Parent Information for 1st Grade
Your
child is an extra special treasure from God. We anticipate a great year guiding
your child’s learning and working with you. When it comes to teaching children,
parents are VIPs (Very Important Partners) in the learning process.
This
page was put together as a guide for parents of first graders. It should answer
most questions that arise during the school year. Please read it carefully and
refer back to it as necessary.
The First Grade Teachers
Absences | Accelerated Reader |
Arrival/Dismissal | Behavior Charts
| Birthdays | Book Orders | Book Week | Communication | Conferences
| Curriculum | Discipline |
Dress Code | Field Trips | Graded Papers | Homework | Lunches and Snacks |Magazine Sale |
Medicines | Pink Slips | Publix Cards | Schedule | Show and Tell | Supplies | Tardies | Teaching
Assistants | Web Sites
Please
call the school office if your child will miss school for any reason. We will
send home any missed work or assignments on the day that your child returns to
school.
If
you plan to take a family trip during the school year, then you must complete a
trip request form explaining the educational value of the trip to Mrs. Miller.
The absence will be considered unexcused without Mrs. Miller’s signature on the
form. You may pick up a form from the office or from your child’s teacher. See
the parent/student handbook for further details.
Accelerated
Reader (AR) is a computer program containing comprehension quizzes for hundreds
of children’s books. We use AR to supplement our reading program by encouraging
children to read appropriate books at home then coming to school prepared to
take an AR quiz on the books read.
AR
is not graded, but we do keep track of the number of books each child reads as
well as the number of points each child accumulates during the school year.
First graders are expected to earn a minimum of 10 points with a comprehension
rate of 85% or higher. This goal is easily met if your child reads and takes a
quiz on at least one book per week. Most first graders far exceed the 10 point
goal. Good readers will be encouraged to set higher personal goals.
We
do not expect first graders to be able to read and take AR quizzes unassisted.
Therefore, we rely heavily on parent volunteers to help the children by reading
the quizzes aloud to them. We strongly urge ALL parents to become involved in
AR – it is the most important way that you can help first grade teachers. To
help with AR, you must be able to be at school from 8:15 until 9:00 one or more
mornings per week.
A few first graders
are independent readers, and they are able to read far above a first grade
level. Those children may take AR tests
before or after school in the media center if they can do so WITHOUT ADULT HELP. If you are not sure whether or not your child
is ready to take AR tests independently, then please ask your child’s teacher
for her opinion.
The first grade
teachers have set up guidelines for those children who are excellent readers
and are able to take AR tests independently. In order to avoid even the
appearance of wrong-doing, the following AR policy will be enforced:
·
Before
and after school, NO parents are allowed inside the media
center computer room for ANY reason. Neither parents nor any other adult may
help students type in their name, their password, or a book title. Neither
parents nor any other adult may read test questions to any student. Students must record their own score and
their own initials on any test that they take independently.
Most first graders are
not able to take AR tests without adult help.
That is why volunteers come in each Monday through Thursday – to aid
students who cannot type or read questions on their own. If your child needs help with any aspect of
AR test-taking, then you should plan for your child to take tests with the AR
volunteers on Mondays through Thursdays.
Due to time constraints, children may take only one test per day with
the AR volunteers.
Most
first graders will begin taking AR quizzes after Labor Day. Waiting until then
gives our parent AR coordinator time to recruit volunteers and set up a
schedule of parent helpers.
By
the end of the first week of school first graders are expected to enter the Combee Elementary Complex building from the carpool side
and go to their classroom unassisted. Parent volunteers will help your child
get from your car safely into the building.
Dismissal
for first grade car riders is from the carpool side of Combee
Elementary. Teachers will escort students to a waiting area just outside the
doors. Please do not come into the building to pick up your child. Remain in
your car with your child’s carpool number hanging in the windshield where it
can been seen by the teachers on carpool duty.
Remember that carpool is a “no cell phone zone” for safety reasons.
Walk-ups
for first graders should go to the Gallery side of Combee
Elementary and wait on the portico for your child.
Please
refer to the student handbook for school policies on early arrival (before
7:55) and late pick-up (after 3:20). Children who arrive before 7:55 should be
escorted to the Combee cafeteria where they will be
supervised until class time. Children who are not picked up from the carpool
area by 3:20 will be sent to Kids’ Time, our after-school program. Parents
should check in with the Village receptionist who will call for your child to
be brought to you.
A
blue behavior chart will be sent home each week in your child’s folder. Sign
the chart and return the next school day. The key for behavior grades is:
S =
satisfactory behavior
This
is the grade that we expect every child to receive.
NI
= behavior that needs improving
This
indicates that your child has repeatedly broken class or school rules during
the week after warnings, time-outs, and meetings with the teacher.
