Welcome to First Grade!
We are Katie Adams and Nadine Boodhoo, your child’s first grade teachers, and we are proud to be a part of this vibrant learning community. It is our hope that every day this year will be a positive learning adventure, and we look forward to getting to know each of you and building a strong home-school connection to best meet the needs of your child.
About Mrs. Adams:
Mrs. Adams has been a teacher in New York City for 7 years. She received a Master of Science in Education from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts from La Salle University, where she had a dual major in Elementary and Special Education. As an undergrad, Mrs. Adams also studied art history in Florence, Italy, and was a volunteer English teacher at a local middle school there. She is passionate about teaching and learning, and when she is not at school she enjoys spending time with her family in Prospect Park. Mrs. Adams will miss all of you in the early fall while she is out on maternity leave, but is excited to see you when she returns in mid-November!
About Ms. Boodhoo:
Ms. Boodhoo has spent the last six years working with children in child care, camps and tutoring programs. She attended Brooklyn College, where she double majored in Early Childhood Education/Special Education and Children and Youth Studies. She wishes to pursue her masters degree in Special Education and Children's Literature. She is passionate about working with children and finding different ways to help bring out their best potential. In her leisure time, she enjoys writing short stories and poems.
We are very excited to kickoff the 2013-2014 school year! Below you will find helpful information that may answer many of your questions. Please use section as a reference guide. We have prepared it to address some of the most common first grade/classroom routine questions. If you have further questions, feel free to send us a note in your child’s homework folder or reach out to us anytime via email ([email protected] and [email protected]) and we will respond as quickly as we can. (Please be sure to include both teachers in the email.)
Responsive Classroom
The Responsive Classroom approach was developed by classroom teachers. It emphasizes teaching children to take care of themselves, each other, and the school environment so that every can learn at his/her best. A strong emphasis is placed on students setting goals for their own learning and taking responsibility for reaching those goals. The Responsive Classroom approach includes the following main parts that we will use in our classroom this year.
• Morning Meeting- Children gather for fifteen to twenty minutes daily to greet each other, share news, do a group activity, and look forward to the day ahead. This daily routine builds community, creates a positive climate for learning, and gives children practice in a wide range of academic and social skills.
• Rules and Logical Consequences- The students will work together to create rules for the classroom that will allow everyone to do his/her best learning. When children break the rules, there are clear and non-punitive consequences that help them learn from the mistake. The approach teaches responsibility and self-control.
• Guided Discovery- Guided discovery is a structured way of introducing materials so that children become interested and motivated to explore different ways to use the materials.
• Academic Choice- Students will make choices to help them become invested, self-motivated learners.
• Working Together with Parents- Parents are true partners in education! Parents are invited to participate in Family Read (more details to come!), attend The Sing, sign up to be mystery readers, volunteer in the classroom, supervise field trips, garden, and park visits. We truly value parental involvement and feedback. If you have questions or concerns, please email us or send a note in your child’s homework folder.
Communications
WilloughBlog will be your main source for classroom news. Be sure to follow us! We will keep you updated on what we’re learning in class, volunteer opportunities, and the much anticipated field trips!
Your child may bring home notes in his/her homework folder. Please be sure to check this folder every night. The left side of the folder will contain materials that should be kept at home. The right side of the folder is for homework and materials that should be returned to school.
Attendance and Punctuality
Regular attendance is critical for your child’s success in first grade. Teachers will greet students at the classroom door each morning at 8:50 a.m. For your child’s safety, we recommend escorting your child directly to the classroom door (as opposed to the front door of the building). It is imperative that your child arrive on time in order to unpack and be ready for Morning Meeting at 8:55. Our little ones find it quite challenging to focus in the midst of distractions, so we appreciate your attention to punctuality!
If you and your child arrive early, please take a seat and wait quietly on the bench outside the classroom door. Children should never be unattended in the hallway. Mrs. Adams and Ms. Boodhoo will be tutoring students in our room from 8:30-8:50, and they will welcome the class in promptly at 8:50.
Students who arrive after 8:55 a.m. will be marked tardy and must see Ms. Williams for a late pass before being admitted to class. Parents will find Ms. Williams at the 3rd floor desk or in room 304 (main office) to obtain a late pass.
If you know in advance that your child will be gone for an extended period of time, please email us and contact Tiffany Pierre ([email protected]) in the main office. If your child becomes ill and will not be attending school, please call the main office and let them know (718-222-1605).
