Welcome to First Grade!

Where Learning Grows Each Day!

Mrs. Desmarais: jdesmarais@nisdtx.org 817-215-0497Ms. Feller: tfeller@nisdtx.org 817-215-0495Mrs. Hinte: bhinte@nisdtx.org 817-215-0463Mrs. Moore: kmoore@nisdtx.org 817-215-0496Ms. Scheerle: mscheerle@nisdtx.org 817-215-0499

Tonight, parents will…

• know and understand their role in the Parent Learning Community.

• know ways they can be involved with their child’s classroom and school.

• understand the expectations of a student at Samuel Beck Elementary

NISD Beliefs

Samuel BeckMission

StatementIn partnership with the community, Beck Elementary is committed to

success for all learners, ensuring a safe environment that implementsrigorous, relevant curricula and

focused instruction.

ScheduleDoors Open at 7:20

Tardy Bell: 7:45

Lunch: 11:45-12:15

Recess: 12:15-12:45

Electives/Conference: 12:55-1:50

Dismissal: 2:45

CommunicationStudent Handbook and Code of Conduct at

www.nisdtx.org/studenthandbook

Class websites at www.nisdtx.org Select Beck Elementary>Staff>Teacher Name

Daily Communication Folders

Pay lunch account online: Parents>Menus/Food ServicesShould your child bring lunch money with him or her to school, it

needs to be in an envelope or bag with your child’s name, the teacher’s name, and “lunch” written on the front of the envelope. The envelope needs to be placed in the clear pocket sleeve of the Daily Communication Folder.

Transportation changes must be in emailed to the front office at beckelem@nisdtx.org by 2:00 p.m.

Parent/Teacher fall conferences

TEA Website

TEA website: www.tea.state.tx.us - Select “T” from A-Z menu;

- Select “Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills” - Scroll down to first grade

Home Access Grades Online

• NISD provides grades online through the Home Access Center (HAC). Paper copies of progress reports and report cards can be provided for students in grades 1 – 5 upon request. Kinder students will receive a paper copy due to the format. First grade report cards start the second six weeks.

• A letter will be sent home with each student that has the information parents need to access grades online.

• If you have not received this letter about the Home Access Center (HAC), please contact the front office at www.beckelem@nisdtx.org

GradesThe grading system for NISD is as follows:

100 – 90 A Excellent Progress 89 – 80 B Above Average Progress 79 – 70 C Average Progress 69 – 0 F Unsatisfactory Progress

(Failing)

Other areas of study such as art, music, PE, work habits, social behavior, and student progress are marked as follows:

E = Performs consistently at excellent/above standard expectations

S = Performs consistently at standard expectations

N = Performs slightly below standard expectations

U = Performs consistently below standard expectations

Homework Guidelines

•Check for homework in daily folder

•Read every night

•Parent involvement

Classroom Management

Love & Logic www.loveandlogic.com

Daily Communication Calendar

First Graders Set Goals!

Writers’ WorkshopTeacher directed opening mini-lessons to model and encourage children to become writers

Independent student writing related to topics of choice, retells, nonfiction, and a variety of genres

Student goal setting and guidance through individual conferring and small group work

Students share work in response group and author’s chair

Readers’ Workshop

Whole group reading

Mini-lessons provide pre-reading activities such as directionality, concepts of print, book awareness and introduction of reading strategies.

Independent reading activity

Guided Reading Small group reading according to

instructional needs with teacher guidance

Reading material challenges students’ instructional needs and increases comprehension, accuracy, fluency, and vocabulary

Reading strategies are modeled and practiced.

Social Studies Citizenship

FamiliesCommunities Laws and Rules

Holidays and CustomsHistorical Figures

Time LinesMaps

Goods/Services

Level C Level J

ScienceStudents will explore:

•Physical science – matter, heat and change, magnets, force, prisms

•Earth science – rocks, soil, water, weather, temperature, clouds, the moon, the sun, seasons

•Life science – animals, food chains, interdependence, lifecycles

•Science Inquiry Showcase- Spring, 2013

Math Units

PatternsTwo and three dimensional shapesCounting moneyTelling timeAddition and subtraction up to 18Measuring FractionsCreating graphsProblem solving strategies

We love Math!

Technology in Action• Student laptops and iPad carts

• Electronic Chalkboards

• Data Projectors

• Document Cameras

• Distance Learning

• Media Cast

• CPS Receivers (think George Jetson!)

• Eduphoria

• Home Access

Electives

ArtMusicP.E.

Rotation Schedule

Dress Code

See handbook for dress code guidelines:

• Shoes (sandals must have strap – no flip flops)

• Clothing (no tank tops or spaghetti straps)

Make-Up Work

Beck’s Guidelines:

•Make-up work may be requested only if a child has been absent for more than two days. Parents may email the front office before 9:00 a.m. to request homework on the second day of an absence. The make-up work will then be available at the front desk at 3:20 p.m. on the second day.

•Work will not be sent home with siblings, neighbors, or friends.

Teachers often need to work with children when they return to school, so not all work will be sent home.

Birthday Celebrations

• Parents may provide a treat for a child’s birthday that will be served during the last hour of the day. Please provide individual servings for the celebration (i.e., cupcakes, cookies, etc.).

• Napkins must be provided.• Treats are to be dropped off at the front office, or the student may

bring them to the classroom in the morning.• Parents are not to be in attendance at this time, and we do not take

pictures of this celebration.• Personal party invitations may not be handed out during the school

day. The child, however, may stand outside the classroom door as students are leaving for the day to pass out party invitations.

Special Events

Fall and Spring Field TripsWinter PartyFairy Tale Ball (Valentine’s Party)Field Day (May)

STAAR Testing DatesSTAAR Testing DatesDate Day Grade STAAR Test2-Apr Tues 4th Writing - Day 1

  Tues 5th Math3-Apr Wed 4th Writing - Day 2

  Wed 5th Reading22-Apr Tues 3rd Math

  Tues 4th Math23-Apr Wed 3rd Reading

  Wed 4th Reading  Wed 5th Science

13-May Tues 5th Math - Retest14-May Wed 5th Reading - Retest24-Jun Tues 5th Math - Retest25-Jun Wed 5th Reading - Retest

Parent Volunteers

Background checks must be completed and on file with the office before parents volunteer.

Thank you for volunteering!

We are looking forward to growing with you this year!

Thanks for coming!

Questions or Concerns?