Classroom Supply List/Wish List:
The First Grade Supply List is posted at http://www.westlakees.wcpss.net. Click here to check out my classroom wish list. I’ll appreciate any help you are willing to give!
Parent/Teacher Communication:
Consistent, two-way communication is KEY to your child’s success in school. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions/concerns. Email (mkelley2@wcpss.net) is my preferred mode of communication, but I’ll also write/respond to notes, make phone calls, and meet with you…anytime! You’ll receive an interim 4-5 weeks into each quarter, as well as a report card at the end of each quarter. I’ll also host conferences at the end of 1st and 3rd quarters.
BYOD
I'm excited that our classroom will be a BYOD classroom this year. For more information, click here!
Weekly Newsletter:
Every Monday I’ll email you our weekly newsletter. This will provide you with detailed information regarding what we’re doing in the classroom and what you can do at home to support your child.
Twitter:
Please consider following me on Twitter...@MrsKelley211. I'll tweet daily happenings and pictures!
Remind 101:
I'll utilize this text messaging app to send you quick reminders. You can sign up here, or text @92ebk to 81010.
Agenda (Daily Communication Notebook):
This will go home every afternoon and needs to be returned to school every morning! It will contain (1) daily stamp (see below), (2) any daily correspondence, and (3) student work from that day. Please initial this every day. In the agenda, we’ll keep a daily schedule, specials schedule, and a detailed explanation of the daily stamp.
Daily Stamp:
This year we will be using a colored “clip chart” to monitor our behavior and classroom choices. Your child will have a clip in the classroom that they will physically move up or down the chart, depending on their choices. Please keep in mind that your child may not move his clip every single day! In order to move up, students must go above and beyond in their behavior choices. It’s also important to mention that if they do move their clip down, they may move it back up for improved behavior. The chart below explains how the clip chart works.
Purple I am a SUPERSTAR! | Students who continue to make positive choices move up to the purple level. |
Blue I am going ABOVE and BEYOND. | Students who make positive choices will receive recognition as they move up the chart. |
Green I am begin RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, READY TO LEARN, and SAFE. | Everyone starts the day on green. Students can “clip up” or “clip down” throughout the day depending on their behavior choices. |
Yellow I need EXTRA SUPPORT to listen and learn. | Students who need continued redirection will move their clip down to yellow. This serves as a reminder for them to think more carefully about their choices. |
Orange I need to SLOW DOWN and think about my actions. | Students who continue to make poor choices will move to orange and will be given a consequence. |
Red I need to STOP and think about my actions. | Students who move to red will spend some time reflecting on their choices in the office. |
Positive Behavior Reinforcement:
Good behavior (moving their clips up) is rewarded! Some examples of rewards are treasure box toys, Slipper Day, candy, lunch with me, Show-n-Tell, etc. The variety of rewards is designed to help motivate all students!
Celebrity of the Week:
This will begin 2nd quarter. During this week, your child will share “All About” himself, his favorite book, a talent, and family pictures. He’ll also get to take home our class mascot (TBA) for the week! More information to come…
Lunch:
Students may bring their lunch or buy a school lunch. School lunches are $2. Your child’s lunch number is the same number as last year. For more information regarding school lunches, go to www.wcpss.net/Page/1848. Please note that I don’t allow the children to buy any desserts (i.e. cookies, ice cream, etc.). The kids barely have enough time to eat the lunch they’re given, much less extras! Thank you for your cooperation.
Snacks:
We’ll have a working snack time, so please be mindful of this when choosing what to send with your child. They could be working anywhere in the classroom (tile floor, carpet, table, computer), so the less-messy, the better!
Arrival/Dismissal:
Students can enter the school as early as 6:50am. If they arrive between 6:50am and 7:10am, they’ll go to the cafeteria to wait for our bell. The first bell rings at 7:10am. Our day begins at 7:40am. If your child’s isn’t in the classroom when this bell rings, he is considered tardy and will have to sign in through the office. Afternoon carpoolers will be dismissed to the gym at 2:15pm. YMCA will be dismissed to the cafeteria at 2:20pm, and walkers will be dismissed to the shelter by the front circle at 2:20pm. Bus riders will stay in the classroom until their buses are posted. Please let me know of any transportation changes! You can write/send a note in the agenda. You can email me. You can call the office and leave a message (662-2300).
Absences:
If your child misses school for an excused reason, please send in a note (or email me) with the days missed and reason he missed. (See the WCPSS Student/Parent handbook for a list of reasons for excused absences.) If your child gets sick at school, I’ll call you and your child will need to be picked up as soon as possible.
Medications:
A child may not take any medications without a form from his doctor. This includes over-the-counter medicines, cough drops, sunscreen, and Chap Stick.
Early Sign Out:
If you need to sign your child out early, you’ll have to sign him out through the office. They’ll call us and we’ll send him to the office with his things. If you know in advance that you’ll be picking him up early, let me know and I’ll try to have his things ready!
Classroom Volunteers:
Once we’ve gotten familiar with new classroom routines, volunteers will be welcome in the classroom. You must update your volunteer information each year. More information to come! Parents are also welcome to do “Lunch Bunch.” This is a time when you can read books to your child and a friend (in the cafeteria).