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323850161925Legend Springs First Grade Handbookcenter6985Updated May 10, 2017Dear Families,We want to welcome you and your child to first grade. We are looking forward to working with you and your child to make this an exciting year for all of us! In this document, you will find an array of information regarding policies and expectations. Please read over each section and save this information for future reference. We have done our best to be clear on all points, however, we realize there’s always room for questions. Please feel free to approach us with your questions or concerns. Our goal, as classroom teachers, is to facilitate each student’s learning and enhance his/her overall growth and desire to learn. Student growth and development is related to a cooperative and supportive classroom environment. It is our hope that this year will be a most exciting and rewarding time for your child’s success in his/her learning journey.Every child’s success in school is dependent upon many factors, however, the most important factors are the student, the parent(s)/guardian(s), and the teachers working together to provide the most supportive program of education. We welcome your participation in any way you feel comfortable. We can always use your help working with students, helping with group projects, coordinating parties, assisting on field trips, and of course, copying papers. We love being teachers and look forward to a fantastic year ahead. This is a great school and the first grade team will be planning and working closely to make this year one of marked educational growth for all the children in first grade. While focusing on the needs of individual children, we will be utilizing Arizona College and Career Readiness Standards and district adopted curriculum.We have high, yet realistic, expectations for our students. With guidance from all of us, this will be a successful rewarding year for your child. We believe in open communication and welcome you to contact us any time. You may reach us either through voicemail or through email. Email works best and tends to be responded quicker to than by phone. We will check our email and phone messages early each school morning and will try to get back to you within 24 hours. If we have not gotten back to you within 24 hours, please contact us again. Thank you for trusting your child to us. We promise to do our best every day and work hand-in-hand with you this year to help your child reach his/her full potential.Sincerely,The First Grade TeamMs. Jenny Ferdman Mrs. Sharon LevakeMrs. Angela RobidouxMs. Sharon SilversteinFirst Grade TeacherFirst Grade TeacherFirst Grade TeacherFirst Grade TeacherRoom #110Room #113Room #112Room #111jennifer.ferdman@ sharon.levake@ angela.robidoux@ sharon.silverstein@(623) 376- 4538 (623) 376-4534(623) 376-4535 (623) 376-4533Legend Springs Website: Grade Website: and/or Grade Dates to Remember: OF CONTENTSClassroom ProceduresSchool SuppliesPage 3Peanut-Nut Free ClassroomPage 4MedicinePage 4Lunch MoneyPage 4RestroomPage 5Class WorkPage 5ToysPage 5BirthdaysPage 5Star Student/Show and TellPage 5Water BottlesPage 6Book Orders Page 6Schedule (including arrival and dismissal)Page 7AbsencePage 7Volunteers/VisitorsPage 8Curriculum OverviewReadingPage 8Daily 5Page 9Phonics/Word Study/Spelling/Handwriting Page 10WritingPage 12Thinking Maps Page 13MathPage 14Science and Social StudiesPage 14TechnologyPage 14OtherHomework PolicyPage 15Book It!Page 16Discipline PolicyPage 17Character Counts Page 17Spot On! Character School-Wide Incentive ProgramPage 18Classroom RulesPage 19DVUSD Report Card ResourcesPage 21Legend Springs Pick-Up/Drop-OffPage 21Playground RulesPage 22CLASSROOM PROCEDURESSuggested Supply List forLegend Springs First Grade 2017-2018Updated May 2017Donated school supplies are appreciated, but not required.? All school supplies will be shared among the students.? Since all supplies are shared, it is not necessary to label donated items.?Suggested Supply List for First Grade:1 box – snack size Ziploc plastic bags (Ferdman, Silverstein)1 box - sandwich size Ziploc plastic bags (Ferdman, Silverstein)1 box – quart size Ziploc plastic bags (Ferdman, Silverstein)1 box – gallon size Freezer Ziploc plastic bags (Ferdman, Silverstein, Robidoux)-533400-44451 box – large rectangle box of facial tissue (Ferdman, Silverstein, Robidoux)2 containers – baby wipes2 rolls – paper towels4 black Expo Low Odor Fine-tip dry eraser markers1 box of 16 count Crayola Crayons1 box 8 count Crayola classic markers (Ferdman, Silverstein, Robidoux)1 box of Crayola classic fine line markers8 Elmers glue sticks2 boxes of #2 pencils (Ferdman, Silverstein)$10 donation toward plastic folders & Scholastic News 2?Mead Primary Journals K-2 (or similar)1 set of headphones (over the ear type—no ear buds) *Please label with child’s name.1 backpack for individual useRolling backpacks are not recommended and are difficult to store within ourclassroom.? *Please label with child's name.1 – Office max 4 liter box trans blue (#808612) or Sterilite Large Clip Box 002021200 (14”x11”x3 ?”) (Ferdman, Silverstein)First Grade ordered a magazine called Scholastic News and will be requesting each student donate $10 to cover the cost (we will use these in the classroom and send home once completed) of the magazine and cover the cost of plastic folders for homework and classwork. Students may wish to have a small flashlight for “Flashlight Fun” reading time.