Recess
Recess is an important part of your child’s day as they need time to play and recharge for their afternoon learning. It is the school policy that one recess break is provided for elementary students. Recess is outside unless the weather is extremely severe. All children must dress properly for the weather. Children will be excused from recess only if there is a note from a family physician. The physician’s written instructions should also say how long your child would need to be excused from recess.
**Boots need to be worn in the event of rain, mud and/or possible snow.
**Please label all jackets, sweaters, mittens, etc.
Lunch Procedure
School lunch will be served in the cafeteria. You may choose to send lunch or purchase lunch . Please know that Fridays are popular in the cafeteria when pizza is served (every Friday throughout the year)! More information to come regarding payment for school lunch. For now, if students are purchasing a school lunch they will give their name to a member of the cafeteria staff and their lunches are tallied and receipts will be sent home. If you are sending in payment for lunch bills with your child, always send money in labeled envelopes or baggies. The label should include: child’s name, teacher’s name, and the amount of money that is included.
Health
If your child has a communicable disease, please keep him/her at home.
Please send extra clothes to school for emergency situations in a clearly labeled Ziploc bag (top, bottom, underwear, socks). If your child has a severe medical condition or allergy, please let us know immediately.
Snacks
Please pack a healthy snack for your child every day. Snacks should be sent to school in your child's lunch bag/box or a disposable bag labeled with your child's name. We do not have a refrigerator to store snacks, so if you pack something that needs to stay cold, be sure to pack an ice pack in their lunch bag or plan accordingly. Do not send in candy or sugary treats (this is not the best fuel for school!). This year, our classroom will be peanut free; items containing peanuts or peanut products are not allowed in the room. Water bottles will be the only beverages allowed in the classroom (you may pack another beverage for your child's lunch). Please clearly label your child’s water bottle. We also have a water fountain in the room which students can access anytime.
Specials Schedule (TBD)
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Lost and Found/Toys
Please be sure to put your child’s name on everything. If an item is found without a name, it will be sent to the lost and found. Children are not permitted to bring toys or electronics to school.
Homework
Beginning on September 16th, students will be receiving nightly homework. At the beginning of each week your child will receive a homework packet with a cover sheet. The sheets will be labeled on a day-by-day basis to indicate which day the specific assignment should be completed. Homework is generally 1 math sheet or game per night (Mon-Thurs), a reading requirement (children should read or be read to for at least 15 minutes) Monday-Friday, and sight word practice games. The homework packet must come back in the morning with the previous day’s completed assignments and a parent or guardian's signature.
In addition to the homework packet, we will send home optional extension activities for families that would like to do more. Extension activities include games, explorations, and discussion prompts that can be used at home to further learning. We are open to feedback regarding homework and it may be adjusted throughout the year. If you have any questions or concerns regarding homework, please email us!
Birthdays
Children may bring in a treat for their birthday. Please send individually bagged treats or cupcakes and napkins. This will make distribution much easier! Remember, NO PEANUT PRODUCTS! Of course, we will sing a very special Willoughby happy birthday song to your child!
*Individually bagged treats or cupcakes - no cakes
*Treats/cupcakes should be dropped off at arrival that morning
*We do not need to be notified in advance.
*Children who have summer birthdays may share their treats on their half birthday or another day of your family’s choice.
*When sending treats, please send 25.
Dismissal
Students will be dismissed from the classroom each day at 3:00 p.m. Parents or adults who are authorized to pick up your child will be greeted by Mrs. Adams & Ms. Boodhoo when they open the classroom door at 3:00 p.m. At that time, teachers will dismiss students to adults. If you arrive early, feel free to take a seat on the bench outside of the classroom and wait for your teachers to dismiss students. Bus riders and students attending after-school will be picked up by Ms. Williams and escorted to their bus or after-school classroom.
Parent Homework!
Parent Letter to the Teacher: In an effort to get to know your child, we would love for you write a letter describing your child to us. You know your child best, and we are anxious to learn as much as possible to ensure a successful start to the school year! We are curious to know your child’s favorite activities, likes/dislikes, strengths /areas for extra support, and anything else you think would be helpful to meet your hopes and expectations.
Willoughby Supply List
Please see main blog page for the supply list (also mailed home in summer welcome pack). It is imperative that your child arrive to school on September 9th with all of his/her supplies so that we can get started! Please label the supply bag with your child's name. Thank you for your support!
We are absolutely thrilled to be starting this new school year with you and can’t wait to build a community of parents and teachers that will support our students in every way. We consider it a great privilege and responsibility to be your child's teacher and look forward to building our relationship this year. Thank you in advance for your support and cooperation.
