Welcome
to Mrs. Giordano and Mrs. Smith’s
2008/2009 First Grade Class!
“We’re Not Just Monkeying
Around!”
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome to first grade! We are very excited about the new school year
and are looking forward to working with all of you. Please be sure to read the Parent/Student
Handbook for Wake County Policies and Procedures. The purpose of this newsletter is to answer
many frequently asked questions and to clarify classroom procedures to allow
for a smooth transition into first grade.
We will go into detail and I will answer any other questions you may
have at our PTA Open House.
Daily Communication Daily
Folders:
These folders will go home with your child every day and will need
to return to school everyday. The purpose of this folder is for
sending home daily information or communication to and from school. Check the
folder daily for any possible communications, including daily behavior status. Your
child will be responsible for turning in the folder every morning. You certainly should help your first grader
to remember to turn in the folder but please do not turn it in for him/her.
Class News and Homework:
Every week, on Friday, homework and weekly information will be
emailed to an email address you will have provided to me. Any practice pages or supplies will be in the
communication folder. All homework is due by the following Friday. Monthly, a
Class Newsletter will also be sent. The
Class News will provide important information regarding our classroom and
school activities. Unless you tell me
differently, I will assume everyone has web access and I will not send home a
copy in the Daily Communication Folder. Please know that things do come up, so if you
do not see the homework email from me at the usual time, know it will be there
by Monday.
Classroom Management:
We will expect every child to follow school and classroom
rules. In our classroom, there will be
positive reinforcement for making good choices, and consequences for making
inappropriate choices. Every child has
good days and bad days. We do not
project or foresee any major occurrences in 1st grade. Nevertheless, when an issue does arise, your support is vital to your child’s
success.
The behavior system will work as follows:
A chart will be in your child’s homework/communication folder.
Every day, the chart will be marked with a fun stamp or a sad face, according
to the behavior your child has displayed for the day. Any necessary comments will be recorded there
also. You will need to check your child’s folder every day and initial that day. As
well, I will check the folder every morning for communication from you.
Parent-Teacher Communication:
It is very important that parents and teachers keep open
communication throughout the school year.
You may contact me at school by calling 662-2300 and leaving a
message. Or, you may email me at
jgiordano@wcpss.net However, please understand that I am extremely busy teaching
your child during the school day, and I have many meetings, etc, when the
school day ends. Mrs. Smith or I will
always try to get back to you the same day, but if not, please
know one of us will contact you ASAP. General communications would best be
through notes in your child’s Homework/Communication folder. Please do not email me to tell me if your
child is going home a different way than usual.
I may not read my email until later that afternoon. Thanks!
Classroom Volunteers:
We will welcome all volunteers to the classroom. Moreover, we really
do want and NEED your participation.
Nevertheless, we like to get to know the class before we start having
volunteers for Workstations. Therefore,
once we have determined the class is prepared and our schedule is set, we will
let you know and will ask you to let us know when you can come in. Please note that siblings may not come in with
you to volunteer in the classroom. Lunch
Bunch volunteers can start the second week of school. Thank you for
understanding.
Classroom Arrival:
Class will start at 8:20 every morning. No classrooms open to students until
7:50. If students are earlier than this
time, they must go to the cafeteria.
Please encourage your child to remember classroom and school procedures
by reminding them in the morning to turn in homework, notes, etc. After
the first day of school, please, please, please, do not walk your child to the
classroom, unless of course, you really need to see me or need
to help your child carry something.
Classroom Departure:
Class ends at 2:40. Car
pool is dismissed at this time. Busses
begin dismissal at this time, as well.
Once you have told us your child’s means of transportation in the
afternoon that is how your child will go home.
If for any reason this changes, you must let us know by sending a
detailed note to school or by calling the office. Make sure the following
information is in the note:
Ø
Your child’s name;
Ø
The name of the child and/or adult your
child will be riding with if going to car pool (If your child goes home with
another child in the school that child must also have a note);
Ø
The bus number if he or she will be going
by bus (If your child goes home with another child in the school that child
must also have a note, and approval depends upon seats available);
Ø
Your signature and current date.
If you forget to send in a note or something changes during the
school day, call the office immediately and inform them of the change of route
home. They will contact us and your
child will get home safely. Remember; please do not email me to tell me
of a change of route home. I may not
read my Email until that afternoon.
Friday Work Folders:
Every Friday a white folder with your child's schoolwork will come
home. This will give you 3 days to go
through the folder and discuss the work product with your child. Please sign
and return the folder to school the following Monday.
Snacks:
Every morning or afternoon, depending on our lunchtime, we will
have a snack in the classroom. Due to
food allergies, each parent is responsible for supplying their child with
their own snack, and we do not allow students to share. Please remember this is a snack and only send in a small, healthy
item. Please do not send in candy for
snack.
Special Snacks:
Thank you for reading this
lengthy newsletter. If you have any questions, please do not
hesitate to ask. We are looking forward
to a great school year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Jennifer Giordano, NBCT
Mrs. Barbara Smith, Teaching Assistant