*Please label with child’s name. Donations throughout the year are also appreciated for our treasure box which include trinkets and goodies such as decorative pencils, fun pencil erasers, and party favors (Ferdman, Silverstein, Robidoux)Arizona law requires that public schools provide supplies required for academic success.? This list represents optional, supplementary items which you may supply at your discretion.? Wish List: multiple reams of 20 lb. weight white and/or color copy paper, multiple reams of white and/or color cardstock 65 lb. weight and/or office supply gift cards2148840239699Sharpened pencils will always be available for your child to use, so please do not send a small sharpener for individual use. The small sharpeners are very messy and often become a distraction to young learners.Due to limited classroom space and safety, rolling backpacks on wheels should remain at home. Please have your child clean out his/her backpack regularly and leave attached trinkets, key chains, and toys at home. We hang our backpacks on the back of our chairs and the chairs will tip if the backpack is too heavy.A Take Home Folder will be provided in the beginning of the year and will be utilized as a consistent place for homework, notes, and communication for school and home connections. The folder will be sent home Monday-Friday and should be returned each school day. If your child’s folder gets lost or damaged you may send in a replacement folder. You may want to write down your contact information, inside the folder, if your child doesn’t know your name, address, or phone number (especially for bus riders).0347041***WE ARE A PEANUT-NUT FREE CLASSROOM. Please read the labels on any food items sent into the classroom to make sure it is peanut-nut free and has not been processed in a factory that handles peanuts or nuts. 1st-6th grade students may have/eat peanut butter for lunches from home—a separate nut-free table will be provided for students with allergies.Please view the Safe Snack Guideline by visiting the following link: sure to visit Nurse Jamie’s Website for additional information regarding Severe Allergies/Food Allergies and our Legend Springs Baked/Processed Birthday Celebration Treats List by visiting: Springs will be latex free for classroom activities, birthdays, and parties—no balloons.MEDICINEAll medicine should be delivered to the school nurse prior to the start of the school day. Students may not have throat lozenges or cough drops in their possession.LUNCH MONEYAll lunch money/checks should be dropped off in the cafeteria or the front office prior to the start of the school day. Please provide your child’s name and teacher’s name when dropping off money/checks.For convenience, parents may add money to lunch accounts online through theLegend Springs Website: visit the EZ School Pay site directly by visiting: Lunch Menus can be found at: RESTROOMIn order to preserve class time, students are encouraged to use the restroom before school, at lunch, and after school. Students may go to the restroom anytime it’s an emergency. If there are restroom issues or if your child hasn’t been feeling very well, please jot me a quick note to let me know.CLASS WORKIt is important that good work habits are formed early. Children will be given ample time to complete assignments and ask questions. If the work is still not complete, it may be sent home and will be due the next day in their homework folder.TOYSAbsolutely NO toys will be allowed in the classroom. Please help your child remember to leave toys at home by checking his or her backpack from time to time. If your child does bring something to school, it may be taken away. A toy will need to be picked up by the parent. 52482758255BIRTHDAYS“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” ---Oprah WinfreyRegarding invitations, students may pass them out in class ONLY if all students are invited. All students’ feelings need to be taken into consideration. This is a very sensitive issue for young children and your cooperation is greatly appreciated!STAR STUDENT/SHOW AND TELL5867400702310Every child is special and unique! Each week, one student will be selected to be the “Star Student” to be honored and recognized by celebrating his/her special qualities and unique abilities. This enhances self-esteem and shows each of us just how important we are to each rmation (letter and poster) will be sent home prior to your child’s week. Your child will be asked to share the poster the week assigned to him/her. It would be great if the poster came in on Monday, so the class has time to look it over and prepare questions and positive comments in advance. Any pictures your child would like to share should be attached to the poster. WATER BOTTLESStudents are encouraged to bring water bottles to school daily and should contain water and/or ice (all other drinks will need to be saved for lunch). It is important that students stay hydrated in the Arizona weather! ONLY “squirt top” bottles are allowed in the classroom. Twist-off tops often become distractions or get put in mouths, which become a safety concern. Water bottles should be clearly labeled with student’s name. It is encouraged that a sock be put around the water bottle to absorb the sweat from the water bottle. BOOK ORDERSYou play a special and important role in your child’s education and you may be wondering what you can do at home to help your child. Periodically, we will be sending home a wide selection of book order forms. You can encourage the love of reading and learning by giving your child the opportunity to choose his/her own books so that family reading becomes a rewarding part of his/her life. You are not obligated to order any books. It is just a convenient and inexpensive way to get books for your child. By ordering books, we get free books and materials for our classroom. Please indicate on the form the quantity, amount total, and your child’s name. Please make checks payable to Scholastic or order online and pay with a credit card, at parent ordering. It normally takes 2-3 weeks to receive the orders by mail.SCHEDULEBelow is a general schedule and is subject to change at any time. ARRIVALStudents should not be on campus, without parent supervision, prior to 8:30 A.M. unless he/she is eating breakfast in the cafeteria. Students arriving on campus between 8:30 A.M. and 8:40 A.M. should go directly to the playground. In the case of heavy rain, students will come directly to the classroom. School begins promptly at 8:45. Students arriving after 8:45 will be considered tardy and will need a late slip from the office. 