POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION
"THE ABC'S OF FIRST GRADE"
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About Me ~ I earned my Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Olivet Nazarene University. I completed my undergrad from Northern Illinois University with my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary and Special Education; I’ve also completed my Gifted Verification and Google I Certification. I was honored in 2016 to be a nominee for the Golden Apple Award! This is my 22nd and final year at Foster; I’ve taught Kindergarten, 3rd Grade, 4th and 5th Grade Reading, Class Reduction, and I’m excited to be back in 1st Grade for my eighteenth year! I am married to my wonderful husband Glenn and have two children who were also educated in District 142. My daughter Ashleigh graduated from Eastern Illinois University and relocated to New York City with her boyfriend Henry and their cat Pierre; she is a Customer Success Consultant with Zendesk; my son Kyle graduated from the University of Iowa and is a Sales Rep for Zingit Solutions; he’s blessed us with two precious grandsons, Grayson (5) and Quinn (3)! My husband Glenn retired from the “craziness” of the Options Exchange and enjoys extra time in Michigan relaxing and beach glassing! In my free time, I enjoy watching my grandsons, spending time with my family in Michigan, reading, walking, and searching for beach glass!
Attendance ~ Our school day will begin each day at 8:45 a.m. It is very important that your child is logged in on time every day! Attendance will be taken each morning. Please let the office know if your child will be absent.
Birthdays ~ Birthdays will be celebrated on the student’s actual birthday or as close to their half-birthday as possible. Birthday students will receive special surprises/birthday song from their classmates and me on Seesaw and Zoom. Parent(s), let me know if you would like to read one of your child’s favorite stories on Zoom, we will set up a convenient time for you!
Class Materials ~ The class supply list can be found on the home page of the District website. On our virtual Open House video, you’ll find a slide with “Supplies” that your student will need. Please be sure to have these near where your child will be working each day.
Curriculum ~ We’ll be delving into the common core standards in all subject areas. We will be using EL Education for Reading, Phonics, Spelling, Language, and Writing. We will also be working with Michael Heggerty’s Phonemic Awareness. We will be reviewing/learning the traditional manuscript printing for handwriting too using Handwriting Without Tears. We’ll be utilizing Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's Go Math for Math; this also has corresponding practice/homework pages, which will generally be given for homework. For Social Studies, we will be implementing the Social Science Learning Standards through the Illinois Board of Education. Exploring the NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) in Science will also be on our agenda this year, and we’ll utilize Mystery Science/Mystery Doug and Traverse Bay Modules through NGSS.
Discipline/PBIS ~ This year, our entire district is again utilizing the wonderful PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Support); we’ll also be using the SEL Second Step program.
Email ~ My email is [email protected] . Please feel free to contact me at any time. I will do my best to get back to you within 24 hours.
Fifth Grade Buddies ~ About once a week/every other week, we will be reading with our buddies from Mr. Hall’s remote fifth grade class! This is a great opportunity for our students to bond/work with older peers!
Grades ~ First grade will once again be utilizing a quarterly Standards Based Report Card with the following grading scale: M ~ Mastery/D ~ Developing/C ~ Concerned. Report cards will list standards for each subject area covered in first grade. Parent-Teacher conferences will take place twice during the year. Feel free, however, to schedule a Zoom conference at any time to discuss your student’s progress, achievement, behavior, or any other issues/concerns you may have. Please encourage your child to do his/her best every day!
Homework ~ Much of our work will be done during our remote learning time, but some may need to be finished afterwards. Reinforcement pages and writing may also be assigned.
Honor System ~ During our remote learning time, quizzes and tests will be given. I am happy to go over directions as needed, but these quizzes/tests must be completed by you, without help from home.
Illnesses/Absences ~ Please dial Foster’s number, dedicated just for absences (708) 803-8213, as soon as possible if your child will be absent. If you know in advance, please email me the days he or she will miss. There is a district vacation form parents will need to fill out from the parent handbook if he or she will be absent due to a vacation.
Jobs ~ Each week, remote jobs will be assigned. Jobs such as Student of the Week, Pledge Leader, Morning Song Leader, Thought of the Day Leader, Problem of the Day Helper, Fluency Leader, Weather Helper and Calendar Helper will be given on a weekly rotating basis so that each student has a chance to participate in all jobs! These jobs will teach your child responsibility as well as help him/her contribute to our classroom.
Kindness ~ It is important that we create a learning environment where each student feels valued and appreciated. I expect students to be kind to one another and to use their words when describing their feelings. We will work towards “filling our buckets” each day!
