Meet the TeacherHello! My name is Heather Wertz and I have the pleasure of teaching your child this school year. Let me share a little about myself...
I've been teaching for sixteen years now, with experience in various school settings and grade levels. This marks the start of my tenth school year working at Penns Valley Area SD and my fourth year in 1st grade at Centre Hall. I achieved my B.S. in Elementary Education from Kutztown University and I completed my M.S. in Educational Development and Strategies through Wilkes University. It was my elementary teachers that inspired me to become an educator, and it is my hope that I can help your child become excited about learning and discover his/her path to the future. I'm confident, with your support, this will be a great school year! I look forward to embarking with you and your child on this 1st Grade adventure! |
More About Me...
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Behavior Expectations
Penns Valley Area School District follows the School-Wide Positive Behavior Support System for addressing student behavior. It is a research based, proactive approach to discipline. It promotes appropriate student behavior and increased learning through teaching, monitoring, and supporting all students. At Penns Valley we encourage being RESPECTFUL, being RESPONSIBLE, and being READY. These expectations are taught and reinforced in all areas of our school environment including the cafeteria, hallways, bathrooms, classrooms, playground, and even on the school bus. The students receive RAM Stars when they display these behaviors. RAM stars are rewarded in the classrooms and at school events.
Be Respectful
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Be Responsible
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Be Ready
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Academic Expectations
First Grade is a crucial year in your child's academic development. This is the year in which they will grow from early emergent readers to fluent beginning readers! They will also learn the foundational skills necessary to become mathematicians! The specific learning targets addressed in first grade can be found under the 21st Century Learning tab. First grade requires a significant amount of hard work and perseverance, but together we can help your child be successful!
Phonological awareness is the foundation for learning to read. Ways to support your child in these skills can be found under the Resources tab. Math requires a strong understanding of number sense. Activities for developing these skills can also be found under the Resources tab. In first grade, homework is not required, but it is recommended that you spend 10-20 minutes a day reading with your child. The T.R.E.E. binder also offers resources that your child can use to practice letter identification, letter sounds, number identification, number and letter formation, counting, and comparing numbers. Every child develops at their own rate. My hope is that together, we can help your child grow from beginning to end of first grade and have fun while doing it!
Phonological awareness is the foundation for learning to read. Ways to support your child in these skills can be found under the Resources tab. Math requires a strong understanding of number sense. Activities for developing these skills can also be found under the Resources tab. In first grade, homework is not required, but it is recommended that you spend 10-20 minutes a day reading with your child. The T.R.E.E. binder also offers resources that your child can use to practice letter identification, letter sounds, number identification, number and letter formation, counting, and comparing numbers. Every child develops at their own rate. My hope is that together, we can help your child grow from beginning to end of first grade and have fun while doing it!
CommunicationAnything sent home will be in your child's Taking Responsibility Each & Everyday (T.R.E.E.) Binder. It will be a way for you and your child to stay organized. In the binder you will find a folder with a section for papers to go home and papers to be returned to school. You will also find our daily schedule, alphabet chart, sight word lists, 120 chart, and letter/number formation practice pages, A dry erase marker is also included so that your child may practice tracing directly on the sheet protectors. It will be important for you and your child to check this binder daily, as it will serve as the primary means of communication. I will also send emails and monthly newsletters keeping you updated on what is happening in our classroom! It is also highly recommended that you download the Seesaw Family App so that you can receive class messages and be connected to your child's learning journal.
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Communication is the key to any relationship! In order for this school year to be successful we'll have to communicate clearly to one another. If you have any questions or concerns throughout the year, I encourage you to reach out to me. Email is my preferred method of communication, but I'm also happy to give you a call or arrange a "virtual" conference. Please understand the I usually don't have the chance to respond to phone calls or emails until after the school day ends. You can use the button below to send me an email.
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