2011-2012 first grade handbook

8/6/2019 2011-2012 First Grade Handbook

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Dear Parents,

Hello and welcome to first grade at West Lake Elementary School. I amlooking forward to a fun-filled learning experience and hope you and your childare as well. Please allow me to share a little about myself with you. I have a

Bachelors Degree in Child Development and K-6 certification from MeredithCollege. In December, I completed my Masters Degree in EducationalLeadership at Capella University. I have several interests and hobbies that Ienjoy. Some of these are listening to music, reading, scrapbooking, and NC Statefootball. I also love spending time with my family and friends who have been mybiggest supporters over the years

I believe education is a very critical part of success. Along with that, I

believe that all children can learn and will succeed. With the right support andtools, I plan to help my students not only master this year's curriculum, but beprepared for next year as well. In order for this to happen, I encourage you tobe as involved as much as possible this year. Parents are a childs first educatorand I believe if we work together it will help your child to strive for success. It isalso my belief that, to learn, children must plan their own actions and responses.My goal is for each child to experience a relaxed and friendly atmosphere wherehe/she can explore, share, and learn to take responsibility and accountability foractions and learning. You can expect open communication and understandingfrom me. I will also be willing to assist you and your child with any educationconcern or conflict you may have.

I can be contacted in several ways throughout the year. I can be reachedvia email at [email protected]. If you would like to contact me by phone, youcan call the school at 662-2300 and leave a message for me; I will return yourcall as soon as possible. Again, I am very excited and it is my pleasure to have so

many wonderful children in my first grade classroom. I look forward to asuccessful year of working together.

Sincerely,

Beverly Benton
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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UNITYI dreamed I stood in a studioAnd watched two sculptors there,The clay they usedWas a young childs mind,And they fashioned it with care.

One was a teacher,The tools she usedWere books, music, and art;One was a parentWho worked with a guiding hand,And a gentle loving heart

Day after day the teacher toiled,With a touch that was deft and sureWhile the parent labored by her sideAnd polished and smoothed it oer.And then at lastTheir work was done,They were proud of what they had wrought,For the things they had molded into the childCould never be sold or boughtAnd each agreedThey would have failedIf they had worked alone,For behind the parent stood the school,And behind the teacher stood the home.


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First Grade Supply ListPlease bring the following items to school on your childs first day ofschool:

I large Book Bag: Marked with your childs name so items are not misplaced toand from school. Your childs book bag needs to be able to accommodate alarge folder and a notebook.

The following items are to be used throughout the year for the entire class- youdo not need to label them:

12 Glue Sticks I bottle of Elmers School Glue 1 package of Crayola Twistable Colored Pencils (see picture) 1 package of Crayons (8 count) 1 package of Crayola markers 2 White Notebooks (1 inch) with Plastic Cover (see picture) 2 Primary Composition Journals (see picture) 1 Package of Number 2 Pencils 1 Box of Kleenex 1 Box of Baby Wipes 1 Package of Clorox Wipes 1 Bottle of Liquid Antibacterial Hand Soap Please join the PTA

Girls Only 1 box of gallon Ziploc bags 1 package of small paper plates 1 bottle of liquid antibacterial hand sanitizer


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Boys Only 1 box of quart Ziploc bags 1 box of band-aids 1 package of large paper plates

Lunch Box: if your child brings lunch from homeDaily Snack: Each afternoon we will have a snack time. Please provide a snackdaily for your child. It is difficult to explain to a child that does not have a snackwhy he/she does not have one. We encourage healthy snacks (EX. Crackers,fruit, cheese, popcorn, etc.) Be sure to include a drink of some type. (NO

SOFT DRINKS OR CANDY PLEASE!)

Lunch Money: If your child is going to buy lunch, we encourage you to buy aweekly or monthly lunch account. These may be purchased in the cafeteria anymorning before school.

Monthly lunch account: $35.00

Weekly lunch account: $10.00Daily lunch costs: $2.00

Milk: $.50Breakfast (available any morning 7:50-8:20am) $1.00

*** If your child brings money, be sure it is in a clearly markers envelope withhis/her name on it, or on a small change purse. Loose change is easily lost!!!

*** We also ask that you NOT send in food items that need to be heated in amicrowave or need to be refrigerated.


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To Take Note!!!Transportation: Please make sure your child brings a note to school if he/shewill be leaving school early; or with someone other than a parent or guardian.Children get very upset if they are not sure how they are going home. Please,please send a note for any changes. I cannot take a verbal change from thechild. For your childs safety, I will only honor a written note from you. Youmay call the school office during the day (662-2300) if plans change or youforget to send a note.

School Schedule and Absences: School begins daily at 8:20. It is extremelyimportant that your child be in school on time. If your child is absent for anyreason a note should accompany your child back to school after each absenceeven if you have called the school. Notes must be received with two days of theabsence. Absences without notes are unexcused. If your child is late to school,

you will need to check him/her in at the front office.

Clothing: Whenever possible, we will go outside to play, so please have yourchild dressed appropriately. In order to foster independence, select coats and

jackets that your child can handle with the least amount of assistance fromadults. Please put your childs name on his/her belongings so we may identifythem if lost.


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Birthdays: Please let us know in advance if you would like to recognize yourchilds birthday at school. A special snack can be sent in for your childsbirthday. All birthday invitations MUST be mailed. Absolutely NO invitationswill be given out at school.Classroom Volunteers: Many of you have already expressed interest inbecoming classroom volunteers. We encourage parents, grandparents, andother family members to become involved. If you wish to volunteer, you willneed to register with the Wake County Volunteer System in order to volunteerin our school. This can be done in the media center or computer lab. I will let

you know when the class will be ready for volunteers to begin. If you have any

expertise or hobby in a particular area, please feel free to come in and sharewith our class. We respectfully request that parent volunteers not bring otherchildren with them when volunteering, including younger siblings.

