Welcome to Back to School Night

1. Welcome toBack toSchool Night First Grade 2019-2020

2. First Grade Team E-mail Ms. Brossard : jbrossard@aak8.org Ms. Lehti: jlehti@aak8.org Mrs. True: jtrue@aak8.org Mrs. Merrill: mmerrill@aak8.org Ability Group Teachers Ms. Paris: lparis@aak8.org Ms. Liley: pliley@aak8.org Please be sure to check the first grade website and read the news tab thoroughly before e-mailing teachers. All important upcoming events and information will be featured on our website!

3. Specials Teachers • Art • Ms. Moore mmoore@aak8.org • Music • Ms. Blackman lblackman@aak8.org • P.E. • Mr. McGarva wmcgarva@aak8.org • Tech • Mr. Martin rmartin@aak8.org • Curriculum, Classroom resources/tools, Grading, and Extra Curricular opportunities

4. Specials Video Specials Video (right click on link to open & view video)

5. Communication We are so excited to partner with you this year, and want to make it a successful year for your child. Since we see you as a valuable member of our team, please come to us if you have an issue, or if your child comes home and says something that alarms you. Per our communication policy we ask that you go to the teacher first, because most of the time it is a misunderstanding that we can talk through. After that if you still can’t resolve the issue with us, you are welcome to bring Ms. Norton or Ms. Miller into the conversation.

6. Daily Schedule 8:13- 9:05 Math 9:10-9:55 Specials 10:00-10:40 Math (T/TH)/Literacy 1(M/W/F) 10:45-11:30 Lunch 11:35-1:00 Literacy Block 2 1:00-1:50 History/Science 1:55-2:40 Recess/Snack (1:55-2:20 Recess) 2:40-2:57 Social/ Emotional 3:00-3:30 Homeroom/Pack Up

7. Curriculum Overview • Math: Go Math • Literacy: Spalding, Step Up to Writing, Shurley Grammar • History: Core Knowledge • Science: New Generation Science Standards • Character Building: Leader in Me and AA Character

8. Ability Grouping Math •Math is leveled. All groups are learning Go Math 1. Literacy •We ability group for literacy. We will have intervention, supported, standard, and advanced-standard classes. •Placements are based on multiple points of data, and a percentage of each test to calculate a composite percentage. We use writing benchmarks, Morrison McCall, Dibels, and IReady. •Placements are flexible. Teams meet with AG teachers and Ms. Norton to go over data and possible movements

9. History Core Knowledge First Grade Units include: •Geography(7 continents, 4 oceans, countries of North America) •Early Civilizations (Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, World Religions) •Modern Civilizations and Culture (Mexico) •Early People and Civilizations (Maya, Inca, Aztec) •Early Exploration and Settlement of the Americas

10. Science • Next Generation Science Standards & STEM • Hands on curriculum that teaches the scientific process • First Grade Units Include: • Light and sound waves • Universal patterns • Hereditary – Inheritance of Traits • Molecules to Organisms – Caring for Offspring. • STEM Units Include: • Chemical Engineering • Marine Biology

11. Why are we using Kickboard? Focus on Positive Behaviors We understand the real impact a positive culture has on our school and our students. We strive to build the same safe and happy culture so that each of us can thrive. • Schools who use positive behavior support systems have higher academic growth across the board • Students thrive when they understand what is expected of them • Everyone can be consistent by using common language as we work toward a common goal • Parents, teachers, and students all have access to the system to see what behaviors are happening at school • Positive behaviors are reinforced through individual and group incentives • Help us focus student expectations and character development with the same intentionality as academic content • Behavior expectations are positively stated, and then are further defined across various settings within the school

12. Kickboard

13. Kickboard Access? Kickboard Login Papers If you didn’t get one, please email your teacher or smiller@aak8.org Go to www.Kickboardforschools.com Enter in username at the top of the page and your child’s birthdate (example 01/15/2006) Write down the new username that appears it will be first initial, last name, -6pj example smiller-6pj *note* the computer automatically saves your email as the username. This will not work Then create your password Write down your information Email your Dean if you run into any issues.

14. Spending Rebel Bucks • Weekly Goal- Each week students will work towards earning $20 Rebel Bucks, so they can participate in our Friday Fun Afternoon. Some weeks this will be extra recess and other times we will do fun centers in the classroom. • Bi-Monthly Goal- First Grade will have a store with “items” for students to purchase as well as a Movie Party. • Examples- Bring a stuffed animal to school, wear a hoodie, or hat to school, use special supplies, extra homework pass.

15. School Uniform Policy • American Academy has a uniform, not a dress code. Make sure tops and bottoms are from Dennis. • Sweatshirts – send a sweatshirt or sweater everyday. Any sweatshirt can be worn outside for recess. American Academy sweatshirts only inside school. • Please LABEL your child’s clothing!! It all looks so similar!

