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Welcome to the wonderful world of 1st grade! I will be your child’s teachers this year. I am happy and excited about having your child in my class!  I have created a positive, loving and safe atmosphere where social, emotional and academic growth can take place. We will learn by looking, listening and experiencing concepts that are included in the 1st grade Common Core Standards. I look forward to working with your family this school year.

Here are a list of some very important things for you to know.

• School Day- Our school day begins at 9:15 and ends at 3:45. Please try to have your child at school by 9:00 so they have time to unpack and visit with friends. You will notice on our daily schedule our day starts promptly at 9:15. If your child comes to school after 9:15, please go by the office to pick up a late slip.  If your child needs to leave school before 3:45 you must go to the office first to sign them out of school.
• Absences- If your child misses a day of school please call the school to let us know they are at home and safe. When they return to school you must send in a note explaining the absence. Any absences without a note will be unexcused. Please see the parent handbook for a list of excused absences. Please use this format for your letter. English form Espanol form
• Personal Items- Please see that your child wears practical play clothes to school. Label all clothing and other personal items (jackets, lunchboxes, book bags, etc.) that could be removed, misplaced or, believe it or not, unclaimed. Send your child to school wearing sneakers or shoes that stay on their feet. It is very hard for children to play in backless shoes and sandals. Click here for a copy of our supply list.

Visitors and Volunteers- Whenever on campus you must go up to the office to sign in and get a visitor’s pass to help ensure the safety of our school. Please pass this information to friends and family who may be volunteering or visiting in your place. In order to volunteer with the children you must register with the WCPSS Volunteer Management Tracking System. Computers are available in the Learning Commons to do this. If you have already registered you must reactive your status. Take note of your volunteer number so you can check on the status of your clearance. If you do not have clearance you are not allowed to volunteer at school or chaperone field trips.  

Transportation- I must be notified in writing if there is any change in the way that your child goes home from school.

D.O.T. binder/Wednesday Folder- Please check and return your child’s D.O.T. binder each day. We will use this as a reference tool each day in the classroom.  Any notes or important papers should go into the D.O.T. so that I will get them. There are different sections in the D.O.T. Please DO NOT take anything hole punched out of the D.O.T. All these papers must stay inside to keep your child organized. This will also double as a data notebook and will house assessments. Please read through all information in your child’s Wednesday folder so you are aware of what is happening in the classroom and school. It has a side for items to stay at home and it has a side for items to be signed and returned so you will know which is which.

Snack- Everyday we will have snack in the afternoon. Please send your child with a piece of fresh fruit/vegetable, cheese and crackers, yogurt, applesauce, etc..

Lunch Visits- The children really enjoy when parents come to eat lunch with them. Lunchtime is at 11:20. If you come for lunch please be sure to check in at the office first and then please meet us in front of the cafeteria. The children really do enjoy the surprise of an unexpected parent! Please wait until the third week of school to visit during lunch so that we have time to establish routines. Please be sure to say good bye at the end of lunch so that we can get back to our classroom promptly to get ready for recess.

Lunch Money- I highly recommend paying for lunches in advance either by check or online. If you choose to send money each day please make sure it is labeled for your child so it does not get lost. Breakfast is $1.25 and lunch is $2.75. Need assistance paying for lunches? Click this LINK to fill out a form online.

Birthdays- Birthdays for 1st graders are special. We do not have individual parties at school. At school your child will hear the special birthday song, have a balloon signed by their classmates, have the special birthday chair pocket and get a few other surprises.  If you would like to provide a treat for your child’s birthday this is a complete option. I would prefer something non-edible like a class book donation, playground toy donation, or small party favor. If you do want to send an edible treat please be sensitive to the reality that many children having allergies. Let me know 3 days in advance so I can notify parents if necessary.

Playground Time- With us being in school during the summertime we need to take extra precautions on the playground. Please be advised that on code orange or red days we will not be going outside for recess. We will have recess inside. For the days we can go outside PLEASE send your child into school with a water bottle to bring on the playground. It must have a cap and be labeled with your child’s name.