First Grade

Our Goals for This Year

We have the same goals for your children. We are dedicated to ensuring the students feel safe, comfortable, happy and engaged this year. We look forward to getting to know them and help their brains grow. We also intend to focus on something called the perfect triangle - Parent, Teacher, Child... meaning in order for each child to be successful, we must all work together. Remember, our goal is the same as yours - to help your child reach their potential.

School Supplies

A 1st grade supply list was posted over the summer on the school Dojo. All school supplies were already sent in - thank you so much! Each child should have an individual, zipper pencil case. Some supplies may be used as community supplies (disinfected daily), while others may be for your child’s individual use. If there are any concerns, please let us know.

Attendance Policy

If your child is absent, please Dojo us and let us know. You must also call the office on those days. Please send in an absent note when your child returns to school.

Homework Requirements

Homework will be assigned every day other than Fridays. Homework is given to reinforce what we learned during the school day and should be completed independently. Weekly packets will be sent home at the beginning of the week. Math Succeed (Homework) Workbooks are to be kept home, or if your child attends NIA or after school, they should remain in their backpack. We are asking for you to rip out the homework page each night and return it to school the following day in your child’s homework folder.

Behavior Chart

This year we will use a similar behavior system as the one the students used in Kindergarten (if they attended PS 52). Students will start each day on green. If students are not following the classroom rules, they will be moved to yellow. If students continue to not follow the rules, or exhibit behavior such as playing or talking on a fire drill, they will be moved to red.

In our classroom, we have added some positive reinforcement as well. If students display great behavior, they will be moved to purple and if they go above and beyond to help classmates or exhibit exceptional behavior, they will be moved to pink.

At the end of each school day, students will color their behavior chart in their homework folder. In order for you to provide support at home, we ask that you initial each night to indicate that you have seen your child’s behavior for that day.

Class Schedule

Grade 1 has Music, Science, Social Studies, and Gym. On the days that the students have gym, please have them wear their gym uniforms and sneakers.

All of the 1st grade classes eat lunch 4th period each day (10:46AM - 11:36AM).

School Information

• School: PS 52
• Phone: 718-351-5454
• Principal: Mrs. Cancel

Assistant Principals:

• Mrs. Palmeri
• Mrs. Muccigrosso
• Ms. Forde

Classroom Policies and Procedures

Policies

Students are expected to wear school uniforms Monday-Thursday. They should wear gym uniforms and sneakers on gym days. Fridays are dress-down days!

Procedures

Students should be on time each day. The school day begins at 8:00 am. In 1st grade, we work on fostering independence as much as possible, therefore students are responsible for unpacking and emptying their folders. We then complete the morning routines and begin learning. Dismissal is at 2:14 pm each day.

Curriculum

• Math: Eureka Math
• Reading/Language Arts: HMH Into Reading and Orton Gillingham

Dismissal

2:14pm at Exit 9

Each child will be dismissed one by one. If your child goes to NIA, they will be picked up from the classroom and brought to NIA. If they take the bus, they will be picked up from the classroom and escorted to the necessary location. If there is ever a day where your child is not being dismissed in their typical way, please be sure to let us know ASAP via Dojo AND a written notice.

STUDENTS CAN ONLY BE DISMISSED TO INDIVIDUALS LISTED ON THEIR BLUE CARD - NO EXCEPTIONS.

Grading System

We use a five-point grading system that measures student growth:

• ME – Exceeds standards
• MA – Above standards
• MT – Meeting standards
• MP – Approaching standards
• MB – Below standards

Assessments

Math: All assessments will be taken on paper - we will be sure to notify you when we will be reviewing in class for our assessments. Topic quizzes may also be given and sent home so you can track your child’s progress.

HMH: We will be giving paper assessments throughout the month. This is given to drive our instruction and make small groups in the classroom.

Morning Arrival Procedures

Grade 1 will be lining up in the gym. Students may enter from Nugent Avenue. Children can eat breakfast in the cafeteria starting at 7:40AM. Teachers will pick children up from the gym and classes will enter through assigned entrances to maintain social distance.

Meals at School

Breakfast will be available in the morning before morning arrival, starting at 7:40AM. For lunch, the period will be split, so the children will eat for half the period and then go play outside for the rest of the time.

Please note there is no snack time in 1st grade.

Medical

Please keep the school nurse and us informed of any allergies or medical conditions your child may have. If your child is sick and stays home from school, please send a Class Dojo message in the morning. Absent notes must be handed in when your child returns to school.

Birthdays

This year birthdays will still be celebrated in the classroom. Fortunately, parents will be able to attend. If you would like to send something in for your child’s birthday, please let us know and we can schedule a day.

• Food and drinks should be individually wrapped.
• Please send in one flavor of the birthday treat (ex- all chocolate munchkins) in order to be fair to all children.
• Goodie bags of ANY kind are NOT permitted and will be returned home if sent in.
• Students are not allowed to leave school with any food.

School Hours

• Monday - Friday 8:00am-2:20pm
• Arrival: 7:40-8:00 Exit 7 (Breakfast begins at 7:40)
• Dismissal: 2:14-2:20 Exit 9

School Uniforms

P.S. 52 follows the School Uniform Policy.

• Students are required to wear their school uniform Monday-Thursday.
• Uniforms (khaki pants, skirt or shorts with navy blue top) must be worn Monday - Thursday.
• Sneakers should be worn on gym days.
  
• Friday is a dress down day.
  
• On gym days, students can wear P.S. 52 shorts or sweatpants and a solid navy shirt.
  

Money Collection

Throughout the year, there will be times that we will need to collect money, like for trips or school events. We ask that the money be placed in an envelope. Seal the envelope, and on the front, please write the following information: Child's Name, Class #, Amount of money enclosed, and what the money is for.

Family Communication

Class Dojo

• Class Dojo is checked daily and your child's teacher will respond at his/her earliest convenience.
• Please check daily for reminders.

Google Classroom

• Emails and passwords will be distributed.

Monthly Newsletter

Snapshot of what your child is learning each month.