Welcome to 1st grade!

I hope the following "ABC's of 1st grade"answers some questions you may have.

A
If your child is absent, please call me (407-746-3013) or the front office to let us know. A note stating the reason for the absence must be brought to school as soon as possible to avoid an unexcused absence.
If your child has any allergies, especially food-related, please let me know.
We have art on Wednesday.
B
If you would like to send a birthday treat with your child on or near his/her birthday, please feel free to do so. These treats will be eaten during our lunch time. Birthdays are recognized during our calendar routine as well. We will recognize summer birthdays at the end of the school year. Please do not send birthday party invitations to be distributed at school unless all children receive an invitation.
I will send home book order forms for you and your child to look over every month. Book clubs offer books at reduced prices. It's a great way to build your child's home library!
Our cafeteria serves breakfast each day for $1.50 .
C
Parent and Teacher conferences will be held after I have had an opportunity to assess and observe your child. Watch for information and reply accordingly. If you need to speak to me prior to the conference date, contact me.
Communication is important. Feel free to contact me whenever you have a question, comment, or concern. You can reach me by phone (407-746-3013), in person, by email (jessica_carter@scps.k12.fl.us), or by note.
D
Discipline is simple. We work hard as a class to make the classroom a positive and safe place for all.
E
My school email address is Jessica_carter@scps.k12.fl.us. I check email daily. If you have an email address that you’d like me to be aware of, please let me know.
Please complete and return the emergency card promptly. If your home or work phone number change, please inform the office and me.
Early Release Days will take place on Wednesdays. On Early Release days, students are dismissed at 2:00.
F
Information about field trips will come home in the green folder and will be detailed in the field trip permission slip and weekly newsletter.
Green Folders will come home each day. Please check your child’s folder daily and review all class work. Return your child’s folder each day.
G
The green folder you received at meet your teacher is the green folder your child will use all year. It will be used for communication, housing your child's homework sheet, and transporting notes or homework.
H
Students will have nightly homework in 1st grade. Please refer to the homework sheet in the front of their green folder. Homework assignments will be daily math, spelling, and reading. The math homework book will remain at home and your child will tear out and return that days assignment. Unless otherwise noted, please return the homework the following day. We will move slowly into this process.
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. Please work on the following self-help skills at home with your child: zipping, tying, completion of chores, etc.
J
Writing takes place every day in 1st grade. One way we accomplish this is through writing stories in our journals during writer’s workshop. Encourage your child to write at home for a variety of purposes.
K
Keep updated by reading the classroom newsletter/homework sheet every week, checking the green folder every day for other notes and information, and viewing this website. I will update spelling and homework weekly in case your child forgets something.
L
Our class eats lunch at 10:50-11:20. If lunch money is sent to school, please send it in an envelope or ziploc. You are welcome to come eat lunch with your child, just check in with the office when you arrive. Lunch: $2.25
M
The children will have music class every Monday with Mrs. Shea.
The 1st Grade math curriculum provides students with mathematical experiences that help them develop number sense and a positive attitude towards mathematics that will continue throughout their school career and lives. Math concepts are covered through our daily calendar and math routine.
Our class will visit the media center once a week. Our media specialist is Mrs. Brown. Your child will check out a book when we visit the library and return it every Thursday. If your child forgets to return the book for two weeks, they will not be allowed to check out a new book until it is returned.
N
A weekly newsletter will be sent home on Mondays to keep you informed about what is happening in our class.
There will be no school on the following days: September: 6, 9; October 18 November: 24, 25, 26; December: 23-January: 9, 17; February 21; March: 18, 21-25; April: 26; and May: 30.
O
I will share more information with you at Open House on August 24.
P
Our class will have “PE” every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. The children are asked to wear athletic shoes on PE days.
When picking up your child early, please sign your child out in the front office. They will call down to the room for your child.
Q
Questions? Please feel free to call, email, or send a note.
• Jessica_carter@scps.k12.fl.us or jessicamae3@yahoo.com
• 407-746-3013
R
Report cards will be sent home 3 times during the year.
1st grade has recess from 1:45-2:00.
S
The focus of the 1st grade science curriculum is on developing an awareness of the world in which we live. Science concepts and skills will be explored utilizing a literacy based, hands-on approach.
Super Science is a PTA funded curriculum that provides small group, hands on science experiments one day a week that go along with our 1st grade curriculum.
The kindergarten social studies curriculum focuses on the students and how they relate to others in their families, classroom, school, and community. Social Studies concepts and skills will be explored utilizing a literacy based, hands-on approach.
We will have a daily snack time. Please pack a healthy snack for your child. Avoid “wet snacks” like fruit cups, jello, and puddings. Unfortunately, accidents happen and the carpet stains easily. Place snack in a separate Ziploc or bag than lunch or your child will eat it at lunch and have nothing for snack. No juice drinks/Gatorade. Please stick with water.
T
If your child has any changes in their transportation please let me know in writing prior to, or the day of, the transportation change. Calling the office is the best and only method for letting me know about last minute transportation changes.
U and V
VolUnteers and visitors must register in the office and pick up a badge.
W
Please pack a water bottle for your child to have water at their finger tips. No Gatorade or juices please.
Wet and/or dirty clothes can be uncomfortable. In the event of a spill or accident, your child will be provided with a set of clean clothing. Please wash and return the clothing as soon as possible for the next child to use. If your child has outgrown size 4, 5, or 6 shorts or t-shirts and they are in good condition...The clinic is always looking for these sizes to be donated.
Class Website: www.mrscarterscalling.blogspot.com
X
Parents and family members may eXit and enter via the main school entry. All gates are locked throughout the day.
Y
You’re your child’s first teacher and know your child better than anyone. Please share with me any details that will enable me to best meet your child’s needs. We are a team!
Z
Zzzzzzz - Make sure that your child gets plenty of rest. Setting and keeping a bedtime is a wonderful gift you can give your child .