Congratulations! You are the parent of a first-grader here at M.E.I. This is an exciting time of adventure in the world of learning. You will be amazed at just how much your child will learn! Keep in mind that each child progresses at his or her own rate, acquiring skills as they are developmentally ready. It is important to maintain your child’s self-esteem and build a secure foundation for future growth.
Ways to Help:
Staying involved in your child's education is the key to a successful year. Engage your child in conversation about his/her day, but know that children won't always give out much information. We will have a monthly newsletter e-mailed out and posted on our website detailing our activities for the month. You can use this as a springboard for discussion.
Another way to stay involved is to check your child's take home binder EVERY day. This is where you will find their home reading books, newsletters, flyers, notices from the office, as well as notes from us. As daunting as it may be, try to sort through them, and read each one, they often contain important information and reminders. Please remove everything from the front section at least on a weekly basis.
Celebrate your child’s successes, no matter how small they may seem. This will keep your child enthusiastic about learning and proud of their work.
Read to and with your child every day, if possible. The more your child is exposed to language, the easier it will be for him or her to incorporate new skills in reading and writing in the classroom. Remember to record all reading on your child’s reading chart.
A Few Procedures
* Home-School Communication
Please voice your questions or concerns. Before or after school is a good time if you have a quick question or concern. We could also set up a meeting after school for any issues that arise. If you would like to leave a note, there is a hand-in basket on the counter. You can also leave a message via voice mail or e-mail. Mrs. Moews can be contacted at bmoews@meisoc.com or moews@shaw.ca. Mrs. Penner can be reached at apenner@meisoc.com or at penner_andrea@hotmail.com
* Communication Binder
The binder is divided into three sections:
The first section of this binder is reserved for all school notices, field trip notices, and other important communication between home and school. Completed work that can be kept at home will also be sent home here. Please read these items every day and remove them every week.
The middle section is for home reading materials. When we are ready to begin home reading, a recording sheet will be kept in this section. Home reading books will be sent home in the plastic envelope. Please send returned permission slips, money, etc. in this plastic envelope as well as it will help your child remember to turn these items in. They will be checking the envelope daily once home reading has begun.
The last section will be for shared reading, materials, poems, and songs. Please leave these theme booklets at the back of the binder so we may use them in class. I would like to encourage you to go through this songs and poems together with your child, but not to complete the pages until they are sent home. When each theme is finished, the booklet will be transferred to the front of the binder to be taken out and left at home.
Please look through this binder daily and take the opportunity to share in your child’s learning.
* Classroom Rules
We will be establishing the rules together in the second week of school, but we usually come up with a list similar to this:
- Respect others.
- Follow directions.
- Walk.
- Raise your hand.
- Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
* Management System
We want to use logical consequences when the rules are broken. Student may be asked to make reparations or “fix” their mistake. Sometimes a student may need more limits (less choice) until they are able to handle a situation. Time-outs are needed when a student’s rule-breaking is jeopardizing either the physical or emotional safety of the class. And we would also like to introduce the “apology of action” strategy. This method requires a child who has hurt another child to think of an action that will help the hurt child feel better. Then, after the hurt party has agreed to the plan, the child carries it out.
* Incentives
We will use various incentives throughout the year to promote good behavior. Verbal praise for “catching” a student cooperating and following the rules can be a huge incentive. We may also invite their classmates to be involved in a group cheer to validate their good choices. At the beginning of the year, students will be given a sticker book, where they can collect the stickers they receive for following directions, keeping a neat desk, and being prepared for class. Later in the year, students may receive “Moews Money.” These slips of paper will be deposited into a box for a draw at the end of the week. We may also have group or entire class contests, where points will be tallied and prizes given.
* Newsletters
For those who have e-mail, we will be sending out our monthly newsletter of what is happening in our class. The newsletter, along with other important information, can also be viewed at our class website www.mrsmoews.com. Those without e-mail access will receive paper copies on request.
* Special Helper
We have a daily helper to do small classroom tasks and to be the leader in line. That child will also be allowed to bring something from home to share. All children will get equal turns at this. If someone is absent when his/her turn comes up, that child will be special the day after they return.
* Parent Helpers
I try to provide many opportunities for parents to volunteer and visit in our classroom. There are many ways you can be involved in our classroom. A parent helper form will be sent out at the beginning of school that will outline some of these opportunities. Please return the form as soon as possible. If you choose to be a classroom volunteer, the class coordinator will send home a monthly schedule of your involvement.