With great enthusiasm,
Katie Adams & Nadine Boodhoo
About Mrs. Adams:
Mrs. Adams has been a teacher in New York City for 7 years. She received a Master of Science in Education from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts from La Salle University, where she had a dual major in Elementary and Special Education. As an undergrad, Mrs. Adams also studied art history in Florence, Italy, and was a volunteer English teacher at a local middle school there. She is passionate about teaching and learning, and when she is not at school she enjoys spending time with her family in Prospect Park. Mrs. Adams will miss all of you in the early fall while she is out on maternity leave, but is excited to see you when she returns in mid-November!
About Ms. Boodhoo:
Ms. Boodhoo has spent the last six years working with children in child care, camps and tutoring programs. She attended Brooklyn College, where she double majored in Early Childhood Education/Special Education and Children and Youth Studies. She wishes to pursue her masters degree in Special Education and Children's Literature. She is passionate about working with children and finding different ways to help bring out their best potential. In her leisure time, she enjoys writing short stories and poems.
We are very excited to kickoff the 2013-2014 school year! Below you will find helpful information that may answer many of your questions. Please use section as a reference guide. We have prepared it to address some of the most common first grade/classroom routine questions. If you have further questions, feel free to send us a note in your child’s homework folder or reach out to us anytime via email ([email protected] and [email protected]) and we will respond as quickly as we can. (Please be sure to include both teachers in the email.)
Responsive Classroom
The Responsive Classroom approach was developed by classroom teachers. It emphasizes teaching children to take care of themselves, each other, and the school environment so that every can learn at his/her best. A strong emphasis is placed on students setting goals for their own learning and taking responsibility for reaching those goals. The Responsive Classroom approach includes the following main parts that we will use in our classroom this year.
• Morning Meeting- Children gather for fifteen to twenty minutes daily to greet each other, share news, do a group activity, and look forward to the day ahead. This daily routine builds community, creates a positive climate for learning, and gives children practice in a wide range of academic and social skills.
• Rules and Logical Consequences- The students will work together to create rules for the classroom that will allow everyone to do his/her best learning. When children break the rules, there are clear and non-punitive consequences that help them learn from the mistake. The approach teaches responsibility and self-control.
• Guided Discovery- Guided discovery is a structured way of introducing materials so that children become interested and motivated to explore different ways to use the materials.
• Academic Choice- Students will make choices to help them become invested, self-motivated learners.
• Working Together with Parents- Parents are true partners in education! Parents are invited to participate in Family Read (more details to come!), attend The Sing, sign up to be mystery readers, volunteer in the classroom, supervise field trips, garden, and park visits. We truly value parental involvement and feedback. If you have questions or concerns, please email us or send a note in your child’s homework folder.
Communications
WilloughBlog will be your main source for classroom news. Be sure to follow us! We will keep you updated on what we’re learning in class, volunteer opportunities, and the much anticipated field trips!
Your child may bring home notes in his/her homework folder. Please be sure to check this folder every night. The left side of the folder will contain materials that should be kept at home. The right side of the folder is for homework and materials that should be returned to school.
Attendance and Punctuality
Regular attendance is critical for your child’s success in first grade. Teachers will greet students at the classroom door each morning at 8:50 a.m. For your child’s safety, we recommend escorting your child directly to the classroom door (as opposed to the front door of the building). It is imperative that your child arrive on time in order to unpack and be ready for Morning Meeting at 8:55. Our little ones find it quite challenging to focus in the midst of distractions, so we appreciate your attention to punctuality!
If you and your child arrive early, please take a seat and wait quietly on the bench outside the classroom door. Children should never be unattended in the hallway. Mrs. Adams and Ms. Boodhoo will be tutoring students in our room from 8:30-8:50, and they will welcome the class in promptly at 8:50.
Students who arrive after 8:55 a.m. will be marked tardy and must see Ms. Williams for a late pass before being admitted to class. Parents will find Ms. Williams at the 3rd floor desk or in room 304 (main office) to obtain a late pass.
If you know in advance that your child will be gone for an extended period of time, please email us and contact Tiffany Pierre ([email protected]) in the main office. If your child becomes ill and will not be attending school, please call the main office and let them know (718-222-1605).
Recess
Recess is an important part of your child’s day as they need time to play and recharge for their afternoon learning. It is the school policy that one recess break is provided for elementary students. Recess is outside unless the weather is extremely severe. All children must dress properly for the weather. Children will be excused from recess only if there is a note from a family physician. The physician’s written instructions should also say how long your child would need to be excused from recess.
