Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
How often do the students in your class have homework?
Homework is assigned randomly on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights. Any unfinished classwork is also due the next day. Please read with and drill your child on math facts every night. Special long range projects are assigned periodically. Homework should be in the green folder on the Return to School side. Please check over all papers in the folder and remove the ones on the Keep at Home side.Back to Top
Does your class go on field trips, and may I go?
Yes, we take several field trips each year. They are always of an educational nature. Parents are welcome to chaperone. The number of chaperones needed is determined by the nature/place of the trip. Parents are chosen on a first ask/first chosen basis when the number of chaperones is limited. We try to give every parent a chance to go on at least one field trip.Back to Top
May I come eat lunch with my child?
Yes, parents are always welcome to eat in the cafeteria with your child. Our class has lunch each day from _______________. No outside fast food should be brought in. Please let the cafeteria know ahead of time when you are planning to come, if at all possible. Always check in at the office when you arrive and wait for us in front lobby by the office. We will meet you there as we come up the hall.Back to Top
May I send treats for my child's birthday?
Yes, you may send treats, or you may bring them to lunch and pass them out yourself, if you prefer. We are allowed 2 parties a year, Christmas and Valentine's. Any other celebrations we have may not have parents involved. Also, please do not send cakes or cupcakes. Cookies or donut holes are much easier for the students to handle and are much less messy. Box drinks and/or bottled water are fine. Don't forget the napkins! Please keep it simple.Back to Top
What do the stamps on my child's right hand mean each day?
The stamps indicate the kind of day your child had. Two stamps indicate a wonderful day! One stamp indicates a good day; a warning was given, and behavior was altered to get back on track. No stamps indicate your child misbehaved in some way and did not get back on track before the end of the day. Please praise your child for the stamps and address any problem issues with your child. He/she DOES know why there are no stamps and should tell you the reasons. Ask your child to tell you about his/her day everyday, not just the bad ones. Communication keeps you in touch and informed. There do need to be consequences at home for days there are no stamps. Please follow through with this behavior plan. I think you will find that it works quite well. Thank you (in advance) for your help with this.Back to Top
Is it alright for me to walk my child to the classroom each day?
The first week of school, when your child is uncertain about the room location, it is alright to escort your child to our classroom. After the first week, it is best to allow your child to make this trip independently. You will find this builds self- esteem and confidence.Back to Top
What is the Reading Log, and what does a parent need to do with it?
The reading Log is a sheet of paper that should come home every night in your child's green folder. Parents need to listen to the child read his/her "Take Home" book several times, until proficiency and fluency are achieved, write the date and the name of the book; then sign the log. Be sure it gets put back into the green folder and returned to school each morning. Your child will receive a little treat treat each time it is returned signed.....and become a better reader, as well. :)Back to Top
May I call you during the day?
Yes, parents may call our room directly by dialing 476-8246 and asking for Ext. 107. However, please do not call the room during Literacy Groups time each day (8:30-9:30), unless it is an emergency. Thank you for your understanding.Back to Top
May I come for a conference with you during the day?
Yes, conferences are always welcomed. I will be happy to meet with you during my planning period, ______________. I will also be available to meet with you before or after school, if those times work better for you.Back to Top
What do I need to do if my child is tardy or absent?
Please call the office the day your child is absent and tell Mrs. Williams that your child will not be here and why. She will notify me. A written excuse should be brought to school when returning after an absence. Please make arrangements to pick up your child's assignments on the day(s) he/she is absent. It is very important that your child make up all missed work. The make-up work needs to be completed and turned in within two or three days of your child's return to school, or you can bring it by each day if an extended illness is the cause of the absences. You must go into the office and sign your child in if he/she is tardy.Back to Top
If I am helping with a class trip or party, are my younger children invited?
This is your first grader's opportunity to have your undivided attention, as far as siblings are concerned. Please do not bring younger (or older) siblings to class parties or on class trips. Let your first grader feel extra special for these activities. Thank you for understanding and respecting this request.Back to Top
What do I do with the advertising forms you send home? (Highlights, etc.)
Please fill them out, sign, and return them, even if you check "NO" on the form. Our class receives free gifts for sending in the forms.Back to Top
How do I locate lost belongings?
Check the Lost and Found in the cafeteria. Labeling lunch boxes, jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts, etc. with your child's name will help the lost items find their way back to your child.Back to Top
They are a series of tests given in April to determine the academic growth of students in our school system. The State Report Card is based on these and other test results. It is very important that your child feel confident when it is time to test. Good listening skills and processing of information taught each day enhance the outcomes of these tests. They are cummulative, building each year on material learned that year, as well as in prior years. School attendance, punctual arrival at school each day, parental help in areas of need and/or enrichment are most beneficial to positive preparation for these tests.Back to Top
Do first graders have Art/Guidance classes?
Yes, our class has Guidance alternately on Mondays from 12:15-1:15 and Art on Fridays from 1:15-2:15. Our Art teacher is Miss Parks, and our Guidance teacher is Mrs. Nerren.Back to Top
How will I know if/when my child needs more lunch money?
The cafeteria will send a memo when your child's account is low or empty. Please be sure to check your child's folder each day for these and other important memos.Back to Top
Is it alright to pay for my child's meals by the week, month, etc.?
Yes, you may pay for meals in advance for as many days as you like. Most parents send $10, $20, $50, etc. and just wait to be notified when more is needed. Parents need to discuss with their child exactly what can/cannot be bought with lunch money. There are usually extra food items, such as chips, fruit roll ups, etc., that can be added to the lunch tray at additional costs. These extra items can "eat up" lunch money quickly.Back to Top
Will my child be able to purchase ice cream with his/her lunch?
First graders are allowed to purchase ice cream on Fridays, if they have money in their accounts or if they bring money that day. This is a great motivation for good behavior. Parents, if you reward your child on Fridays with ice cream money for a week of good behavior, it will reinforce our good behavior expectations at school. It also makes it special, when only one day a week is for ice cream.Back to Top
Is it alright for my child to bring his/her lunch from home?
Yes, a lunch box/bag is fine! Be sure to label it with your child's name, including additional containers you send. REMEMBER: NO outside fast foods are allowed in the cafeteria. Parents/Students may not bring in pizza, hamburger, etc. from a local restaurant for you or for your child. We are stressing healthy eating habits daily. Thank you for your cooperation with this concern.Back to Top