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Helpful Things to Know
Helpful Things to Know
Communication Plan
*Conferences/Reporting:
*Take Home Folder & Communication Sheet: This will have information for the classroom and Sunnyside – please review and sign this sheet nightly.
*Websites:
-Sunnyside Homepage (http://www.moundsviewschools.org/sunnyside)
-Classroom Website (http://mrsmichelsonsfirstgrade.weebly.com/).
The classroom website will have information about what’s happening in first grade, sites to practice reading/math skills that we teach in first grade, spelling lists, weekly information.
*Please look through all papers sent home. Look for what is correct and/or mistakes. Go through the errors and help your child fix them. This is a good way to see how your child is doing in first grade on a daily basis.
*Reading:
Take Home Folder
Please make sure your child brings his/her folder to school EVERY day. Please check the folder every night for unfinished work/homework or notes/communication from the classroom or Sunnyside. Please remove all completed work and return any homework or incomplete work the following morning.
Communication Sheet
This should be kept inside the student’s Take Home Folder all week. Please initial this paper EVERY evening (please do not initial for the entire week). Look for notes from myself/another staff member and other important information or reminders. I will check the sheet each day for notes from home. Your child will get a new communication sheet on the first day of each week. On the back of this sheet will be “sight word/spelling word practice” homework. This should be a 5-minute practice each night. Please modify as needed for your child. Please complete the nightly task.
Lunch Money
Using your child's online account is the easiest way to add money for lunch. If you send money to class, please send lunch money in an envelope that is marked with the student’s name and PIN number. This is especially important if you send cash! If your last name is different than your child’s last name, make sure the child’s first/last name and PIN number are written in the memo section of the check. Please read the lunch menu in the morning and help your child decide what he/she will eat that day at school. I will also have the lunch choices listed on the board in the classroom.
Attendance
If you child is home sick or absent from school for any reason, please call the attendance line (651-621-7601). If you child comes late to school, please sign him/her in at the office and check into the lunch room (if he/she is taking a hot lunch). A tardy will be given to your child if he/she comes in after the 8:45 bell.
Snack
Since we have a later lunch, first graders will have a (5-minute) SMALL mid-morning snack. Sugary snacks, chips and those snacks in the “junk food” category will NOT be allowed for snack. Good choices are: fruit, veggies, crackers, cheese sticks, etc.
*No nuts or products containing nuts because of allergies. Your child may also bring a water bottle – no juice, soda or sports drinks, please.
Book Orders
Scholastic order forms are sent home monthly. You can order online (use code GXRJG) or send the order form in your child’s take home folder with a check made out to “Scholastic Books.” NO CASH please.
Recess
We go outside EVERY DAY, unless it is raining or cold (below zero temperature OR -10 degree wind chill). Please make sure your child has the appropriate clothing (especially in winter) to do so. We do go outside in the snow, so remember to send: hats, boots, mittens, snow pants, and warm jackets on those days.
Homework
*Read Nightly: Students will have a Reading Incentive Sheet sent home on the first school day of each month. Students should read a book (or chapter) each night. Begin the year by reading nightly TO your child. As he/she becomes a stronger reader, he/she should be reading to YOU. If your child completes the reading sheet and brings it back on the first school day of the next month, he/she will receive a free pass to play at the Eagles Nest Indoor Playground at the New Brighton Family Service Center. For more detailed information, please refer to the “Reading Incentive Program” note that you received!
*Math Home Links: For those in students in Mrs. Michelson’s math class, homework will go home about 3 times per week. It should be completed in pencil and returned the next day. Math homework will review skills taught in class that day. This homework should take 10 minutes or less to complete. If your child is having a tough time completing the assignment, please write me a note and we'll work during our independent practice time during our math block.
*Sight Word/Spelling Word Practice: On the back of the Communication Sheet there will be a practice sheet for our words of the week OR spelling list. Please complete the nightly activity. This should be about 5-minute assignment. Please modify as needed for your child.
*Other Homework: Your child may bring home work that was unfinished. Look for a “homework stamp” or a note at the top asking your child to finish the work. Please complete it and send it back the following day.
Birthdays
Birthdays can be celebrated on the day of a student’s birthday. If the student’s birthday falls on a non-student day, please send me a note let me know what day you’ll celebrate. If your child has a summer birthday, we will celebrate in May/June. I will send home a notice at the beginning of May. We will sing to your child, have a special time to discuss what happens at home during his/her birthday, and have a few minutes of extra game time. CHANGE OF POLICY THIS YEAR: Students MAY NOT bring any food items for a birthday treat to share. Students may bring pencils, stickers, etc. to share with the class if they would like to bring something for a “treat.”
Lunch with your child
Come to have lunch with your child anytime! Lunch starts around 12:15. You can check-in in the office and wait for your child right by the lunchroom.
Star of the Week
I will send home a Star of the Week schedule in a couple of weeks. Your child will receive a packet to complete. Students may bring one item to share on the Monday of that week.
Family Vacations
If you’d like homework, please notify me at least a week in advance. Thank you. If you are going to be gone for 5+ days for vacation, please let me know. You will need to fill out a form that will be signed by the principal.
Library
Students will have library checkout on DAY 1 this year. Students will be allowed to check out two books this year. Students should return their books the following DAY 1. Please check the communication sheet for a return date reminder.
Communication Plan
*Conferences/Reporting:
- Early Conferences: Sept 1st and Sept 15th - sign up on signupgenius.com
- Communication Nights - Nov, Jan, Mar (more information will be sent home those months)
- ParentVUE - ongoing assessment/grading
*Take Home Folder & Communication Sheet: This will have information for the classroom and Sunnyside – please review and sign this sheet nightly.
