will need to bring a pair of headphones in a labeled Ziploc bag to leave at school. Mrs. Carlson, the computer lab aide, helps us while we are in the lab.
Library: Each week your student will go to the library to check out two books. One book will be at their AR (Accelerated Reader) Level. The other book is a free choice. Our library day is on
Friday at 12:30 – 12:45 p.m. Please be sure books are back every Friday morning. Our wonderful librarian, Mrs. O’Brien, and librarian aide, Mrs. Lass, will help us each week.
Classroom Procedures:
Behavior: Classroom behavior is extremely important for your child to learn and for the rest of the class to learn. This class uses a card system to help a child with behavior that is not acceptable in a classroom. If a child is disrupting the class the following procedure is in place:
1 - Verbal Warning
2 – Card is turned to green
3 – Card is turned to yellow- a note is sent home describing the behavior and for parents to sign and return the following day. Child will miss ten minutes of recess.
4 – Card is turned to red – a note is sent home describing the behavior and for parents to sign and return the following day. Child will miss entire recess.
If a child continues to have difficulties following classroom procedures then a conference may be needed. In addition, a child may be sent to see the principal or to sit in time out if inappropriate behavior continues.
Birthdays: Birthdays are important! We love to celebrate birthdays. Please let me know a day in advance when you plan bringing a birthday treat. This allows me to rearrange our schedule to allow for the birthday celebration. A small treat that is easy to pass out works the best. Some examples are fruit chews, goldfish crackers (individually wrapped), cookie. Also, we do not pass out drinks for birthday celebrations.
Communication: A weekly newsletter will be sent home every Monday. This tells what is going on in the classroom and information that you will need to know. It is a good way for you to stay informed, so please take a minute and read it. In addition, I have a webpage that you can access at: http://TeacherWeb.com/IL/Meehan/MrsWagner/
On this website you will find the weekly spelling words, a classroom update, weekly homework, a calendar and other helpful things. You can also email me directly from this site by clicking the email icon. Otherwise, my email address is
To contact me by phone, please call 815-547-3546, ext. 5586. During the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. the calls are automatically put to voice mail. Therefore, please allow me at least one day to respond to your voice mail.
Grading System: The following grading system is used throughout the district.
93% and above = A
85% - 92% = B
75% - 84% = C
70% - 74% = D
69% and below = F
Papers that have a letter grade have been entered into the grade book. Many papers will not have a letter grade, but an “S” for satisfactory or an “N” for needs improvement. If a child receives an S then most of the problems are right on the paper. If a child receives an “N” then the child will need to correct and return the paper. These papers are not entered into the grade book.
Homework: A homework cover sheet along with a list of the weekly spelling words will be passed out every Monday. Homework will be passed out every Monday for the entire week. This homework is to be returned on Friday. Although homework is not graded, I do look at the homework and a student receives a notation in the grade book that the homework was mostly correct. I don’t return checked homework to be taken home, I recycle the papers. If the homework turned in is incomplete or has many errors then it will be returned to the student to be finished at home.
Parent Volunteers: A volunteer sign up sheet will be available at Parent Orientation. If you can sign up to help with a party that is wonderful! I welcome parents that would like to come in and help during guided reading/center time. We do guided reading four days a week for one hour. If a parent can help one day a week for an hour – super! During this time the parent helper usually works with 4-5 children either reading a book or doing a hands-on reading activity. If you are interested, let me know.
We will have a great year together!
Your child’s teacher,
Mrs. Wagner