Back to School Information
2015
Mrs. Koch
1st Grade
About Mrs. Koch
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Northern Virginia native
Graduate of Radford University
Taught in Fairfax County 10 years
Lives in Leesburg with her husband and
two children
Let’s have a little fun…
• I believe that learning should be fun, active,
and engaging for all children.
• Children need to be taught how to “think”,
problem solve, and justify their answers.
Learning is not just rote memorization of facts.
• Students in my class will explore and learn in a
variety of ways. They will spend very little
time on worksheets!
• Did you know…most 6 year olds are only able to sit still for 6 minutes!
First Quarter Overview
Math
• Number Concepts
• Calendar
• Patterns
• Data Collection
• Geometry and Fractions
Science
• Changes in Autumn
• Sun & Earth
• Natural Resources
First Quarter Overview Cont.
Social Studies
• Citizenship
• Rules
• Safety
• “Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow”
Literacy
Pathways Components: Shared Reading, Word Study, Read Aloud,
Guided Reading, Independent Reading, and Writer’s Workshop
Two reading assessments during first quarter:
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DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment)
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PALS (Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening)
These assessments will help us choose appropriate books for Guided
Reading Groups and find a starting point for reading instruction.
**We will discuss results during first quarter
parent-teacher conferences.**
Specials
• Art (50 minutes)
• Music (30 minutes, twice each week)
• PE (30 minutes, three times each week)
*Please have your child wear SNEAKERS on PE days (T,Th,F)
• Library (30 minutes each Tuesday)
• Guidance (45 minutes every other week)
• SEARCH (45 minutes every other week)
Enrichment program for grades K-3. Focuses on thinking skills
and encourages students’ creativity.
• Computer Lab (30 minutes each week, working with iReady)
Homework
• Beginning in October.
• Will focus on reading, comprehension
skills, and word study features
• Develops good work habits, time
management and participation
Attendance
and After-School Plans
• Please make sure that your child eats a healthy
breakfast and arrives on time each day.
Instruction begins at 7:50!
• Your child must bring a note in the morning in
order to change after-school dismissal
arrangements.
• If there are last minute (during the school day)
changes to your child’s after-school
transportation plans, please contact the office
(DO NOT RELY ON EMAIL!)
Classroom Citizenship
Every child will be expected to adhere to our
classroom expectations and is encouraged to make
responsible choices:
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Every child begins the day with the opportunity to show excellent
effort and cooperation.
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A child who is having a difficult day will be encouraged to make
positive changes and reflect on his/her behavior.
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Every child has the right to be happy and safe in school. If another
student is extremely disruptive to the well-being or safety of
others, he/she will be sent to the office.
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Mrs. Koch will communicate to parents about classroom behavior on
an as-needed basis.
Lunch
• If you wish to eat lunch with your child, please
sign in at the office and meet us in the cafeteria
at 10:35. Commercial lunch packages are not
permitted. If you wish to purchase lunch from
the cafeteria, please send me a note with your
order in the morning.
• Menus are available online and are sent home
monthly.
• Ice cream may be purchased on Fridays.
• Please discuss choices and monitor your child’s
account!
• You may send lunch money to school with your
child or pay online.
Parties and Birthdays
Class Parties
• Fall Harvest (October), Friendship
(February), End of Year (June)
• Specific dates TBA
Birthdays
• Donate a game or book to the class
• Lunch with your child
**If you are going to pass out invitations at school,
you MUST pass them out to everyone.**
Snacks
Your child will have time to eat a healthy
snack each day.
• Must be something that your child is
able to open independently and eat
within five to ten minutes
• Non-messy snacks, please!
• Water ONLY
• NO NUTS or nut products!
Communication
• Monthly School Newsletter
• Monthly First Grade Newsletter (online
on First Grade Team Page)
• Newton-Lee Thursday Envelope
• Daily Purple Take Home Folder
• E-mail: Jennifer.Koch@lcps.org
Special Activities
Star Student
Begins in October
• Star Student will bring in a poster to
share, present a mystery show and tell,
and will have a fun lunch bunch.
Field Trip
• Morven Park
(November)
Volunteer Opportunities
• Thursday Folder Volunteers (weekly)
• Literacy Center Volunteers (daily)
• Room Parents and party helpers
All parents must complete a brief training
session with Mrs. Dempsey
before becoming a regular volunteer.
(September 16th at 8:00 am)
Conferences
• Will be held for each family at the end
of the first grading period.
• First quarter progress report will be
discussed during these conferences.
• Please sign up for your conference
TONIGHT!
Newton-Lee PTO
• The PTO provides many events and resources
for teachers, students, and families.
• Please consider joining this organization to
support our school and community. The cost
of membership includes a copy of the school
directory.
• Please be sure to review all information in
your child’s first day packet and complete the
online registration for your family.