42227504445Typical First Grade Classroom Schedule8:45-11:30 Morning Block typically will include: Morning Routine (attendance, Pledge, etc.) Language Arts Block (reading and writing) RTI/MTSS Small Group Instruction and Enrichment11:30-11:50 Recess11:50-12:10 Lunch12:10-1:45 Math including RTI/MTSS Small Group Instruction and Enrichment1:45-2:30 Specials (Art, PE, Music)2:30-3:30 Library/Computer Lab/Science/Social Studies***Lunch times will change if we go on Rainy Day Schedule for rain and/or excessive heat warning days.***SPECIALSEach class will have assigned daily specials which will remain the same each week, but may change each quarter. Please check with your child’s classroom teacher for an individual class specials schedule. DISMISSALThe school day ends at 3:30 (12:05 on Early Release Days). All parents/visitors should wait outside the school building gates and should NOT be inside the gates, indoors, or outside the classroom door. Students need to exit the building safely without the congestion of adults, strollers, etc. If a student is meeting someone please prearrange a meeting place and that your child is aware of who and where they are meeting.ABSENCEWhenever your child is going to be absent for any reason, you must call the 24 hour school attendance line at 623-376-4590. Any paper/pencil work will be collected for your child to be completed upon their return, however, most of what is missed is hands-on and directly related to what is being taught in the classroom and not in a paper/pencil form to be sent home. Please show your child that school is important by being punctual to school, as well as scheduling appointments before/after school.VOLUNTEERS/VISITORS/CHAPERONESVolunteers will be signed in electronically by the office staff and given a visitor’s sticker before going to their destination. Volunteers and field trip chaperones must have attended a District Volunteer Training. Volunteers and chaperones need to go through District Volunteer Training only once. Every year thereafter, a new volunteer agreement must be signed (available in the front office). If you’d like to volunteer to be a homeroom parent and coordinate parties, help in the classroom, help in the workroom making copies, help at home with special projects, share a special talent, etc. please let us know. A volunteer schedule will be set-up and begin toward the mid-part of September, after the students learn the classroom routines/procedures. As a volunteer or chaperone, you will be asked to refrain from sharing information about students with others. A classroom volunteer tub will be provided with notes/directions to prevent disruptions when volunteering in the classroom. Students enjoy having his/her parents volunteer, however, students should remain on task and continue working when volunteers are present.CURRICULUM OVERVIEWThe curriculum in all of the first grade classrooms will follow the Deer Valley Curriculum Guides and Arizona College and Career Readiness Standards. Our first grade team enjoys working and planning together, however, each teacher will make adjustments and travel different intertwining paths to meet the goals and individual needs and personalities of students. We will have a great year conquering new challenges together.1st Grade Curriculum Framework: Parent Roadmap English Language Arts: Parent Roadmap Mathematics: READINGReading is the most important and perhaps the most challenging skill first graders acquire. We understand that students have varying levels of ability and learn in a variety of ways. One approach to reading may not be successful in every situation. Our reading instruction will be eclectic in its approach.468630022987000The primary focus of our reading instruction is to teach students the process of reading through the use of good reading strategies. These include: To recognize words:Use Decoding/PhonicsLook for Word Bits and Parts or “Word Chunks”To gain meaning:Self-Correct, Read Ahead, RereadUse Picture Clues to Confirm MeaningMake and Confirm PredictionsSequence Events/SummarizeCreate Mental Images and Make InferencesThe following are other valuable components of our reading instruction: Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary, Text ComprehensionTeacher Read AloudsSight Word/Phrase/High-Frequency/Word Family PracticePaired ReadingIndependent ReadingChants and SongsWriting Activities (Including Literature Responses)Listening and SpeakingAssessmentsReading instruction will take place through whole group, small group, and individually, as needed. We will use the district adopted Pearson Reading Street reading series for whole group instruction, as well as, a variety of teacher read alouds, and leveled reading books for small group reading instruction.Pearson Reading Street Reading Curriculum for Weekly Reading StoryTopics and Lesson Sequence and Additional Resources: (Book R