1.
Your child will be bringing home books on a daily basis.
2.
Books will come home in a red Reading folder.
3.
Inside this folder you will find: a.
A book or books that your child should read to you that night b.
An assignment notebook with today’s date at the top and one activity number, question or assignment to complete that night. (Please note that you will only be asked to complete one activity. The list of activities posted inside the folder is a guide. The assignment number written on today’s page will correspond with the number on the activities page.) Please call me if you have any questions. c.
You may at times find additional letter identification or word building activities inside. These activities were performed that day and will be review for your child.
4.
Reading folders, books and assignment notebooks must be returned to school the following day. Please take this time to listen to your child read. They will be looking to you for encouragement.

Q: What do we do if my child didn’t complete to homework on time?
A: Return it to school anyway. We will need the books during our daily lessons.
Q: What if we lose or damage a book?
A: Replacement costs are $6.00. If a book is not returned by the end of the year a bill will be sent home with your child.
Q: Why is my child bringing home easy books?
A: A book that has too many challenges is not appropriate for your child to be reading independently. Easy books are sent home to share in the celebration of reading. “Just Right” books sound smooth, yet still offer opportunities for problem solving.
Q: Where should my child be reading at in first grade?
A: First grade benchmarks are as follows; November: levels E, March: levels G and June: levels
I. However, as each child varies in learning to sit-up, walk, and talk, literacy acquisition is also dependent on the readiness of the individual. Having children read books at levels that surpass their level can cause frustration and only impede the learning process.
First grade classrooms will begin our Rebbecca Sitton’s Spelling Curriculum in October.
Each Unit will begin with a parent letter that includes current skills we are working on.
Activities will also be included in the letter for students to complete at home with a parent. These activities are important practice for securing spelling strategies and skills throughout the year. Please take time that evening to complete the tasks assigned as they will serve as preparation for or follow up for class lessons.
The D’Nealian method of handwriting is taught and practiced in District 47. Letter formation, size, and line placement is the focus of instruction in First Grade. Fine motor exercises, multi-sensory experiences, and integration of handwriting skills throughout the curriculum are ways to help your child’s written expression become more fluid and legible.

Throughout the year your child will be bringing home math Homelinks. As we introduce new skills throughout the year, your child will be asked to practice and review these skills by completing their math homework at home.
Throughout the year we will be using a number of supplies to complete each math lesson.
Please send the following Items to school by next Friday
1.
One box of zip-lock plastic bags (sandwich size or snack size)
2.
Real coins for counting money in a plastic container with tight fitting lid:
4 quarters, 10 dimes, 15 nickels, 25 pennies.
 There will be several Homelinks assignments that will ask you to bring in coins.
Please do not send any additional coins to school with your child. The above amount is all that we will need for the year.
Q: What if we are unable to complete the math page that night?
A: All that I ask is for the assignment to be discussed and completed within a few days while the skill is still fresh. Homelinks homework is an important component to the Every
Day Math Curriculum. These activities only take a short time to complete and they serve as extra practice and review of our math skills. As assignments are given on a weekly basis, the pacing is up to you, choosing what works best for your child and weekly calendar.

 Students may be dropped off at 8:35 a.m. where they will be allowed to play on the playground until the 8:50 a.m. bell rings.
 Students will sit in the auditorium on rainy days or cold weather.
 If there are any special items that need to be dropped off before school, please leave them at the office. The item will be delivered to the classroom.
 Students will be eating lunch at 11:30. A healthy breakfast will be important!
 Lunch tickets may be purchased through the lunchroom. Tickets will be displayed in the classroom where students will have opportunities to see how many days are left on their ticket. ( 10 day lunch tickets are $25, 20 day tickets are $50, milk tickets are $5.50, daily lunch is $2.50 and milk only is 55cents)
 We do have a breakfast option. Breakfast is $1.50 or $15 for a ticket
 If your child plans on buying lunch with cash, please send it to school in a plastic bag or envelope with their name on it.
 Lunch boxes must be sent to school with your child’s name on it.
 Recess games and toys are available for students to use on the playground. Please do not send any personal toys to school (dolls, game boys, playing cards, etc.).
Personal jump-ropes or balls may be brought, but we will not be responsible for lost or damaged items. These should be labeled.
 Students will be required to follow school playground rules while outside. Recess supervisors will handle any misconduct and problem solving with students. If you have concerns about your child’s social play, please feel free to send me a note, email or call to discuss your concerns.
 Please send your child dressed and ready for the weather. Hats, boots, gloves, snow pants and jackets are required in order for students to play in the snow.
 The parent/guardian of a student who is enrolled must authorize all absences from school and notify the school in advance or at the time of at the student’s absence.
A valid cause for absence includes illness, observance of a religious holiday, death in the immediate family, family emergency, other situations beyond the control of the student, other circumstances that cause reasonable concern to the

parent/guardian for the student’s safety or health, or other reason as approved by the Superintendent or designee. (School Board Policy 7:70)
 The major opportunity for learning takes place in the classroom setting, make-up work cannot be considered a substitute for direct instruction. However, in the event that a student is taken out of school for an extended period (three days or more), District 47’s guideline is as follows:
Missed class work is best addressed under the supervision of the teacher upon the return of the student. Students will be expected to complete such work in a period of time equal to that which was missed.
 Notes, e-mails, phone calls, and face-to-face conferences are all welcome ways for you and I to communicate regarding concerns and questions. Please call ahead to schedule a face-to-face conference or talk with me over the phone. If you wish to speak with your child's teacher you may call the school or use email.
Please do not use email to communicate before and after school plans for students, absences, lunch information, or any type of emergency communication. For those items you will need to call the school office at 815-
459-7114.
 My email address is jcnixon@d47.org
When emailing, please remember that due to teachers' busy schedule during the day, a response may not be immediate, however, every effort will be made to respond within 24 hours. Our District policy is to use email for work-related purposes only, so we ask that you please refrain from forwarding messages, jokes, or any other emails that don’t directly relate to your child.
 Class will take place on Tuesday Mondays and Tuesdays. Please make sure your child comes prepared that day wearing a pair of gym shoes or keeps a pair at school with dry socks.
 Your child will have an opportunity to participate in a music performance as part of
Mrs. Ladner’s Music class. The first grade performance is usually held in May.
More details will follow in the spring.

 If you are looking to get involved, there are several ways that you may help.
 I am searching for parent volunteers to help from home, in class, around the school and on field trips.
 Please sign up before you leave.
 To celebrate your child’s birthday, your child will have an opportunity to say the pledge on the announcements, receive a birthday book from the office, and a certificate and pencil in class.
 If your child’s birthday falls on a weekend or holiday break, a birthday celebration will be held on the following Monday.
 Children celebrating summer birthdays are honored in the Spring.
 Students are not to provide food (store bought or homemade) for birthday treats.
Instead of treats, students may bring in a book for the classroom, pencils, stickers, etc…
 Unless the entire class is included, please send out birthday invitations outside of the school setting.