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Dear Parents, August, 2017

Welcome to first grade!!! I am very excited about this year, and I look forward to having your child in my class.
I put together this packet of information that you will find useful. There will be two class parties. We will have aChristmas and a Valentine’s Day party. I would greatly appreciate volunteers to help with these. Please contactme if you have any questions. My conference time is 1:45-2:30 every day. I can also meet before or afterschool if needed.

832-656-7446

ALSO, please subscribe to my web page. Go to the “Willis I.S.D.” web site, go to “Schools ” and clickon “Meador”, go to “Our Staff”, go to “Beth Sparks ” and then click subscribe under my name. Now,whenever I update my web page, you will get an emailletting you know.

Things you need to know:

Attendance and Transportation

1. Please send a note each time your child is absent so that the absence is excused. If your child is out more than 3 days in a row, you need to have a doctor’s note. You will receive a phone call after 2 consecutive days of absence.

2. Any transportation changes must be emailed or handwritten. There MUST be a written request in order for the change to take place.

Breakfast
All students can receive a free breakfast each morning. Each entrée comes with a fruit, a juice and milk. Breakfast will end at 8:30.

FOLDERS
Two different folders will be sent home.

1. MONDAY FOLDERS-Willbegin on Monday August 21th
The Monday folder will be sent home every Monday and needs to be returned on Tuesday. This folder will have your child’s work from the previous week and important papers from the office. Please go through and keep all your child’s work at HOME every Monday evening.

2. DAILY FOLDERS- Willbegin on August 28th
The daily folder will be sent home each day and will be our daily way of communicating. Please place any
notes or information I need to know in this folder. This folder will include.
● Homework packet
● zipper bag with weekly sight words to practice at home
● Home Reader
● Guided Reading Book

BOOKS THAT ARE SENT HOME

Each student will have two books sent home daily. PLEASE RETURN BOTH BOOKS DAILY!
1.“Home Reader”– Will start on September 4th.
The Home Reader book will be a small paper book. These books start with basic reading skills and rules and progressively increase with more rigorous stories and skills. As soon as you feel your child is comfortable reading and retelling the story, please sign the form. Your child will be able to take an “ AR ” test over that book. The students LOVE taking these tests! A ccelerated R eading tests are a wonderful tool that helps students with both comprehension and reading skills.
2.“Guided Reading Book”– Will start after all kids are assessed on reading levels.
The guided reading book will be a colored book that your child has read during his/her guided reading group. It is important for your child to read this story to you and retell the story in his/her own words. Guided Reading is when I meet with your child in a small flexible homogenous group to work on reading passages or common text skills. These groups are not static and children move groups based on their level or needs. It is important that students are placed where they will have maximum potential for reading success.

CLASSROOM RULES “W.B.T., CHAMPS" and Dojo

Meador Elementary is moving towards a positive reinforcement in the classrooms and away from the color charts! Inour class, your child will learn the rules listed below.

Whole Brain Teachinghas a set of 5 universal rules.
1) Follow Directions Quickly
2) Raise Your Hand for Permission to Speak
3) Raise Your Hand for Permission to Leave Your Seat
4) Make Smart Choices
5) Keep Your Dear Teacher Happy
And there is one final Big Rule: Keep your eyes on the target

Students will useCHAMPSto develop appropriate behavior in all aspects of school activities such as how do we walkin hall, cafeteria, classroom etc.

CConversation
(voice level)
HHelp
(appropriate choices when needing assistance)
AActivity
(following directions)
MMovement
(staying in your work area)
PParticipation
(staying on task)
SSuccess

Dojo:

We will be using class Dojo. This program will encourage good behavior with points that you will be able to see with your parent log in. MORE ON THIS PROGRAM COMING SOON!

Specials (1:45-2:30)
Specials will include P.E., Music, Computer, and Library
We are on a six day rotation for Special so check rotation calendar.
Please wear tennis shoes daily for safety.

Lunch (11:25-11:55)

Homework Packet

Homeworkwill begin on September 4th. Homework is an important part of school. Please help your child complete the homework and return it to school daily.

“HOMEWORK PACKETS” WILL BE SENT HOME ON MONDAYS IN THEIR DAILY FOLDER. PLEASE KEEPTHIS PACKET IN THE FOLDER ALL WEEK. THE PACKET WILL HAVE HOMEWORK FOR THE ENTIREWEEK SO YOUR CHILD CAN WORK ON IT AT HIS/HER CONVENIENCE. HOWEVER, PLEASE FOLLOWTHE DUE DATE SCHEDULE WRITTEN ON THE “HOMEWORK PACKET”.

Why do schools assign homework?
1. Homework helps students learn better and faster.
2. Homework helps families become involved with education—when students see that their parents
think education is important, the student’s performance improves.
3. Homework helps students develop selfdiscipline
and organizational skills—time management, goal
setting, and responsibility for achievement.

I look forward to working with you and your child this year. I know we will have a great year! Thank
you in advance for your help.

Sincerely,
Beth Sparks