is a Kindergarten Review, we will begin with Book 1—1.1.1 Sam, Come Back!)DAILY 5 Reading Rotation/CentersDaily 5 reading rotations allow the teacher to provide small reading group instruction. During this time, students will alternate between small group reading instruction and meaningful learning activities (Read to Self, Work on Writing, Read to Someone, Word Work, and Listen to Reading). Children learn best through active and meaningful participation in their own learning. The children will choose a variety of activities to work on throughout the week that will support their academics, which will be developmentally appropriate, as well as utilize higher level thinking skills. PHONICS/WORD STUDY/SPELLING/HANDWRITINGPhonics instruction will be used as grade level curriculum that helps students recognize and understand the systematic and predictable relationships between the letters of written language and the individual sounds of spoken language. Letter-sound correspondences are taught sequentially and cumulatively and are then applied. The individual sounds represented by letters are blended to form words. Word blending is combining the sounds represented by letter sequences to decode and pronounce words. Students are explicitly taught the process of blending individual sounds into words. We will focus on patterns in words and look at the vowels (V) and consonants (C). We will begin with VC or CVC words, such as “at” or “man” (noticing the vowel usually represents the short vowel sound within those two patterns), and progress to words with consonant blends, as in “tent” or “split”. We will focus on the pattern (not memorizing the word) so as he/she sees larger words such as “pre-de-ter-mine” he/she will be able to break the work into syllables and know common phonetic patterns.Phonics differentiation will occur through Word Study to meet the needs of individual students.WORD STUDY/SPELLINGWe will be using Word Study to teach spelling. Word Study is an alternative to traditional spelling instruction. It is based on learning word patterns rather than memorizing unconnected words. We will study weekly word patterns and Words Their Way (WTW) word patterns based on individual needs.Spelling has traditionally been taught by giving students a list on Monday and a test on Friday with practice in between. This type of drill and practice has earned traditional spelling instruction a reputation for being boring. That there is no big picture and no ultimate goal makes it all the more tedious – as soon as one spelling list is tested, another list takes its place. Teachers often find that students just memorize the words for the test, but do not retain the spelling in the weeks after. Luckily, there is an alternative to traditional spelling instruction called "Word Study" which is not based on the random memorization of words. A word study program is a cohesive approach that addresses word recognition, vocabulary, and phonics as well as spelling, in a differentiated fashion to meet the individual needs of each student.What is word study?Word study provides students with opportunities to investigate and understand the patterns in words. Knowledge of these patterns means that students needn't learn to spell one word at a time.Take, for example, the difference between "hard c" (as in cat) and "soft c" (as in cell). After collecting many words containing the letter "c," students discover that "c" is usually hard when followed by consonants (as in clue and crayon) and the vowels "a," "o," and "u" (as in cat, cot, and cut). In contrast, "c" is usually soft when followed by "i", "e," and "y" (as in circus, celery, and cycle).Of course, for every rule there are exceptions that threaten the rule. Students learn, though, that spelling patterns exist and that these patterns help to explain how to spell, read, and write words.Word study is also designed to build word knowledge that can be applied to both reading and spelling. Because it is closely tied to reading instruction, it also develops students' abilities in phonics, word recognition, and vocabulary.To implement word study effectively, teachers and students alike must become word detectives, engaged in an ongoing attempt to make sense of word patterns and their relationships to one another. Spelling "rules" are not dictated by the teacher for students to memorize. Rather, spelling patterns and generalizations are discovered by students.Teaching StrategiesIn word study, teachers encourage students to compare and contrast features in words. One common method for doing so is by having students sort words. When sorting, students use their word knowledge to separate examples that go together from those that don't.In addition to sorting, students may hunt for words in their reading and writing that fit the pattern being studied or may play games and activities to apply their word knowledge.A cycle of instruction for word study might include the following:introduce the spelling pattern by choosing words for students to sortencourage students to discover the pattern in their reading and writinguse reinforcement activities to help students relate this pattern to previously acquired word knowledgeTeachers then test students' pattern knowledge rather than their ability to memorize single words. Students will exposed to grade level high-frequency words and Frys Word Lists (sight words that don’t necessarily follow a phonics pattern, but are essential to the foundation for first grade readers to be successful).41814754191000HANDWRITINGWe value legible handwriting. Lessons on handwriting, utilizing the Zaner-Bloser model, both letter formation and neatness, will