Learning Goals ~ Students learning will be aligned with the common core standards. Mastering concepts covered by the standards is an important goal. We’ll also be working on social and emotional skill development. Applying concepts to real life and being a critical thinker/problem solver is another key goal.
Many Changes ~ We all know that there will continue to be changes throughout the year, and we’ll need to smile and be flexible!
Newsletter ~ Our newsletter, the Friday Forecast, will be published on our class Weebly page each Friday. The quick link is http://d14-sbaytala.weebly.com It is important to review the weekly newsletter for upcoming events and important information. Our weekly Friday Forecast, as well as other important information throughout the year will be published on our Weebly page.
Office ~ Check in with the office anytime you may need to visit our school.
Phone ~ Foster’s telephone number is (708) 687-4763. If you wish to speak to me directly, you may dial my extension (5322).
Questions ~ Feel free to contact me if you have any questions throughout the school year. The best ways to contact me are through e-mail and phone.
Reading/Scholastic Book Orders ~ In your “Welcome Supplies” from me, I will be sending August, September & October Reading Logs. Please keep your logs in whichever folder you would like to use for Reading/Language Arts. I would like your child to read/be read to 20 minutes 4xs per week. I will be making a Seesaw activity for each calendar, where your child may take a picture of their calendar at the end of the month. You may also order Scholastic books online. Our class code is LD9Y9. These will be delivered to my home or school, and we can then schedule a pick-up day/time.
Schedule/Specials ~ We will have Gym twice a week (Mondays at 1:05 and Fridays at 1:35) and Art (Tuesdays at 1:05) and STEAM (Wednesdays at 1:05) once a week (this quarter) via Zoom.
Student of the Week ~ We will have a new student in the spotlight each week. Those students who will be Student of the Week during the first quarter will receive their poster with their welcome materials. When it is your week, you will present your poster to the class.
Study Buddies ~ One morning a week (to be determined once other scheduling has been completed), I will offer “Study Buddies.” We will meet from 8:15 - 8:45, and students may come on a "need" basis. I will offer extra assistance and classwork help.
Toys ~ Please do not allow your child to have toys near their “work” area.
Up-to-date ~ Please keep me up-to-date on any important changes in your child’s life.
Virtual Behavior ~ I expect your very best behavior every day during our Zoom sessions; we will be going over Zoom expectations on Monday and reviewing them throughout the next few weeks.
Water bottles ~ Please be sure your child keeps their water bottle and/or any food or drinks away from their iPad.
X-tra practice ~ If you are looking for extra resources to help your child at home, site URL’s will be emailed soon and also published on our Weebly.
You’ve Got a Friend in Me ~ Every Friday, students will have the opportunity to learn new things about their classmates. Different questions will be posed, and your student will be able to share their answers with me and their classmates.
Zzzz ~ Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep so that he/she is prepared to do his/her best during our remote learning!
Zoom ~ Remind your child to be on time and do their best each day during our Zoom sessions!
Attendance ~ Our school day will begin each day at 8:45 a.m. It is very important that your child is logged in on time every day! Attendance will be taken each morning. Please let the office know if your child will be absent.
Birthdays ~ Birthdays will be celebrated on the student’s actual birthday or as close to their half-birthday as possible. Birthday students will receive special surprises/birthday song from their classmates and me on Seesaw and Zoom. Parent(s), let me know if you would like to read one of your child’s favorite stories on Zoom, we will set up a convenient time for you!
Class Materials ~ The class supply list can be found on the home page of the District website. On our virtual Open House video, you’ll find a slide with “Supplies” that your student will need. Please be sure to have these near where your child will be working each day.
Curriculum ~ We’ll be delving into the common core standards in all subject areas. We will be using EL Education for Reading, Phonics, Spelling, Language, and Writing. We will also be working with Michael Heggerty’s Phonemic Awareness. We will be reviewing/learning the traditional manuscript printing for handwriting too using Handwriting Without Tears. We’ll be utilizing Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's Go Math for Math; this also has corresponding practice/homework pages, which will generally be given for homework. For Social Studies, we will be implementing the Social Science Learning Standards through the Illinois Board of Education. Exploring the NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) in Science will also be on our agenda this year, and we’ll utilize Mystery Science/Mystery Doug and Traverse Bay Modules through NGSS.
Discipline/PBIS ~ This year, our entire district is again utilizing the wonderful PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Support); we’ll also be using the SEL Second Step program.
Email ~ My email is [email protected] . Please feel free to contact me at any time. I will do my best to get back to you within 24 hours.
Fifth Grade Buddies ~ About once a week/every other week, we will be reading with our buddies from Mr. Hall’s remote fifth grade class! This is a great opportunity for our students to bond/work with older peers!
