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Contact Information

           I am inviting you to be a partner with me in your child’s education. If you have any questions or concerns you may contact me through the following ways: send a note in your child’s homework folder or agenda, the school’s phone number is 663-4320, Remind app, or my e-mail leubanks@acpsd.net.

Homework Folder

Each day homework, important papers and notes will be put in this folder to be delivered to you.  All notes and money from home should also be sent home in this folder.  The Homework folder needs to be carried to and from school each day. Inside is the reading log. Please sign it after you listen to your child read to you and you have check homework. Folders will not go home on Friday. 

Money

Any money should be placed in “separate” sealed envelopes or zip-lock bags labeled with your child’s name, teacher’s name, and what it is for  See the student handbook for lunch prices. Please put this in the student’s “Homework Folder”

Classroom News

A newsletter will come home with your child in their homework folder every week.  This newsletter will let you know what is happening in our classroom, when test will be given, remind you of important dates, and more.

Homework & Make-Up Work

All “Homework Assignments” should be taken home, completed by the student, and returned the following day.  Homework is given Monday through Thursday and should take no more than 35 minutes to complete.

When a student is absent they will be expected to make-up the work that they missed.  They will be given two days to complete the assignments and return them to me.  Attention: If your child is absent on a Friday, they will need to be prepared to make up all of their missed tests on the following Monday.

Monday Folders

          Every Monday a blue “School Communication” folder will be sent home.  Enclosed will be your child’s tests from the previous week and important school information.  Please sign the attached paper inside that you have received the information. 

       Please review tests together with your child.  First, praise your child for correct answers and a job well done.  Then, help your child correct missed answers.  Use this as a learning experience.  Please do not punish them if they did not quite understand.  Remember, they are learning new material and learning how to take test. 

Weekly Special Activity Schedule       

Monday – PE

Tuesday – Library

Wednesday – Music

Thursday – Art

 Friday -  PE

Lunch is at 11:00   Recess is at 12:40

ARRIVALS

If your child arrives to school before 7:30, he/she is to report to the cafeteria if having breakfast and then to our first grade hallway. After 7:45 your child is to report to the office because he/she is tardy and will need to get a “Tardy Slip” from the office.  Please do not drop your child off before 7:00.  There will not be anyone on duty to supervise before 7:00.

DISMISSAL

          Your child will be dismissed at 2:25 from the main building.  Any student needing to leave earlier must be dismissed through the office.  Please establish your child’s normal afternoon transportation as soon as possible. 

            Please note that I will be delivering the students to their correct areas during the first few weeks of school.  Therefore, I request all parents of car riders to remain in your carpool lines and  wait for your child.  Please do not come to the classroom at the end of the day (This procedure allows me to keep my main focus on getting your children to their correct destination.) 

*  Attention:  Please note that when your child will be going home in a different way than usual, I must have a written note to turn in to the office.

WEEKLY TESTING

 -  Your child will be assessed on the following at the end of every week:

• Spelling Words

Every week your child will have words that they will be expected to spell.  These are located on the classroom newsletter that goes home on each Monday. There will also be 5 additional words students will spell using the spelling pattern of the week. Spelling tests are given on Friday.  The final grade for spelling is recorded on the report card as “MS”, “MPS”, or “NMP”.

• Reading Vocabulary, Comprehension Skills & Language Arts Skills

The “Vocabulary Words” for each story will be sent home at the beginning of every week.  These words should be studied for recognition & understanding, not for correct spelling.  After each set of new words are assessed they will be placed on our classroom “Word Wall”.  As a result, your child will learn to use our classroom “Word Wall” as a form of reference for both reading and creative writing.

The “Comprehension & Language Arts Skills” for each week will be located on the newsletter that is sent home.  Please help your child apply these skills to books that they read at home.  The final grade for reading is recorded on the report card as a numerical grade. A “Cold Read” test will be given each week on the expected reading level at the time. Students entering first grade are expected to read at a level D. The tests will gradually increase in rigor. By the end of first grade, students should be at a level J.

