Welcome to Mrs. Dunning’s

1st Grade Class! 2016-2017

MEET Mrs. Dunning Welcome to my 1st Grade class! My name is Mrs.

Dunning. This will be my 11th year to teach, and my 3rd year to teach at Savannah Elementary. I have been married for 21 years to my husband, David, and together we have 3 children. My oldest daughter is 20

(sigh) and is a senior at SFA. She will graduate in May and plans to also be a teacher, specializing in Math in grades 4 – 8. My other daughter is a senior in HS and then my son is a junior in HS. This year will be a busy year for my family since we have 2 graduating in May and my son competes Nationally in gymnastics, so we will be gearing up for competitions starting in January.

I enjoy scrapbooking my family’s adventures, reading, and traveling…bring on the beach! I also like to sing, so your child may come home somedays singing songs that we’ve learned in class…I’m sorry in advance.

I look forward to spending time with your child this year and I can’t wait to see how their “Road to Success” unfolds. If you ever have any questions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at bdunning@dentonisd.org . It’s my goal to get back to you within 24 hours.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Dunning

7:50 – 8:10 ~ Morning Work

8:20 – 10:20 Language Arts

This will consist of word work / phonics, reading, guided reading, centers, and writing.

10:20 – 10:50 Target time

10:55 – 11:25 ~ Lunch

11:25 – 11:45 ~ Recess

11:45 – 12:30 ~ Science/Social Studies

Calendar / Math Talks

12:35 – 1:20 ~ Specials

This is my happy spot!

Mon~ PE Tue~ Music Wed. ~ PE Thurs. Art Fri~ Rotates

1:20 – 1:30 Snack

1:30 - 2:35 ~ Math

*rotating schedule PE Music Art1st & 3rd Friday of each month5th Friday (October & May only)

2nd Friday of each month

4th Friday of each month

2:35– 2:40 ~ Pack Up/Dismissal

Mrs. Dunning’s Classroom Behavior!

Rules and Expectations of First Graders1. We listen while others are talking.2. We follow directions the first time they are given.3. We keep hands, feet, and other objects to ourselves.4. We work quietly and don’t disturb others.5. We show respect to students, teachers, and school

property.6. We work and play safely.

Color System and Consequences 1. Going above and beyond what’s expected (Purple)2. Great Day (Green)2. Warning (Blue) 5 Minutes off Recess or Centers3. 10 Minutes off Recess or Centers (Yellow)

*You will also receive a note from your child saying what he / she was doing and what he /she SHOULD have been doing. Please sign and return this the next day. I call these Growth Plans.

4. Note Home and All of Recess (Orange) *5. Office and phone call to parents (Red) *

Note: I DO NOT want children to sit out at recess if at all possible! I believe children need this time to release energy and get ready for the rest of the day. So, I plan to have students walk or run their “time

owed.” Please contact me if you have questions or concerns.

Rewards1. Class Dojo Points – This is new to me, so it may take me a while

to figure it out.2. Class “Money” – This is my PLAN….

a. Students will earn a penny (plastic money) for each Dojo point they earn on a daily basis. (subject to change….like I said, I’m still trying to work this part out.)

b. On Tuesday’s we will have “trading Tuesday” as part of our math time. This is when students will “trade” their pennies for nickels or dimes and eventually quarters.

c. Students can choose a “prize” when they have 10 cents (these are things like stinky feet, lunch buddy, furry friend, show & tell, etc) OR they can “save” their money until they get a quarter and then spend it at the treasure box.

First Grade Helpful Information If you have a question, please check here first…hopefully

I’ve covered everything, but if not, please feel free to contact me!

This is a lot of information and FYI’s. This is just a few notes and answers to questions that do not seem to come up until there is a problem or concern. My goal is not to overwhelm you, but to give you a heads-up about what to expect. I have found that keeping parents fully informed of everything possible contributes to the success of your children.

