Ms. Schmidt’s ABC’s
WELCOME TO 1st Grade!!!!
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your
child to our class. I am looking forward to a wonderful year of learning
together! 1st grade is an exciting time as children embark upon new
adventures in the world of learning.
My fellow 1st grade teachers and I are truly blessed to be given
this opportunity to get to know you and your child. It is our desire to
instill a love of learning that will last throughout your child's years of
schooling. I understand that you and your child may meet this day with
excitement or apprehension (or a little of both), and I hope that this
handbook will help you to know what to expect in 1st grade this year,
and answer any questions you may have.
I am looking forward to establishing the best possible learning
environment for your child, helping them to achieve their full potential.
Each child will progress at their own rate, acquiring skills as they are
developmentally ready. Maintaining each child's self-esteem and
building a secure foundation for future growth will always remain a
priority in our 1st grade at Heritage Trails. With teamwork and
cooperation among parents, teachers, and students, we will have a
successful year!
Love,
Ms. Schmidt 
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A
Absences/Attendance-Your child's regular and punctual attendance at
school is crucial to their success. They need to be in school all day and
every day. I can't emphasize this point enough! Most 1st grade
learning activities are small group oriented and involve explicit
instruction. Therefore, it is next to impossible to make up all work at
home. Interaction with classmates promotes social growth and
learning, and we need all of our class friends at school daily! Please
view school as a priority (schedule appointments or trips after school
hours, or during breaks). In case of illness or emergency please send a
written and dated excuse for absence within two school days after
returning to school. If you know your child is going to be absent please
contact the office by9:15 a.m. If you do not report the absence to the
office you will be contacted by the district automated dialer.
ABSENCES WITHOUT NOTES WILL BE CODED UNEXCUSED (review
student handbook). Your child is only allowed 5 unexcused absences
per 9 weeks. If a child arrives late or needs to leave school early, you
must sign in/out at the school office BEFORE coming to the classroom.
Breakfast will begin at 8:45 a.m. If your child arrives before the first
bell at 9:05 a.m. they will need to wait in the cafeteria until a 1st grade
teacher escorts them to their classroom. If your child arrives after
9:05 a.m. they may go on to their own classroom on their own. The last
bell rings at 9:15 a.m. Your child will be counted tardy after the last
bell.
Accelerated Reader- The Accelerated Reader program is a program in
which students read books and take computerized tests over those
books to assess their comprehension. The students earn points for the
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tests and will be required each month to earn a minimum number of
points. The purpose of the Accelerated Reader program is to improve
students' comprehension skills, fluency, and increase their desire to
read. It also gives me feedback on your child's reading level. Please
send the book they are going to take a test on with your child. This
will help us make sure we are taking the test on the right book. In the
beginning it is okay for your child to take tests over books you have
read to them, but as the year progresses we will want to see your child
reading more and more books on their level and taking tests over those
books. Awards information for the end of the year for A.R. will come
home at a later date.
Alphabet Knowledge-In 1st grade, we will review both upper and
lowercase letters of the alphabet as well as the letter sounds and then
we will delve deeper into more phonics patterns ex.) long vowels,
digraphs, and dipthongs. Letter and sound recognition are key
ingredients to your child’s reading success. Please work diligently with
your child to master these skills. I will do a full letter/sound
knowledge assessment on your child. On my website you can find some
of my favorite websites for alphabet skill building.
Arrival- Because we try to encourage independence in 1st graders, we
encourage you to allow your child to come into the building alone after
the first week of school. (Once your child learns the way to our
classroom, they feel very “big” when they get to come in all by
themselves!)
Assessment-We use several instruments to assess students in 1st
grade. The Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS)
assessment is used 3 times during the year to assess your child’s
strengths and weaknesses. This assessment helps identify children atrisk for reading difficulties and helps set learning objectives and
develop instructional plans for these at-risk children.
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Report card assessments are done every nine weeks, progress reports
will be sent home periodically, and the Star Literacy and Star Early
Literacy computer-based assessments will be utilized as well. The
purpose of Star Early Literacy is to assess students' early literacy
skills in preparation for reading. The Star Literacy test identifies
student reading levels and provides student performance results.
STAR math is also given to assess students mathematical abilities.
