Welcome to 1A !

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My name is Sana.

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I was born and raised in Amman-Jordan. Moved to the Bay Area on 2017

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I’m a mother to a 7 year old twins; Yousef&Tia.

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This is my 3rd year at GIS!

• I once had a pet monkey.
• I have an Instagram Page about Motherhood and Positive Discipline @MAMMYSDIARIES
• I love cooking!
• I enjoy making birthday parties.
• I’m a yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do.

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Color: White

Food: Pasta

Beverage: Coffee

Sport: Basketball

Book: What I Know For Sure

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EDUCATION&

EXPERIENCE

• BA in Marketing from Jordan University, Amman-Jordan.
• Member of American Positive Discipline Association.
• Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator
• Certified Positive Discipline Early Childhood Educator.
• Certified Positive Discipline Classroom Educator.
• 9+ years of experience in Teaching English Arts, Science and Math.

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

• Connecting with my students on an individual basis is what I do best! My Students have different personalities, different interests, and come from different backgrounds and each is unique in his/her own way. As their teacher I am excited to weld all these different experiences within my classroom to the betterment of all!

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• As a facilitator I believe that kids learn best through visual aids, hands-on activities and games in addition to the structured techniques.

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• As a mentor I believe that working on students’ personalities, behaviors, body boundaries, and confidence is as important as Academics. I dedicate one period a week for SEL.

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TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

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• I believe in The Teaching Triangle. In order for your child to prosper, flourish, and get the best out of First Grade, we need to work together as a team.

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• First Grade is a foundational year in your child’s learning journey. It’s a time when students build the essential skills that will support them through elementary school and beyond. Short, daily practice helps reinforce what is taught in class and it’s highly recommended. it also builds confidence, independence, and positive learning habits.

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CURRICULUM

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• For ELA we use CKLA which has two strands; Skills & Knowledge.

Skills focuses on explicit instruction in phonological awareness, phonics, and fluency to develop decoding skills for reading and writing.

Knowledge builds vocabulary, background knowledge, and listening comprehension through read alouds of complex, content-rich texts in subjects like science, history, and literature.

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• For MATH we use Into Math curriculum. It has a lot of hands on activities and we add fun videos that go along with our lessons.

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• For SCIENCE we use Pearson Interactive, we use the textbook along with in-class experiments.

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• For SOCIAL STUDIES we use Social Studies Alive! We integrate our daily routines with the textbook.

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Classroom Expectations!

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

• Students need to follow the GIS uniform guidelines.
• School starts at 7:45am please come on time.
• Teacher takes attendance at 8am sharp. Tardy Policy is now in effect!
• Come to class prepared by getting a good night sleep and eating a healthy breakfast.
• Boys hair needs to be groomed/brushed.
• Girls hair needs to be pulled back.
• Face and teeth need to be clean.
• Nails need to be cut, there will be a check up every morning.
• Be respectful, stay organized, and follow classroom rules.

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TARDY POLICY

• After 5 tardies, the school office will email parents.

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• After 7 tardies, a meeting will be scheduled.

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• After 10 tardies, the grade for the first period subject will drop by 10%, and a comment will be added to the report card.

GIRLS UNIFORM

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• Girls can wear the skirt with a white or light blue t-shirt, logo required Or they can wear the jumper with a white or light blue t-shirt, no logo required.
• Girls should wear navy blue leggings/tights, If girls are wearing tights, they need to wear bikers shorts over tights
• Girls hair should be pulled back.
• Only navy blue cardigans,vests,sweaters are allowed inside the classroom.
• Winter jackets can be any color but can’t be worn in the classroom.
• Closed toe shoes only, no light up shoes allowed! slip on shoes recommended (no lace).
• Jewelry is not allowed, it will be confiscated and given to the parents at the end of the day.
• No nail polish allowed. after 2 warnings, a parent need to come to

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BOYS UNIFORM

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• Boys should wear navy blue t-shirt, logo required.
• Boys should wear a khaki/beige pants.
• beige/khaki pants with a Boys’ hair should be groomed/brushed.
• Only navy blue cardigans,vests,sweaters are allowed inside the classroom.
• Winter jackets can be any color but can’t be worn in the classroom.
• Closed toe shoes only, no light up shoes allowed! slip on shoes recommended (no lace).

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Classroom Expectations!

UNMET EXPECTATIONS

1^st Notice: Note to parent - warning (Oops Form) 

2^nd Notice: Note to parent and a phone call by Homeroom Teacher 

3^rd Notice: Parent meeting with Director of Elementary School before the student is admitted to class

LUNCHBOX

• We have 3 breaks a day, 8:50am, 11:30am, and 1:30pm so please make sure to pack enough food for your child.