U =
unsatisfactory behavior
This
grade indicates a student needs to improve and/or a conference will be
scheduled with the classroom teacher.
Note:
This same grade scale will be used for behavior on your child’s report card.
Each
1st grade teacher uses a “three chance” system to determine behavior grades.
Every child has either three sticks or three bears at the beginning of each
day. If a child repeatedly breaks a rule during the course of the day, the
teacher will ask for a stick (or a bear). Grades for behavior are based upon
the number of sticks or bears lost during the week. Grades for each week will
be recorded in the teacher’s grade book. Weekly behavior grades will be
averaged for the report card grade.
The
scale for the weekly grade is as follows:
• 0
– 3 sticks or bears lost: Satisfactory
• 4
– 7 sticks or bears lost: Needs Improvement
• 8
+ sticks or bears lost: Unsatisfactory
If
a child loses all three sticks or bears in one day, then a pink slip will be
sent home.
If
you would like to send edible treats to celebrate your child’s birthday, then
please let us know ahead of time. Birthday cookies and cupcakes may be served
during our lunchtime, which begins at 10:50. We encourage you to eat with your
child on that day. To attend lunch with us, plan to arrive at the Elementary
reception desk by 10:45 to check-in. You may wait at the cafeteria doorway for
your child’s class.
Our
school cafeteria can provide a birthday cookie for your child if you like.
Contact Mrs. Coker in the cafeteria for information about cost and to schedule
a date.
If
your child wishes to give out birthday party invitations at school, then please
give them to the teacher. We do not permit the children to pass out invitations
at school. The teacher will place the invitations in your classmates’ folders
to be opened at home. Please note: We will put invitations in folders only if
ALL the children in a class are invited. If you invite only part of the class
or a child from another class, then you must mail those invitations. The one
exception to this rule is if you send invitations to all of the boys or all of
the girls in a class.
Final
note: Do not send any type of party bags, favors, or toys as birthday treats –
they will be returned home with your child. Balloons or flowers delivered to
the school will remain at the receptionist’s desk until dismissal.
Book
orders are an easy and inexpensive way for your child to own quality
literature. Scholastic book clubs offer many accelerated reader books as well.
Your child will bring home book order forms once per month. If you would like
to order books, then please do the following:
•
Carefully complete the order form --don’t forget your child’s name-- and clip
it out of the flyer.
•
Place the order form in an envelope with a check made out to the book club. The
check should be made out for the exact amount (do not add sales tax). Do not
send cash.
Books
will arrive at school within two to three weeks. We will send them home in your
child’s book bag unless you make some other arrangement in advance. (We often
help Santa near Christmas!)
Book
Week occurs in November. On Friday of that week, your child should come to
school dressed as a storybook or Bible character. You can start now planning a
simple costume for your child.
During
Book Week parents will be offered the opportunity to read to their child’s
class. More information regarding sign-up will be sent home closer to Book
Week.
COMMUNICATION WITH TEACHERS
E-mail
is the best way to correspond with a teacher. It helps us if you type in your
child’s name in the RE: space on the address bar. Each teacher’s web site has
an e-mail link to that teacher. We will make every effort to respond to your
e-mail the same school day we receive it. However, our schedules are very full
and it is possible that we may not have a chance to open and read e-mail until
the end of the school day. Therefore, do not send any urgent messages such as a
last-minute change of plans for transportation home that afternoon.
Another
way to contact your teacher is by sending a note to school in your child’s
Take-Home Folder. We will respond by note in your child’s folder that day.
For
any urgent messages, please call the school office. Do not call your teacher’s
voice extension listed in the school directory. We do not have access to phones
in our classrooms and we are not able to easily check for messages.
CONFERENCES
Each
teacher will schedule parent conferences after the 1st six weeks of school. The
administration sets aside this time for us to discuss your child’s progress
with you. This is the only time set aside for teachers in grades 1-5 to have
formal conferences, so your attendance is crucial. A sign up sheet for a formal
conference will be in your child’s classroom on Open House night.
Individual
conferences may be scheduled as needed during the year. Please call or e-mail
your child’s teacher in advance if you would like to conference. Advance notice
assures you that you will get the attention you want.
Bible
is taught daily. We use the Biblical Choices for a New Generation curriculum published
by Standard Publishing. Memory work will be sent home at the beginning of each
week. Every Friday students will be required to quote the week’s memory verse
with scripture reference. Written tests will be given periodically. Study
questions for a test will be sent home at least a week in advance, with the
test date noted. Bible grades are taken from tests, memory verses, class
participation, and class projects.
Our
handwriting method is Handwriting Without Tears
published by Jan Z. Olsen. We will send home a chart illustrating how to form
each letter and hold a pencil correctly. Please encourage your child to
practice at home using the correct pencil grip for improved legibility.