* Footwear
Please send a pair of inside shoes with your child. These shoes will be kept in the classroom and used in the classroom and in the gym. Please try to send shoes that are comfortable, easy to take on and off, and suitable for running in the gym. Light coloured soles are preferable, as black soles leave marks. Please note that students need to be able to tie their own shoes proficiently before bringing laced shoes to school.
* Show and Tell
The day your child is the special helper, is the day they bring something to show or think of something to tell.
To begin show and tell, we will introduce ourselves using “Me in a Bag.” I’ll start the first day of school and fill the blue lunch bag with a few items that represent me, such as a picture of my husband and dog, my favorite book, my favorite CD, my favorite food, etc. Students will participate in “Me in a Bag” on their special helper day, beginning the first full week of school.
After everyone has had a chance to share “Me in a Bag,” we will focus more on the telling part. Student may still bring one or two things of special significance to them. It can be something they have made, something they have found, or something that relates to what we have been studying in school. Otherwise, they will concentrate on telling a special story or event in their life.
* Forms, Notes, & Money
All permission slips, notes, homework sheets, hot lunch forms, and money should be placed inside your child’s “Take Home Binder,” in the plastic envelope. The returned items need to be handed in every morning to the “hand-in” box.
* Library
Children will be taking out one or two school library book on a weekly basis. Our library period this year will be on Tuesday. Be sure to have your book returned to the library bin in the classroom on or before that day.
* At-Home Reading Program
I
n September will begin a reading program, in which your children will bring home level appropriate books to be read with you Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. On Tuesdays and Thursday, they may choose a book of their choice that can be read at home for a week or so, but must be returned before another “Choice Book” is taken. There will be a reading chart to record what they have read in their “Take Home Binder.” Students will receive a small prize for every 5 complete pages, or 100 books read. Along with the home reading books, you may include other books that your child reads on their own. Books may be recorded more than once, but the book list should reflect a variety of titles. When reading chapter books, each chapter can be recorded as one book.
* School Supplies
Supplies will be purchased through the school.
* Lost & Found
There is a lost and found chest and clothes racks near the main entrance to the building. Please label all your child’s clothing and non-clothing items so they can be easily returned. Unclaimed items left in the classroom lost and found bin will be brought there.
* Arrival Time
The bell rings at 8:25 to come inside the classroom. For the first week you may want to assist your child in hanging up their belongings and getting out their binders. For the remainder of the year, it is helpful if you make your farewells brief to avoid separation anxiety and encourage independence. Please be on time to class, if at all possible. If you arrive after 8:30, please stop at the office to inform the secretaries and pick up a late slip. Late entries are disruptive to the entire class.
*Entering and Exiting
Please have your child wait in the main foyer of the school prior to the bell. All students in our class are asked to enter and exit through the hallway door. This results in less chaos and a chance to greet and give farewells to each student.
*Outdoor Recess
The children will be going out for recess everyday unless it is raining heavily or extremely cold. Please keep this in mind when helping your child select clothing for the day. For the most part, if your child is well enough to attend school he/she is well enough to go outside for recess. However, on those occasions you feel it is best for your child to stay indoors, please send a written note and I will make arrangements for your child to read a book in the office.
*Birthdays
In class we keep birthdays low key. We sing “Happy Birthday,” give a small gift, and help make the birthday child feel special. You are welcome to send a small treat to share with the class, but there is no obligation. For the summer birthdays we will have a “summer” birthday celebration in the last week of school. Please refrain from handing out birthday invitations at school unless all the boys and/or all the girls are invited. Although it may seem convenient to distribute invitations this way, it results in hurt feelings for those not invited.
*Healthy Snacks
A healthy lunch and snacks provides children with the energy and nutrients they need to grow and learn and play at school. Without adequate energy from food, they may feel sluggish and find it difficult to concentrate in class. Please refrain from sending pop, “junk” or highly processed foods to class.
*Hand Sanitizer
We have all students wash their hands before eating at recess and lunch. There are some days when time is a factor. If you could please send a small bottle of hand sanitizer to school, it can be kept in their desk to be used on busy days.
*Homework
There will be three items of regular homework in our class. Together these should take approximately 15-20 minutes a school day. The first task will be to read through their home reading book two times – the first time for decoding and the second time for fluency. Secondly, practice their sight word flash cards. And thirdly, practice their spelling words for a test at the end of each week (starting in December). Periodically there may also be sheets for printing practice, or work that your child was not able to complete during class time.
We look forward to getting to know you and your child better as the year progresses.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Bonnie Moews
Mrs. Andrea Penner
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