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• The lunchbox must contain 2 portions of vegetables,2 portions of fruits, dairy, protein, and healthy fats. Please note that 1A is nut free, please don't send nuts with your kid as it might put other kids in danger!

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• Junk food is not allowed such as: chips, chocolate bars, candies, gummies, donuts, and cupcakes. The teacher will confiscate any junk food and give it back to the student at dismissal time.

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• Healthy substitutions may include -not limited to-: popcorn, veggie chips, seaweed, crackers, homemade cake, Madeline cake.

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• Your child needs to have a leak proof water bottle, straw cups or disposable bottled are not allowed.

BIRTHDAYS

Cupcakes and goodie bags have become overwhelming to the parents, the teachers, and the students. With the room parent help, the students who share the same birth month will collaborate and get cupcakes, treats,and/or goodie bags to the students and celebrate one day during that month “TBD by the teacher and the room parent”.

If your child doesn’t share the birth month with any other students, we’ll celebrate on their birthdate.

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• Cupcakes need to be nut free .
• Cupcakes need to be individually packed, cupcakes won’t be accepted if brought to the classroom in bulk.
• Whole cakes are not accepted.
• Cupcakes need to be dropped off only during the last period; 2:30p, at the front desk.

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ABSENCES

• If your child is not coming to school, please send an email to me, Ustatha Jehan, and attendance@granadaschool.org. In the email, inform us of the absence and the reason for absence by 8 am.
• If it is necessary to have your child leave school early, please notify me and Ustatha Jehan.
• Please refer to the (parent/student) handbook for unexcused and excused absences.
• For excused absences, all work can be made up.
• For unexcused absences, students can only make up tests. Please do not travel during the school year, it will affect your child’s grades and learning.

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HOMEWORK

• Math : Standard practice pages will be sent home.

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• Language Arts : Standard practice pages will be sent home with caregiver notes to keep the parents in the loop of what we learn in class. Spelling tests will start after the first month or two.

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• Clever badge for iReady and Raz Kids. iReady HW will be assigned every 2-3 weeks for both Reading and Math.

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• Homework Folder will be sent every Monday and due the next Monday. Handwriting and Neatness will be graded.

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• Keep the folder in the backpack after you take the HW out, I send some graded work home during the week.

Classroom Expectations!

CLASSWORK

• MATH : Into Math.

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• LANGUAGE ARTS : CKLA

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• SCIENCE : Pearson Interactive.

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• iReady : 3 Diagnostic assessments a year, One class a week, and more practice at home.

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• RAZ KIDS : ( Leveled reading from Literably )

GRADES

CHARACTER EDUCATION

Our goal is to truly embrace the prophetic character for adults and students around the school and teach our students better means to deal with teasing and bullying.

The themes are:

1. Friendliness
2. Loyalty
3. Courteous
4. Obedience
5. Bravery
6. Being Thrifty (Not Wasteful)

DISCIPLINE POLICY

• Preventative Discipline – 80% of prevention is by strengthening the student/teacher relationship and setting parameters.
• Using positive language to reinforce good behavior and redirect misbehavior.
• Set up classroom rules and procedures.
• Practice routines frequently to make sure all students know what to expect and what’s expected from them.
• Weekly SEL books and meetings.
• Conflict Resolution to solve problems like bullying or physical contact. We usually have a conversation with the students and we inform the parents. In some cases, the Elementary Director will get involved to reach a resolution to help prevent similar situations.
• For disruptive behaviors, parents will be contacted after the child receives their third reminder.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

• Daily 15 minutes reading practice. Raz Kids, iReady, or books from home.
• Daily math practice; verbal or written questions based on the lessons we’re covering.
• Keep the handouts I send near or at your child’s studying area.
• Use small items from home as math manipulatives, this will help them with fluency.
• Have your child practice wrapping their headphones at home, this keeps them on task and on time.
• Have your child practice opening their lunchbox and water bottle, this gives them more confidence.
• Have your child practice tieng their shoelace, this helps them stay safe and keeps them safe from germs. slip on shoes are recommended.

COMMUNICATION

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* GIS Website : https://www.granadaschool.org/

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* First Grade Newsletter : https://sites.google.com/granadaschool.org/firstgrade/1a-ms-sana posted on Monday.

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* EMAIL: SANAA@GRANADASCHOOL.ORG

Email responses between 24-48 hours from 8am-4pm.

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COMMUNICATION

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* Homework : in “Take Home Folder” sent every Monday.

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* WHATSAPP: Please contact the Room Parent;

Asmaa Talaat.

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* 1A Wishlist: Please support our classroom,

any little bit helps!