*Websites:
-Sunnyside Homepage (http://www.moundsviewschools.org/sunnyside)
-Classroom Website (http://mrsmichelsonsfirstgrade.weebly.com/).
The classroom website will have information about what’s happening in first grade, sites to practice reading/math skills that we teach in first grade, spelling lists, weekly information.
*Please look through all papers sent home. Look for what is correct and/or mistakes. Go through the errors and help your child fix them. This is a good way to see how your child is doing in first grade on a daily basis.
*Reading:
- Weekly skills tests. This will cover all the skills we teach throughout the week. Have your child fix mistakes.
- Monthly Reading Reports: Students will be tested monthly on fluency.
- Ongoing assessment (weekly and/or monthly). Look through the assessment, discuss with your child, and have your child fix mistakes.
- Quarterly Benchmark assessments (directly testing each MN First Grade Standards): There will be a report showing the standards we covered and how your child scored in each area.
- Many activities that your child does during class include writing. Take a look at the writing – look for reversals, capitals, punctuation, spelling, sentences, etc.
- Writing Journals: students will bring home writing journals (every three weeks or so) with daily classroom writing. Look through the journal together. Have your child read to you.
Take Home Folder
Please make sure your child brings his/her folder to school EVERY day. Please check the folder every night for unfinished work/homework or notes/communication from the classroom or Sunnyside. Please remove all completed work and return any homework or incomplete work the following morning.
Communication Sheet
This should be kept inside the student’s Take Home Folder all week. Please initial this paper EVERY evening (please do not initial for the entire week). Look for notes from myself/another staff member and other important information or reminders. I will check the sheet each day for notes from home. Your child will get a new communication sheet on the first day of each week. On the back of this sheet will be “sight word/spelling word practice” homework. This should be a 5-minute practice each night. Please modify as needed for your child. Please complete the nightly task.
Lunch Money
Using your child's online account is the easiest way to add money for lunch. If you send money to class, please send lunch money in an envelope that is marked with the student’s name and PIN number. This is especially important if you send cash! If your last name is different than your child’s last name, make sure the child’s first/last name and PIN number are written in the memo section of the check. Please read the lunch menu in the morning and help your child decide what he/she will eat that day at school. I will also have the lunch choices listed on the board in the classroom.
Attendance
If you child is home sick or absent from school for any reason, please call the attendance line (651-621-7601). If you child comes late to school, please sign him/her in at the office and check into the lunch room (if he/she is taking a hot lunch). A tardy will be given to your child if he/she comes in after the 8:45 bell.
Snack
Since we have a later lunch, first graders will have a (5-minute) SMALL mid-morning snack. Sugary snacks, chips and those snacks in the “junk food” category will NOT be allowed for snack. Good choices are: fruit, veggies, crackers, cheese sticks, etc.
*No nuts or products containing nuts because of allergies. Your child may also bring a water bottle – no juice, soda or sports drinks, please.
Book Orders
Scholastic order forms are sent home monthly. You can order online (use code GXRJG) or send the order form in your child’s take home folder with a check made out to “Scholastic Books.” NO CASH please.
Recess
We go outside EVERY DAY, unless it is raining or cold (below zero temperature OR -10 degree wind chill). Please make sure your child has the appropriate clothing (especially in winter) to do so. We do go outside in the snow, so remember to send: hats, boots, mittens, snow pants, and warm jackets on those days.
Homework
*Read Nightly: Students will have a Reading Incentive Sheet sent home on the first school day of each month. Students should read a book (or chapter) each night. Begin the year by reading nightly TO your child. As he/she becomes a stronger reader, he/she should be reading to YOU. If your child completes the reading sheet and brings it back on the first school day of the next month, he/she will receive a free pass to play at the Eagles Nest Indoor Playground at the New Brighton Family Service Center. For more detailed information, please refer to the “Reading Incentive Program” note that you received!
*Math Home Links: For those in students in Mrs. Michelson’s math class, homework will go home about 3 times per week. It should be completed in pencil and returned the next day. Math homework will review skills taught in class that day. This homework should take 10 minutes or less to complete. If your child is having a tough time completing the assignment, please write me a note and we'll work during our independent practice time during our math block.
*Sight Word/Spelling Word Practice: On the back of the Communication Sheet there will be a practice sheet for our words of the week OR spelling list. Please complete the nightly activity. This should be about 5-minute assignment. Please modify as needed for your child.
*Other Homework: Your child may bring home work that was unfinished. Look for a “homework stamp” or a note at the top asking your child to finish the work. Please complete it and send it back the following day.
Birthdays
Birthdays can be celebrated on the day of a student’s birthday. If the student’s birthday falls on a non-student day, please send me a note let me know what day you’ll celebrate. If your child has a summer birthday, we will celebrate in May/June. I will send home a notice at the beginning of May. We will sing to your child, have a special time to discuss what happens at home during his/her birthday, and have a few minutes of extra game time. CHANGE OF POLICY THIS YEAR: Students MAY NOT bring any food items for a birthday treat to share. Students may bring pencils, stickers, etc. to share with the class if they would like to bring something for a “treat.”
Lunch with your child
Come to have lunch with your child anytime! Lunch starts around 12:15. You can check-in in the office and wait for your child right by the lunchroom.
Star of the Week
I will send home a Star of the Week schedule in a couple of weeks. Your child will receive a packet to complete. Students may bring one item to share on the Monday of that week.
Family Vacations
If you’d like homework, please notify me at least a week in advance. Thank you. If you are going to be gone for 5+ days for vacation, please let me know. You will need to fill out a form that will be signed by the principal.
Library
Students will have library checkout on DAY 1 this year. Students will be allowed to check out two books this year. Students should return their books the following DAY 1. Please check the communication sheet for a return date reminder.