Parent Orientation 2013 First Grade. Who are the First Grade Teachers? Mrs. Janet Carlson Mrs. Linda Lange Mrs. Tasha Adams Mrs. Amy Hull Mrs. Julie Walz.

Parent OrientationParent Orientation20132013

Parent OrientationParent Orientation20132013

First GradeFirst Grade

Who are the First Grade Teachers?

• Mrs. Janet Carlson• Mrs. Linda Lange• Mrs. Tasha Adams• Mrs. Amy Hull• Mrs. Julie Walz• Ms. RaeAnn Gotch

School Day

Students are expected to come to school on time.• Students arriving after 9:15 a.m. are tardy

unexcused.

• The school day starts at 9:15 and ends at 3:35.

Morning Procedures for Students Dropped Off By An Adult

• If your student is tardy, the expectation is that the parent/guardian will sign them in the office and your student will receive an “Admit to Class” pass.

• This provides a record of accountability for our students’ attendance and safety.

Morning Procedures for Students Dropped Off By An Adult

-Students go directly out door #11 when they are dropped off at the front of the building.

-Students may not wait in front of the building in the morning.

-Students should not arrive at Bamber Valley prior to 9:00 a.m. as this is when supervision starts.

-Students report to the classroom when dismissed from grade level lines outside. Breakfast is served in the classroom.

Afternoon Pick Up Procedures

• Staff will bring students to the foyer.• Parents and guests are to wait in the

foyer for their student. This ensures student safety.

• Parents and guests are not to enter the hallways to meet their student in the classroom as this disrupts instruction.

Bamber Valley School Expectations

•Take Care of Yourself•Take Care of Each Other•Take Care of Our Place

Management ProceduresThe Behavior PlanThere are a number of different management tools that I like to incorporate throughout the year in the classroom to reinforce positive behavior. Bamber Positives (School Wide): students receive yellow positive slips that they turn into the office. On Friday there is a drawing over the loud speaker for prizes. Class Goal Setiing: students are given points for following the Bamber Valley Way. Points will be accumulated to earn prizes. More information to come on this.Marble Jar: as a class we earn marbles in the classroom and in the hallways when we are following the Bamber Valley Way. When all the marbles are gone we vote as a class for our reward. 

The Universal SystemIf your child makes poor choices the following steps will occur throughout the whole building: Step 1: Your child will receive immediate re-teaching of the correct behavior and will receive a warning.Step 2: Your child will take a break at the “break spot” in the classroom until he/she is ready to rejoin the group.Step 3: Your child will take a break in the “buddy room” and receive a minor. Step 4: Your child will receive a major and detention during recess and/or our afternoon break. Your child will also make a phone call to you with their teacher informing you of the poor choices he/she made during the day. .

Bus Conduct• The school bus is an extension of the school

environment. The bus driver should be regarded as having the same authority as a teacher or other school staff member.

• If you have questions, please contact the building administration.

Take Care of Ourselves, Take Care of Our Place, Take Care of Each Other

Appropriate items to bring to school

• Cell phones, iPods, PSPs, DS etc., are not permitted at school.

• These present unneeded distractions for students in the learning environment.

• If students have one in their possession, staff will ask for it and it will be turned into the office.

• Parents may pick the item up in the office.

Afternoon Pick Up Procedures

• Staff will bring students to the foyer.• Parents and guests are to wait in the

foyer for their student. This ensures student safety.

• Parents and guests are not to enter the hallways to meet their student in the classroom as this disrupts instruction.

Adjusting to First Grade• The first few weeks of first grade can be

overwhelming and tiring. Having set routines at home may help your child adjust to longer days. Please make sure your child is getting adequate rest.

• Note: This is a transitional period for us. We spend the first month getting to know your child, establishing routines, and using assessments to determine your child’s strengths and needs.

How will we communicate this

year?• Take home folder• Monthly Calendars• Monthly Bamber Valley Newsletter• Email• Goal Setting Conferences • Report Cards

Skyward• This is the school information system that the

district uses.• An important feature is “Family Access.” This

feature is used to monitor student progress, student attendance, and family contact information.

• “Family Access” continues for those of you who signed up last year.

• To sign up for “Family Access”, you can go to the Rochester School District website

• and click on Skyward “Family Access.”

Skylert• This is a new feature of Skyward “Family Access.”• Skylert provides the district with the ability to quickly send mass

communication via phone, SMS text message, and e-mail. We are looking forward to using this communication system as part of our continuous effort to keep the community, staff, students, and their families informed.

