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The ABCs of First Grade
A = Attendance Get to school on time. Tardies are recorded. If student is absent, parent is to call the attendance line (510-618-4321) and/or send a note stating the reason for the absence. If student must leave school early during the day, parent must check in at the office first to sign child out.
B = Breakfast Be sure your child has eaten something before coming to school. Provide him/her with a morning snack to eat at recess. McKinley has a breakfast program every school day at 7:30 am in the cafeteria. Cost is $1 and students on free/reduced price lunch are also eligible for free/reduced price breakfast.
C = Curriculum and Course Work
D = Discipline Our key goals are respect and responsibility. We continue to discuss and reinforce rules and routines. Please refer to the EXPECTED SCHOOL BEHAVIORS and WISE CHOICES for SUCCESS that parent/student signed at the beginning of the year. The student who misbehaves or breaks a school/class rule receives first a verbal warning, then time outs, a note/call home, finally a visit with the principal.
E = Establish routines and good habits, encourage best efforts This includes making sure your child gets a good night of rest/sleep, has breakfast in the morning, gets to school on time with backpack/homework in hand, has a quiet work area for doing homework, reads or is read to for at least 15 minutes each day, etc.
F = Family support and follow through
G = Grades A standards-based evaluation will be sent home at the end of each tri-mester (Dec, Mar, June). Parent is always welcome to check with teacher about child’s progress at anytime during the school year. No letter grades are given to first graders.
H = Homework The packet is assigned/handed out at the beginning of the week and due on Friday. Writing is to be done in regular pencil in the child’s own penmanship. Parent should send a note if the child is not able to complete the work. Please assist as needed. Emphasize neatness, forming letters correctly, coloring in the lines, etc. Parent needs to record the number of reading minutes and sign the homework checklist.
I and J = Just keep Informed Make a point to read all flyers and notices that are sent home. Clean out your child’s backpack daily. Your child loses out when you don’t keep informed. Ask your child questions about his/her day.
K = Kleenex and other supplies We need Kleenex or facial tissues—please send a box to class. From time to time, we may request other supplies such as pencils, erasers, etc. Your donations are much appreciated.
L = Lunch, snacks Lunch time runs from 11:30 am to 12:15 pm in the school cafeteria. Cost of hot lunch: $1.75 You may be eligible for the free or reduced price lunch program. Students may bring a healthy snack for the 9:15 am recess.
M = Messages We routinely send messages/newsletters attached to the top of the homework packet. Be sure to check your child’s backpack daily for important information. Other messages are often pinned to your child’s clothing. Urgent matters are handled in person or over the phone. To contact the teachers, please send a note with your child, leave a message at 618-4320 or come by the classroom before 8 am or after school.
N = personal Needs Be sure child knows phone number and address. Be sure child learns to tie his/her own shoes—this is a very important skill. Make your child responsible for clothing, getting homework turned in on Fridays, bringing papers home, washing hands after using the bathroom, keeping fingers and foreign objects out of mouth, etc.
O = Other teachers, Other classes Art with Ms. Moose once a week Vocal Music with Mrs. Maier once a week P.E. with Mr. Youngblood twice a week Each class has 45-minute blocks time with these specialists throughout the week. The First Grade Teachers (Ms. Culver-Rease, Ms. R. Ramirez, Ms. S. Ramirez, Mrs. Yee) work together in language arts, so your child may receive instruction from one or more of the first grade team during the school year.
P = Parent-Teacher Conference To be scheduled in early December for the purpose of discussing student progress. This is a district-wide mandatory conference in grades K-5. Parent or teacher may request additional conference(s) at other times throughout the year.
Q = good Quality work
R = Reading Child should be reading (or being read to) daily for a minimum of 15 minutes. We will be practicing daily in class but regular home practice makes the biggest impact on the student’s success in learning to read. Practice all lists and reading selections that are sent home. We will go to the school library weekly. You are also encouraged to visit the San Leandro Library.
S = State of California Standards
T = Testing and assessment There is presently no standardized testing for first graders. We do, however, give unit tests in math, and we regularly do assessments in reading/language arts. There will be weekly spelling tests.
U = be Upbeat about school and learning, Uphold high standards
V = Volunteers and Visitors If you would like to volunteer at school/in the classroom, please fill out the application in the school office. Additionally, all visitors (including parents) must check in at the office and obtain a visitor’s badge if you plan to stay for an extended length of time on campus. If you are coming to drop off a lunch or message, please take these to the office and drop them off there—please do not interrupt the classroom.
W = What to do when the homework is finished Other ideas
X = X-tra stuff to know Field trip-our first will be to the San Leandro Main Library Library-students will use the school library to check out/borrow books to read PTO-join with other parents in supporting our school and our students.
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