Mrs. Martuscello’s First Grade Class Welcome Parents!

Welcome to First Grade! It is a pleasure to see you again. It is an honor to spend another year with your children! I will review some of the rules and procedures we have in our classroom. Please keep these handouts available at home in case you need to refer to them in the future.

All About Me My background: My name is Allison Martuscello. I am certified by New York State to teach grades K-6. I received my Bachelors Degree at SUNY Oneonta and I received my Masters Degree in Literacy from Dowling. I have been teaching in the Longwood District for four years. This is my first year teaching first grade but I have also taught kindergarten as well as assisted in Special Education classrooms.

My Goals To give your children the academic and social skills they will need to progress to second grade. To provide a supportive and positive classroom environment. To help your children broaden their interests, discover new abilities and to set high educational goals for themselves.

Class Subjects The subjects we cover during first grade are: ELA Math Science Social Studies Health Spelling

English Language Arts We use a balanced literacy approach to teaching reading and writing. Students will be placed in guided reading groups, work in centers, interactively write and engage in shared reading. They will also become authors in writer’s workshop, create independent works, as well as develop and perfect their writing skills for various genres.

Math This year we are implementing the HSP Math Program. This program specifically addresses NCTM as well as NYS standards. It incorporates literacy and technology.

Science In first grade your child will explore the topics of properties and plant life cycles through the use of ESP kits (Elementary Science Program).

Social Studies Students will focus on community awareness, cultural diversity and community helpers. The Silver Burdett & Ginn series and big books from Harcourt are used to convey these topics.

Health Students will review four basic units of health awareness through the use of pictorial flip charts and discussion.

Spelling The students will be exposed to numerous spelling words for first grade and word attack strategies through the Rebecca Sitton Spelling Program.

Grading Students will be graded on a number scale that is reflective of their report card. The scale ranges from 4 – 0: 4 Everything correct 3 ¾ Correct 2 ½ Correct 1 ¼ Correct 0 Nothing Correct

Classroom Community Our classroom is a community. In our community, we have rules to help us get along with each other. Our class rules are: Raise your hand and wait to be called upon. One person speaks at a time and we listen and look at the person who is speaking. Follow the directions the first time given. We keep our hands and our feet to ourselves. Be polite in the classroom and the hallway.

Behavior Management When students break our class rules they may face consequences. Each student has an envelope on our behavior chart. For each envelope there are five cards; green, yellow, blue, pink and purple. Each card has a meaning and a consequence. The goal for each student is to stay on the green card. One side of the green card has their name and the other side has the word “warning” printed on it.

Behavior Management

Rewards Students will be rewarded for keeping their cards on green. For each day they keep their card on green they will receive a raffle ticket. Each Friday a raffle will be held where five students will be chosen to go to the treasure box. Also students whose green cards are never flipped for the entire week will receive an award certificate to bring home for excellent behavior each Friday or the following Monday as time permits.

Whole Class Incentives: Students will also have the opportunity to earn whole class prizes as well. Anytime the whole class is caught making good choices they will earn marbles in a fishbowl. Once the fishbowl is full, they will be rewarded with a prize from the treasure chest or a movie and snack. We also have a classroom compliment chain. Whenever the class gets a compliment from another adult, they will earn a “link” on the “Compliment Chain”.

Teacher eBoards You can visit my eboard for a wealth of information, updated weekly at www.longwood.K12.ny.us Select Teacher eBoards, then C.E.W. eBoards and then under first grade select Mrs. Martuscello to get to my page.

Homework Formal Homework Packets will be sent home on Friday, September 26. Homework will be given out each Friday and is expected to be returned the following Friday. Please see the due date written on each packet for any exceptions. Homework will be a review of material covered in class. Please have pencils, crayons, scissors and glue available at home.

Weekly Schedule Monday: Library 10:45- 11:15 Art 2:05-2:35 Tuesday P.E. 10:45-11:15 Computer 10:00- 10:40 Wednesday P.E. 10:10-10:40 Thursday Music 11:20-11:50 Friday P.E. 11:20-11:50 Book Exchange 11:00-11:15

New P.E. Requirements New mandated P.E. requirements are in effect. Your child will receive P.E. three times a week with the P.E. teacher. In addition your child will receive another two - twenty minute blocks with the classroom teacher. Please make sure your child is wearing or has brought the appropriate shoes.

Absence and Dismissal An Absence Note is required any time your child is absent from school. Your child can bring this to school on the day of his/her return. Any written work that your child has missed will be given to your child on the day of his/her return. It can be completed at home and returned for me to check it. Please try to keep Early Dismissals to a minimum. Early dismissals cause a disruption to our classroom routines and activities. Medical and dental appointments should be made outside of school hours whenever possible. You will be asked to complete a form in the office indicating the reason for early dismissal.

Birthdays Birthdays are celebrated at snack time. If you would like to send in an easily served store bought treat such as cookies, doughnuts, munchkins, etc, please let me know a few days prior to the birthday. Your cooperation in sending in peanut-product free treats is appreciated. The treat can be dropped off at the office by 12:00. Please do not send juice or cakes. Birthday invitations will only be sent home if the entire class is included.

Bite Into A Good Book Students will be encouraged to read as much as they can; independently as well as being read to. Each time your child returns a completed reading sheet, he/she will get a prize and a sticker on their apple. The student who has read the most by the end of the year will be given a special prize.

Scholastic Book Orders Scholastic Book Orders will be sent home monthly. You are under no obligation to purchase anything. If you choose to do so, please make sure to send in checks only and make them payable to Scholastic Books. I will usually wait about a week to a week and a half from the date the brochure was sent home before I will send out the order. Occasionally I send out two book orders at the same time. If you choose to purchase from both only one check is necessary.

Bathrooms There are two children’s bathrooms located near our classroom for your child to use whenever necessary. They will be required to ask permission, sign out and use the bathroom pass. The bathrooms are shared with other classes and should be used appropriately. Please discuss this with your child.

Snack Time We will have Snack Time each day. A small snack and/or drink should be sent in. You might choose to send in two drinks – one for lunch and one for snack. Please try to send in a healthy snack, if possible. Candy will not be allowed as a snack. The children may NOT share snacks. Please refrain from sending in peanut products whenever possible.

Lunch Lunch Boxes should be labeled with your child’s name. Lunch money should be placed in a labeled money holder, envelope or zip-loc bag. Your child should be able to differentiate between lunch and snack.

Conference Days Conference Days will be held in November. A conference will be scheduled for every parent/guardian in September. Please make sure to sign up for your times tonight if you have not done so already otherwise a time will be assigned to you. Conferences should be attended by parents and/or guardians only.

Questions or Comments? Let’s Have a Great Year!