Welcome

1. Welcome Sign up sheets for fall conferences are on the blue table Begin filling out forms in your child’s folder We will start promptly at 7:00

2. Welcome! Mrs. Albertini Open House Wednesday September 18, 2013

3. How to Contact the Teacher • The fast and easiest way is to email me at albertins@wrentham.k12.ma.us • Time sensitive matters should be called into the office at 508-384-5430 • I can be reached by phone before school and afterschool until 3:00. You may leave a message and I will return your call. • Report cards are given 4 times a year. Conferences are twice a year. Report cards go home before conferences. We meet in November and April.

4. Expectations For Students, Parents, and Teacher Follow Wrentham Public Schools Core Values! Respect Responsibility Collaboration Communication Continuous Growth and Learning

5. How to be a Great Student • Students will: • Raise their hands to ask a question • Be quiet when working • Do their work neatly • Come to school prepared • Keep their hands to themselves • Stay in their seat • Use their brain • Always do their best

6. How can you help the teacher? • Label all your child’s belongings. • Put your child to bed at a reasonable hour. • Practice shoe tying, address, birthday, zipping and buttoning, correct scissor use, and phone number. • Teach personal hygiene. • Encourage using polite words and good manners at all times. • Teach cleaning up after yourself. • Don’t tell them you will pick them up if don’t plan on it. • Don’t tell them if you don’t feel good go to the nurse and I will pick you up. • Help your child stay organized. Please empty homework folder every night, have sneakers for gym, return library book on time, etc. • Read at least 15 minutes a night with your child- practice, practice, practice! • Let me know if there is anything going on personally- divorce, death • Be informed. Read my emails, school emails and check out the Delaney blog.

7. Lunch and Snack • Every day be sure to provide a health snack with a drink. We are a nut safe classroom • Children have an option to buy or bring their own lunch. If your child is buying lunch, milk is included. Mrs. White offers a main choice, chef’s salad, chicken patty and pizza everyday for $2.25. Milk only is $.50. A pre-paid lunch ticket is also available. We eat lunch at 12:15

8. If your child is going to any other destination other than his or her assigned bus stop you must get permission from Dr. Peterson. Please try to keep pick up as consistent as possible to ensure that your child gets to where he/she needs to be. For safety reasons there have been security cameras installed on the buses. No cell phone usage for parents chaperoning field trips. School Bus Policy

9. Dismissal Policy • Children are picked up in the Delaney cafeteria. • A note will be required for dismissal. • Unexpected dismissals need to be called into the office. Do not email or call me because a substitute teacher can’t access my email or phone messages.

10. Birthdays • To celebrate birthdays children will take a trip to the birthday basket, wear a special crown for the day and receive a birthday pencil from Dr. Peterson. Summer birthdays will be celebrated in June.

11. Language Arts • Fundation Phonics Program • Reading Workshop • Mini Lesson • Reading Practice • Sharing time • Spelling starts sometime in October • Writing Workshop

12. Fundations • Systematic and Sequential Instruction of Skills • Instruction is through modeling and active participation • Spelling words will come from Fundations • Home support packet will be sent home for each unit

13. Spelling • Trick words from Fundations • Words that follow the phonic patterns being taught that week • The list will be on Spelling City for extra practice. I will include a challenge list for extra practice. They will not be tested.

14. Reading Workshop • Start each workshop with a mini lesson • Children read independently • Children read with a partner • Children work in groups with a teacher

15. CAFE • Comprehension- I understand what I read • Accuracy- I can read the words • Fluency- I can read accurately, with expression, and understand what I read • Expand Vocabulary- I know, find, and use interesting words (Amazing Words from Reading Street)

16. Math • Harcourt Math and other resources • Use a hands on approach. Many concepts are taught with manipulatives before moving to pencil and paper. • Children are expected to learn the basic addition and subtraction facts to 20 • Mastery of facts through 10 • Reflex math will be required for homework starting in November

17. Other Subjects • Handwriting is daily through the Wilson Fundations program. Please encourage neat handwriting and coloring. • Science consists of 3 units: Balance and Motion, Plants and Air and Weather. This is a hands-on, observation and investigation program that encourages exploration and higher level thinking. • Social Studies is explored through literature, crafts, videos, technology and discussion. Topics that are covered are Geography, Economics, Civics and Government. • Open Circle is conducted 1-2 times a week. It a comprehensive social and emotional learning program that supports elementary school children in developing the skills needed to be good learners and to form healthy, positive relationships with people throughout their lives.

18. Homework • School policy for First Grade is 10-20 minutes a night. • Book Bag Books (Just Right Books) • Spelling • Math • Practice reading and spelling Trick Words • Study for Spelling Test

19. Vacation Work Policy • No school work will be supplied ahead of time for vacation. This policy is in the handbook. • School work will be collected during the time your child is absent. One week will be given to make-up any work

20. Who is Who? • Dr. Martes- Superintendent of Schools • Dr. Peterson- Principal of Delaney School • Mr. Grenham- Principle of Roderick School • Mrs. Richardson- School Nurse • Mrs. Traversi- Computer Teacher • Mrs. Lovely- Art teacher • Mrs. Drake- Health teacher • Mrs. Marcille- Music teacher • Mrs. Lamb- Reading Specialist • Mrs. Stocking- Reading Specialist/Ell teacher • Mrs. Ellis- classroom aid • Mrs. Zion- classroom aid • Mr. Moon- Gym teacher • Mr. Maguire- Gym teacher • Miss Maloney- Sixth Grade teacher whose class we “buddy” up with • Mrs. Carlson- Volunteer- retired first grade teacher

21. Wrentham Elementary Schools Trust, Inc. Awarding Grants to Enrich the Wrentham Educational Experience Wrentham Elementary Schools Trust, Inc. (WEST) is an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization responsible for raising private capital to fund innovative, educational projects for the Wrentham Elementary Schools. Since 2007, WEST has awarded 69 educational grants totaling over $110,935 to Wrentham Public Schools. Some grants include: • Grade K-Returning to Our Roots • Grade 1-Author Study with David Biedrzycki • Grade 2-The Irresistible Tool for Writing • Grade 3-Revolutionary Wrentham • Grade 4-Dive Into Ponds at Stony Brook • Grade 5-Mad Science • Grade 6-Mission to Mars …and many, many more! How you can help • Consider a tax-deductible donation to WEST. • Check with your HR dept. to find out if your company offers a matching gifts program. Many do! • Donate an auction item for our annual comedy night. • Honor a WPS employee by purchasing a Shining Star. • Consider volunteering for WEST. To find out more, please visit our website at www.WrenthamWEST.org and/or contact Deirdre Foley at deirdre.foley@hotmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

22. Final Thoughts! • First Grade is an exciting time. I look forward to a wonderful year of learning and growing together! • Please try not to compare your child’s progress or work with that of an older sibling, a friend or any other child. Each one is a unique individual who learns at his/her own pace. • Although First grade is all using the same programs each classroom teacher does things in a different way.