St.

Martha First Grade

The Awesome
 Welcome to First Grade!
 I will introduce you
to first grade and to
our classroom.
 If you have any
questions during my
presentation, please
feel free to raise
your hand.
 St. Martha School Mission Statement
St. Martha School strives to provide students with solid Catholic moral
values, high academic standards, and a strong sense of community.

St. Martha School Philosophy

St. Martha's School Community is committed to the development of the whole person. The
faculty and staff strive to achieve this by cultivating truth, identity, respect, service, and the
love of God and others. Students are nourished by a strong sacramental and liturgical life in
the faith-filled environment where Jesus is the center and model for Christian Living.

St. Martha’s School acknowledges and respects that parents are the primary educators of
their children. The school acts as an extension of the home and enhances the values and
behaviors that are first initiated in the home. We form a unique partnership with the parents.
With them, we share an important goal: to provide for our students an education devoted
to academic excellence and committed to Catholic values and ideals.

We believe that the specific function of the school is to educate the students to accept/realize
that each person is created by God with special gifts and talents - regardless of race, creed, or
ethnicity -, is capable of choosing right or wrong, and is destined for a final goal, eternal
happiness.

To meet the immense task of educating the whole person, we view education not only in terms
of developing proficiency in academics and skills, but also in terms of enabling our students to
become mature, responsible members of society in a constantly changing world.
 School-wide Learning Expectations (SLE's)

A. Spiritual-A Committed and Faithful Catholic

1. I am a child of God.
2. I know that Jesus loves me and wants me to love everyone.
3. I will try to always do my best.
4. I love and take care of everything God made.
5. I go to Church with my family and God's family.

B. Academic-An Enthusiastic Life-Long Learner

1. I learn how to read, write, spell, and do math.
2. I use my brain to think and to do my work well.
3. I listen, follow directions, stay on task, and
complete my work
4. I use the computer to learn more.

C. Social/Psychological- An Integrated Individual

1. I am responsible for myself and for what I do.
2. I am respectful of others and follow rules.
3. I can work cooperatively with others.
4. I know that everyone in the world is my brother and sister.
5. I try to be a peacemaker.
6. I am unique and special.
7. I can sing, draw, dance, and do a lot of things.
 All About Me
 My background
 I grew up in San Pedro, California.
 I attended both Mary Star of the Sea
Elementary and High School. I graduated
and received my degrees and credential
from Long Beach State.
 I have been a mentor teacher.
 My experience
 I’ve been teaching for over 30 years.
 I have also taught fourth grade, but first is
my favorite!
 My Family
 My husband
 Rick
 My children
 Brian
 Laura
 Our pets
 Dog- Derf
 Guinea pig
 Rabbits
 Gecko
 Fish
 Snakes
 My Goals
 To help your child to grow spiritually and to
learn about God’s great love.
 To give your child the academic and social
skills that they will need to progress to
second grade.
 To provide a supportive and fun classroom
environment.
 To help your child make new friends and
discover new interests.
 Class Subjects
 The subjects we cover during first grade are:
 Religion
 Language Arts ( reading, spelling, language)
 Printing
 Math
 Science
 Social Studies
 Music and art
 Computer Literacy
 Freckles.com,
zearn.org. Teach your
Monster to Read, epic,
and Prodigy Math are
computer programs that
we use in first grade.
 Studies Weekly gives
you our Social Studies
program on line.
 School Supplies

 Clear plastic shoe box

 Glue and glue stick
 2 primary (fat) pencils
 Scissors
 Crayons (24 count)
 eraser
 Kleenex tissue ( I collect these)
 1 folders
 70 page spiral notebook (4)
 Book Cover (2)
 Please label all supplies!
 P.E. and School Uniform
 Our P.E. days are on
Monday.
 Please follow the
parent handbook on the
correct uniform (socks,
shoes).
 Spirit shirts are worn on
Spirit Day. (Friday)
 No nail polish or
shaved heads.
 Label all clothes.
Math and Reading Groups
 Math and
Reading groups
are ability based.
 There are 6
groups with 4-5 in
a group.
 Missing a Day at School
 If your child is sick,
please do not send
them.
 On return, please send
a note.
 School ends at 2:30.
 DayCare begins at 2:30
and ends at 6:00.
 Scholastic Book Orders
 This is a fun and
inexpensive way to
build your home
library.
 Choose the books
that you want. You
can order on line
and pay with a
credit card. (DX89K)
Accelerated Reading-A.R. for short!
• I will assign your child a book based on
their reading ability.
• They are to practice reading their book at
home for 15 minutes. Return the book to school.
• When they feel that they understand their
book, they will be tested on it.
• They will have a set goal to reach.
• This is a very important part of their grade.
 Classroom Community
 Our classroom is a community. In our
community, we have rules to help us get
along with each other.
 Some of our class rules are:
 Be respectful and responsible.
 Do your best!
 Be organized and follow directions.
 Mistakes are expected, inspected, and corrected!
 Be prepared and ready to learn.
 Be kind to everyone.
 Homework
 Homework envelopes and assignments will
go home on Monday.
 Your homework packet is due on Friday
morning.
 Read for 15 minutes each night.
 A poem is sent home 1-2 times a month for
your child to memorize.
 Homework should be neat. If not, do it over!
Homework is not an option!
 Tardiness
 School starts at 7:55 A.M.
 If you aren’t in line by the time prayers
begin, then you are late.
 Please check in at the school office
before coming to class.
 Wednesday is our
class Mass at 8:00 a.m.
 Grading System
 I use the percentages that are in the
Parent/Teacher Handbook.
 A is outstanding
 B is good
 C is satisfactory
 D/F needs improvement
Let’s Have a Great Year!