General Classroom Information
Welcome to Room 304! I’m very excited to work with you and your child this year. This will be year of much growth and many changes. I will do all that I can to help your child progress. We will need to work together to help your child become a responsible student this year.
Questions often arise at the beginning of a new school year about procedures, schedules, supplies, etc. The following information is an attempt to address some of the most frequently expressed procedural concerns.
My Contact Information:
Mrs. Michelle Folden
E-mail: [email protected]
Wilkerson Phone Number: 586-825-2550
*My Room Ext.: 55304
School Website: http://www.wcs.k12.mi.us/wilkerson/
Class Website: www.mrsfolden.weebly.com
*Please Note-During school hours my classroom phone does not ring; it will go straight to voice mail. I don’t always have time to listen to messages during the school day. Please leave important messages that need to get to your child with the office (i.e. don’t take the bus home, or go to latchkey after school).
We try to keep the daily classroom interruptions to a minimum, so please be sure that your child leaves the house prepared for school (lunch, backpack, notes, and homework). Also, PLEASE be sure that your child knows how he/she is getting home from school each day.
REMIND (text alert)
Sign up for my text reminders! text: @mrsfoldens to 81010.
You can opt-out of messages at anytime by replying, “unsubscribe @mrsfoldens”
ENTRY AND DISSMISAL:
Our class will be using the front doors. It’s a good idea to pick a meeting spot, the front door area gets very crowded.
MONEY:
Any time your child brings money to school for field trips, lunch, book orders or other collections, please put it in a well-marked envelope or Ziploc baggie with your child’s name, function of the money as well as my name and/or room number. If it should be dropped or misplaced, it can be returned quickly.
SNACKS: ROOM 304 IS A NUT-FREE CLASSROOM.
We have a long morning. We go to recess at 12:00 and lunch at 12:25. I have encouraged the students to eat breakfast even if they really don’t feel like it. We will make time for a snack each day mid-morning. I ask that the snacks be nutritious and easy for the students to handle. Due to allergies we have limited the types of snacks your child can bring in. Some suggestions for simple and nutritious snacks including fresh fruit (apples, bananas, grapes, oranges, plums, nectarines, blueberries, strawberries, pears), veggies (celery, carrots, spinach, cucumbers, sugar snap peas) raisins, dried cranberries, dried cherries, craisins, yogurt or cheese sticks.
I allow students to bring a water bottle (with a sports cap) to school. This way your child can stay hydrated all day without waiting in drinking fountain lines. Only water is allowed in these bottles. No juice, pop, milk, or sports drinks. If there is a spill these liquids cause a sticky mess and often stains.
LUNCH:
Please try to help your child know whether or not he/she is eating hot lunch, salad bar, or cold lunch each day. Be sure to send the lunch or money with your child.
***PREpaid lunches are recommended. You can send prepaid lunch money in an envelope marked “Prepaid Lunch Money” with your child’s name on it. You can also add money to your child’s account on-line. If you choose to send in money daily please make sure it is in an envelope/baggie with your child’s name and room on it.
BLUE HOME-SCHOOL FOLDERS and COMMUNICATION JOURNALS:
Last week your child brought home information in a “shiny blue” folder. This blue folder needs to be brought home each day and returned to school the following day. It will be used as a communication tool between parent and teacher. If you have an important note for me, it is best for you to slide it in the front pocket so that I will see it quickly. Enclosed in this folder will be your child’s COMMUNICATION JOURNAL or C.J. The students use their Communication journal (C.J.) as a tool to recall information, work on writing skills, develop concepts further, and much more. Parents, you will see this as a springboard for conversation about your child’s busy day.
Please read your son/daughter’s CJ each night and sign your name/initials somewhere on the page so that I know you’ve seen it. Also, please feel free to write your child notes of encouragement or reminders should the need arise. We will use these at both the beginning and end of each day.
COMMUNICATION:
A newsletter will come home at the beginning of each week and will also be posted on the website. Current and upcoming events and activities will be discussed.
SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB:
Students will have the opportunity to order books at reduced rates through Scholastic Book Club. Book orders will be sent home periodically. If you choose to order books, please make checks payable to the book club (listed on the order form). You may also order books on-line and pay with a credit card.
STAR OF THE WEEK:
When it’s your child’s turn to be “Star of the Week,” they will be given a poster to decorate on Friday and share with the class on Monday. A note will go home with the poster explaining what your child will need to bring to school throughout the week. I also give them a few added responsibilities. J
BIRTHDAYS:
All students look forward to celebrating their birthdays. Birthday treats must be delivered in the morning before lunch and packaged to be passed out easily. We have 26 students in our class this year. Children with summer birthdays will celebrate in June.
REMINDER!! PLEASE NO NUT OR PEANUT PRODUCTS.
Good: Cookies
Better: prepackaged healthier snacks like Goldfish, pretzels, fruit bars, fruit snacks, cheese sticks
Best: Pencils, erasers, stickers etc. (these must me individually packaged for each student because they will be sent some in the students’ backpacks at the end of the day), or choose a special activity in your honor (i.e. recess, free time, indoor game).
Please DO NOT SEND IN: Cupcakes with frosting, Drinks, Sheet Cakes or any treats that need to be cut, Pizza, Frozen Treats, Refrigerated Treats
BEHAVIOR:
Our classroom room rules are simple:
· Positive Attitude
· Always be Safe
· Will be Responsible
· Show Respect
We practice and celebrate the Life Skills / Life Long Guidelines in our room.
CLASS DOJO:
This year we will be using Class Dojo as part of our classroom management system. Students earn points for positive behaviors and lose points for negative behaviors. This program is on line and you can check your child’s progress by logging in with the code you receive at Meet the Teacher Night. Points earned will help students earn prizes and privileges.
If your child comes home with a poor behavior note or I need to call home, please help your child understand the serious nature of their behavior.
Life skills and Lifelong Guidelines: We will concentrate (as a school) on one Life Skill for two weeks. Children will be selected and honored if they show examples of the Life Skills. The Life Skills and Lifelong Guidelines are incorporated into our classroom guidelines and rules.
Life Skills
(Susan Kovalik & Associates)
Lifelong Guidelines
Truthfulness, Trustworthiness, Active Listening, No Put-Downs, and Personal Best
Life Skills: (that make up Personal Best.)
· Integrity- To act according to what’s right and wrong.
· Initiative- To do something because it needs to be done.
· Flexibility- The ability to alter plans when necessary.
· Perseverance- To keep at it.
· Organization- To work in an orderly way.
· Sense of Humor- To laugh & be playful without hurting others.
· Effort- To do your best.
· Common Sense- To think it through.
· Problem Solving- To seek solutions.
· Responsibility- To be accountable for one’s actions.
· Patience- To wait calmly.
· Friendship- To make and keep a friend through mutual trust and caring.
· Curiosity- To investigate and seek understanding.
· Cooperation- To work together toward a common goal or purpose.
· Caring- To show/feel concern for others.
· Courage- To act according to one’s beliefs.
· Pride- Satisfaction from doing your Personal Best.
The behavior guidelines for our learning environment are based on clearly defined procedures which are meant to ensure student safety and happiness.
HOMEWORK:
Starting in October, activity bags will come home each Thursday. The bag will include activities for literacy and math. Your child will be responsible for bringing it home and returning it, and the borrowed contents, the following Thursday. Some materials such as student-made books, are yours to keep. I know that each child is different and after-school activities vary from family to family, so please do as much as you are able to do when you can do it. It may not be feasible for you to complete both tasks with your child each night. Do what you and your child can handle. Talk with your child about his/her Communication Journal each night, read to them and with them. Engage in other games and activities that will enhance our units of study. Two types of activities will be included in your child’s TAKE-HOME BAG:
Literacy- Every Thursday your child will bring home 1-3 books at his/her reading level. Help your child to read and re-read these books. Re-reading books works on the very difficult task of fluency in a non-threatening way. Although short in length, these books are costly. There will be a charge for books lost, damaged, or not returned. These leveled books are chosen specifically to meet the needs of your child.
