Welcome Families!!! 

I am happy to have your child in my class.  We will have a marvelous school year!  This is my 13^th year as a teacher and my 10^th year teaching first grade at Cummings.  This is a great school and I enjoy planning and sharing with the teachers here!       

You will be receiving many important papers in the blue F.I.S.H. (Family Involvement Starts Here) Folder.  Please empty this folder and return it to school daily.  Be sure to read “The ABC’s of First Grade” which is also in your child’s F.I.S.H. folder and should stay there.  Let me know if you have any questions or concerns that are not answered.  E-mail me (janssen_laura@salkeiz.k12.or.us) soon if you haven’t already so that I have your e-mail address.  E-mail is a wonderful way for us to keep in touch.  The Helper of the Day Calendar comes home in the F.I.S.H. Folder each month.  My helper is invited to bring a favorite book to talk about and store purchased snacks for the class. 

Homework, including a reading log and a spelling list, will come home in the F.I.S.H. Folder each Monday.  It will be due on Friday (or Monday if there is no school on Friday).  Please give your child opportunities to read at least 15 minutes daily (for a total of 60 minutes per week) and to study the spelling words and rocket words each week.  Our school has a weekly book drawing for a student in each class who has turned in a complete reading log.  We also will be doing the Book-It reading incentive plan with Pizza Hut.  Occasionally, I may send home unfinished class work, extra math games, or special projects.  I may also offer additional optional homework later in the year. 

I strive to have a positive, engaging classroom filled with successful students and adults.  Students will have many opportunities to earn praises and awards.  Our class rules are: Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be a Learner.  These are also our school’s rules (also known as “The Cummings Way.”)  We will be discussing exactly what those rules mean in our classroom.  Students are given clear expectations and reasonable consequences (a reminder, a time out (in or out of the classroom), a “thinking sheet” to fill out, a call home, an e-mail, a note or “Notice of Concern” sent home, etc.).  I will, of course, contact parents with any on-going concerns so that we can make a plan that will allow your child to be successful.  Extreme behaviors, such as violence, threats, or repeated offenses, will require a “Discipline Referral” which involves Mrs. Sundseth, our principal. 

School hours are 8:45-3:00.  Daycare vans and the bus pick up in the front.  Cars pick up at the back parking lot.  Walking students usually meet at the back parking lot, near the flagpole, or at the front door.  Please make sure I know how your child is getting home each day and any special concerns. 

I am excited that we will be partners to give your child a good school experience and I look forward to getting to know you and your child.  Thank you for your support! 

Laura Janssen