St. Joseph Elementary School
Back-to-School Night
2015-2016
Mrs. Kelly Russi
Grade 1
Dear Families,
This year we will be focusing not only on academics, but also on working together as a TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More)! This team consists of parent, student, and teacher involvement.
As a teacher I am devoted to make my classroom a place where students are challenged to do their very best. Students will be expected to arrive at school on time, do homework and hand it in, participate during class time, follow class rules, and do their best! Parents are expected to be a support system for their child.
I look forward to a productive, fun, and exciting year!
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me by calling the St. Joseph Elementary School Office at (510) 522-4456 or email me at
Sincerely,
Mrs. Kelly Russi
Curriculum
Religion
Texts: Blest Are We
Benzinger Family Life
Contents: In these texts the First Grade will be learning the following:
Prayers, Our Church Community, Our Loving God, The Holy Sprit, Jesus’ Church of Followers, Advent/Christmas, Lent/Easter, God’s Gift of Family, Self, Life, and Community.
Language Arts
Texts: Here We Go!
Let’s Be Friends
Surprises
Treasures
Wonders
Practice Workbook (Level 1.1-1.2)
Practice Workbook (Level 1.3-1.5)
Everyday Spelling
My Printing Book
Contents: The Language Arts program will be focusing on the following:
Vowel Sounds (long and short), Consonant Sounds, Reading (oral/silent), Phonics/Decoding, Vocabulary/Sight Words, Spelling/Dictation, Sentence Writing, Parts of Speech (noun, verb, adjective), Literature (including poetry, plays and folktales), and Handwriting Skills (letters and numbers).
Math
Text: McGraw-Hill Mathematics
Contents: In Mathematics the First Grade will be learning the following:
Numbers, Addition, Subtraction, Counting on to add, Counting back to subtract, Place Value, Patterns, Time, Measurement, Geometry, Graphing, Fractions and Problem Solving Strategies and Skills.
Social Studies
Text: McGraw-Hill Family and Friends
Contents: In Social Studies, the class will study the following:
Holidays, Days of the Week, Months of the Year, Listening Skills, Following Direction Skills, Basic Study Skills, Social and Responsibility Skills, Neighborhoods and Communities, Families, Geography, Safety, Citizenship, Celebrating Our Country, Life in the Past, Why People Work, and How People Are Alike and Different.
Science
Text: Houghton Mifflin California Science
Contents: In Science the student will explore the following:
Senses, Weather/Seasons, Solids, Liquids, Gases, Changes in Materials, Dental Health, Food Groups/Nutrition, Plants and Ecosystems, Needs of Living Things.
Grading
The students will be evaluated in all core subjects based on their performance in the following areas: Class assignments and participation, quiz and test scores, teacher observations and homework.
Homework
Students will receive a packet every Wednesday in their homework folder. The homework is to be completed and turned back in the following Wednesday. It will consist of Language Arts, Math, Handwriting, and a Reading Log. All homework will be a review and reinforcement of concepts learned in class. Writing assignments need to be completed in pencil and drawing assignments may be completed using crayons or markers.
Classroom Management
Royal Rewards: I give these to students who are listening, doing their work, or helping other students. In general, doing what they are supposed to do. Every Friday, I choose 5-10 names from the basket (depending on how many awards are in there) and they can choose a prize from the prize box.
Table Points: Points are awarded to tables that are quiet and on task. I use the table points to excuse students for recess and doing things first.
Marble Jar: I use this with whole class activities such as going to church, assemblies, and field trips. I vary the amount of marbles that need to be earned and the reward.
Individual Management: I will be using a color-coded card system to monitor individual behavior within our learning environment.
Green = Positive Behavior
Blue = Warning, no consequence
Yellow = Caution, note sent home to parents
Red = Unacceptable Behavior-a meeting with Parents may be requested
Communication
If you have any questions or concerns please contact me by phoning the office and leaving a message, sending a note with your child or emailing me at . The best way to get in touch with me is through email. I check it before and after school. If it is an emergency, please contact the office and leave me a message.
Friday Folders
All work and any classroom information will be sent home every Friday in a large bag. Please sign the sheet the bag by Monday.
Super Kid Information
Grade One
Each student in our class will have the opportunity to be the “Super Kid” of the week. The Friday before your child’s Super Kid week. I will send home an “All About Me” poster for them to complete and return to school on Monday It will be placed on the Super Kid bulletin board in the classroom.
On Friday mornings, after Town Hall, parents are invited to the 1st Grade classroom to celebrate their child’s special week. This is a tome for us to really get to know your child. Your child is to bring in a “Me Box”, which is a box of some sort, such as a shoebox, containing objects and pictures representing their family, hobbies, events in their lives and special accomplishments. They will then have the opportunity to explain and share the objects with the class. During this time you may share a story or special event about your child as well. The students will also have the opportunity to ask the Super Kid a few questions and we will make a class book. On this day the Super Kid may bring in a healthy treat (no nuts) or non-food item (a book for the classroom, pencils, stickers, etc...) to share with their classmates.
I have attached the scheduled days for each student’s day. If this particular day does not work for you feel free to trade dates with another family and let us know of the change.
Other Information
Birthdays:
Students are more than welcome to bring in a treat in celebration for their birthday. Please let me know in advance what day you would like to bring in the item and make sure that there is one for each students in the class. Please do not make anything with nuts! Cakes are very challenging so I recommend bringing in an item that can be handed out to each child at recess or the end of the day.
Snacks:
Please remember to pack a snack every day for your child even if it is a minimum day or your child is getting Children’s Choice for lunch.
Label:
Please label your child’s different items and clothing. Things are set down in the classroom or out on the yard and it is easier to return items to the owner when there is a name.
Money:
Whenever you need to send money in to school, please place it in an envelope marked with your child’s name and the event/cause/item for which it is intended.