be emphasized. Lessons will be incorporated and practiced throughout the day on all work. Please continue to reinforce this at home with the use of pencil and an eraser for all work done outside of the classroom. WRITINGThe students will be writing every day. Reading and writing go hand-in-hand. During the year, students will continue to transfer their developing reading skills to writing conventions by using their knowledge of word structure and phonics to spell new words. They will learn and apply the fundamentals of grammar, mechanics, and sentence structure through our district adopted Write from the Beginning (WFTB) writing curriculum. Students will also learn about and practice the process skills that good writers use. Good writers plan, revise, rewrite, and rethink during the process of writing. The teacher’s modeling of effective prewriting, drafting, revising, proofreading/editing, and publishing techniques will build upon this understanding. Included among the writing your child will do during this year are journaling, mapping, literature responses, personal narratives, writing to explain why, creative writing, and friendly letters. We will be incorporating the 6 Traits writing process. The 6 traits that your child will be learning to use are:Idea Development is knowing the purpose of the writing and knowing what you want to say. Staying focused on one thing. Most importantly, adding details, details, details, without a lot of “fluff”.Organization is putting things in order, writing a good beginning and conclusion, and making sure the details go together.When you make movies or paint pictures with words you are using Word Choice. You are choosing the right words, using strong action words, and avoiding “fluff” words like nice, big, pretty.When using Voice you are putting your fingerprints on the piece.Conventions or writing include spelling, grammar and usage, paragraphing, use of capitals, and punctuation.Sentence Fluency is the rhythm and flow of the language, the sound of the word patterns, the way the writing plays to the ear – not just the eye.An important thought to keep in mind: Not every piece of writing will focus on all six traits of writing. There may be papers that come home with errors or mistakes. This does not imply that I have not seen the work or that I’m unaware of the error. Writing is largely experimenting with thoughts and ideas. The most important element of writing is getting thoughts down on paper. Grading at times, may inhibit the child’s desire to write.At the beginning of the year, please accept any invented spelling in your child’s writing. Our goal is to help your child feel confident expressing ideas in writing. Learning to write is a process involving time, encouragement, and patience. We refer to invented spelling as “sound spelling” because children write only the sounds they hear. We refer to correct spelling as “book spelling” because that is how a book or dictionary has the word printed. If your child asks for the “book spelling”, have him or her try to spell the word first. Then you may provide the book spelling as a model. This will aid in the process of learning to become an effective and independent writer.THINKING MAPSOur school has adopted “Thinking Maps” to provide a common visual language from kindergarten through sixth grade. Thinking Maps utilize eight visual patterns each based on a fundamental thinking process. Research supports the belief that our ability to learn visually is greater than any of our other senses --- 80% of all information that comes into our brain is visual. By connecting dynamic visual design (Thinking Maps) with a specific thought process, students create mental visual patterns for thinking based on eight cognitive skills. These eight cognitive skills are defining in context, describing qualities, comparing and contrasting, classifying, part-whole, sequencing, cause and effect, and seeing analogies. Thinking Maps will be used across the curriculum (reading, writing, math, science, social studies). For more information on Thinking Maps go to: grade?will be?implementing Eureka Math curriculum this year.??We will have 6 Modules of focus.? Each Module will be broken up into topics and then broken down further into lessons.? ?*? Module 1:? Sums and Differences to 10*? Module 2:? Introduction to Place Value Through Addition and Subtraction Within 20*? Module 3:? Ordering and Comparing Length Measurements as Numbers*? Module 4:? Place Value, Comparison, Addition and Subtraction to 40*? Module 5:? Identifying, Composing and Partitioning Shapes*? Module 6:? Place Value, Comparison, Addition and Subtraction to 100Topics and Lesson Sequence: (Links to Homework Helpers and Online Resources are Provided to Support Parents and Students with Skills and Concepts being Taught in Class)?Math Homework will be copied on?light yellow and should be completed at home with an adult for accuracy and guidance. Exit Tickets will be used in class before being sent home and should be used at home to review and prepare for each Topic Quiz. The End Module Review Assessment should be used to prepare for the End of Module Assessment.?DVUSD Math Resources: We encourage all families to work with their child on masteringbasic addition and subtraction math facts and should practice using flashcards regularly at home.SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIESScience (district adopted Foss program) includes the study of plants, balance and motion, and pebbles, sand, and silt. Social Studies will focus on a variety of topics including learning about past events, maps, historical figures, early civilizations, holidays, world and national