Awards- A separate document will be coming home that will list and
explain all of the first grade awards that will be given out at the end of
the year. Once a month we do recognize outstanding students at our
Trail Mix assembly. If your child is chosen as our “Trailblazer” or
student of the month you will be notified in advance. At these
assemblies we will also recognize students who have completed all of
their first grade sight words.
B
Backpacks- Your child’s backpack should be big enough to hold a 1”
binder. Backpacks help your child carry folders, notes, projects, and
books to and from school. Please check your child’s backpack
DAILY. Please write your child’s name on his/her backpack.
Birthdays-Birthdays are a very important time in the life of a 1st
grader. Please feel free to send treats (store-bought) or goodie bags
on this day (It has become a tradition in my classroom for students to
bring birthday donuts in the mornings – the students love it! ). Please
let me know in advance, so that I may let you know how many students
are in our class at that time. You will no longer be allowed to bring
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birthday invitations to school to pass out. You may also choose to
celebrate your child’s half-birthday if they have a summer birthday or
celebrate their birthday in August or May.
Book Orders- Periodically I will send home a Scholastic Book Club
order. Ordering from Scholastic is completely optional, but it does
give you the opportunity to do two things. First, you have the chance to
order quality children's literature for your child at VERY reasonable
prices! (Some are as cheap as 99 cents!) And secondly, you get to help
us earn FREE books and materials for our classrooms! For every dollar
you spend, we earn Bonus Points that we can then use to order books
and materials for free! You also never pay sales tax or shipping and
handling. Many of the books that Scholastic offers are Accelerated
Reader books, which allows your child the opportunity to read more at
home as well as take tests on these books at school.
Ordering is very easy! There are TWO options when wanting to order
from Scholastic - Choose the way that is the most convenient for you.
Ordering through the catalog sent home:
Look through the flyer that we send home and select the items you
would like to buy. Mark those items on the order form on the back page
of the flyer. Fill in the totals and your child's name at the bottom and
cut out the order form. Put the order form and a check or money order
made payable to "Scholastic Book Clubs" (No cash, please!) in an
envelope. Seal the envelope, label it with your child's name and "Book
Order Money," and send it to school in the pencil pouch in your child’s
STAR folder. That's all there is to it!
Ordering online:
Scholastic also offers a convenient way for you to place your Book Club
orders online! After I send the flyers home just order online by the
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date I give you. The flyers are online, along with tons of additional
selection as well! Our class code is HCD8T.
Breakfast – To ensure a great start to the day, make sure your child
eats a good healthy breakfast each morning. For those who are
interested, breakfast is served beginning at 8:45 a.m. each morning.
The cost of breakfast for a child is $1.35, for an adult it is $2.00.
Please see the paragraph on lunch to learn more about meal payments.
Bus Riders–Located in your Moore Public Schools handout is a bus
contract to fill out. You can also find more information, important
safety tips, a link to the bus stop finder website, and guidelines for
bus conduct at the Transportation department’s website. Go to
www.mooreschools.com, click on departments, and then find
transportation. The transportation phone number is (405)-735-4070.
C
Calendar-A school calendar and MAPS (Music, Art, P.E.) are included in
your child’s STAR Folder. I will also update the calendar on my website
periodically as well, so check these locations frequently for
announcements of special activities taking place in the school and in
your child’s classroom.
Clothing-Please dress your child in comfortable clothing that is
appropriate for 1st grade. 1st graders are involved in activities that
require jumping, running, climbing and the like. In 1st grade, students
will be using markers, using glue, working with play dough, and other
"messy" stuff. Please select clothing that is both comfortable and
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appropriate for these activities. Moore Public Schools does have a
dress code that can be located in the Moore Public Schools Handbook.
It is a good idea to label all coats and sweaters.
Communication- I believe that your child’s success is dependent on a
partnership between school, home and the child. As a member of this
partnership, I will communicate with your family regarding classroom
events, your child’s progress, etc. If you feel the need to talk to me
the easiest way to get ahold of me is by email at
meganschmidt1@mooreschools.com or you can call the school at 7354520, send me a note in your child’s STAR folder, or write in the
communication notebook in your child’s STAR folder . I will get back
with you as soon as I can. My plan time is from 2:20-300 and
lunch/recess is from 12:10-1:00.
