MRS. SCHULTZ
WELCOMES YOU TO
1st GRADE
Bryden Elementary School
2013-2014
djs@beachwoodschools.org
(216) 831-3933
Dear Parents and Guardians:
I would like to welcome all of you to 1st Grade at Bryden Elementary School! I
hope that you enjoyed your summer and that you are ready for the new school
year. My name is Dana Schultz and I am thrilled to be your son/daughter’s first
grade teacher for the 2013-2014 school year!
I want to tell you a little bit about myself…I grew up in Orange. I have 3 older
brothers- all wrestlers. I always seemed to be the “4th” one when they had to
partner up to learn new moves from my dad, who was a wrestling coach.
Needless to say, my mom was not very happy when I walked around with
stitches, sprained arms, and black eyes instead of frilly dresses. However, I
finally grew up and decided NOT to become a pro wrestler but a teacher! I
think I finally made her happy, along with everyone else, including myself!  I
earned my Bachelors Degrees from Ohio State University. I earned my Master’s
Degree from John Carroll University. I have 2 children. My son, Jake is a
senior in high school. My daughter, Rachael, is a freshman. When I leave for
work in the morning, it is so weird to me that they are leaving- TOGETHER- in
the same car and going to the same school. I can’t get over it.
Although some of you may not have heard of me before, and I seem to be the
“new” teacher because I am new to Bryden, I want you to know this is not my
first year teaching. I am way too old for that! This is my 7th year teaching in
Beachwood (I was at Hilltop teaching 4th grade), and it is my 22nd year teaching
overall. I taught for 15 years prior to this in the South Euclid- Lyndhurst City
School District. I look forward to incorporating my various experiences and my
diverse background knowledge to make this year fun, productive, and
successful!
I am going to briefly go over an outline of our classroom expectations and the
focus of our first grade curriculum. This year I will be devoted to ensuring that
all students are not only gaining the necessary skills in first grade, but that they
are maturing into responsible students. Embedded in the curriculum you will
see students acquire organizational skills as well as necessary social skills.
If you ever have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me, or
send a note. You can email me at djs@beachwoodschools.org. I am always happy
to talk to the families of my students. You are the most important people in
their lives. Let’s work together to ensure your child gets everything he/she
needs to be successful this year! I look forward to working with you.
The Stars of Room 107
*Faisal Alqadi
*Sydney Anderson
*Mariah Cox
*Alex Eisengart
*Madison Gray
*Carol Huang
*Max Jacobs
*Kanta Kawade
*Gina Lee
*Molly Lewis
*Lilly Margolis
*Osita Ogor
*Ian Pedraza-Mayorga
*Emma Penney
*Arpith Prasad
*Amber Rogers
*Mia Shcherbakov
*Desmond Thatcher
*Emma Wang
*William Wang
*Jaycob Zabell
Classroom Expectations
As a whole class we have agreed on our classroom rules. We discussed
for a few days, the importance of Respecting Ourselves, Respecting
Each Other, and Respecting the Environment- inside and outside. We
talked about what that means exactly and the students gave me the
examples and decided which categories they fell under. We decided
these would be our classroom rules. We then discussed the importance
of a promise and what an “oath” is. So we all raised our right hands
(the other right hand- no the other one… haha) and we pledge an oath
to follow the rules they came up with regarding respect. Next the
students each signed the posters which state the rules, and they know
this means they agree to follow all of the rules. Following these rules
will allow safe and fun learning to occur.
Consequences of Inappropriate behavior
First offense- Verbal reminder to the student
Second Offense- Removal from activity and observe
Third Offense- Loss of privilege
Fourth Offense- Time at the BUDDY CLASSROOM
Fifth Offense- Referral to the principal/guidance counselor.
***This set of consequences is aligned with the Bryden Behavior Plan
implemented by Mrs. Miller**
Reinforcements of Positive Behavior
LOTS AND LOTS of verbal praise, prize box, notes and phone calls
home, extra computer time, etc. Students need to be recognized for
their good behavior. Positive behavior will be monitored by the
classroom teacher. It is under the teacher’s discretion what is
considered good behavior (helping another student, working quietly,
taking turns, etc.).
Homework Policy
Students have a RED Home Folder that they will bring home everyday.
PLEASE check this folder nightly. Their homework will come home in this folder
each night, along with any handouts or important information you may need to see.
Anything that is already graded or is a notice for you, please empty. Send back to
school the homework as well as any notes or lunch money, or anything that I may
need to see. Also, in their Home Folder will be their Assignment Sheet that
requires parent initials. Each night a guardian or parent is to initial the assignment
sheet to confirm that they are aware of the student’s homework. The teacher will
check each day for completed assignments and parent initials. If a student did not
bring back his/her homework and initialed homework sheet he/she will be warned
the first time, but if a student forgets 3 times a phone will be made or an email
will be sent to the parents/guardians.