• Math

Weekly math tests will be pulled from the daily skills covered in class and on homework.  Please use the newsletter/parent letter as a reference for the skills being taught that week.  The final grade for math is recorded as a numerical grade.

• Social Studies and Science/Health

Science and social studies will be taught in specific units of study.  All practice work will be completed at school, and there will be no homework specifically for these subjects (unless it is part of special projects we will be doing).  We will do various projects throughout the year that will incorporate science and or social studies.  Grades will be for participation and occasionally tests in these subjects and recorded on the report card as an “MS”, “MPS”, or “NMP”.

• Handwriting

It is important that students develop good handwriting skills in first grade.  Various assignments practicing letters and copying poems will be done in class.  Please monitor your child’s progress by looking through his/her papers that are sent home.  During the first nine weeks, I will not grade handwriting as strictly since the children are practicing and brushing up on those handwriting skills.  Every nine weeks thereafter, I will grade more strictly as I am looking for the student to be trying his/her best and not rushing through these assignments.  Grades for handwriting will be recorded as “MS”, “MPS”, or “NMP” on the report card.

Conferences

We will have scheduled conference time during the school year. If you need to see me concerning your child please let me know.  Send me a note stating the concern and I will let you know a convenient time to come.  Please remember that I have meetings, appointments, and a family.  Therefore, I will need to know in advance that you are coming.

Parties

   Our class will have two parties. (Winter Celebration & End of the Year)  Birthdays may be celebrated by the “Birthday Child” bringing cupcakes to be shared with all classmates at lunch.  Please do not send a cake.  My class also has a special project the child may complete.  While it is enjoyable, it is not a mandatory project.  I will send home more information closer to your child’s birthday.  If you are planning a party for your child and have invitations that you would like to be given out at school, please make sure that each child is included.  If the entire class is not to be invited to your child’s party, please mail the invitations from home.

*All food brought to the class to enjoy must be store bought.  We are not allowed to accept homemade food.

*Note: If for any reason your child cannot celebrate or take part in a holiday/activity please let me know as soon as possible. I will need time to make appropriate accommodations for your child.

Personal Items

          Please make sure your child’s name is on coats, jackets, book bag, and lunch box, etc.

BOOK ORDERS

          Periodically I will send home an order form for a book club.  Please order online or make checks payable to the book club. These orders earn our class free materials and books, so each order is appreciated.  Remember that it takes a couple of weeks for the ordered books to arrive.

Friday Fun Snacks

On Monday of each week, I will ask a parent to donate our snack for the week. It typically will revolve around our unit of study such as apples. If you are unable to help with the donation on your week, please let me know as soon as possible so I may make other arrangements

Behavior System

My goal this year is to create an atmosphere that fosters learning for all students.  It is important that we work closely to maintain this type of classroom environment. My behavioral expectations are posted in the classroom and are listed here for you.  I expect students to be respectful to themselves and others.  I also expect them to always try their best.

Rules:

1. Listen when others are talking.
2. Follow directions.
3.  Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
4. Work quietly and do not disturb others.
5. Show respect for school and personal property.
6. Work and play in a safe manner.

 Behavior Code:

Smiley face = Great day!      Straight face + needs improvement          Sad face = not a good day      

** Severe misbehavior (fighting, stealing, or other such offense) will result in immediate referral to the office.

Our Rewards

          Students will receive rewards for doing “the right thing”. Here are a few.

1. Verbal Praise
2. Treat
3. Good notes or calls home
4. Class Celebration
5. Prize Box
6. Blue Tickets!

** I would be grateful to accept donations for the Prize Box anytime throughout the year.  Here are a few suggestions: individually wrapped candy (no gum please), school supplies, stickers, small toys, and party favors.

Thank you for your involvement in your child’s education!