Starting time: School begins at 7:40. It is VERY important that children arrive at school on time so that they are not rushed or left behind. Children may enter the room at the 7:40 bell. Early arrivers must wait in the cafeteria or the gym. As you know, eating breakfast is essential to helping your child learn and function well in the classroom. Children may buy breakfast in the cafeteria when they arrive. However, they must arrive before 7:40 to be served. If your child arrives after the bell, they MUST enter in the front of the building. Students will NOT be allowed entrance from the back after 7:40 a.m.

Dismissal: We will dismiss walkers at 2:43 and Car Riders will head to the cafeteria at 2:45. Parents will need to be in the car line with your child’s car tag VISIBLE so the teacher on duty can radio into the cafeteria for your child. Please stop at the stop sign and wait for your child to be loaded by

a teacher. Never leave your car unattended.

Change of dismissal: If your child has a change in transportation, PLEASE send a note to school with them in the morning or e-mail me at bdunning@dentonisd.org. Please note that if you send an e-mail after lunch, I may not see it before school lets out, so you may also want to call the front office at 972-347-7400. NOTIFICATION OF A CHANGE IN YOUR CHILD’S TRANSPORTATION NEEDS TO BE BEFORE 2PM!! Too many things are happening at the end of the day and a change after 2PM may not get to me in time. Children without notes or phone messages stating a change in transportation will be sent home their usual way.

$$Lunch Money$$ You can add money to your child's account online on the Savannah website @ http://www.dentonisd.org/Page/56582 . This is the easiest way to ensure that lunch money has made it to/from school. All you need is the students ID number to add money to their account. Feel free to visit the cafeteria on the first day of school to add money to your child’s account. Students may also bring lunch money daily as needed. I’ve provided a zipper pouch at the front of their binders for notes and or money.

Attendance: Attendance is the key to helping your child achieve. If your

child is sick, please call the Savannah office as soon as possible. You can reach them at 972-347-7400.

When they return to school, they must bring a written note explaining the reason for the absence. 3 or more consecutive days require a doctor’s note.

Savannah has started tracking loss of instruction time, so please do your best to make appointments for non-school hours.

Clothes: Please allow your child to wear comfortable clothes and shoes that can get a little dirty. We paint, and are on the floor quite a bit, so things do get a little messy from time to time. I know little girls love to wear dresses to school, so please make sure they were some shorts under them. This will enable them to participate in all activities.

o Accidents do happen, so please keep a clean outfit in your child’s backpack. I will notify you if your child has had to change clothes for one reason or another.

Lunch date with your child: You are welcome to eat lunch with your child as long as the school is not testing. Please be sure that you sign in at the office when you visit the school and wait for us on the benches near the cafeteria.

Snack: Please send a HEALTHY snack and a water bottle to school with your child on a daily basis. We will eat snack right as we return from Specials around 1:20. Examples of healthy snacks include: crackers, pretzels, animal crackers, fresh fruit or vegetables, gold fish, granola bars,

protein bars, trail mix, etc. Please DO NOT send cookies, chips, or anything that needs a spoon.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS: PARENT VOLUNTEERS are a tremendous help at Savannah. Please let me know if you are interested in helping around the school or in the classroom. A criminal background check must be completed and cleared at the office before volunteering at the school or on Field Trips.

ROOM MOTHER: Room Mothers are a tremendous help to the classroom. The room mothers will be responsible for helping out during parties and other important events that happen throughout the year. If you are interested in becoming a room mother please let me know.

Visitors: Visitors are required to check in at the office before coming to the classroom during the day.

School Spirit Friday’: Savannah colors are BLUE and ORANGE. Students are encouraged to wear their school colors on Fridays to promote school spirit. You can purchase Gator Wear T-shirts from the P.T.A.!

Birthday’s and Parties: Please notify me in advance if you plan on bringing treats for your child’s birthday. It is a school rule that I have to notify the office before the treats can be sent to the classroom. I will serve the treats during our recess time or end of the day. We will also be having three class parties this year: Christmas, Valentine’s, and End of the Year. If you would like to help please let me know.

