Gilhuly ABC

Mrs. Gilhuly's First Grade ABC's

Absences-Excessive absences hinder a child's progress. If your child is absent, you must send a note to the school when he/she returns. Please include your child's name, teachers name, date of absence, and the reason for the absence. We have an absentee form on the school web site. These notes are kept in the student's permanent folder in the office. In order to ensure that all children arrive safely and promptly at school, Borough school has established a Child Check program. If your child is absent from school for any reason, please call the school number located in your Borough School Handbook.
Attendance-Regular school attendance is essential for your child to make the most of his/her education. Please make every effort to have your child at school everyday.
Alphabet Knowledge-We will review the letters of the alphabet and the sounds that the children learned in Kindergarten. I will do an alphabet and sound knowledge assessment at the beginning of school to see what has been retained.
Assessment-We use several instruments to assess students in First Grade. DIBEL is used three times a year to determine the strengths and weaknesses of your child for fluency in reading. We use the assessment that is part of the Houghton-Mifflin reading program.These assessments help to identify children at-risk for reading difficulties and help set learning objectives and develop instructional plans for these at-risk children. We also have a First Grade Benchmark for each marking period. These benchmarks cover the Stafford curriculum. This is part of the Report card assessment.
Arrival-***Important- Time Change***Your child should come to school no earlier than 7:50 A.M. School begins promptly at 8:10 A.M...

Bus- Riding the school bus is a privilege and improper behavior will not be tolerated. Expect arrival at home to be between 30. to 45 minutes after dismissal. If your child needs to have a bus change, all requested must be in writing. If your child will not be taking the bus on a given day, we need this in writing.
Birthdays-Birthdays are very important to children. Please read the new school policy on birthdays.
Book Orders-I will send home Scholastic book orders each month for you and your child to look over. If you want to place an order, please make checks payable to Scholastic. I place all orders online. It takes about a week for the orders to come in.
Backpacks-Your child's backpack should be big enough to hold a pocket folder. Backpacks help your child carry folders, notes, projects, and books to and from school. Please check your child's backpack DAILY.We do not suggest backpacks with wheels.
Breakfast-Children can purchase breakfast or (breakfast items for their snack time). The cost of breakfast is $1.25 and reduced breakfast is $0.30. Children will be sent to breakfast at 7:50 AM. Breakfast time is from 7:50 to 8:05 AM. If your child is late, they may get their breakfast as a bag breakfast which may be eaten at snack time. Parents are encouraged to pre-pay their meals by sending a check or money to the WestStaffordSchool.

Clothing-Please dress your child in comfortable clothing that is appropriate for First Grade.

Conferences-I will be scheduling several conferences throughout the school year. If you feel the need to contact me at any time, please call the school, send a note, or email me to make arrangements for scheduling a conference. ..
Computers-We have five computers in our classroom. One of the computers has Internet access. Your child will be taught the proper way to use a computer and then be taught to use the educational software in our classroom. Your child will have computer time in first grade.
Calendar-A calendar will be sent home to let you know the school district's schedule.
Communication- Communication between home and school is very important. If you feel the need to talk to me, please call the school, send me a note, or email me gilhulyb@stafford.ctschool.net. I will get back with you as soon as I can.

Dress Code-Students should be dressed for the weather.

Dismissal-Dismissal is at 2:45 P.M. . . . Please do not come to the classroom to pick your child up. Your child will be dismissed by me and will go to the designated pick up locations with a teacher.

Email-I can be reached by email at my school address gilhulyb@stafford.ctschool.net.

Early Dismissal-Several times a year we will have an early dismissal. You will be notified by a note letting you know the specific day and time of the dismissal.
If schools are closing for an emergency, or if opening is delayed, local radio and TV stations (WFSB-3) will make announcements beginning 5:30 AM. If an emergency occurs during the day, the radio will announce dismissal procedures.
Emergency Cards-Your child will have an emergency card on file in the Nurses clinic. At least two working phone numbers are required in order to contact parents in case of illness or emergency.

Field Trips-We take several educational field trips during the year. A permission slip will be required anytime that we will be taking a bus for a field trip. If we do not receive a permission slip, your child will not be allowed to go with the class.
Fire Drills-Your child will participate in frequent fire drills throughout the year. We will practice the procedures before our first fire drill so that your child will be prepared.
Folders- In an effort to consolidate information going home with students, I will be sending home with students Folders. The folders will include all notices, flyers and completed work. Please be sure to look through the folder as it may contain information regarding the upcoming week. Occasionally, flyers may go home on a need basis.

Gym-Our class will have gym class each week on Wednesday and Friday. The children are asked to wear sneakers on gym days, and girls might consider wearing pants on that day.

Homework-Your child will have homework more than twice a week and additional home projects. .
Handwriting-We use D?Nealian handwriting in Stafford. You will receive a handout of D'Nealian handwriting. Please practice the correct strokes with your child.

I Instructional Assistant-We have a wonderful instructional assistant who will be helping during our reading period.
Immunizations-All students must be immunized against certain diseases or must present a statement that the student should not be immunized. Proof of immunizations must be presented to the school within 30 days of enrollment.
Illness-Please do not send your child to school if he/she has a temperature. If your child becomes ill at school, you will be called to come and get your child. We need at least two working phone numbers at all times in order to contact you in case of illness or emergency.

