A
If your child is absent, please call the office) to let them know, if you are not able to call, a note stating the reason for the absence must be brought to school to avoid an unexcused absence.
Art- Will be on Mondays with Ms. East from 10:30-11:30.
B
BEE BOOKS help keep us organized. The 3-ringed binder houses a homework plastic page, newsletter/take home papers folder in the front pocket, a right back to school pocket in the back of the binder, and other items that assist with communication between home and school.
If you would like to send a birthday treat with your child on or near his/her birthday, please feel free to do so. You can send them with your child, or drop them off at the office. Treats will be eaten during our day as time allows. Birthdays are recognized during our calendar routine as well. We will recognize summer birthdays at the end of the school year. Please do not send birthday party invitations to be distributed at school unless all children receive an invitation.
I will send home book order forms for you and your child to look over every month. Book clubs offer books at reduced prices. It's a great way to build your child's home library!
C
Parent and Teacher conferences are held at the end of the first and third quarter. Watch for information and reply accordingly.
Communication is important. Feel free to contact me whenever you have a question, comment, or concern. You can reach me by phone (260-488-5070 ext. 3011) calls will be returned as time allows during the day/week. Please don’t leave a message concerning your child’s departure or pick ups from school on my voice mail. There are days that I can’t return calls or check voice mail right away, the phones don’t ring in our classrooms during the school day. I’d be happy to also meet with you in person before the kids come to school in the morning, or in the afternoon during a scheduled time. The best ways to communicate with me immediately are by email (KFreling@GullLakeCs.org), or by note.
D
Discipline is simple. We work hard as a class to make the classroom a positive and safe place for all. Our five rules are:
1. Be a friendly listener
2. Be a friendly learner
3. Have a friendly attitude
4. Always do your personal best.
5. Always be safe and kind.
At the end of each school day, if your child has not received a behavior reminder he/she will get a ticket to keep, as well as a green stamp so that you'll know to ask your child about his or her day (if there isn't a stamp at least three reminders were given). We keep track of this in the classroom with our behavior pocket chart. When the determined amount of tickets are collected your child will have a chance to choose a treasure from our class treasure chest. Please feel free to send in prize items for our class to put in the treasure chest. Bracelets, pencils, small toy figures, etc..
E
My school email address is KFreling@GullLakeCs.org. I check email daily. If you have an email address that you’d like me to be aware of, please let me know.
Please complete and return the emergency card promptly. If your home or work phone number change, please inform the office and me.
Early Release Days- Coming Soon!
F
Information about field trips will come home in the BEE book and will be detailed in the field trip permission slip and weekly newsletter.
G
Our class will have a 30 minute gym class every Thursday (2:30-3:00) and Friday (2:30-3:00) with Mr. Bell. The children are asked to wear athletic shoes on gym days.
H
Students will have homework in 1st Grade. Homework assignments will vary and will be sent home in the BEE book. Unless otherwise noted, please return the homework the following day. The homework calendar is due the first day back to school when the month is over. Please don't send homework calendar items prior to that. It's been quite a task to keep track of it all. Be sure that your child is reading daily and marking the BOOK IT calendar.
I
Independence is a goal for students because it builds self-esteem and self-confidence. 1st Graders are very capable of doing many things on their own and I encourage them to do as much as they can for themselves in the classroom. Please work on the following self-help skills at home with your child: zipping, tying, dressing, assuming responsibility for Bee Books, packing a healthy snack, choosing lunch choice prior to coming to school in the morning, etc.
J
Writing takes place every day in 1st Grade. One way we accomplish this is through writing stories in our journals during writer’s workshop. Encourage your child to write at home for a variety or purposes.
Keep updated by reading the classroom newsletter weekly-bi-weekly, and checking the Bee book every day for other notes and information.
L
Our class will visit the library once per week on Wednesday (2:10-2:40). Our library associate is Mrs. Osborne. Your child will check out a book when we visit the library and return it within the following week. If your child forgets to return the book, they will not be allowed to check out a new book until it is returned.
Our class eats lunch at 11:55. If lunch money is sent to school, please send it in the BEE book in and envelope with your child’s name on it. There is a pencil pocket pouch for this purpose that is located in the front of the BEE book.
Labels- Please label everything that belongs to your child with first name and last initial.
M
The children will have music class every Tuesday (2:30-3:00) and Wednesday (10:30-11:00) with Mr. Wolf.
The 1st Grade math curriculum provides students with mathematical experiences that help them develop number sense and a positive attitude towards mathematics that will continue throughout their school career and lives. Math concepts are covered through our daily calendar, math stations and math workshop routine. We will also keep a math journal to show our math thinking.
N
A weekly/bi-weekly newsletter will be sent home on Fridays or Mondays to keep you informed about what is happening in our class. Please check the BEE books every night for news or notes!
O Nothing yet…
P
When picking up your child, please use the parent and visitor parking lot. Parking may change as the construction begins at the old middle school. The side doors (by the gym) are locked during the school day, so parking in front of the middle school is your best bet. The buses will not allow a car out prior to the bus departure, so if you're in a hurry parking in the back of the building is best when picking up your child at the regular release time.
Q
Questions? Please feel free to call, stop in, email, or send a note. Email is the quickets way, as I can respond at any time of day.
R
1st Grade report cards will be sent home EVERY quarter.
1st Graders have afternoon recess from 1:20-1:50. Please send appropriate winter clothing for your child. Now that it's winter we will be going outside unless the temp is below zero. Boots, and snowpants are a must! Please be sure your child's name is in EVERYTHING. Mix ups can occur when every childs snowpants look the same.
S
The focus of the 1st Grade science curriculum is on developing an awareness of the world in which we live. Science concepts and skills will be explored utilizing the Battle Creek Science Kits.
The 1st Grade social studies curriculum focuses on the students and how they relate to others in their families, classroom, school, and community. Social Studies concepts and skills will be explored utilizing a literacy based, hands-on approach.
T
If your child has any changes in their transportation please let me know in writing prior to, or the day of, the transportation change. Calling the office is the best method for letting me know about last minute transportation changes. The Kellogg School policy states that without office notification or written consent the child will follow his/her usual transportation routine. If you’re sending a transportation change note, please put it into the BEE book, so it’s not lost in the backpack causing last minute confusion. In addition, talking to your child about changes in transportation for specific days really helps!
UAnd V
Volunteers and visitors must register in the office and pick up a badge.
If you signed up to volunteer for a party or special event in our classroom I’ll be sending home reminders prior to the party or event. I’ll also be contacting parents who’ve filled out volunteer forms to help as needed. Thanks in advance for your help!
A helper calendar has been made for March- the end of the year. If you're interested in helping I'd be happy to add you to the calendar.
Family vacations are wonderful opportunities for your family; however, please be sure to let us know that you are planning on taking a vacation (during school time) and fill out a Pre-Approval Vacation Form, available in the school office. I can send one home in the Bee Book if you ask for one.
W And
X Nothing Yet…
Parents and family members may eXit and enter via the main school entry.
Y
Your ideas…and suggestions are welcome!
ZZzzzzzz - Make sure that your child gets plenty of rest. Setting and keeping a bedtime is a wonderful gift you can give your child