Computer-Your 1st grader will have computer time. 1st graders can
strengthen their reading and math skills with special programs that we
have and/or educational websites selected by the teacher. A
permission slip must be signed to use the internet. (See MPS
Parent/Student Handbook) Parent volunteers are much appreciated at
this time to help students log on, answer questions, and allow time for
me to individually assess and tutor students on certain days.
D
Daily Five – The Daily Five (read to self, read to someone, working
with words, writing, and listen to reading) is a program that puts in
place activities for students to practice reading and writing skills while
I work with individual children or small guided reading groups. Each
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component of the program may not be completed every day. We
implement these in our reading program because research has shown
the more a child practices these activities the better they will get at
them.
Discipline Policy- As you know, good behavior and learning go hand in
hand. Rules have been established to ensure your child experiences a
positive and safe learning environment. Even at the young age of 6 or 7,
children need to learn the importance of accepting responsibility for
their actions. We place more emphasis on positive behaviors than on
negative or attention seeking behaviors, by stressing the importance of
making good choices. Even so, there are times when some children will
need additional support.
In our classroom, we keep track of our behavior with a clip chart
system. This system promotes positive behavior choices and
encourages students to self-monitor behavior. Each student has a
clothespin labeled with his/her name and begins the day clipped to the
middle of the chart – “Ready to Learn.” Throughout the day, students
have the opportunity to move their clip up levels with positive behavior,
while inappropriate choices cause the clip to do down a level.
Rewards/Consequences are not issued until the end of the day, when
students no longer have the opportunity to move their clip. (Depending
on the severity of the behavior- occasionally immediate action must be
taken.)
Clip chart advantages:
 Students are acknowledged for positive behavior choices.
 Students feel a sense of accomplishment when they make good
choices and have the opportunity to clip up
 Students who have had to clip down may have the opportunity to
improve and clip up later in the day so they stay motivated to
make positive choices.
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The levels of the clip chart:
Pink – out of this world
Purple – flying high
Blue – on the right track
Green – ready to learn (all students will start out here)
Yellow – stop and think
Orange – slow down
Red – clean up your act
Colors higher than green will not necessarily be an everyday occurrence
and your child should not be upset if they do not attain it because a
green tree is still a priority, however other colors should be highly
praised! Blue, purple, and pink will be rewarded in some way in the
classroom.
If a child has difficulty following a rule or directions, he/she is first
given a verbal reminder about the correct behavior along with a
strategy for making better choices.
If the same child continues to have difficulty, he/she will be asked to
“take a break,” and if the behavior continues their clip will be moved to
yellow. “Taking a break” means that they will need to take time out at a
designated spot, where they will have to think about their actions and
ways they can do better. The child will need to stay at the designated
spot until a one-on-one conversation about the action(s) and what can
be done differently is able to occur without disturbing the rest of the
class. The child will then receive a logical consequence for the action.
If a child refuses to “take a break” their clip will automatically be
moved to red, they will be referred to the office, and parents will be
called.
Each day you will receive a behavior report in your child’s STAR folder
that will show what color your child ended on for the day. If you would
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like to comment about the tree you may write on the behavior chart or
in the parent teacher communication log. Please discuss any
difficulties with your child, initial the daily behavior chart and return
it to school each day in your child’s STAR book.
Dismissal-Dismissal begins at 3:45 for walkers and car riders. If your
child rides a bus or daycare van they will be dismissed a few minutes
apart to go wait in their specified locations until their bus or daycare
van arrives. A teacher will escort them to their pick-up area. If you
need to check your child out early please check in at the office first,
be prepared to show a photo id. Every family will be given three
placards that are to be used when a child is a car rider. Parents will
need to display the placard when they pick up their children. Anyone
without the school placard will not be able to pick up their children
unless they check them out from the office.
E
E-mail-I can be reached by e-mail at my school address
meganschmidt1@mooreschools.com
Emergency Info-At least two working phone numbers are required in
order to contact parents in case of illness or emergency. If your
contact numbers change, please inform me as well as the office staff
so that appropriate changes can be made to your child’s file.
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F
Fire Drills-Your child will participate in frequent fire drills throughout
the year. We will practice the procedures before our first fire drill so
that your child will be prepared.