Homework will only be given when necessary under the discretion of the
teacher. It is a way for the students to practice what has been learned in class.
Homework should not take more than 20-30 minutes a night. Please feel free to
guide or help your child with homework, but if a student cannot complete the work
please do not complete the homework for them. If a student is struggling with
homework please make a note on his/her homework sheet and I will re-teach or
provide a substitute assignment/activity for that assignment. It may also be
beneficial to monitor when and where a student completes his/her homework (desk,
table, study, etc).
**Most likely homework will consist of a math paper each night, and a 10 minute
reading log to complete.**
•Homework is like the Three Bears:
–Some say there is too little– Some say there is too much–
Some say it is just right
Website:
Please don’t forget to check my website. I will update it with information about
the classroom as well as school events, etc. I will also send out mass emails to the
class as I have already been doing- so if you have not been receiving them, make
sure you let me know because I must have an incorrect email address. I send them
BCC so your email addresses will not be sent out to everyone.
Specials Schedule
***Please double check with your child the night before to make sure
they are wearing tennis shoes for P.E. and are returning their books for
Library.***
Monday-
MUSIC and P.E.
Tuesday-
LIBRARY, MUSIC, AND P.E.
Wednesday-
SCIENCE LAB
Thursday-
ART
Friday-
TECHNOLOGY LAB
Every day
Recess-
11:40-12:10
Lunch-
12:10-12:40
**PACK EXTRA CLOTHES- just in case of some type of accident or it is wet or
muddy outside.**
Curriculum
Below is a brief outline of the subjects taught and time frame spent on each
subject throughout each week.
Literacy 120 minutes/day (Reading, Genre, Phonics, Comprehension Strategy,
Comprehension Skill, Vocabulary, Grammar, Handwriting, Spelling)
We will be using Scott Foresman Reading Street, which includes a
whole class literacy lesson and allows students to break up into small
reading groups according to their reading level. However, we will all
be consistent with comprehension strategies and skills (such as main
idea, plot, setting, etc).
In the beginning of the week, all students will be assigned spelling
words. These words will follow a pattern and will be seen and used
during our reading lessons and in the reading books. Please practice
the words each night as the students will be tested on Friday and will
also be also encouraged to use these words in their daily writing
journals.
We will introduce an online practice site as well. It is called Spelling
City.
The words will be downloaded on Monday and there will be
activities to use, if you should choose, for practice throughout the
week. A letter will come home with an explanation when it gets closer
to the time to use this wonderful tool.
Math- 45 minutes-1 hour/ day
We will be using a program called My Math. This program is aligned
with the New Common Core Standards. Math time will incorporate
centers, utilizing manipulatives, and connecting math to real world
situations. Students will have an enrichment folder that includes
vocabulary cards, whole class lessons, assessments, independent
practice, and challenge booklets. This is my “I’m NOT done, I’ve only
JUST begun” file folder. Homework will be torn out and taken home
daily or under the teacher’s discretion.
Science- 40 minutes twice a week with at least once a week in the science
lab. Topics include Matter; Sun, Energy, and Weather; Motion and Materials;
and Living Things.
Social Studies- 40 minutes twice a week-covering rules, citizenship,
geography (cities, state), address, and map skills.
*Guidance- sessions will take place throughout the course of the year. Mr.
Starzyk will be giving 30 minute sessions
Snack/ Water Bottle
Students are allowed to have a snack in the morning. Please send your child with a
small healthy snack. Students are not to bring in foods that have peanuts or tree
nuts of any sort. Students are also not allowed to share their snacks with other
students in the classroom.
Students may also bring in a water bottle. If you send a student to school with a
water bottle please make sure that it is closed. Water bottles are kept under each
student’s desk and will be sent home periodically for cleaning.
Birthday Celebrations
Below are the dates for Birthday Celebrations and the month of each student’s
birthday. A contact list will be sent so parents can contact one another and
coordinate a treat for the class. Celebrations will take place on Friday of the day
indicated below during lunch- in the lunchroom. We have 21 students. Please
remember not to send anything that contains tree/nuts or peanuts.
August/September-Sept. 13th
January- Jan. 10th
October- Oct. 4th
February/March-Feb7th /Mar 7th
November- Nov. 1nst
April-April 4th
December-Dec 6th
May/June/July-May 9h
Reading With Your Child
When You Think You’re Done, You’ve Just Begun!
Get the conversation started!!
After enjoying a book with your child, whether he reads to
you, or you read to him, continue the experience by asking:
* What did you notice about the story?
* Does this book remind you of
anything?
* What have you been wondering as
you read?
* Does this book make you think of
anything else you’ve read?
* What was your favorite part?
• Were there any parts that surprised
you?
•What are you going to read next?
•Adapted from Johnson and Keier,“Catching Readers Before They Fall”
• Graphics by Thistle Girl