September   

Dear Parents,

 

          We thought we’d send you a copy of our “Meet the Teachers” presentation so you would have something to refer to, and, those of you who were unable to attend, would know what was discussed.

 

PHILOSOPHY: We base our philosophy of and approach to education on the following facts:

1.     All children do not learn at the same rate of speed.

2.    All children do not grasp a given subject at the same time.

3.    All children vary as to their depth of comprehension of a subject.

 

        Our understanding of these facts make grouping children according to their needs, the best approach for Language Arts and Math.

 

GOALS: Responsibility, independence and confidence are academic qualities we strive to instill in each child, as well as, stimulating a genuine interest in learning and encouraging a sense of accomplishment.  In order to fulfill these goals we must be in a position to:

1.     Challenge the advanced students.

2.    Meet the needs of the average student.

3.    Utilize a slower pace where needed for students to grasp the subject and meet academic success.

 

Remembering gym and art supplies, bringing home communications,

completing work and returning it to school, are all very important aspects of the students’ development.  This is one reason that all of the children have school folders.  Before cleaning them out, please ask your child what should be kept and what should not.  Their special folder that you will see each week and sign contains test papers and class work.  It will be brought home on Friday and returned on Monday.

  

 

GROUPING:  Grouping is begun in 1^st grade and continues through the 8^th grade.  In the 1^st grade, the children are grouped for all Language Arts subjects and Math.  This individualization in Reading, Phonics, Spelling, English, Handwriting, and Math enables the teachers to put their educational philosophy into practice and address the academic goals they have set for every child.

 

          The previous year’s teachers do the initial grouping for all grades.  The following are determinating factors of the grouping process.

 

1.     Professional judgment of teacher

2.    Class work and test performance

 

Flexibility in grouping allows for change as students progress or 

regress.  Parents will be notified of such changes.  The subject matter is the same in all groups, however the pace and expectations are different.  Marks are also the same.

 

 

HOMEWORK:  Homework is assigned Monday through Thursday and, on rare occasions, over the weekend.  Parents are required to check homework for neatness and correctness.  Any errors that you notice on the homework should be brought to your child’s attention.  It is important that you try to elicit the correct answer from your child rather then telling them what it is.  When an assignment is completed to your satisfaction, please sign it.  If it does not meet your satisfaction, please write the reason at the top of the paper/page and let your child know. 

  Have a definite period for homework.  Be sure to have a specific place for doing homework that is free from distractions and clutter.  A desk or table in their room or other quiet place is the most preferable.  Your child should be able to do the work independently, after you have given the directions and the assignment is understood.  A normal night’s homework should take no longer than a half hour.  Please make your child responsible for putting books and school supplies back in their book bag and returning them to school the following day.  The children are held responsible for homework that has not been completed.  If homework is not completed because the child forgot, he/she will be given the chance to complete it the next night, along with any new work that has been assigned for that night.  Failure to complete homework after two nights warrants a” time out”. See attached Homework Policy Paper.  A continuance of forgetfulness will be handled through a parent-teacher conference.

        All homework is posted on www.ihmteachers.org.

 Our email addresses are:

fvivirito@immaculateheartofmary.com

gcernik@immaculateheartofmary.com

sfaith@immaculateheartofmary.com

 

 

PARENTAL COOPERATION:  Please WORK WITH YOUR CHILD in order to foster in them the love of learning, pride in their work and good study habits.  READ TO YOUR CHILD!  This develops good listening habits, enriches their vocabulary and demonstrates an atmosphere of reading for pleasure.  ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD to always do their best work rather than accepting that which is not reflective of their ability.  PRAISE YOUR CHILD! 

 

 

COMMUNICATION:  Communication is the cornerstone of education and must be treated as such.  If a child does not understand what is being communicated to him/her, either verbally or from books, then he/she can’t learn.  By the same token, if a teacher is unaware of a certain concern you or your child may have, he/she can’t address it.  We must keep all the lines of communication open at all times.  TALK TO YOUR CHILD.  Ask your child questions about school and more importantly, listen to what your child has to say.  If at any time, your child has a problem or a question, please encourage him/her to talk to his/her teacher.  Also, if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, please let us know.