symbols, citizenship, and economic principles. TECHNOLOGYWe will visit the computer lab throughout the year. These visits will provide the students with computer skills practice, software programs, and supervised internet instruction. Each classroom uses technology to extend their technology experience. Digital Resource for Parents: POLICYWHY ASSIGN HOMEWORK?Homework is a valuable tool in helping students make the most of their experience in school. Homework helps reinforce what has been learned in class, prepares students for upcoming lessons, teaches responsibility, and helps students develop positive study habits. Organization and responsibility are learned skills that take the cooperation of parent, teacher, and student to develop. Please help your child understand the importance of a homework routine by reading each day and completing work sent home.WHEN WILL HOMEWORK BE ASSIGNED?Homework will be sent home each night (Monday-Friday) and should be returned the next school day. Assignments should take approximately 30 minutes to complete each night. Students should read at least 20 minutes each day.In an attempt to save paper, our goal is to send home less paper and utilize email, google docs, and Signup Genius, and our grade level website as forms of communication regarding homework and upcoming events.Typical Nightly Homework Expectations Monday-FridayRead 15-20 Minutes Each Night (including Raz Kids/30+ minutes a week at home)Math 5-10 Minutes Each Night (return the yellow homework sheet, in the “Return to School” side of the homework folder, the following school day)Fluency Practice 2-5 Minutes Each NightRAZ Kids Online Interactive Reading and Comprehension Storiesaccounts purchased for each student by Legend Springs PTAclassroom teacher will provide username and password Kids Procedure—Students should listen to the story and read the story as many times as needed prior to taking the quiz the first time. Students should listen to the story at least once before they read the story. Focus should be on accuracy and comprehension.listen to the storyread the storytake the quiz (only available on higher reading level books)If your child misses questions on the quiz, s/he should repeat the process by listening to the story and reading the story again until the quiz is passed successfully. Parents can sign up on the website to view student reports, which will provide you information regarding individual skills/strategies for each story/quiz your child is taking.ZearnWe will be utilizing Zearn online videos and lessons to support each math lesson taught in class. WHAT ARE YOUR CHILD’S HOMEWORK RESPONSIBILITIES?Expectations: students to do their best job on each homework assignment. homework to be neat, not sloppy. all written homework to be done in pencil.homework to be completely finished by class time the following morning.WHAT ARE THE TEACHER’S RESPONSIBILITIES?Check to see if homework is returned each day, check for notes from parents, mark behavior daily, and support good homework habits by giving praise and other incentives.WHAT ARE THE PARENT’S RESPONSIBILITIES?Parents are the key to making the homework a positive experience. Therefore, we ask that you make homework a top priority. Provide your child with the necessary supplies and a quiet place to complete homework. Set aside a time every day when homework should be done. Provide positive praise and support, do not allow your child to avoid doing homework, and contact the teacher if you notice a problem. Parents should check homework each night.BOOK IT!Together with Pizza Hut, we can encourage reading at home by participating in the Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Program, which begins October 1 and ends March 31. Students will be encouraged to read for 20 minutes (or more) each night (7 days a week) and record their minutes on a BOOK IT! calendar to be returned the first week of the next month. Minutes read for homework can be counted. At the end of the month after the calendar has been returned, if your child read # of minutes required, he/she will receive a coupon for a free personal pan pizza.The child takes the certificate to a Pizza Hut? restaurant, where he or she is congratulated by the manager or service team and given a free, one-topping Personal Pan Pizza?. On the first visit, the child also receives a BOOK IT! card with clip and a sticker for the card. There is no purchase necessary and the pizza can be taken to go.On each subsequent visit, the child is again congratulated and given another Personal Pan Pizza and a sticker to recognize reading achievement. If the child meets the reading goals all six months of the program, he or she is awarded a BOOK IT! All-Star Reader Award at Pizza Hut.5 Ways You Can Support BOOK IT! at Home Know what your child’s monthly BOOK IT! reading goal is. Set a designated time for reading at home each day.Read 20 minutes at home each day at that designated time.Let your child see you read at home.Celebrate when your child meets the monthly reading goal. DISCIPLINE POLICYIn order to have an environment in which all children have the opportunity to learn and grow, it is necessary to implement an effective discipline plan. We will focus on “Character Counts” in which the six pillars of character are introduced, modeled, and reinforced throughout the year with lessons and activities. The pillars include trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.Character Counts! right164465The Six Pillars:TrustworthinessBe honest ? Don’t deceive, cheat or steal ? Be reliable — do what you say you’ll do ? Have the courage to do the right thing ? Build a good reputation ? Be loyal — stand by your family, friends and country RespectTreat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule ? Be tolerant of differences ? Use good manners, not bad language ? Be considerate of the feelings of others ? Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone ? Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements ResponsibilityDo what you are supposed to do ? Persevere: keep on trying! ? Always do your best ? Use self-control ? Be self-disciplined ? Think before you act — consider the consequences ? Be accountable for your choices FairnessPlay by the rules ? Take turns and share ? Be open-minded; listen to others ? Don’t take advantage of others ? Don’t blame others carelessly CaringBe kind ? Be compassionate and show you care ? Express gratitude ? Forgive others ? Help people in need CitizenshipDo your share to make your school and community better ? Cooperate ? Get involved in community affairs ? Stay informed; vote ? Be a good neighbor ? Obey laws and rules ? Respect authority ? Protect the environmentSPOT ON! Character?School-Wide Incentive Programleft889000We are excited about catching students and staff members who are SPOT ON with good character!SPOT ON! Characteristics include being: Safe, Punctual, Optimistic, Team Players, Open-Minded, and Noble.Students will be awarded a SPOT ON character ticket from a Legend Springs staff member if?they demonstrate good character and go?"above and beyond" in one of these areas.? Each student who receives a SPOT ON ticket will be entered into our weekly character drawing. One child at every grade level will be chosen as our SPOT ON student for the week. Their name will be read on Friday through morning announcements or during Flagpole Fridays. Character prizes will be awarded to our weekly student character winners and our monthly character winners will enjoy lunch with our Principal, Mrs. Minor.Want to recognize your child’s teacher or staff member that supports your child? Visit the following link to issue a?SPOT ON Legend Springs Staff member award: 52387503649900The Bee Kind People Project: 20: RULESFirst grade is a time for learning academically and socially. We will discuss and encourage good choices. Behavior will be looked at as a choice and part of the learning process. Our School AgreementOur #1 Job: We Help Each Other Succeed.We Communicate YOU Matter.We Honor the Absent.We See the Problem, We Fix the Problem.Our Class Mission StatementWe will be Legendary by being SPOT ON!Safe683421930700PunctualOptimisticTeam PlayersOpen-MindedNobleWe will do our best to demonstrate Star Qualities and Live Above the Line!38100052705478155052705Recipe for a Successful Year Start with a smiling teacher. Add a classroom full of children. Sprinkle with respect and understanding. Add a generous amount of praise, a bucket full of love and just the right amount of discipline. Mix well and allow to simmer for 180 school days. Garnish generously with good parent-teacher communication.The parent – teacher communication is a crucial part of this recipe and we look forward to working very closely with you this year. We will keep you informed of your child’s progress in our class and welcome you to contact us if you have any questions. Behavior concerns will be recorded inside the nightly homework folder, as needed, so that there will be no surprises at the end of the quarter. This will give you a meaningful opportunity to provide your child with immediate praise for a job well done that day on making good choices or an opportunity for you to talk with your child about making better choices. If at any time a student exhibits extreme misbehavior, he/she may immediately receive a written warning, lunch detention, be removed from the classroom or be sent to the Principal’s Office. In such a case, the consequence will be dependent upon the misbehavior, and the regular sequence of consequences will not be implemented and may be reflected on the quarterly report card.Rewards in the classroom include daily opportunities for positive reinforcement, such as: praise, stickers, high-fives, table points, line points, treasure box, etc. to encourage teamwork among students.CLASSROOM DOJOClassroom Dojo is a web-based behavior management system that will be used in class to track classroom behavior.DVUSD Report Card ResourcesK-6 Report Card Standards Reporting: Performance Levels: First Grade Report Card: Additional Resources are available by visiting our school website at: the district website at: are a few reminders that will assist with traffic flow and safety at arrival and dismissal.If you are dropping your child off on the green curb at arrival, please have your child ready to exit your car when you drive up. Students must have their shoes on and all items in backpack and be ready to exit your vehicle as soon as you stop at the green curb. If students need more time, we ask that you use one of the parking spaces in the lot and walk your child up when they are ready. Parents who are dropping off or picking up students are not permitted to get out of their vehicle. This slows down traffic flow.?Drivers must remain inside their vehicle and pull up on the green curb to keep traffic moving forward. Drivers must park their vehicle 30 feet away from stop signs on streets that surround the school. ?This is a traffic law and helps to maintain visibility of students crossing streets surrounding the school. ?Parking within 30 feet of stop signs severely blocks visibility of students crossing the street. ? Students are permitted to cross streets in marked crosswalks only. Please do not signal your child across the street by themselves. Students