Absences- If your child is going to be absent, please call the school office at 822-6100 before 8:00am. Voice mail is available to leave a message. Art- Children go to art class once a week.

Birthdays- If you would like to send a birthday treat for your child you may. We encourage you to send in healthy snacks if possible. All food brought into school for celebrations must be nut-free. Blog: Our classroom blog, The Dog Blog is a great way to see what’s going on in our class. I update several times a week. You’ll find the address on the front pocket of your child’s D.O.G. Please stop by! Book orders- Book orders will be sent home each month. If you are interested in ordering, please send the order form and money back to school in your child’s D.O.G. by Friday. If paying by check, please make it payable to Scholastic. Orders may also be placed online at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs using your credit card.

Classroom Rules- I work hard to make our classroom a positive and safe place for all. Bullying is not tolerated. Our classroom rules are: 1. Follow directions quickly. 2. Raise your hand to share. 3. Make smart choices. 4. Be kind! Conferences- Conferences are held twice a year. Watch for information in your child’s D.O.G. or Family Folder. Feel free to call, email, or schedule an appt at any time if you have questions regarding your child’s progress.

D.O.G. binders- Our D.O.G. is our “Take home binder”. It will house your child’s monthly calendar, homework, important notes, and more. It will come home every night. Please check it daily, remove any notes or projects, and return it to school the next morning. If you have notes or lunch money to send, please put them in the “Saddle bag” of your child’s DOG as I check binders every morning. Dismissal- We dismiss at 2:48. Children who are being picked up will wait in the community gym for you to come in and pick them up. Walkers will exit from the doors on Front Street by the arch.

Email- My email address is sjmalchow@pulaskischools.org. Feel free to contact me anytime. I check email several times a day. Emergency cards- Please complete and return your child’s emergency card promptly. If your home or work numbers change during the year, please be sure to update your information with the office. Early Release- These days will take place throughout the year. Please watch the monthly calendar for upcoming dates. On early release days, students are dismissed at 11:20 AM. We DO eat lunch prior to dismissal.

Field trips- Information about field trips will come home in your child’s D.O.G. Details will be outlined on the field trip permission slip. Chaperones must have an approved background check on file. Family Folders- These folders will come home each week with the youngest child in your family and contain a variety of important notes. Please take the information out and return the folder to school the next day.

Gym- We have gym three times a week. Children must wear socks and tennis shoes to participate. Guidance- We have classroom guidance once every other week. Our school counselor is also available to work with you regarding concerns you may have about your child’s personal, social, or emotional well-being.

Homework - Students will bring a book home most nights to practice their reading strategies. Please have your child read their book and then sign the reading log. Please also find time during the week to practice spelling words and math facts. Homework is due the next day. Hours- Students may enter the building at 7:30. Instruction starts at 7:40. We dismiss at 2:48. Please be sure your child is on time for learning. ☺

Independence- 1

st Graders are very capable of doing many things on their

own and I encourage them to do as much as they can for themselves in the classroom. Independence builds self-esteem and self-confidence. Please work on the following skills with your child: tying, zipping, dressing, etc.

/

Keep updated- Check your child’s DOG every day for notes and other information and also stop by our classroom blog to see what we’ve been up to. (See Blog info above) We love it when moms and dads leave comments for us, so please don’t be shy when you stop by. ☺

Library- We visit the library once a week. Children can check out one or two books. Please return books before our next visit. If your child forgets to return their books, they will not be able to check out new ones. Lunch- Your child may sign up for hot lunch or bring their lunch from home. Lunch menus can be found on the district website. A link is available on The Dog Blog. Lunch money-Money can be deposited into your family’s account online or by sending cash/check to school. Please put money in an envelope with your child’s name and purpose for the money and send it in the saddle bag of your child’s DOG.

Music- Children have music class twice a week. Money- Any time you need to send money to school, please send it to school in a sealed envelope with your child’s name, teacher’s name, and purpose for the money and place in the saddle bag of your child’s DOG binder. Checks are the safest way to send money to school.

Newsletter- In lieu of a newsletter, our class has a blog. You’ll find the address on the front pocket of your child’s D.O.G. Please stop by often to see what we are up to, leave comments, and talk with your child about what they are learning in school. No school- There are several ‘no school days’ throughout the year. Please be sure to watch the school newsletter, the monthly calendar in your child’s DOG or The Dog Blog for upcoming dates.

Office- You can reach the school office at 822-6100. Hours are 7-3:30pm

Picking your child up early- Please try to schedule appts outside of school hours, but if it is necessary, please send a note in your child’s D.O.G. with the date and time you will be coming. You will need to come in to the school office to pick your child up and sign them out.

Questions? Please feel free to call, email, send a note, or set up an appt.

• Please call prior to 7:30 (as children are in the room at 7:30) or after 2:50. If I’m not available, please leave a message and a number I can reach you at and I’ll call you back as soon as possible. If it’s an emergency, please call the school office.

• Email : sjmalchow@pulaskischools.org

• Classroom phone: 822-6109 School Office: 822-6100

Report cards- Our report cards are sent home at the end of each semester (Jan/June). Please feel free to call, email, or schedule an appt at ANY time if you have questions regarding your child’s progress. Recess- Please be sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather. Boots, snow pants, hats and mittens or gloves are required in the winter.

Snack- We have a 10 minute snack break each day. Please pack a healthy snack for your child to munch on. Your child may also purchase milk for their snack. Money for milk is taken out of your family’s lunch account. Water bottles are also ok to have in our classroom.

Transportation- Please send a note if there will be a change of transportation for the day. Calling the office is the best method for letting

me know about last minute changes.

Technology- Your child will be immersed in technology this year. We will use iPads, netbooks and a smartboard to enhance our learning. You can also find our class on Twitter ~ @Malchow1stgrade Come check us out!

/

Volunteers and visitors- must register in the office and pick up a badge. Volunteers must have a background check on file. Vacations- If your child will be out for an extended family vacation, please let me know in advance and I will gladly put together the work that your child will miss. Children are required to make up missed work.

Websites- Check the sidebar of “The Dog Blog” for a variety of useful websites including the monthly lunch menu, Glenbrook’s blog, and other great sites for your child.

/

You are the most important adult in your child's life; nobody knows your child better than you. You are your child's biggest supporter in their education, and I sincerely value your input.

Zzzzzzz – Please make sure that your child gets plenty of rest each night so they are rested and able to perform their best every day.