• With Skylert, you can set your notification preferences for three types of messages: Emergency, General, and Attendance.

• To sign up for “Family Access”, you can go to the Rochester School District website and click on

• Skyward “Family Access.”

Notes from Home• Send a note if your child will be taking an

alternative route home or staying at school for a special activity. If possible, please arrange this with your child before school starts. If a note is not received, your child will be sent home as usual. If plans change after the start of the school day, please contact the office.

• Please label envelopes for book orders, lunch money, etc. Write “OPEN NOW” if the note should be read immediately.

Reading Homework• Bamber Valley is beginning a new reading

program called 100 book. Students, teachers, and parents will be partnering together to become great readers.

• Students will be required to read two steps ( 30 minutes a night) and log these steps on their reading log.

• This program will start in October.• There will be a parent night on October 3rd

from 6:00 to 7:30.

Reading• Strategies to Help Your Reader

– Check the picture– Get your mouth ready– Try that again– Look for chunks– Does it make sense? – Does it look right?– Does it sound right?

Reading • What if my child is memorizing the

stories? It’s okay!– Encourage pointing to each word.

What if my child is looking at pictures to figure out the words?-That is a great strategy.

Word Work• The district has adopted a word work

program called Words their Way.• Students will be assessed in the

month of September to determine the level in which they will be working.

• Student will have a systematic way to improve spelling and word study.

Writing • What should I do when my child says,

“Did I spell that right?”– “That’s good sound spelling,” or “That’s

good dictionary spelling.”• Fixing one or two mistakes is age

appropriate.• Early stages of writing may include

labeling pictures and asking children to read what they have written.

Math• Math Home Links- Teachers will send

individual home links or packets.• At the beginning of each unit a family

newsletter will be sent home. Please read through the newsletter and keep for reference (the answers to home links are in the newsletter).

What are the procedures for lunch?

• Lunch is from 12:15-12:35• Recess is from 12:35-12:55

• When you receive your child’s lunch number, please practice at home.

• Students are responsible for bringing lunch money in an envelope with their name to the office and putting it in the lunch $ bin located on the wall as they enter the office or go to www.paypams.com (your child’s lunch number will be needed).

Lunch Options• There is a sandwich or salad option each day with hot

lunch. Either of these options cost the same as a regular hot lunch.

• Children who forget their cold lunch will have the option of calling home. If a parent cannot be reached, the child will have hot lunch and money will be deducted from his/her account.

• Milk is available for approximately 45 cents with cold lunch.

• Parents choosing to eat lunch at school can pay $3.15 for a school lunch.

• Breakfast is offered at school. Please make sure your child knows if he/she should eat at home or at school.

Free and Reduced Lunch Form

• Families can help their schools by returning their applications, even if they choose not to participate in the school lunch program.  It is the number of students who qualify for the program, not the number of students enrolled in the program, that counts toward program qualifications.

• Free and reduced priced meal applications impact the school's eligibility for other types of school funding.   Returning the applications makes it easier for schools and communities to get the resources they need.

• FAMILIES MUST APPLY EACH YEAR. IF YOU RECEIVED FREE OR REDUCED MEALS LAST YEAR YOU MUST REAPPLY THIS YEAR.

• Forms are located in the foyer in the file organizers.

Snack• We will have a daily snack.• Please send your child with healthy snacks

like carrots, granola bars, goldfish, animal crackers… not chips, cookies, candy…

• Water bottles are encouraged. Pull-tops are strongly recommended to prevent spills. Juice is not permitted.

• Also send snacks that your child can independently open and any utensils your child may need to enjoy their snack.

Birthdays• If your child chooses to bring a birthday

treat, it must be store bought. Please check with individual teachers for any food allergies and number of children.

• Single serving treats work best.• We are unable to give out anyone’s phone

number or address.• To avoid hurt feelings, please do not send

invites to school to be passed out.

Odds and Ends• No toys allowed at school to avoid theft

and hurt feelings. This includes trading cards and Webkinz.

• One check can be made to Scholastic for multiple book orders.

• Tennis shoes are required for Phy. Ed. and encouraged for daily recess. These may be kept at school if desired.

Monthly Student Assemblies

• Each month all students at Bamber Valley will take part in an assembly that recognizes, rewards and encourages their learning community. The assemblies will be 20–30 minutes and will take place in the Bamber Valley cafeteria. Parent(s) and guardians are invited to attend.

Contact Information• Bamber Valley Office

(507) 328-3030• Bamber Valley Attendance Line

(507) 328-3031