Math- Every Thursday your child will receive a new math activity to complete at home. Again, please engage in the activity more than once to develop your child’s deep understanding of mathematical concepts. Find real-world connections and engage in other activities that you believe will enhance our current topic.
First Grade Grading Scale:
100-85% - Mastery
84-70% - Developing Mastery
69-60% - Basic Understanding
59-50% - Incomplete Understanding
Social Studies:
-Identify good citizenship through the lifeskills and lifelong guidelines
-Analyze families and communities
-Learn basic map skills
Science:
-Weather Watchers
-Explore and Sort Objects based on common characteristics
-An Animal's Life
CLASSROOM VOLUNTEERS
Yes! I will need help! Please fill out the Volunteer survey and return it to school as soon as possible. I will be needing volunteers to help with small groups during our Literacy Block each afternoon from 1:30-3:00. This year I will also be needing volunteers to help with classroom parties and copying, stapling, laminating, etc. I appreciate the help and will let you know when it is needed.
In order to be a school/classroom volunteer a completed background check form and a copy of your driver’s license must be turned into the office each year. This year you also have to complete a video training.
PARENT COMMUNICATION
We are a team. Please drop me a note or email if you have any concerns. Likewise, you will receive a note or call if a problem develops. The best way to communicate with me is email: [email protected] or 586-285-2550 ex 55304.
CLASSROOM WEBSITE
Please visit our classroom website. I will be posting newsletters, pictures and events throughout the school year. www.mrsfolden.weebly.com
Thank you very much for your time and support. I look forward to working with you and your child. I know it will be a fun filled year of learning. I hope you found this information helpful.
Mrs. Michelle Folden
[email protected]
586-825-2550 x55304
Welcome to Room 304! I’m very excited to work with you and your child this year. This will be year of much growth and many changes. I will do all that I can to help your child progress. We will need to work together to help your child become a responsible student this year.
Questions often arise at the beginning of a new school year about procedures, schedules, supplies, etc. The following information is an attempt to address some of the most frequently expressed procedural concerns.
My Contact Information:
Mrs. Michelle Folden
E-mail: [email protected]
Wilkerson Phone Number: 586-825-2550
*My Room Ext.: 55304
School Website: http://www.wcs.k12.mi.us/wilkerson/
Class Website: www.mrsfolden.weebly.com
*Please Note-During school hours my classroom phone does not ring; it will go straight to voice mail. I don’t always have time to listen to messages during the school day. Please leave important messages that need to get to your child with the office (i.e. don’t take the bus home, or go to latchkey after school).
We try to keep the daily classroom interruptions to a minimum, so please be sure that your child leaves the house prepared for school (lunch, backpack, notes, and homework). Also, PLEASE be sure that your child knows how he/she is getting home from school each day.
REMIND (text alert)
Sign up for my text reminders! text: @mrsfoldens to 81010.
You can opt-out of messages at anytime by replying, “unsubscribe @mrsfoldens”
ENTRY AND DISSMISAL:
Our class will be using the front doors. It’s a good idea to pick a meeting spot, the front door area gets very crowded.
MONEY:
Any time your child brings money to school for field trips, lunch, book orders or other collections, please put it in a well-marked envelope or Ziploc baggie with your child’s name, function of the money as well as my name and/or room number. If it should be dropped or misplaced, it can be returned quickly.
SNACKS: ROOM 304 IS A NUT-FREE CLASSROOM.
