Acceptance: In our classroom students will treat classmates and others with respect. All members of our classroom will feel special because we will accept everyone regardless of the ways we are different.

Art: first graders love art. We will be making lots of beautiful projects this year, both in the classroom and during art class with Mrs. Naeger.

Attendance: first grade is a continuous experience with each day's learning built on the day before. Poor attendance will not benefit your child's learning experiences. With the exception of illness, please make every effort to send your child to school. If your child must be absent, please contact our office before 8:00 a.m. and leave your child's name, grade and the nature of the illness on the recorder. Upon return to school please send a note restating the reason for the absence.

Neatness Counts: Neatness is very important in first grade. This is especially true in our handwriting. Also, the children are expected to keep their desks clean and orderly.

Nurse: We are fortunate to have a school nurse to take care of bumps and bruises and to administer any medications. Please refer to our school handbook.

Nutrition: Proper nutrition is essential to a healthy, productive child. Please make sure your child eats properly and that you send only nutritious lunches and snacks to school.

Basic Skills: First grade is an extremely important year in your child's life. Here, the foundation for your child's school career will be laid. The basics of reading and mathematics will be taught and reinforced throughout first grade.

Being the Best Person: I hold high expectations for each and every child in my classroom. I expect and encourage my students to do their very best in everything they do.

Books: Our classroom has a wonderful selection of books for students of all reading levels. Students learn to read best by being surrounded by books. I hope that you will surround your child with good books at home. We also welcome donations to add to our class library.

OLR School Website: Here is the official OLR website. Visit it often for complete and updated school information; including school closing, newsletters, sports schedules and scores, and school policies. You can even find online forms and maps to away games!

Ownership: One of my many goals as an educator is to help children to take ownership for their own learning and behavior. I strive daily to instill a love for learning in my students and to model responsible behaviors and attitudes.

Character Education: Our Lady of Refuge School firmly believes in the education of young children to become people of good character. Character education is an important part of our classroom experience and is practiced daily.

Conferences: Parent/Teacher conferences are held once a year. During our conference, we will discuss your child's strengths, areas that need work, homework, behavior and any concerns you may have. Your attendance is mandatory.

Parent Involvement: Your active involvement in your child's education is extremely important to his/her success. Participate as a class volunteer, read to your child, help and encourage him/her with homework, and attend school functions. By being involved, you are modeling a positive attitude toward learning and school that will reap huge rewards.

Progress Reports: Students will receive progress reports four times a year. These progress reports come out around 4 1/2 weeks before report cards and will give you an idea of how your child is progressing in all areas.

Differentiated Instruction: All children are unique and special and therefore, are at different instructional levels. I will make every effort to make sure that your child's individual learning needs are met.

Discipline: I do not anticipate behavior problems-we will be too busy learning and having fun! However, if a child chooses not to follow the rules or directions given, he/she will be held responsible and will be expected to accept an appropriate consequence. Please refer to my class behavior plan (Be An Angel)  for details.

Questions: Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. You can do this in a variety of ways. You may send a note with your child requesting a phone call or meeting, e-mail me (click on the link):
Ms. K's eMail, or contact the school office to set up an appointment. I'm happy to meet with parents to discuss your questions and concerns.

Enrichment: Those students performing above grade level in any subject, will be given opportunities to strengthen their understanding of concepts. Reading chapter books, book reports, and projects are a few of the many enrichment activities that may be provided for those who need a little extra.

Reading: Learning to read and strengthening reading skills are the most important things your child will learn to do this year. Studies have shown that those children whose parents are actively involved in the reading process will become the best readers. Reading to your child and listening to them read to you, taking them to the library and providing quality books at home is of the highest importance.

Religion: Learning about God, His love, and the Catholic faith are at the foundation of all we do at Our Lady of Refuge School. We pray and receive religious instruction daily.We also attend Mass every Wednesday

Report Cards: Students will receive report cards every nine weeks. The report card will give you an understanding of your child's strengths and weaknesses. The report card will be sent to you in an envelope. Please sign and return the envelope only.

Family: It is very important to me that the children and myself come together as a big family. We work together, play together and learn together. From the start, I encourage the children to respect, love, and take care of each other.

Field Trips: We will be taking at least two field trips this year. When a Field Trip Form is sent home, please try to return it on or before the requested due date. Also, chaperones will be chosen on a first come basis.

Friday Folders: A special folder is sent home every Friday containing your child's graded work. The Friday Folder is to be returned to school on the following Monday.

Schedule: After our opening activities, our entire morning is spent doing Language Arts. This includes phonics instruction, working with words, Word Wall activities, writing and guided reading instruction. Reading is done in two groups. While one group is reading with me, the other is busy at Learning Centers set up around the room. We rotate activities so that both groups meet with me daily for guided reading. We conclude our morning with Religion. I like to begin our afternoons reading aloud to the students, followed by Math, Handwriting, Science and/or Social Studies. Of course, in first grade we must always be flexible, especially with the many "Special Classes" that we have. They are Spanish, Art, Music, Computers and Gym. Lunch period is from 11:35 - 12:05 daily.