We
use Everyday Mathematics published by SRA/McGraw-Hill for Math. Journal pages,
performance assessments, quizzes, unit tests, and homelinks
will determine grades. Homelinks are homework. Most
of the homelinks are very simple tasks with the
purpose of encouraging “math talk” at home - please use and extend these
activities. We expect a parent or other adult to assist your child in
completing the Homelink. Homelinks
should be returned in the take-home folder the next school day.
Homelinks are graded using a 3-point rubric:
1
point for returning it the next day
1
point for completing the assignment
1
point for your child's name printed neatly at the top
We
teach
Making
Meaning, published
by
Reading
homework consists of independent reading at home for at least 10 minutes per
school night. Additionally, a reading
comprehension and fluency skills sheet will be sent home each week. The skills
sheet will be graded on the same 3-point rubric as math homework and included
in the language arts grade:
1
point for returning it the next day
1
point for completing the assignment
1
point for your child's name printed neatly at the top
After
the first 6-week grading period we expect each child to take and pass with 85%
or better comprehension a minimum of two Accelerated Reading quizzes per
week. There will be no numeric grade for
reading. Rather, parents will be informed of their child’s guided reading
level. We expect all first graders to reach Level J or higher by the end of the
school year.
Our
Phonics curriculum is Phonics Lessons, written by G.S. Pinnell and I.C. Fountas. We
teach Writing through the Units of Study for Primary Writing program written by
L. Calkins. Most of our phonics and writing work is completed during the school
day, therefore homework in either subject is rare. Neither phonics nor writing are graded as
separate subjects.
Language
Arts skills are taught through the Daily Language Review and the Grammar
and Punctuation series, both published by Evan-Moor. Worksheets for both programs will be graded.
Additionally, spelling tests will be administered and graded each week.
Science
and Social Studies are taught, but not as separate subjects, nor are they
graded separately in first grade. We integrate several science and social
studies concepts and units of study during the school year through our reading
and math curricula.
In
addition to other homework, we expect your child to read at home every day.
DISCIPLINE
Each
teacher has a copy of classroom rules posted in the room. All teachers at GACS practice
assertive discipline – “catching the children being good”. This works well
because most of our first graders really want to do what is right. Teachers use
praise and incentives to encourage acceptable behavior.
Minor
infractions are handled in the classroom between the teacher and student. If a
problem persists or is more serious in nature, then the teacher will send home
a pink slip for the parents to read and sign. Serious infractions or dangerous
behaviors will be referred to the principal immediately, and the office will
contact the parents.
DRESS CODE
Uniforms
must be worn Monday through Thursday. It is very important that you put your
child’s name on all sweaters, vests, and sweatshirts. Please note that
elementary school uniforms differ from village uniforms: elementary uniform
shirts have collars, and elementary shorts and slacks have belt loops.
Your
child may choose to wear GACS Spartan spirit tee shirt on Friday. Uniform
shorts, pants, or skorts may be worn with the tee
shirt on Friday. Blue jean pants may be worn only on Friday. Jean shorts are
not permitted in the elementary school.
First
graders leave campus for two field trips during the school year. Due to the
large number of students, teachers, and teaching assistants traveling to field
trip venues parents are not invited to attend. Information regarding field
trips will be sent home in advance so parents will be aware of where we will go
and when.
Class
work, homework, quizzes, and tests are sent home in your child’s take-home
folder after they are graded. Please review completed work with your child --
first grade children need encouragement and reinforcement to maintain new
skills. Unless otherwise noted, all graded work should be taken out of your
child’s folder each day and kept at home.
Homework
papers and projects will be assigned as the need arises. The assignment should
be completed and returned the next day unless otherwise noted. Your child
should always complete homework with a pencil. A pink slip will be sent home
when work is not returned on time.
Most
homework is graded on a three-point rubric. Please see curriculum section for
math and reading rubrics.
In
addition to math Homelinks and Reading Comprehension and
Fluency homework sheets, 1st grade students have a Bible memory verse and
spelling word list assigned each week.
Unfinished
class work will be considered homework to be completed and returned the next
school day.
GACS
offers a prepaid hot lunch program. If you are interested but did not sign up a
registration, you may call the business office at any time to add your child to
the list. If your child prefers to bring a lunch from home most days and buy a
lunch only occasionally, the cost is $4.00 per lunch. You may send a lunch
coupon (available for purchase from the office) or lunch money in a zip coin
pouch or a sealed envelope.
Please
plan to eat lunch with your child sometime during the year. You must check in
at the elementary reception desk by 10:50 and wait for us at the cafeteria
doorway.
We
give the children an opportunity each afternoon to have a healthy snack break.