**Boots need to be worn in the event of rain, mud and/or possible snow.
**Please label all jackets, sweaters, mittens, etc.
Lunch Procedure
School lunch will be served in the cafeteria. You may choose to send lunch or purchase lunch . Please know that Fridays are popular in the cafeteria when pizza is served (every Friday throughout the year)! More information to come regarding payment for school lunch. For now, if students are purchasing a school lunch they will give their name to a member of the cafeteria staff and their lunches are tallied and receipts will be sent home. If you are sending in payment for lunch bills with your child, always send money in labeled envelopes or baggies. The label should include: child’s name, teacher’s name, and the amount of money that is included.
Health
If your child has a communicable disease, please keep him/her at home.
Please send extra clothes to school for emergency situations in a clearly labeled Ziploc bag (top, bottom, underwear, socks). If your child has a severe medical condition or allergy, please let us know immediately.
Snacks
Please pack a healthy snack for your child every day. Snacks should be sent to school in your child's lunch bag/box or a disposable bag labeled with your child's name. We do not have a refrigerator to store snacks, so if you pack something that needs to stay cold, be sure to pack an ice pack in their lunch bag or plan accordingly. Do not send in candy or sugary treats (this is not the best fuel for school!). This year, our classroom will be peanut free; items containing peanuts or peanut products are not allowed in the room. Water bottles will be the only beverages allowed in the classroom (you may pack another beverage for your child's lunch). Please clearly label your child’s water bottle. We also have a water fountain in the room which students can access anytime.
Specials Schedule (TBD)
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Lost and Found/Toys
Please be sure to put your child’s name on everything. If an item is found without a name, it will be sent to the lost and found. Children are not permitted to bring toys or electronics to school.
Homework
Beginning on September 16th, students will be receiving nightly homework. At the beginning of each week your child will receive a homework packet with a cover sheet. The sheets will be labeled on a day-by-day basis to indicate which day the specific assignment should be completed. Homework is generally 1 math sheet or game per night (Mon-Thurs), a reading requirement (children should read or be read to for at least 15 minutes) Monday-Friday, and sight word practice games. The homework packet must come back in the morning with the previous day’s completed assignments and a parent or guardian's signature.
In addition to the homework packet, we will send home optional extension activities for families that would like to do more. Extension activities include games, explorations, and discussion prompts that can be used at home to further learning. We are open to feedback regarding homework and it may be adjusted throughout the year. If you have any questions or concerns regarding homework, please email us!
Birthdays
Children may bring in a treat for their birthday. Please send individually bagged treats or cupcakes and napkins. This will make distribution much easier! Remember, NO PEANUT PRODUCTS! Of course, we will sing a very special Willoughby happy birthday song to your child!
*Individually bagged treats or cupcakes - no cakes
*Treats/cupcakes should be dropped off at arrival that morning
*We do not need to be notified in advance.
*Children who have summer birthdays may share their treats on their half birthday or another day of your family’s choice.
*When sending treats, please send 25.
Dismissal
Students will be dismissed from the classroom each day at 3:00 p.m. Parents or adults who are authorized to pick up your child will be greeted by Mrs. Adams & Ms. Boodhoo when they open the classroom door at 3:00 p.m. At that time, teachers will dismiss students to adults. If you arrive early, feel free to take a seat on the bench outside of the classroom and wait for your teachers to dismiss students. Bus riders and students attending after-school will be picked up by Ms. Williams and escorted to their bus or after-school classroom.
Parent Homework!
Parent Letter to the Teacher: In an effort to get to know your child, we would love for you write a letter describing your child to us. You know your child best, and we are anxious to learn as much as possible to ensure a successful start to the school year! We are curious to know your child’s favorite activities, likes/dislikes, strengths /areas for extra support, and anything else you think would be helpful to meet your hopes and expectations.
Willoughby Supply List
Please see main blog page for the supply list (also mailed home in summer welcome pack). It is imperative that your child arrive to school on September 9th with all of his/her supplies so that we can get started! Please label the supply bag with your child's name. Thank you for your support!
We are absolutely thrilled to be starting this new school year with you and can’t wait to build a community of parents and teachers that will support our students in every way. We consider it a great privilege and responsibility to be your child's teacher and look forward to building our relationship this year. Thank you in advance for your support and cooperation.
With great enthusiasm,
Katie Adams & Nadine Boodhoo