16. School Uniform Policy • Socks: • Navy, Red, White, Black ONLY • Girls may have the Dennis Plaid Trim • Tights – Navy, Red, White, Black • Shoes: • Must be no higher than the ankle • Closed Toe Shoes ONLY • Casual/Dress – SOLID Black, Brown, Navy • Athletic – No glitter, characters, beads • Boots – No Boots indoors, bring a change of shoes • Any questions about AA Uniform Policy- Go to: *AA website *Quicklinks *Parents *Student Uniforms *Student Uniform Policy

17. AA Manners & Character • AA Manners and AA Character Traits are practiced daily during all parts of our school day • We will connect and integrate the character traits and manners into all of our core subjects. • Please help your child practice these skills at home as well. • We celebrate our amazing character and manners with weekly “Shout Outs”, Kickboard Rebel Bucks, and Leadership Awards each trimester

18. Behavior Management • Class-specific Rewards • Each class has a special reward system such as: a WOW board, “Fill my Bucket”, class puzzle. • Kickboard • It is our behavior management software that allows our staff an instant access to record the behavior of our students.

19. Behavior Management • Logical Consequences • •Students will receive logical consequences when their behavior needs redirection. For example if they say something unkind to a friend they will need to write them an apology note and tell them something they love about them. • Write-Up • •If a student is having an especially hard time with their behavior they will receive a write-up through Kickboard. You will receive both an e-mail from the teacher and Mrs. Miller.

20. Behavior Management • Shout Outs • Teachers can also nominate students to receive shout outs on Friday for showing awesome character! If they are nominated Ms. Norton will read their name over the morning announcements on Friday and they’ll get to go to the office to receive their shout-out card and a special prize from Ms. Norton! • Leadership Awards • Once a trimester two students from each grade receive leadership awards. A special assembly is held in which the recipients are given their award by Ms. Norton and Ms. Lane

21. Field Trips & Upcoming Events Field Trips:•Please look in our newsletters for upcoming field trips throughout the yearUpcoming Events:•Harvest Party •Winter Party •Valentine’s Day Party

22. General Information Birthdays: •Please contact your child’s homeroom teacher for information on how they celebrate birthdays. As a school policy we do not allow any food treats for birthdays. Snacks: •Please send your child with 1 healthy nut-free snack every day. Water Bottles: •Students should be bringing a LABELED water bottle to class. Red Folders: •Students will be bringing home graded work and other important information in their red folder. Please check it regularly.

23. Math: Go Math • Daily Homework – one math sheet Monday through Thursday. • Studies have shown that play and family time are crucial to children’s development, so we are lightening the load of homework this year! We also encourage you to read with your child every night! • On-line materials and teaching is forthcoming. • Math: Please turn in homework on time. • •-10% one day late • •-50% two days late • •0 credit if 3 or more days late

24. Red Folder • Two sides of the folder: • Left at home - please take out these items each night- graded assignments, in class work, and flyers • Right Back to School- homework assignments and items that need to be returned to school go on this side • Will come home every night with (or without assignments in it). • Complete work as assigned by teacher. • Return folder to school every day.

25. Literacy Spalding – a multi-sensory, standards based literacy program that supports students in spelling, reading and writing. Step Up to Writing – standards based writing curriculum to support students in the areas of vocabulary, language, listening, reading and writing Shurley Grammar – grammar support using jingles and daily grammar practice Core Knowledge – poems, sayings, and literature

26. Parent/Teacher Conferences • There are 3 scheduled conferences for this school year. • October 9 & 10 • January 22 & 23 • May 6 & 7 • These are the best times to meet with your child’s teachers. We will discuss goals, progress, and next steps for your child. • Conferences are NOT mandatory, but are encouraged. • Look for a Sign-Up Genius link about one week before each conference. Please READ carefully, to know which of your child’s teachers to sign up with (reading, math, homeroom, etc.). ** We will contact you if there is a concern on a child’s progress that requires an additional conference outside of these scheduled times**

27. Final Items Carpool Please make sure that you are following the carpool rules and are being safe at that time. We try to get your student outside as quickly as possible to make the line move a bit faster. If your child gets recalled, please go all the way to the end of the line and park on the side until they come down to recall. Food at class parties American Academy has decided to allow certain foods in the classroom if they enhance the lessons being taught from our curriculum. First grade wants to make sure that we are still keeping our students with allergies in mind during these times. We will let you know ahead of time and plan accordingly to make sure your child still gets to be involved while at the same time making sure they are safe.

28. Thank you for coming! Any questions?