1st GradeParent OrientationSeptember 5, 2013

Mrs. Finger kendall.finger@comalisd.org

First Grade is an exciting year! I am so

happy to welcome you and I thank you

for sharing your child with me this year.

If you should ever have any questions

or concerns during the school year,

please feel free to contact me via email

at

or by phone at (830) 885-1500.

My conference time is Monday – Friday

from 9:30-10:20 a.m.

SCHOOL HOURS

7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Students arriving between 7:15 – 7:45 a.m.

each morning will report to the first grade

hallway. Announcements will begin at 7:35 in

the classroom. Class begins at 7:45 a.m.

Students are considered tardy after 7:45 a.m.

ABSENCESA written excuse must accompany your child upon returning to school following an absence. Arrival after 10:00 a.m. is considered a full day absence. If a note is not sent, the absence is considered unexcused. If possible, please let me know ahead of time if you know your child will be absent for any reason.

AFTER SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

A written note is required if your child will be

going home in a different way than usual. In

case of emergency changes, the front office

must be notified by 2:00 p.m. to ensure your

child gets home the correct way. If I do not

receive a note or message from the office, I will

assume your child goes home in the usual way.

 

LEAVING EARLYPlease understand that if you pick up your child early from school for any

reason, normal afternoon procedures will be postponed until the following

day. (i.e.: homework assignment, folder stamped, school communication, etc.)

SUPPLIESHaving to be responsible for their own

supplies can be a real task for First Graders. Please be aware that

consumable supplies (crayons, pencils, spirals, folders, etc.) may need to be replaced throughout the school year.

Notes will be sent home when “specialty items” are needed for projects or

assignments.

SNACKS

Due to our busy days, you are welcome to send a healthy

snack each day with your child. Do keep in mind this snack

will be consumed at your child’s desk. Please choose

appropriate snacks of nutritional value that your child can eat

independently and without a mess. Please see the CISD child

nutrition website for appropriate snacks. Your child may bring

a pop top water bottle to school. Please ensure that it is only

filled with water and that it is sent home daily for cleaning.

LUNCHES

First Grade lunch time is 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Please make sure your child has the correct

amount of money for lunch, or that his/her

lunch account is up to date. When sending

lunch money to school, please send it in an

envelope or baggie with your child’s name

and lunch code, as well as the teacher’s name

clearly visible. Classroom teachers cannot be

responsible for loose change or bills.

RECESS

First Graders will go to recess immediately following

lunch. All children will participate in outside playtime

(weather permitting) unless a written note is sent.

Please be aware of the weather each day and dress

your child accordingly. Tennis shoes are encouraged.

In the case if inclement weather, we will have “inside

recess” which may consist of center time or a video.

For safety issues, there are to be no parents or siblings

on the playground during recess.

BIRTHDAYS

Birthdays are fun, especially when you are a first

grader! Invitations to birthday parties may be

distributed in class if every child receives an

invitation. School employees are not allowed to

provide addresses and/or phone numbers of

students. You are welcome to bring a store bought

baked good to celebrate your child’s birthday that

the teacher will distribute at the end of the day.

BOOK ORDERSBook orders will be sent home

periodically. Please make checks or money orders payable to the specific

book club. Cash is not accepted. Turn-over time for book orders is

approximately two weeks. Check the due date on the order forms so as not to miss out on the great opportunity to share the

joy of reading with your child.

HOMEWORK

Your child will have homework Mondays

through Thursdays. Homework will consist of

review and reinforcement, and will help build

good study habits and responsibility in our

First Graders. Spelling lists will be sent home

Friday, in the newsletter, in preparation for

the following week. Periodically your child

will bring home “special projects” for

homework. Please watch for these

throughout the year and watch for due dates.

Homework is due on Fridays and Guided

Reading books should be read nightly.

CURRICULUM

First Grade curriculum includes Math, Language

Arts (reading, writing, listening and speaking),

Social Studies, Science, and Handwriting. The

curriculum incorporates and extends the concepts

and skills found within the Comal ISD curriculum

guides and the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge

and Skills). See the district website for details.

DISCIPLINEProcedures and expectations are reinforced on a daily basis. Specht’s school wide policy is based on RESPECT, RESPONSIBILTY, SELF CONTROL and NO BULLYING. Children are

rewarded daily/weekly for making the right choices during their learning day. All first

grade students attending Specht Elementary will have a red behavior folder that needs to

be checked daily.

GRADINGFirst Graders receive a report card every six weeks to report

your child’s progress. Progress reports will be

distributed at the mid point of each six weeks.

LIBRARY/ACCELERATED READING

Your child will visit the library weekly and check out

one library book at that time. Library books are due

the following week.

The librarian, Mrs. Arnold, will send home information

about the 100 Club for 1st graders. Please look for

information in the next few weeks.

DAILY FOLDERS

Every day your child will bring home a red

folder, which may include homework

assignments, notes or messages from the

teachers or office staff. Please remove the

papers in the folder nightly and initial daily

on the behavior chart. Your child’s Red

Folder should be returned to school daily.

ConferencesFormal conferences are held in the fall and as needed. I am happy to meet with you at

anytime to discuss your child’s progress or any concerns you may have. Email or phone

calls are other ways to conference with the teacher

quickly.

Background Check

All volunteers are required to complete a

background check each and every school

year. If you are interested in helping

with class parties, field trips, field day,

tutoring, etc… You will be required to

complete a background check several

weeks prior to volunteering.

Visitors

If you plan to visit our campus at

anytime, you are required to stop in the

front office and present your drivers

license. This will be run through the

quick check machine and then you will

be presented a badge to be visibly worn

during your visit and turned in upon

your departure from campus.