must cross the street in marked crosswalk areas. Be cautious when making U-turns on side streets.? We ask that drivers do not park or block the driveways of neighbors that live next to the school.? Please be courteous. Slow down and be cautious of students walking and on bicycles. Saving a few seconds is never a good reason to speed through school zones. We ask that you maintain patience both at arrival and dismissal. ?Did you know that statistics say that drivers talking on a cell phone are 4 times more likely to have a car accident? ?It is now estimated texting while driving makes a driver 23 times more likely to crash. Answering a text takes away your attention for about five seconds. That is enough time to travel the length of a football field.Thank you for your help on the road so that we can keep our students safe!PLAYGROUND RULESCAMPUS AREA RULES 1. Students are not allowed on school grounds prior to 8:30 AM when playground supervision begins. 2. Upon arrival, students will go directly to the playground, not to classroom areas to drop off personal items. 3. Students are to follow instructions of all school staff inside and outside the classroom. 4. Students are not to engage in any action that is potentially or actually harmful to the safety of themselves, other students or adults (i.e. running on walkways, throwing of objects, pushing or shoving, fighting, and profanity). 5. All students are to show respect for others and their property. 6. Students are not to bring any dangerous objects or substances to school. The school is not responsible for personal items students bring to school. 7. Students are not to leave the classroom or campus without appropriate written permission or authorized passes.8. Gum is not allowed at school. 9. Hats are to be taken off when inside buildings (see District Dress Code). 10. Do not litter. Help keep our campus clean. 11. Always walk on the cement. Please do not walk on the grass. 12. Bicycles will not be ridden on the school campus. Bicycles must be walked upon entering campus gates. 13. Limit quiet conversation while moving as a class on campus unless directed otherwise by a teacher so that classes in session will not be disturbed. 14. No more than three students in bathrooms at a time during recess. CAFETERIA RULES 1. Playground equipment, backpacks and school work will be placed in the appropriate area upon entering the cafeteria. 2. Students waiting for lunches will stand in a single file line in an orderly manner. 3. Remember these four (4) cafeteria rules: Walk in the cafeteria. Use proper table manners. Speak softly. Stay seated in assigned area until dismissed. 4. After eating, students will clean their eating area and dispose of garbage. 5. All food and drink must be consumed in the cafeteria. 6. No glass allowed. 7. Show respect to all cafeteria workers. PLAYGROUND RULES TACKLE FOOTBALL IS NOT ALLOWED FLAG FOOTBALL IS ONLY ALLOWED FOR 4-6 GRADE STUDENTS Walk – Walk – Walk – Walk 1. Walk ONLY in woodchip area, sand area and all cement surfaces except basketball courts. 2. Walk ONLY to and from the cafeteria. 3. All running, jogging, skipping, etc. is only allowed on the grass field area and basketball courts. 4. Tag and chasing games are only allowed on the field. Playground Equipment 1. Keep sand in the sand area and woodchips in the woodchip areas. Do not kick sand or woodchips when walking through those areas. 2. No climbing on or hanging/ swinging upside down on any equipment. 3. No jumping on or off any equipment. 4. Pull-up bars are for doing pull-ups ONLY. Slides 1. One person at a time. 2. Slide all the way down, no stopping. 3. Sitting only, facing forward. 4. No climbing on or up the slides. 5. No walking or running on or up the slides6. No standing or sitting at or near the bottom or top of slides. 7. No pushing down slides. Monkey Bars 1. Grab bars with both hands, hang down and travel across by moving hands from one bar to the next until reaching the opposite end. 2. No jumping onto bars from platform. 3. No swinging or hanging upside down on bars. 4. One person at a time traveling across bars. Swings 1. One person at a time on any swings. 2. No pushing is allowed. 3. No standing near or walking around the swings when someone is swinging. 4. Sit properly and hold on with both hands. 5. No jumping off swings. 6. Swing back and forth, not side to side. 7. No standing, laying on or hanging upside down on swings. 8. No front or back flips off the swings. Students should not do anything that may cause harm to themselves or other students.Please refer to the Student Rights and Responsibilities handbook available online at (scroll down and click on Student Rights and Responsibilities) for information about all procedures and policies.***SPECIAL NOTICE TO PARENTS***Campus supervision does NOT begin until 8:30 AM. You will need to arrange supervision for your child(ren) prior to that time. The ONLY exception is the breakfast program, which starts in the cafeteria at 8:15 AM.We will have a few classroom parties/celebrations throughout the year. This is a fun special time of celebration for the students in first grade. Parents and adult family members are welcome to attend and encouraged to assist during the party, however, other arrangements will need to be made for younger siblings.Thank you for taking time to read through this document and refer back to this information throughout the year as needed. Please always feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns. Sincerely, The First Grade TeamMs. Ferdman, Mrs. Levake, Mrs. Robidoux, and Ms. Silverstein ................
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