Back to School
Packet
First Grade
August 24, 2015
Ms. Davishines
Portable 16
First Grade Information
Welcome to First Grade! I am so excited to have you and your child in
our class this year. Please read the following information and save this
guide for a reference throughout the year.
Kimberly Davishines
Cafeteria Money: A school lunch costs $2.60 ($0.40 reduced) and breakfast costs $1.50
($0.30). Snacks and milk are also available for purchase. Please send money in a sealed
envelope with your childs name, teachers name, amount and Lunch on the outside.
Our lunch system is automated and each child has an individual account. I encourage you to
pay weekly or monthly. This will not only speed up the line, but your child will have to carry
money less frequently. Our lunch time is at 11:41 and you may join your child for lunch any
time. Breakfast is served each morning beginning at 7:10. If your child will be eating
breakfast, please arrive early enough to finish eating and be in class on time (7:45 a.m.). Also,
it would be helpful for each student to have a water bottle to help keep them hydrated
throughout the day.
Attendance: Please have your child at school by 7:30 a.m. Doors open at 7:10 for those who
must come early. All students gather in the cafeteria for the morning assembly. This is a time
for us to meet together as an entire school and to make sure we all start the day off right and
ready to learn. Please try to avoid having your child arrive late. Arrival after 7:45 will be
considered tardy. Please go to the office for a tardy slip before coming to the
classroom. If a student arrives after 7:45 without a tardy slip, he/she will be sent back
to the office to get one. Tardiness is very disruptive and your child will miss out on important
lessons and activities. Please help your child start the day off well by arriving on time.
Illness: A child needs to be well in order to actively participate in class. If your child becomes
ill at school and you are called, please pick up your child promptly. Often, children ask to
come to school even though they are ill. Although your child may be disappointed, please
keep him/her at home. After a fever, a childs temperature must be normal (98.6) for 24 hours
(without the aid of fever-reducing medication) before returning to school. After vomiting, 24
hours must pass since the child last vomited before returning to school.
Absence: When your child returns to class, send a note or doctors excuse, including the
childs name, teachers name and the reason for the absence.
Dismissal: Students will be dismissed at 2:40 p.m. Parents may pick up at that time.
Please meet us at our dismissal spot, not at our classroom. Every child should have a form
on file to tell the school how they will go home and with whom. Permanent changes should
be noted on the form in the office and with the teacher. Temporary changes (such as going
home with a friend) will only be allowed with a signed release note from the parent. PLEASE
only call the teacher with last minute changes if absolutely necessary. The end of the day is
very busy, making it difficult to answer the phone. Students leaving during the day must be
signed out in the office, not the classroom.
Backpacks: Please make sure your child has a means for carrying important school papers
to and from school each day. Please make sure to empty and look at the contents of
your childs backpack with them daily so that important information and homework is
not overlooked. Your child will have a GREEN homework folder that will go home every day.
Even if there is no written homework, your child is responsible for reading for 20 minutes
EVERY night. Your child will also have a BLUE Wednesday folder that will have student
work and other papers with information from the school. PLEASE make sure you look at
everything in the folder, sign on the sheet inside and return it the next day. This is an
important opportunity for your child to learn how to be a responsible student.
Medication: Teachers may not give medication to students. All medicine is kept in the office
and must be brought in the original container. A parent must fill out forms in the office
authorizing school personnel to give the medicine.
Birthdays: Invitations to birthday parties may be passed out at school only if every child in
the class is invited. We will recognize each child on his or her birthday.
Clothing: Please see the Pillow dress code for specific information. (REMINDERS: no
spaghetti straps, no tank top or muscle shirts, tummies must be covered, no excessively
short skirts or shorts.) We do participate in physical activities daily at recess and especially
on PE days. Please make sure your child is wearing comfortable shoes (flip-flops are not
recommended). When cool weather comes, send a jacket with your child and make sure it is
clearly labeled with his/her name. If your child still has the occasional bathroom accident,
please put some extra clothes in his/her backpack to be used if needed.
Personal Toys: Toys should be left at home. Students need to use the learning materials
provided in the classrooms. Problems develop when children dont want to share toys or
when those toys are lost or damaged.
Conferences: Conferences are scheduled for every child twice a year. You will be contacted
in the fall and spring for exact times. If an additional conference is needed at another time, I
am available during my conference period (8:00 8:45) or before/after school, in person or by
phone. Please send a note and the reason for requesting the conference so a productive
meeting can be planned.
Library books: Children will be able to check out books from the library on a weekly basis.
Lost books will need to be paid for before checking out a new book. Please establish a
special spot where your child may safely keep the book at home. Our librarian is Ms.
Finnegan and our library volunteer is Mrs. Burghart. Parents are also encouraged to use the
school library to check out books to read at home.
Contact
Information
Ms. Davishines
Classroom Phone
(512) 841-4648
So that instruction is not interrupted, please call this number only during my
conference period, after school, or for emergencies.
Pillow Office Phone
(512) 414-2350
E-Mail
kimberly.davishines@austinisd.org
This is the best way to get in touch with me!
Classroom Website
www.davishines.weebly.com
Check here for classroom information and activities.
Conference Period
8:00 8:45
Lunch
11:41 12:11
Please post me in a safe and convenient place!!
