abc's of 1st grade

ABC's of First Grade

A

If your child is absent, please call the office at 360-563-7075 or send a note in your child's folder to avoid an unexcused absence.

Please let me know of any allergies your child has, including food-related.

We will be taking part in ART SMART again this year thanks to our wonderful parents. If you'd like to be involved please let me know. Our lessons will be the 1st Tuesday of the month from 12:50-1:50.

B

Our cafeteria serves breakfast beginning at 8:25 each day.

As a school, due to health concerns students will no longer bring food items to share with the class on their birthday. We will recognize and celebrate your child's special day in other ways. If you wish to send in a wrapped “Birthday Book” to donate to our classroom library, I will have your child open it during our birthday recognitions.

Please do not send birthday party invitations to be distributed at school. CPO will provide a Cathcart student directory for those purposes.

Book order forms will be sent home each month. Scholastic book clubs offer a wonderful selection of “just right” books at reduced prices to build your home library! You may also order online with our classroom code: L3VP8

C
Parent/Teacher conferences are held twice a year. Conferences will be held in October and March. Please let me know if you need an interpreter present at your child’s conference.

Communication is important. You can reach me by school phone (360-563-7075), by email  (paula.headland@sno.wednet.edu), text me using the Remind app, or by note in your child’s folder.

We have 10 new 2-in-1 laptop hybrid computers that are designed for use by primary students. Students will use them throughout the year to access information, work on IXL math, and create digital responses to our learning.

D

Discipline is simple. We work hard as a class to make our classroom community/family a positive and safe place for all to learn and work. The students and I agree that all of our potential classroom rules fit in with our school rules: BE SAFE, BE KIND, BE RESPECTFUL,  and DO YOUR BESt. Students will be referred to this often.

E

My school email address is paula.headland@sno.wednet.edu. Our spam-blocker is very strong and at times our email server is down, so please don’t rely on email messages for last-minute issues. I will try my best to return your email the same day.

2-Hour Early Release (1:15 pm) will take place each Friday and Half Day Early Release (11:45 am) will be 10/24, 11/21, 12/14, 3/27, and 6/18.

F

Detailed information and permission slips for our field trip will be sent home in the folder. We are in the process of narrowing our choices down.

G

Our class will have gym class with Mr. Billheimer twice a week. The children are asked to wear athletic shoes for gym on Monday and Wednesday.

H
H.E.R.O. Having Everything Ready and Organized folders help keep us operating smoothly! This houses homework, money/notes, and other items that assist with communication between home and school. Please check them nightly for classroom communications and student work.

Students will have weekly reading homework and homework menus. Occasionally they may have a special project or uncompleted class work to finish. 

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.

J

Writing takes place every day in our classroom.  One way we accomplish this is through writing in our journals during writer’s workshop.  We will also be making monthly writing collections. Encourage your child to write at home for a variety or purposes.

K

Keep updated by reading the classroom news, sign up for text reminders and checking the folder every day for other notes and information.

L

Our class will visit the library on Thursday, but the library is open each morning for book check-out and returns also. Our librarian is Mrs. Tapia and she loves helping students find books that will spark their love of reading. Students will also borrow books from our classroom library.

Our class eats lunch from 11:55-12:30. You are welcome to come eat lunch with your child, just check in with the office when you arrive.

When lunch money is sent to school, please have it clearly marked with your child’s name and send it in the H.E.R.O. folder.

M

The children will have music class twice a week with Mrs. Forbus. I will also incorporate music into many classroom lessons to enhance our learning.

We would love to have our family and friends take part in our Mystery Reader program. If you'd like to come surprise the kids and read a book please sign up.

N

Please send any notes to school in the H.E.R.O. folder.

O

There will be other special days when you will be invited to share in a celebration or program with our class.

P

Parent pick-up is located at the old kindergarten playground on the East side of the school, please wait there for your child to ease the walkway dismissal congestion. Remember an adult must always accompany students across the street to the parking lot. No curbside pick-up is allowed.

We have class parties throughout the year to celebrate special occasions. Watch our class news for upcoming events.

Q

Questions? Please feel free to call, email, or send a note.

R

Report cards will be sent home twice a year in February and June.

We will be learning responsibility by sharing jobs within our classroom and day.

S

We will have a snack time to refuel our bodies for learning.  If you are able, please send in community snacks (ex. pretzels or crackers) to share with the class. Thank you for all your donations!

T

Sign up for classroom text alerts with REMIND app. Enter this number:81010 Text this message:@pheadland

If your child has any changes in their transportation please let me know in writing or call the office by 2:30 pm.

We will have theme days throughout the year. Watch our class news for upcoming events.

U & V

Volunteers and visitors must register in the office and pick up a badge. If you'd like to volunteer in the classroom the district requires you to fill out an application and background check. Note: the process takes 10 days to complete once turned into the RSC

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) so the office can take care of your child’s attendance. I will also need time to put together a vacation work packet for them.

W

I welcome parent involvement!

Our class webpage: www.mrsheadlandslittlecougars.blogspot.com

X

Parents and family members may eXit and enter by way of the school office where they must sign in.

Y

Your ideas and suggestions are welcome!

Z

Zzzzzz – Make sure your child gets plenty of rest!