THE ABCS of FIRST GRADE ORIENTATION

ARRIVAL:
In the morning, children can enter the commons at 9:00am and be released to
the classrooms to begin their day at 9:10am. Please be on time.
ART:
Art is on Friday mornings from 10-11:30am. Process is more important than the
product. We will save student art work throughout the year so that students,
along with our art parents will select pieces for students to showcase at the Art
Show in April. In addition, PCEP art docents will also visit our room and present
artists to the class.
BATHROOM:
Students may go to the bathroom as needed; they just need to let an adult know
they are leaving the room, pick up a bathroom pass and place it at their desk.
This helps to indicate if the bathroom is open or closed and who has left the
room. Only one student per boy or girl bathroom at a time with the exception of
emergencies .
BIRTHDAYS:
We celebrate birthdays with songs, stickers, a game, and a birthday badge.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND BIRTHDAY INVITATIONS OR THANK YOU NOTES TO
SCHOOL UNLESS EVERYONE IS INCLUDED. Per Edmonds School District
policy we do not allow birthday treats/snacks. If you so desire, you are welcome
to send a small token (pencil, eraser, sticker etc) for each student.
BUDDIES:
Our buddy class is Mrs. Rubinkowskis 4th grade class. We plan a variety of
activities and meet on Friday mornings 2-3 times/month. We will have an end of
year picnic with our buddies to celebrate our friendship.
CELEBRATIONS:
We celebrate Literacy Dress-Up Day at the end of October. Kids dress up as a
character in a book and bring the book to school. There is a parade around the
school ending with an assembly and often a celebration with our buddy class. We
will also plan to enjoy a celebration for Valentines day, The 100 th day of school
and an End of year slide show.
CHILDRENS CHOICE:
Childrens Choice takes place on Friday afternoons. All first and second graders
will have the opportunity to participate in choice activities planned by parents
and teachers.

COMMUNICATION:
russellg@edmonds.wednet.edu
Our classroom number is 425-431-3076. If you would like to call and be
connected directly to VM dial 431-7313 ext. 3076. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE
MESSAGES ON THIS LINE THAT NEED IMMEDIATE ASSISSTANCE! The best
way to communicate information that needs more immediate attention (ie,
changes in transportation arrangements) is to call the office 431-3002 and leave
a message. The office staff will then make sure I get the message.
The classroom newsletter will be sent out bi-monthly with additional memos as
needed. I will also post the newsletter to the classroom website so that you can
review past letters as needed. In addition, you will want to check the schools
website each month for the school newsletters and check your email each week
for the FLASH.
DISMISSAL: It is important that your child know how they are getting home each
day! In the morning, at home, please remind your child how they are getting
home. This can be helpful and reassuring. I will walk the students to the bus
area out the door by the commons. If your child is riding the bus home with a
friend, he/she needs a note written by you.
If you need to take your child out of school before dismissal time, or if you arrive
late, PLEASE CHECK IN OR OUT THROUGH THE OFFICE. If your child is
absent, please notify the office, and send me a quick e-mail if possible.
EARLY RELEASE DAYS are listed in the district and PCEP calendars and in the
newsletters. Dismissal is at 12:20. Hot lunch is served around 11:40. You may
also send a lunch from home if desired.
FIELD TRIPS: This year we will have about 5-6 field trips which include some
guest speakers who come to our classroom. You will be notified with the date of
the field trip through the PC Manager website. Please be willing to drive at least
twice. Our field trips depend on you! The Field Trip Committee has the task of
developing carpools and making sure that all paperwork has been received,
including permission slips. Please try and get your paperwork to the committee
as soon as they ask. They have a big job, and it is so much easier when they do
not have to make phone calls to ask for information. All first grade students will
need to have a booster seat.
****FOOD ALLERGY GUIDELINES:****
There are children in our school and classroom that have severe food allergies to
peanuts/nuts. It is important that there is strict avoidance to this food in order to
prevent a life-threatening allergic reaction. We are asking for your assistance in
providing a safe school environment for these and all students. Any exposure to
peanuts/nuts may cause a life-threatening allergic reaction that requires
emergency medical treatment. To reduce the chance of this occurring, we are
asking that you do not send any peanut or nut containing products to school with