First graders have special permission to eat in their classrooms. Due to school
regulations, we have strict guidelines for food eaten in our classrooms. Your
child may bring a snack from the following list of acceptable foods:
raw
fruit or vegetables (but no dips)
pretzels
or crackers
popcorn
raisins
granola
or protein bars without chocolate
cheese
slices or cubes
Please
do not send anything that must be eaten with a spoon, no dips, nor dessert-type
foods. Do not send any drinks other than
water.
MAGAZINE
Please
begin asking your neighbors, relatives, business associates, and friends to
save their renewals and new subscriptions for your child. Brochures and extra
order forms can be obtained from the Elementary School office. All checks are
to be made payable to GACS. This is the only fundraising item that your child
is asked to sell during the year. Our school keeps 40% of the total sales. If
our 1st grade classes reach the goal of $285 per child, then we will plan a
special activity. We appreciate your help!
PLEASE
NOTE: Daily flyers will be sent home with your child to notify you about the
specific prizes to be given the next school day. Grades 1-5 do not receive
prizes for bringing just one magazine order to school.
If
your child requires daily medication, the school must have a completed
medication authorization form on file in the office. Parents must personally deliver
to the office any medicines for their child. Do not send medicine to the
classroom with your child. All medication to be given a child for any reason
will be administered by the school nurse, Mrs. Townsend. No medication will be
administered in the classroom.
A
pink slip may be given for incomplete work, failure to turn in homework, or
misbehavior in the classroom. When your child receives a pink slip, it must be
signed and returned the next school day. Completed work should accompany the
signed pink slip.
If
you do not have a Publix Partners card, please send a note to school and cards
will be sent home with your child. The Publix grocery chain gives money to our
school based on purchases by parents and friends.
Please
check your teacher’s web site for more detailed information on your child’s
daily schedule. We value our academic time, so we respectfully request that you
check our schedule before scheduling doctor or other appointments during the
school day. All first grade classes attend chapel and PE every day. All first
grade classes will visit art and music one time each week; Spanish meets twice
each week.
Our
special classes and instructors are:
Art
– Mrs.
Music
– Ms. Joy Reynolds
PE
– Mrs.
Spanish
– Mrs. Shelley Woodward
We
do not have show and tell in first grade. We have found toys to be a distraction
at school, therefore we ask that toys and other items from home stay at home.
The exception to this rule is when your child is Student of the Week. Your
child's teacher will notify you when it is your child's turn to be Student of
the Week. Guidelines for appropriate show and tell items will be sent home with
other information about being Student of the Week.
Your
child’s tuition covers most classroom supplies including pencils, crayons,
glue, etc. The only supplies parents
must provide are
·
a
bookbag – NO WHEELS, lightweight, large enough to
hold a 9”x12” folder but small enough to fit in a 10” wide space
·
a
hooded raincoat or a poncho – NO UMBRELLAS
·
a
water bottle
Please
see your child’s teacher if you want to help your child’s class by donating
classroom supplies. Each teacher posts a “wish list” on Open House night.
Elementary
School starts at 8:00. If your child arrives after 8:10 for any reason (doctor
appointment, oversleeping, traffic, etc.), then he/she is considered tardy and
must report to the receptionist to get a pass to enter the classroom. If your
child accumulates 10 tardies over the course of the
school year, then your child will NOT be awarded a perfect attendance medal.
Please
make every effort possible to get your child to school on time. The best
students arrive on time, prepared to start the school day. Do not handicap your
child by arriving late.
Teaching
assistants work under the supervision of the classroom teacher. The teaching
assistants help provide differentiated instruction in our Young Scholars'
Classrooms by working with small groups of children in math or reading groups,
supervising center work, and providing other support as needed in the
classroom. Teaching Assistants also develop relationships with the students by
monitoring lunch, assisting Coach Kinser in P.E., and supervising recess. Their
presence is an invaluable aide to your child's success in first grade. We
teachers respect them as equals, and we expect our students and parents to
extend that same respect as well.
Our
Teaching Assistants are
Mrs.
Mrs.
Mrs.
Mrs.
Kimberlee Finazzo, who
assists Mrs. Williams
Mrs.
Debbie McCarty, who assists Mrs. Cox
Mrs.
All
GACS teachers maintain a web site. You may visit any teacher’s web site by
going to the GACS home page at www.greateratlantachristian.org. Click on
Faculty & Staff Directory. Scroll to the teacher’s name and click on the
name.
We
expect parents to check our web sites on a weekly basis. Newsletters and
homework assignments are updated on the web sites each Friday afternoon for the
following week. No hard copies of newsletters or homework assignments will be
sent home.
Each
teacher’s web site has an e-mail link to that teacher. E-mail is the best way
to correspond with a teacher. It helps us if you type in your child’s name in
the RE: space on the address bar.