Journal Writing-Journal writing is a process. You should see a growth in your child's writing throughout the year.

Kindergarten Kids-Turn into First Grade kids who are eager to learn to read and write. Remember, "Kids come first!" is my motto.

Library-We have a scheduled library time (Monday) every week. First Grade students do check out books from the library.
Lunch-The cost of lunch is $1.95 and $0.40 for reduced lunch. There is a choice for lunch. Your child may bring in a cold lunch from home or purchase a lunch from school. You will be receiving a menu monthly. You should go over it and make choices with your child on what they should order. There are a few staples that remain the same each day such as the regular assigned hot lunch which is on the menu, a turkey chef salad, peanut butter & jelly bag lunch with carrots, fruit and milk and Grab and Go Lunch which consists of cheese stick, yogurt, corn muffin, carrots, fruit and milk. Each lunch comes with milk and dessert. Lunches should be prepaid on a Monday. Money should come in an envelope with the child's name, the number of days and the amount. If your child is getting only milk, the cost is $.50.
Learning Centers-We use learning centers in the classroom for active learning. When we are in learning centers, we are learning to cooperate with others.
Literacy Stations-Literacy stations are where students work while I meet with small groups of children for reading.

Music- We have music once a week. It is on Thursday.
Math-We will have math each day. Our Math specialist, will be with us on two days to help those who are having difficulties.

Newsletter- Newsletters will be sent home, periodically. It will contain information about our units, classroom activities, announcements, and upcoming school events.
Notes- Notes from the office and from me will go home in your child's take-home folder, please look daily for them.
Nurse's Clinic-Nurse Terry Holybee is our school nurse. She will take care of your child until you can be reached to pick him/her up from school. She also administers all medications to students during school hours.

Outside-Your child will have outside time daily, weather permitting. Please dress your child appropriately for the weather.

Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence-Each morning we will recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States and observe one minute of silence.
Parent Involvement-We love Parent Involvement! Please be involved in your child's First Grade year as much as you can.
Parties-We will have various parties throughout the year. I will contact you to help with our celebrations by providing snacks.
PTO (Parent/Teacher Organization)-All parents are encouraged to join the school's PTO.

Questions-Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child's education. I will make every effort to meet with you and discuss your concerns.

Report Cards-We have three report cards. I will have a scheduled conference to discuss your child's strengths and weaknesses.
Recess-Your child will have recess everyday outside, weather permitting...
Rules-We have six rules in First Grade.
Always be a good listener.
We are helpers, not hurters.
We are walkers, not runners.
We are builders, not breakers.
We are talkers, not shouters.
We are quiet workers, not players.
Reading-We will be implementing a new reading program, Houghton-Mifflin. Morning will be the reading time. Your child will be assessed and placed in a group by the Reading Dept. Your child will receive their instruction for reading as a group, to introduce concepts and individual groups according to their strengths and weaknesses. We are asking families to read to your child daily and let your children see you reading daily.
Restrooms-We have restrooms next to our classroom and your child is allowed to go when needed.

Safety-Your child's safety is top priority. I take every precaution when your child is in my care. Please send a note with your child or call the school if he/she is to go home a different way.
Snacks-We do have a daily snack. Please only send healthy snacks. There is no milk available during our snack time so your child will need to bring a drink. There is a water fountain outside the room for those that need water. Some examples are: Goldfish, animal crackers, fruit, yogurt, and cheese crackers. We also have times when we will have a special snack.
Shoes-It is very important to wear comfortable shoes. I suggest closed toed sneakers for all of our First Grade activities.
Sight Words- I will be sending home a copy of the Dolch words that your child will be learning each week for First Grade. Spelling words might go home as homework.

Transportation-If your child will be going home a different way than what we have in our files, you MUST call the school or send me a note. I will not let your child go with another adult or a different way unless you have notified me.
Take-Home Folders- Notes, homework and completed work from the school or from me will come home in these folders. If we do not have any notes to send home, your child's folder will not be in his/her backpack.
Tardy-Students late to school (after 8:15 A.M.) are considered tardy. The school keeps a record of this tardiness and will document them on your child's report card.
Toys-Toys from home are not allowed.

Units and Themes-I will follow Houghton-Mifflin, themes and units provided by this reading series.

Visitors-We encourage visitors in our classroom. Please make sure that you sign in at the office before you come to the classroom. I will be looking for your badge when you enter the classroom.
Volunteers-We always need volunteers for field trips and special occasions.

Water -There is a water in our classroom for those who need a little drink.

X,Y & Z

X-tra support- We are fortunate at West Stafford School to have extra support staff to provide help in need areas.

You-You as a parent are important in your child's education. Please be supportive and feel free to call if you have a concern.

ZZZZ'Your child should get plenty of rest each night. First Grade students require at least 10 hours of sleep a day. It is so important for your child to be alert and ready to learn each day. Set a bedtime and be consistent.

Back

Last Updated:06/19/08