your child that will be eaten in the classroom. If your child has eaten peanuts/nuts
before coming to school, please be sure your childs hands and or face have
been washed. All students will wash/wipe their hands as they enter the
classroom each morning as well as before and after lunch.
HOMEWORK: Please have your child read, or read to them, at least 10-15
minutes a night. We will eventually have some math homework. These will
normally come home on Thursday and need to be returned on the following
Monday.
LUNCH:
Please review the food allergy guidelines.
We eat in the classroom. Look for lunch menus to be sent home monthly. Milk
can also be bought in the commons. We do have a microwave available
however, please be mindful that there are 22 students in the classroom and
sending entrees that need more than 60-90 sec. to heat may not allow for
enough time for your student to eat. Please send items in bags that can be
easily opened.
ORCA OF THE WEEK: Starting later on in September I will begin randomly
drawing a name of a student who will be Orca of the Week. That child gets to
take the Estimation Jar home and fill it up with up to 100 of the same item. It
needs to be the same size item, so we can estimate how many are in the jar.
(Examples: pennies, rubber bands, same sized toy cars, or same sized barrettes
etc.) Please send in 5-10 photos of your child for our Orca board when it is their
turn. Your child will bring home a stuffed orca and a journal where they can write
about something they do together during the week. Then, return both to school.
They will also have some special privileges during the week at school.
PURCHASES: Please purchase items for classroom use AFTER you have
checked with me. Sometimes the item can be located here at school. We have a
classroom budget and funds are available. After an item is purchased, please
follow these instructions: Save the Receipt
* Fill out a PCEP Requisition for Funds Form (in
parent room)
*Attach your receipt to it and get my signature. We have been asked to try and
have a separate receipt for purchases. Ask the clerk to ring those purchases for
PCEP separately.
* Make a copy of it and give it to me! (or put it in my mailbox in the workroom)
* Turn in the original to the Treasures folder in the parent room.
Your check will be ready within two weeks and is announced in the FLASH. Look
for your check in the parent room near the Treasures Folder.

RECESS: Children go out to recess twice each day with the other primary
classrooms and I will take them for a quick break/walk on the walking path each
morning around 11am. Please dress your child for the weather! We rarely have
indoor recess because of the covered play area that is available. Dont forget to
label any clothing that may be taken off! It is amazing how quickly our Lost and
Found area grows. It is located directly across from the Music Room, so dont
forget to take a look when you are in the building.
REPORT CARDS and CONFERENCES: Conferences are late in October.
Report cards do not come home at that time. We have half days of school that
week with conferences in the afternoon. This is a great time for you to let me
know how school is going and more about your child. As well as this formal time,
I am happy to talk with you regarding any problems or concerns you have
concerning school. Let me know and we can schedule a time before or after
school. Report cards come home in December, and June.
SHARING: The schedule, once available, will be posted on the classroom
website in the documents section. We will use our lunch time to share. Each
student will be able to share one time per month. As the year progresses I will
assign students a particular topic or theme area in which they may share.
However, to build comfort and confidence in sharing, students will begin the year
sharing anything they would like.
STAR OF THE DAY: Each day a student gets to be Star of the Day many times
during the year. That day they are a special helper and line leader etc. They also
get a starring roll during our calendar time.
SNACKS:
Please review the food Allergy guidelines
We have snack time in the morning. This time may vary but is around 10:3011:00. Please keep the snacks small, non-messy and healthy. (cheese sticks,
apple slices, banana, squeeze fruits, pretzels, gold fish crackers etc. Nothing that
needs a spoon!) It is also fine for the kids to have a water bottle handy too. I
would like them to keep them in their cubby, but they will have access to them
when they need it. They may have a quick snack in the afternoon before last
recess if they need one.