We have a long morning. We go to recess at 12:00 and lunch at 12:25. I have encouraged the students to eat breakfast even if they really don’t feel like it. We will make time for a snack each day mid-morning. I ask that the snacks be nutritious and easy for the students to handle. Due to allergies we have limited the types of snacks your child can bring in. Some suggestions for simple and nutritious snacks including fresh fruit (apples, bananas, grapes, oranges, plums, nectarines, blueberries, strawberries, pears), veggies (celery, carrots, spinach, cucumbers, sugar snap peas) raisins, dried cranberries, dried cherries, craisins, yogurt or cheese sticks.
I allow students to bring a water bottle (with a sports cap) to school. This way your child can stay hydrated all day without waiting in drinking fountain lines. Only water is allowed in these bottles. No juice, pop, milk, or sports drinks. If there is a spill these liquids cause a sticky mess and often stains.
LUNCH:
Please try to help your child know whether or not he/she is eating hot lunch, salad bar, or cold lunch each day. Be sure to send the lunch or money with your child.
***PREpaid lunches are recommended. You can send prepaid lunch money in an envelope marked “Prepaid Lunch Money” with your child’s name on it. You can also add money to your child’s account on-line. If you choose to send in money daily please make sure it is in an envelope/baggie with your child’s name and room on it.
BLUE HOME-SCHOOL FOLDERS and COMMUNICATION JOURNALS:
Last week your child brought home information in a “shiny blue” folder. This blue folder needs to be brought home each day and returned to school the following day. It will be used as a communication tool between parent and teacher. If you have an important note for me, it is best for you to slide it in the front pocket so that I will see it quickly. Enclosed in this folder will be your child’s COMMUNICATION JOURNAL or C.J. The students use their Communication journal (C.J.) as a tool to recall information, work on writing skills, develop concepts further, and much more. Parents, you will see this as a springboard for conversation about your child’s busy day.
Please read your son/daughter’s CJ each night and sign your name/initials somewhere on the page so that I know you’ve seen it. Also, please feel free to write your child notes of encouragement or reminders should the need arise. We will use these at both the beginning and end of each day.
COMMUNICATION:
A newsletter will come home at the beginning of each week and will also be posted on the website. Current and upcoming events and activities will be discussed.
SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB:
Students will have the opportunity to order books at reduced rates through Scholastic Book Club. Book orders will be sent home periodically. If you choose to order books, please make checks payable to the book club (listed on the order form). You may also order books on-line and pay with a credit card.
STAR OF THE WEEK:
When it’s your child’s turn to be “Star of the Week,” they will be given a poster to decorate on Friday and share with the class on Monday. A note will go home with the poster explaining what your child will need to bring to school throughout the week. I also give them a few added responsibilities. J
BIRTHDAYS:
All students look forward to celebrating their birthdays. Birthday treats must be delivered in the morning before lunch and packaged to be passed out easily. We have 26 students in our class this year. Children with summer birthdays will celebrate in June.
REMINDER!! PLEASE NO NUT OR PEANUT PRODUCTS.
Good: Cookies
Better: prepackaged healthier snacks like Goldfish, pretzels, fruit bars, fruit snacks, cheese sticks
Best: Pencils, erasers, stickers etc. (these must me individually packaged for each student because they will be sent some in the students’ backpacks at the end of the day), or choose a special activity in your honor (i.e. recess, free time, indoor game).
Please DO NOT SEND IN: Cupcakes with frosting, Drinks, Sheet Cakes or any treats that need to be cut, Pizza, Frozen Treats, Refrigerated Treats
BEHAVIOR:
Our classroom room rules are simple:
· Positive Attitude
· Always be Safe
· Will be Responsible
· Show Respect
We practice and celebrate the Life Skills / Life Long Guidelines in our room.
CLASS DOJO:
This year we will be using Class Dojo as part of our classroom management system. Students earn points for positive behaviors and lose points for negative behaviors. This program is on line and you can check your child’s progress by logging in with the code you receive at Meet the Teacher Night. Points earned will help students earn prizes and privileges.
If your child comes home with a poor behavior note or I need to call home, please help your child understand the serious nature of their behavior.