Scholastic Book Clubs: Each month I will be sending home book order forms for you and your child to look over. Scholastic offers lots of wonderful books at reduced prices. We also earn free books for our classroom for every dollar spent. Should you decide to purchase books for your child, please make your checks out to "Scholastic Book Clubs" or to "Cash." Use a labeled envelope to return your payment to me. Make sure that your Child's "Name" and "Scholastic Book Order" is written clearly on the front of the sealed envelope.

Snacks: First graders have snack time each morning on full days. Please pack nutritious snacks such as fruits, vegetables, and crackers. Please NO cookies or candy.

Spanish: The children receive Spanish instruction once a week.

Grading: Assessment of student learning is very important in order to find out where students are successful and where they may need some extra assistance. Grades are taken in all subject areas and are based on criteria determined by the teacher. I use a variety of assessment tools to determine grades. For example, I often use scoring rubrics for theme-related projects and portfolios to determine progress made in reading and writing. Worksheets are graded using more traditional methods. Graded work is recorded and used to calculate final grades for each marking period. In first grade, letter grades are given for the final two marking periods only.

Gym: We love Mr. Mazur, our gym teacher. We have gym once a week. I have found that most children wear their gym clothes under their uniforms on gym days. Gym shoes are not to be worn to school. Please pack them and have your child carry them to school.

Technology: I strongly support the use of technology in education. We live in a technological age and having computer skills is essential; besides, it's fun! I try to integrate technology across the curriculum. Our classroom computer is equipped with educational software that will support our reading and mathematics learning. We also have Kid Pix Studio, which we will use to do fun and educational projects. Unfortunately, we only have one computer in the classroom. I am hopeful that each student will be able to use the classroom computer at least once a week. We will also be using the computer lab to do special projects and of course, the children have computers, with Ms. McKindles, once a week.

Transportation: All bus riders will be picked up at the front of the school, even on days when there is NO bus service. Car riders will always exit through the back door near the church. Please pick children up at the door. If they do not see the person they are to ride home with, they will be instructed to proceed down the center lane area to wait with our staff person. Also, please make sure to notify me by WRITTEN NOTE each day your child will be going home differently than the usual way. Many times children will get upset when they tell me they are supposed to be a car rider, but I make them get on the bus because I did not receive a note. A simple note will prevent a lot of problems

Hands-On Activities: I believe in providing an active learning environment for my students. Important concepts can be learned by doing meaningful hands-on-activities, in addition to more traditional methods of learning.

Homework: Yes, first-graders do have homework! A homework package will be sent home on Monday's. In addition to our weekly spelling words (see our Class News Web Page) , homework typically includes a language arts and math activity. I also ask that the children read and/or be read to for 10 - 15 minutes every night. Watch for a Monthly Reading Log to record your child's home reading progress.

Units of Study: Among the many units we will study this year are: Apples and Johnny Appleseed, Fire Safety, Fire Safety, Our 5 Senses, Weather, Health and Butterflies. Please watch our Ms. K's Class News and our class website for our units of study (Study Links on our Just 4 Kids Page ).

Journals: Journal writing is at the heart of our first grade writing program. I also use journals to teach important concepts of spelling, sight words, sentence structure, punctuation, and other skills.

Website: Yes, we have a class website! Our URL is:

The website contains important information about our school and classroom, examples of our work, photos, educational links, and more! Please visit us often.

Writing: Writing is closely connected to reading. Students use skills that they need to read and apply them to writing. Students also develop communication skills and creativity in their writing. We will be writing a lot in first grade.

X-tra Special: Your child is "X-tra Special" to me. I promise to take care of him/her while under my care.

Learning Centers: Learning Centers are an important part of our classroom. During reading groups, small groups of children will be visiting such centers as reading, writing, listening, computers, and math and/or science.

Lessons: The lessons planned for each day are taught in a variety of ways and group arrangements. Some are taught as a large group; others take place in smaller groups. Some are teacher directed and others involve hands-on activities with opportunities for creativity, discovery and exploration.

Mathematics: Mathematics is an important subject in first grade. Among the many skills we learn are addition and subtraction facts through 20, time, money, and measurement. My approach to teaching math includes teaching math strategies and using hands-on math manipulatives as much as possible. To reinforce addition and subtraction facts, I encourage you to practice at home using flashcards.

Money: All classroom money (i.e. class field trip money) comes directly to me. When sending in a check, please make it payable to CASH or to ME, NOT Our Lady of Refuge School. All other money (including tuition, lunch money, etc.) is sent directly to the office. These checks are to be made payable to OLR unless otherwise directed. All money and/or checks should be placed in an envelope and labeled with your child's Name, Room Number (101) and What it is to be used for.

Music: Children love music. We have music once a week with Ms. Mar. We will also learn some educational songs in the classroom.

Zooming Through Many Skills: First grade is jam packed with a lot of things to learn. I feel confident that your children will be successful in mastering these many skills if we work together.