If I told you that the reason the S.T.A.R. folder did not get out last week was because I couldn't decide on an acronym, you'd laugh at me... but sadly, that's the truth. Last night I actually spent some time thinking about what message I wanted to send via my folder name and S.T.A.R. was easily decided on. S.T.A.R. stands for Skills to Teach Academic Responsibility. It's important to me that kids take responsibility for their learning. (It's an ongoing theme.. you'll hear lots more about that throughout the year.) But, Stuff To Always Remember pretty much means the same thing. Which ever way you remember it, I'll still have sent my not-so subliminal message!
The pencil pouch is an ideal place to send money for lunches, Santa Shoppe, the Book Fair, etc. It is also the first place I look in the morning so if you have important information that you want me to get right away, just put it in this pouch and I will see it. I do a more thorough look through the folder when I put more paperwork in it at the end of the day, but it's much later by then. If you'd like me to know about a change in the way your child will get home, put it in the pouch. If your child will be leaving early, send a note in the pouch. If your child was absent, or you'd like a conference, put it in the pouch...
Behind the pouch is the Behavior Calendar.
It is important that you check it each night and initial the box to indicate that you've seen it. A green means your child did great and that deserves praise so heap it on! An orange means that your child needed to be reminded more than a few times but eventually changed whatever behavior was getting negative attention. Mistakes are to be expected so don't worry unduly about an orange. A red box means that your child repeatedly did something and they need your help. A red is a good time to sit with your child and find out what the problem is. It's an opportunity to brainstorm alternative responses. It's a perfect time to talk about your expectations of what your child should be doing whilst they are in class. In my experience, a child goes to red because they don't know what else to do. Let's help your child find new and better ways to act so they can show how AWE-SOME they really are. And AWESOME anyone is, if they get a gold. A gold means that your child has gone far beyond what is normally expected of a first grader through being selfless and kind. A gold is a huge WHOOO-HOOO!
The gold page behind the Behavior Chart is a short explanation of the S.T.A.R. folder. Some parents are familiar with organizational folders... others aren't. This post expands upon that information sheet. This page will be changed out later.
I thought carefully about who you might need to get in touch with and I included them on the Contacts page. I detest when I am trying to reach someone but I don't have internet access. Let the "Contacts" page help you. If you think I should include someone else, just let me know.
The looseleaf paper is for those times when you need to write a quick note and can't find a scrap of paper anywhere. It's right there.... and we have more to replace it so don't worry!
Behind that is the homework pouch. It will mostly hold spelling activities (when we get our textbooks) and a reading book. That's what I assign for homework in general, but I also send home math games to play, math fact practice sometimes and other random work that the students may be having difficulty with and could use more practice on. PISD requires 20 minutes of homework every night at this level. It's IMPORTANT to me that the time be spent READING.
The right hand pocket of the folder is for paperwork that must be looked at, usually signed and returned immediately. Please be sure that after you look at and initial the behavior calendar, that you turn to the back to see if anything needs to be signed and returned.
Some parents will notice that a few things in their folders have been re-used. One of the things that you may know about me is that I am "GREEN". I detest filling landfills with perfectly good material, so I re-use what I can, recycle what I can and try to reduce waste. This is also the first year that I have received plastic folders in the school supplies. That means I have, in the past, purchased everything for the folders. It adds up to about $5.00 a person. That doesn't seem like much until you realize that I have 21 students.... I like to reuse what I can-- for MANY reasons. :)
Yikes! This was long (and detailed) but at least I don't have to make you sit on a small, hard chair and drone on endlessly about this during our Orientation Night!
Have a good night and give your wee ones a hug from me!
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