Fund Raisers-Our school participates in several fund raisers
throughout the year to raise money for various things for our school.
We hope that everyone can participate, but it is not required.
G
Guidance-Our school counselor, Mrs. Lampe, will conduct classroom
guidance lessons. These sessions focus on key 1st grade issues.
H
Hawks Nest - Hawks' Nest is a before/after care program
specifically designed for kindergarten through 6th grade students at
Heritage Trails Elementary. This program not only offers a convenient
child care option for our patrons, but also features a fun, educational
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setting where our students can enjoy a variety of activities. Students
will be given opportunities to complete homework, do arts and crafts,
exercise, and have fun all under the supervision of Heritage Trails
faculty. The Hawks' Nest will be open according to the district school
schedule. The rates for Hawks' Nest are as follows:
Mornings only: $43.75 per week
Afternoons only: $50 per week
Before and after care: $85 per week
Operating Hours:
7:00-8:45 a.m.
3:50-6:00 p.m.
A non-refundable enrollment fee of $30 for the first child plus $15
for each additional child will be charged per school year. As of right
now, Hawks Nest is full and there is a lengthy waiting list.
Homework-Your child will have weekly homework and occasional home
projects. This homework will be related to our math/reading activities,
spelling words, sight words, and a monthly reading log. The homework
activities are all designed to be done with an adult. This means your
child will need your help! Please read the instructions we send with the
homework, and help your child complete it. Doing so gives you an
opportunity to see what we are doing in class, and gives your child an
opportunity to practice new skills with your help to avoid frustration
and incorrect practice! Please let us know if your child has a lot of
trouble with any of the activities we send home so that we can make
adjustments to ensure that everyone is getting the most possible out
of our 1st grade program!
Health-Please let me know of special circumstances which may affect
your child. These could include medication that may make him/her
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sleepy, a death in the family, etc. Also, please let me know of any
allergies your child may have, especially food allergies. We sometimes
have snack or food activities to complement lessons in 1st grade and it
would be helpful to know when I plan our recipes. Any medicines that
your child needs to take must not be left in their backpack to bring
into the classroom. All medications and/or inhalers need to be in a
Ziploc bag, labeled, and brought to the office. If your child needs
these medications they will need to take them in the office.
I
Illness-Please do not send your child to school if he/she has a
temperature. If your child becomes ill at school you will be called to
come and get your child. We need at least two working phone numbers
at all times to contact you.
Immunizations-All students must be immunized against certain
diseases or must present a statement that the student should not be
immunized. Please keep your child’s immunizations current.
Injuries - Bumps and bruises are a regular part of the elementary
school experience. Students will be given bags of ice, band-aids, and
other items to treat minor injuries. However, if a larger incident takes
place we will be sure to notify parents based on the phone numbers
listed on the enrollment form. Because of this procedure, it is
important to contact the school if any of your personal information
changes. Heritage Trails has a nurse on duty only one day per week, so
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it may become necessary to contact parents for advice concerning the
well-being of your child. If a parent cannot be notified, any other
numbers on the enrollment form will be used.
J
Journals-We will spend time each week writing in our journals. Writing
and reading abilities are highly correlated, so let your child write,
write, write all the time using invented spelling. Letting them do this
will help them to grow in their confidence as writers and will help them
progress beyond your wildest imaginations! Journal writing is a process
that usually begins with your child writing using their own invented
spelling. This process could start with your child writing words with
just beginning sounds, then beginning and ending sounds, to beginning,
ending, and middle sounds, with a progression to transitional spelling,
and then on into traditional spelling as they learn those skills. This
developmental process will be looked at more in depth at our first 1st
grade parent meeting. Keep in mind that all children progress at
different rates. You should see consistent growth in your child’s
writing throughout the year.