Life skills and Lifelong Guidelines: We will concentrate (as a school) on one Life Skill for two weeks. Children will be selected and honored if they show examples of the Life Skills. The Life Skills and Lifelong Guidelines are incorporated into our classroom guidelines and rules.
Life Skills
(Susan Kovalik & Associates)
Lifelong Guidelines
Truthfulness, Trustworthiness, Active Listening, No Put-Downs, and Personal Best
Life Skills: (that make up Personal Best.)
· Integrity- To act according to what’s right and wrong.
· Initiative- To do something because it needs to be done.
· Flexibility- The ability to alter plans when necessary.
· Perseverance- To keep at it.
· Organization- To work in an orderly way.
· Sense of Humor- To laugh & be playful without hurting others.
· Effort- To do your best.
· Common Sense- To think it through.
· Problem Solving- To seek solutions.
· Responsibility- To be accountable for one’s actions.
· Patience- To wait calmly.
· Friendship- To make and keep a friend through mutual trust and caring.
· Curiosity- To investigate and seek understanding.
· Cooperation- To work together toward a common goal or purpose.
· Caring- To show/feel concern for others.
· Courage- To act according to one’s beliefs.
· Pride- Satisfaction from doing your Personal Best.
The behavior guidelines for our learning environment are based on clearly defined procedures which are meant to ensure student safety and happiness.
HOMEWORK:
Starting in October, activity bags will come home each Thursday. The bag will include activities for literacy and math. Your child will be responsible for bringing it home and returning it, and the borrowed contents, the following Thursday. Some materials such as student-made books, are yours to keep. I know that each child is different and after-school activities vary from family to family, so please do as much as you are able to do when you can do it. It may not be feasible for you to complete both tasks with your child each night. Do what you and your child can handle. Talk with your child about his/her Communication Journal each night, read to them and with them. Engage in other games and activities that will enhance our units of study. Two types of activities will be included in your child’s TAKE-HOME BAG:
Literacy- Every Thursday your child will bring home 1-3 books at his/her reading level. Help your child to read and re-read these books. Re-reading books works on the very difficult task of fluency in a non-threatening way. Although short in length, these books are costly. There will be a charge for books lost, damaged, or not returned. These leveled books are chosen specifically to meet the needs of your child.
Math- Every Thursday your child will receive a new math activity to complete at home. Again, please engage in the activity more than once to develop your child’s deep understanding of mathematical concepts. Find real-world connections and engage in other activities that you believe will enhance our current topic.
First Grade Grading Scale:
100-85% - Mastery
84-70% - Developing Mastery
69-60% - Basic Understanding
59-50% - Incomplete Understanding
Social Studies:
-Identify good citizenship through the lifeskills and lifelong guidelines
-Analyze families and communities
-Learn basic map skills
Science:
-Weather Watchers
-Explore and Sort Objects based on common characteristics
-An Animal's Life
CLASSROOM VOLUNTEERS
Yes! I will need help! Please fill out the Volunteer survey and return it to school as soon as possible. I will be needing volunteers to help with small groups during our Literacy Block each afternoon from 1:30-3:00. This year I will also be needing volunteers to help with classroom parties and copying, stapling, laminating, etc. I appreciate the help and will let you know when it is needed.
In order to be a school/classroom volunteer a completed background check form and a copy of your driver’s license must be turned into the office each year. This year you also have to complete a video training.
PARENT COMMUNICATION
We are a team. Please drop me a note or email if you have any concerns. Likewise, you will receive a note or call if a problem develops. The best way to communicate with me is email: [email protected] or 586-285-2550 ex 55304.
CLASSROOM WEBSITE
Please visit our classroom website. I will be posting newsletters, pictures and events throughout the school year. www.mrsfolden.weebly.com
Thank you very much for your time and support. I look forward to working with you and your child. I know it will be a fun filled year of learning. I hope you found this information helpful.
Mrs. Michelle Folden
[email protected]
586-825-2550 x55304