 

 

DISCIPLINE:  Self-control is a very big trait to be mastered in first grade.  Attention spans are short and energy levels are high.  Parents and teachers need to incorporate activities that increase attention span and educational maturity. Look for a letter explaining our positive code of conduct “Koalaty Kids ”. See attached paper for Primary’s Discipline Policy.

 

 

PROGRESS REPORTS:  The grades on these reports reflect the following areas of academic performance:

1.     Test and Quizzes

2.    Classroom Participation

3.    Class work/Projects

 

 

INTERIM REPORTS will be sent out three times a year prior to each progress report.

 

The following are the codes that are used on the Progress Report.

         

Progress Codes   I   Independent : The student understands concepts/skills and works with little or no                            .                             reinforcement or assistance. P  Progressing: The student’s understanding of concepts/skills are developing and are                                                             .                           in need of occasional reinforcement and assistance.                            E  Emerging: The student’s understanding of the concepts/skills are still at the                         beginning level and/or need reinforcement and assistance. NA  Not assessed at this time: is used if that standard has not been assessed during the         .                                                 current trimester.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please note:  Science is taught during the 1^st and 3^rd trimesters.                     Social Studies is taught during 2^nd and 3^rd trimesters.

 

Please notice students in grades 1 and 2 no longer receive traditional “letter” grades.  They will be evaluated according to the standards of the curriculum and this progress will be reported.  Codes and comments will be utilized.  This progress report gives a detailed picture of your child as a learner.  It is important to read the entire progress report when it is given to you. 

 

 

Thank you for your attention to these topics.  They were given to help you better understand the expectations and workings of the First GradeP

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PRIMARY POLICY

 

DISCIPLINE

 

GRADES 1-2

 

1.  Teachers have found it necessary to set up a detention room.

 

     Every Monday or Wednesday from 3:10 to 3:40, depending on the problem,  a teacher will keep any child who has done the following:.

·         Used foul language

·         Exhibited physical or verbal abuse toward another student

·         Displayed serious offenses such as consistent disruptiveness, lying, cheating, or stealing

·         Showed disrespectful behavior toward ANY adult

 

** The teacher will determine the severity of the action as to whether the student serves 15 min. or 30 min. after school time.

 

A form will be sent home to inform parents of the discipline problem and to secure your signature.  Three (3) detentions, during a trimester, will be reported to the Principal and will warrant a conference.

 

 

2. Sitting on the Curb during recess will be used only as an immediate   

response to an immediate action during lunch or recess time.  Example:  disobedience at lunch; not following boundary rules; rough-housing during recess, etc.

 

 

3. A uniform code was sent home for your signature.  Please be sure to  

check that your child is dressed according to code, if not you will receive a note from the teacher.

 

 

PRIMARY POLICY

HOMEWORK AND RESPONSIBILTY

GRADES 1-2

The Primary Teachers believe homework to be:

1.    an excellent tool to review study skills

2.   a means of communication between teacher and parents, helping parents keep abreast of curriculum

3.   a viable way to build students’ responsibility

Therefore, after 2 missed homework assignments during a school week, your child will be in the “time out” room.  It is held every Friday.

Grades 1 & 2 must have homework signed every night. Grade 1 parents sign homework papers or assigned book pages. Grade 2 parents sign homework sheet.  No signature on homework constitutes a missed assignment.

Throughout the year, when a student forgets homework or school work, he/she is always given the chance to make up the work the next night along with any new work that is assigned for that night. 

*** The following is applicable to Physical Education and Art only.

Remembering supplies for Art class and uniform for gym is necessary in building responsibility.  Since this skill is integral to the completion of the curriculum, forgetting their things after 3 times in a trimester will warrant “time out”.