K
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L
Library- Mrs. Eckart is our amazing librarian who will periodically
teach library lessons and along with her library assistant Mrs. Linda
Arambula will assist in helping students check out books daily to take
home and read. The library will be open from 9:05-3:35 every day. We
really want to instill in your child that books are treasures! Please
encourage your child to take special care of the library books! We
suggest choosing a special spot in your house where library books will
always be kept. This way, you don't ever have to worry about losing
them! Feel free to return the library books as often as you and your
child would like as you finish each book, but re-reading is also fun and
encouraged! Your child will only be able to check out a new book if the
previous one is returned. Should a library book get lost or damaged
while it is checked out to your child, we will simply ask that you pay to
replace it before checking out another book. If this happens, we will
let you know the cost of the particular book. Check out the media
center section on the Heritage Trails website for more information.
Lunch – From the Moore Public Schools website:
www.mooreschools.com you can find quick links on the right hand side
for lunch menus, online meal paying, and an application for free and
reduced lunches. You can also navigate from that page to the
Heritage Trails website by clicking the drop down menu in the top
left hand corner that says “select a school” and then finding Heritage
Trails Elementary. We also have quick links. Parents are encouraged
to pre-pay their child’s meals by sending a check or cash to add to
their cafeteria account. Another easier option is to click the quick
link for Mealpay Plus or log on to www.mealpayplus.com and make
payments by using your credit card. You can also view your child’s
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account history (there is no fee for viewing account history), set up
auto pay, and request email alerts when the balance gets low.
Payments are accepted by phone as well at (866)-682-9274. Student
lunches are $2.50 and adult lunches are $3.25. For a full listing of
the costs of extra items go to the Heritage Trails website, under
Quick Links hit lunch/breakfast menu and then on the right hand side
of the new internet site find read more about elementary pricing. If
you have any questions you may call 735-4030 or the parent support
# is (877)-237-0946.
Your 1st grader’s lunch time is from 12:10-12:35 and recess is from
12:35-1:00. If you would like to eat lunch with your child you may do
so at the tables located in the Hawk Hangout on both sides of the
main entrance. Please check in at the office before you eat lunch
with your child.
M
Medication-If your child needs to take any medication at school please
notify the office, so the proper paperwork can be filled out. It must be
left in the office for your child in a Ziploc bag, clearly labeled with
their name. No medications should be brought to the classroom or
taken in the classroom.
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N
Newsletter-A newsletter will be sent out periodically through email
and/ or through your child’s STAR book. It will contain information
about our thematic unit, classroom activities, announcements, and
upcoming school events. Please check your email and/or your child’s
STAR book in important notes for this newsletter.
O
Outside- Your child will go outside for recess, unless the temperature
is below 40 degrees, including wind chill, above 100 degrees, including
heat index, or if there is inclement weather. Please keep this is in mind
when helping your child to select clothing for the day.
P
Parent Volunteers-Our 1st grade program could not survive without the
help of parent volunteers (or grandparent volunteers)! We can always
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use your help in our classroom! We use our parent volunteers for a wide
variety of things! If you would be interested in volunteering,
information will be coming home explaining the different ways to help
and what they entail or see Ms. Schmidt.
Parties-We will have a couple parties throughout the year. Ms.
Schmidt or our homeroom parent will contact you to either send
donations or volunteer your time to help with our celebrations.
Pictures – Twice a year the LifeTouch, company will come to take
individual pictures of your child at school. The spring pictures will be
included in the yearbook. We will also have class pictures in the spring.
Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence-Each morning we will
recite the pledge of allegiance to the United States of America, the
pledge to the State of Oklahoma, our Heritage Trails creed, and will
observe one minute of silence.
Principal/Assistant Principal – Our principal is Dr. Jason Perez and our
assistant principal is Jennifer Mankins. They work throughout the
building in order to develop relationships with the students and maintain a
strong learning environment. If you need to contact Dr. Perez or Jennifer
Mankins and they are unavailable you may leave a voice mail or message
which will be returned as soon as possible.
Progress Reports – Progress reports will go home periodically
throughout the year.
PTA-(Parent/Teacher Association) All parents are encouraged to join
the school’s PTA. I hope we get 100% membership for our classroom!!!
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Q
Questions-Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns
regarding your child’s education. I will make every effort to meet with
you and discuss your concerns.
R
Reading-Please read to your child daily and let your child read to you!!!
It is important that every 1st grader know that they can and do know
how to read using one of the three types of reading: pretend reading,
picture reading, or by reading all of the words. Reading logs will be
sent home every month for you to keep track of the number of books
that are read at home. Rewards will be given monthly and at the end of
the year for keeping track of the total number of books read.