Birthday Invitations: If your child is having a party and you want me to pass out invitations, please make sure that EACH CHILD IN OUR CLASS is invited so that no feelings are hurt. If you do not wish for each child to be invited, please arrange for another way to pass our invitations. THANKS

Medication: Teachers are not allowed to give any medications to students. Medicine must be taken to the office in a clearly marked prescription bottle for the nurse to administer. Please check with the school nurse if you have any other questions.

Tuesday Folders: Every Tuesday, I will send home a blue folder which will contain your child’s work, as well as, other information that is given to us to send home. Please empty and return this folder with your child the next day. If you are interested in helping with Tuesday Folders, please let me know.

“Whale” binders: Your child will be bringing home a “Whale” binder each day. This binder will go home every day, and needs to come to back to school every morning. Please look through it each night, and take out any papers. I TRY to grade papers on a nightly basis so I can meet with your child first thing the next morning to correct any misunderstandings

that he/she might have. Graded papers from the week that can be kept at home will be located in the back of the binder. If I need you to help your child at home, I’ll place the work in the front pocket of the binder. This is also where I will place any Growth Plans that need to be signed and returned.

o The binders will also contain your child’s conduct sheet for the day, and his / her reading log. Please discuss this with your child daily. The conduct sheet and their homework sheet should be initialed daily.

o Sight word lists will be located in the back of your child’s binder next to the reading log. More information on this is located in the HOMEWORK portion of this handbook.

Keeping you Informed: New this year… I will be e-mailing a weekly on Mondays. Please read it because it will inform you about what we are focusing on for the week, as well as any special reminders. Please let me know if you need a hard copy each week.

Report Cards: Your child will receive a report card starting the second six weeks of school. A scheduled parent/teacher conference is required at the end of the first six weeks. You will keep the Report Card and sign and return the envelope by the next day.

Book Orders: I will be sending home book orders frequently throughout the year. This is an inexpensive way to add to your child’s home library. You can order and pay online using our class code that will be sent home later in the year. You may also send a check or money order. Please make all checks and/or money orders payable to the book company. Do not send cash!!

Lost Guided Reading Books: Once I assess Reading Levels, I will begin sending home guided reading books. You will need to sign your child’s Reading Log each night, and return their books daily. Any lost books will cost $15.00 since we have to replace the whole set of books. Thanks so much for your help!

~ Do not hesitate to call or send me a note if you have any problems or questions. I can also be reached by e-mail. By working together, we can make this a great year for your child!!

Homework Schedule!! Sight Word Lists

Each child will have a Sight Word List in their binder. Please have your child practice these words. You can check your child’s

newsletter to see which words we will be focusing on that week. Your child should be able to read the sight word and spell them. Sight words will help your child build fluency once they begin bringing home their guided reading books. Please remember to leave your child’s Sight Word list in their binders.

Math A Math Homework Calendar will be sent home at the beginning

of each month. Students are responsible for completing the daily assignment on the corresponding recording sheet which will be sent home at the beginning of each week. Due to busy schedules, I will not collect math homework until Friday, this way if your child has soccer, football, baseball, scouts, church, etc. and can’t do their homework that night, they can make it up on another day, just as long as all work is completed by Friday.

PARENTS: MATH HAS CHANGED SINCE YOU AND I WENT TO SCHOOL! I try to put helpful hints at the bottom of the calendars, but if you do not understand what we are asking your child to do…that’s ok! Just send me a note or call me and I’ll explain it to you.

HandwritingWe will not have handwriting homework; however, it is very

important. Please reinforce that letters need to start at the top and pull down or they start at the top and curve to the left.

ReadingStudents will eventually have a folder, which will contain guided

reading book and an information sheet. The information sheet is a communication tool between you and I. It will let you know which book I gave your child and what I’d like you to practice with them. After you have read with your child, remember to sign the Reading Log, located inside of your child’s binder.

Once again, please let me know if you have any questions. I’m not only here to help your child, but I’m here to help you as well. Together we can ensure your child’s Road to Success is smooth and not full

of bumps.