Daily Communication Notebooks and Newsletters: Your child will bebringing home a notebook every day. In the notebook, you will find importantinformation related to school. There will be an agenda and the agenda will

include information pertaining to your childs behavior and labels detailing anyimportant dates. Please initial the agenda and send the notebook back toschool every day. The notebook will also include a section for homework. Thisnotebook will be a great avenue for us to communicate. Please be sure to check

your childs book bag and notebook daily so that you wont miss any importantactivities or announcements. Our class news as well as classroom happeningswill be posted on our class blog. You can find our class blog at

www.bentonsbusybess,blogspot.com .

Visitors: All visitors to the school must sign in through the office. Any childpicked up before 2:30 PM must be dismissed through the office. All visitorsmust use the front/office entrance. The outside door to our classroom will belocked. THIS IS FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN!!!
http://www.bentonsbusybess%2Cblogspot.com/http://www.bentonsbusybess%2Cblogspot.com/


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Monday Folders:The Monday folder will include all of your childs work fromthe previous week. Please make sure you take the time to look over this workwith your child so you can see what they have been busy doing at school. Yourchild is very proud of what he/she has accomplished. Allowing your child toexplain the activities in this folder also helps to review concepts for the week.Please keep your childs workand return the empty folder each Tuesday.

Homework:Please read to your child or have your child read to you at least20 minutes every night. In your childs Daily Communication Notebook, you willfind a monthly homework calendar of activities; the calendar will provide youwith specific information pertaining to homework. Homework activities will be

minimal. I feel strongly that its important for children to have down time athome to relax, play and just be kids. Please remember that the children workvery hard all day long while they are at school and they truly need their time athome to rejuvenate and be ready for a new day of learning when they come toschool.

Grading and Conferences: We will have 2 conferences during the schoolyear. One will be in the fall and the other will be in the spring. I will send anemail to each family indicating when you can sign up for conferences. OurConference sign-ups will occur on sign up genius. In first grade, students receivereport cards at the end of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarter. If you have questionsor concerns please feel free to contact me at school (662-2300) or via email [email protected]. Please make your email address available to me as well.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Medicine: All medicine including over the counter drugs must be administeredthrough the office. If your child needs to take medication at school, a physicianmust fill out a Physician Order for Medication Form (1702). Medication will notbe distributed until this form has been returned to West Lake. Your requestshould indicate the period of time the student will require the medicine. It isthe parents responsibility to:1. Please sign the Parent Request form, have the physician complete form 1702and return it to school.2. Provide medication in a container, which includes the child's name, medicationname, dose and time to be given, and how its to be administered.3. Provide new, labeled containers when medications are changed.4. Remove medications from school when treatment has been completed or atthe end of the school year.5. Parents must transport all medications to school. Please do NOT let yourchild bring medicine in his/her lunch box or backpack. Empty bottles may besent with the student.

At the designated time each day, your child will report to the office wherewe will give the medication. The date and the time medication was

dispensed and the signature of the office staff member who administeredthe medication will be recorded.

WE CANNOT GIVE OR ALLOW YOUR CHILD TO TAKE OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATION WHILE AT SCHOOL UNLESS WE HAVE A1702 FORM; THIS INCLUDES ASPIRIN, COUGH DROPS,ACETAMINOPHEN, TOPICAL CREAMS, ETC. IF A STUDENT IS SEENUSING MEDICATIONS, THEY WILL BE TAKEN AWAY BY THE STAFF.Thank you in advance for your cooperation in adhering to these policies.

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Student Conduct: It is extremely important that all children in our class begiven the best environment and opportunity to succeed. In order for this tooccur, good behavior is expected of everyone. All children can behave in anappropriate manner in school. Those that make poor choices often need to bereminded with consequences in place. It is not acceptable for any child tointerfere with any other childs opportunity to learn. Each day your child willeither come home with a sticker placed in their agenda on the correspondingcalendar day or they will be lacking a sticker for the day. If your child comeshome with a sticker, they have had a good day. If your child does not have asticker it means that they have chosen not to follow our classroom rules orPAWS expectations (Please see below). If your child happens to lose theirsticker I will write a brief explanation of why it was lost. I have highexpectations for my students so I do not anticipate many student conductconcerns.

West Lake ElementaryPAWSPrepare for Success

By lowering your voice to follow hallway procedures once in the buildingBy keeping hands at your side and listening for directionsBy using the restroom for appropriate reasonsBy walking to the bus or gym promptlyBy following directions

Act RespectfulBy greeting staff and friends kindlyBy maintaining your personal spaceBy using quiet voicesBy using quiet feetBy helping each otherBy encouraging others to do the right thingBy sharing


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Wallabies are ResponsibleBy entering the building prepared and ready to learnBy going directly to class or breakfastBy keeping the hallway cleanBy following the green arrows and stopping at the red pawsBy keeping the restroom cleanBy eating healthyBy listening carefully for your bus or car announcement

Stay SafeEnter the building through designated entrancesBy using walking feetBy walking on the green arrows and looking forwardBy keeping surfaces dryBy washing handsBy keeping both feet on the floorBy keeping all personal items in your backpackBy asking and adult or safety patrol for assistance if you need it


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Realizing how important the first grade experienceis for your child, I will work hard to make this ahappy transition. Using the Wake County curriculumand lots of ideas shared in a planning meeting with

other first grade teachers I will plan manyinteresting units. A typical day will include:


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The following ideas will help you better prepareyour child for first grade:

I look forward to sharing this special

time with your child!!!

2011-2012 first grade handbook

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