Report Cards- We are on a nine week grading period. Your child will
receive a report card each nine weeks. After the first and third nine
weeks, I will have a scheduled conference to discuss your child’s
strengths and weaknesses. If you would like to schedule a conference
at any time other than those mandatory ones please feel free to
contact me at the school or by email anytime.
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S
Safety- Your child’s safety is top priority. I take every precaution
when your child is in my care. If you have any safety concerns
regarding your child please speak with me A.S.A.P.
Secretaries – Our fabulous secretaries are: Principals Secretary JayLynn Kooken, Office Assistant – Wendy Peterson and Office
Assistant Hailey Donaldson.
Shoes- It is very important to wear comfortable shoes. I suggest
closed toed sneakers for all of our 1st grade activities. Running around
at recess and P.E. means that flip-flops are not a good idea.
Sight Words - These are high frequency words that are repeated
often in books and print. These words will help us be more fluent
readers and writers. Your child will be assessed periodically on their
ability to fluently read the first grade sight words. We have broken up
our sight words this year into 32 different lists. Each child may take
home a different list to study due to the fact that each child may be
more fluent with certain words than others. Your child should be able
to recognize and quickly read all first sight words by the end of the
year. Please review as often as possible.
S.T.A.R. Folder – (Students Taking Awesome Responsibility) A STAR
folder packet will be coming home detailing all that this folder contains
and will be used for. It is a 1 “binder that will be used to daily
transport school-related information to you.
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T
Transportation-If your child will be going home a different way than
what I have in my files, you MUST call the school or send me a note. I
will not let your child go with another adult or a different way unless
you have notified me.
Tardies- A record of tardies is kept and is documented on your child’s
report card. Please be aware that two tardies equal one absence.
Toy Policy- In the past, there have been problems with children
bringing toys to school. Students bring them out during inappropriate
times. Sometimes, the students will only share their toys with certain
groups of friends. For these reasons, there is a "no toys from home"
policy in our class. Your child should not bring toys to school. The
exception is if I request your child bring one for an educational
activity or if they have earned the privilege. You will be notified in
writing when your child will need to bring a specific toy from home.
Tornado Drills- Your child will participate in frequent tornado drills
throughout the year. We will practice the procedures before our first
tornado drill so that your child will be prepared.
U
Units-The 1st grade year is divided into one, two, or three week theme
units of study. Look periodically for theme related activities you can
do at home on my website or in the newsletter!
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V
Visitors-We encourage visitors in our classroom, but in order to not
disrupt learning, please schedule a time to come in advance, so that I
will be expecting you. If you are volunteering, scheduling a time, will
allow me the chance to have materials ready in advance for you and not
have to take away time from my students to prepare that for you when
you come. Please make sure that you sign in at the office before you
come to the classroom.
W
Website- Our class has a website which can be accessed from the
Heritage Trails Website. Check in regularly to find information about
curriculum, special events, and school news. Go to Our Schools from
the Moore Public Schools website at www.mooreschools.com , click on
the drop down menu in the top left hand corner that says “select a
school,” choose Heritage Trails Elementary, from the Heritage Trails
home page choose our school staff and then find my name.
Wish list-Throughout the year we sometimes need supplies above and
beyond our classroom materials. These needs will be posted in the
class newsletter, outside of our classroom, and on my website. Extra
items that you think we might be able to use are always welcome!
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X
Y
Yearbook-You will have a chance to buy a yearbook in the spring. What
better way to capture those elementary years than with a Heritage
Trails yearbook?
Z
ZZZZ’s-Your child should get plenty of rest each night. It is so
important for your child to be alert and ready to learn each day. Set a
bedtime and be consistent.
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In closing, I would like to thank you for allowing me this
opportunity to work with you and your child this year. I am looking
forward to a great year! Encourage your child to discuss school
activities with you. Always talk positively about school in front of your
child. The way your child perceives your feelings about school will have
a direct effect on how they will feel about school. I am looking
forward to working with you to make sure your child starts school on a
positive note. If I can be of any assistance to you or if you have any
questions; please feel free to contact me. I appreciate your support
and anticipate a fun and successful school year.
Ms.
Schmidt 
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