Grades ~ First grade will once again be utilizing a quarterly Standards Based Report Card with the following grading scale: M ~ Mastery/D ~ Developing/C ~ Concerned. Report cards will list standards for each subject area covered in first grade. Parent-Teacher conferences will take place twice during the year. Feel free, however, to schedule a Zoom conference at any time to discuss your student’s progress, achievement, behavior, or any other issues/concerns you may have. Please encourage your child to do his/her best every day!
Homework ~ Much of our work will be done during our remote learning time, but some may need to be finished afterwards. Reinforcement pages and writing may also be assigned.
Honor System ~ During our remote learning time, quizzes and tests will be given. I am happy to go over directions as needed, but these quizzes/tests must be completed by you, without help from home.
Illnesses/Absences ~ Please dial Foster’s number, dedicated just for absences (708) 803-8213, as soon as possible if your child will be absent. If you know in advance, please email me the days he or she will miss. There is a district vacation form parents will need to fill out from the parent handbook if he or she will be absent due to a vacation.
Jobs ~ Each week, remote jobs will be assigned. Jobs such as Student of the Week, Pledge Leader, Morning Song Leader, Thought of the Day Leader, Problem of the Day Helper, Fluency Leader, Weather Helper and Calendar Helper will be given on a weekly rotating basis so that each student has a chance to participate in all jobs! These jobs will teach your child responsibility as well as help him/her contribute to our classroom.
Kindness ~ It is important that we create a learning environment where each student feels valued and appreciated. I expect students to be kind to one another and to use their words when describing their feelings. We will work towards “filling our buckets” each day!
Learning Goals ~ Students learning will be aligned with the common core standards. Mastering concepts covered by the standards is an important goal. We’ll also be working on social and emotional skill development. Applying concepts to real life and being a critical thinker/problem solver is another key goal.
Many Changes ~ We all know that there will continue to be changes throughout the year, and we’ll need to smile and be flexible!
Newsletter ~ Our newsletter, the Friday Forecast, will be published on our class Weebly page each Friday. The quick link is http://d14-sbaytala.weebly.com It is important to review the weekly newsletter for upcoming events and important information. Our weekly Friday Forecast, as well as other important information throughout the year will be published on our Weebly page.
Office ~ Check in with the office anytime you may need to visit our school.
Phone ~ Foster’s telephone number is (708) 687-4763. If you wish to speak to me directly, you may dial my extension (5322).
Questions ~ Feel free to contact me if you have any questions throughout the school year. The best ways to contact me are through e-mail and phone.
Reading/Scholastic Book Orders ~ In your “Welcome Supplies” from me, I will be sending August, September & October Reading Logs. Please keep your logs in whichever folder you would like to use for Reading/Language Arts. I would like your child to read/be read to 20 minutes 4xs per week. I will be making a Seesaw activity for each calendar, where your child may take a picture of their calendar at the end of the month. You may also order Scholastic books online. Our class code is LD9Y9. These will be delivered to my home or school, and we can then schedule a pick-up day/time.
Schedule/Specials ~ We will have Gym twice a week (Mondays at 1:05 and Fridays at 1:35) and Art (Tuesdays at 1:05) and STEAM (Wednesdays at 1:05) once a week (this quarter) via Zoom.
Student of the Week ~ We will have a new student in the spotlight each week. Those students who will be Student of the Week during the first quarter will receive their poster with their welcome materials. When it is your week, you will present your poster to the class.
Study Buddies ~ One morning a week (to be determined once other scheduling has been completed), I will offer “Study Buddies.” We will meet from 8:15 - 8:45, and students may come on a "need" basis. I will offer extra assistance and classwork help.
Toys ~ Please do not allow your child to have toys near their “work” area.
Up-to-date ~ Please keep me up-to-date on any important changes in your child’s life.
Virtual Behavior ~ I expect your very best behavior every day during our Zoom sessions; we will be going over Zoom expectations on Monday and reviewing them throughout the next few weeks.
Water bottles ~ Please be sure your child keeps their water bottle and/or any food or drinks away from their iPad.
X-tra practice ~ If you are looking for extra resources to help your child at home, site URL’s will be emailed soon and also published on our Weebly.
You’ve Got a Friend in Me ~ Every Friday, students will have the opportunity to learn new things about their classmates. Different questions will be posed, and your student will be able to share their answers with me and their classmates.
Zzzz ~ Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep so that he/she is prepared to do his/her best during our remote learning!
Zoom ~ Remind your child to be on time and do their best each day during our Zoom sessions!