Information, Notes, Helpful Hints
Absences: If your child is not coming to school, please call the office in the morning and let them know. The number is 891-3285.
Bathroom/Drinking Fountain: Bathroom privilege is always open as long the students have the bathroom pass and no more than two people visit at the same time. Water bottles are strongly encouraged. Students can keep a water bottle at their desk to use as needed. Students cannot get drinks from the classroom water fountain after any recess. The purpose of recess is to use the bathroom and get drinks! If at all possible purchase a sturdy water battle that students can keep at school and be sure to write names on outside.
Birthdays: In fairness to all kids, I ask that you Please, Do Not send in cupcakes, cookies, etc. on your child’s birthday. We will honor everyone’s birthday at the end of the year with a whole class celebration. Many students have birthdays when we are off and I don’t want them to feel left out. Also, please do not send birthday invitations to school to pass out unless the whole class is invited! This will avoid hurt feelings from those not invited. Thank you for your understanding.
Box-tops: Please send in Box-tops for Education anytime. Hopefully you’ve been saving them all summer long. We have a collection box in the classroom.
Cell Phones: Many students now have cell phones; it is a fact of life today. In our classroom I request that all cell phones be turned off or volume turned off during school hours. If your child needs to call you during the school day they will need to use the phones in the main office. If you need to reach your child during the day, please call the office, 891-3285. I will confiscate phones if it interferes with the learning in our classroom.
Dress Code: Please refer to the Little Chico Creek Behavior and Dress Standards pamphlet in your first day packet. A few reminders for girls, shirt straps must be at least one inch wide or wear t-shirts underneath, no spaghetti straps and no short shorts/skirts. Sandals must have a strap on the back and socks must be worn with them (this is to protect from bees during P.E. and recess). Sagging, low riding pants and shorts are NOT allowed. Hats are not worn in the classroom. Any questionable clothing issues will be sent to the office. Please write names on all jackets, hats, etc.
Early Release Days: We are scheduled to have early release days during parent conference week, and Friday before winter break as well as the last day of school. More information will be provided as to specific times and lunch schedules.
Homework: Homework will be assigned Monday through Thursday. Students will be completing 30 minutes of math, spelling and writing work, plus 30 minutes of independent reading every evening. The amount of time to complete homework will vary and sometimes there won’t be any homework. Here are some homework tips from: Classroom Instructions That Works, by Marzano, Pickering, and Pollock:
1. Help set up a consistent organized place for homework.
2. Establish a consistent schedule.
3. Encourage, motivate, and prompt your child, but do not sit with them and do their homework, The purpose of homework is for your child to practice and use what they have learned. If your child is consistently not able to do the work, contact the teacher.
4. If your child is practicing a skill, ask them to tell you which steps are easy, which are difficult, and how they are going to improve.
5. When bedtime comes, please stop, even if work is not completed
It is the student’s responsibility to get their homework finished and turned in on time…..not Mom, Dad, Grandparents, or the babysitter! This includes having a parent sign the weekly reading log. I do not allow students to call home to ask a parent to bring in their homework. Any homework that is missing or not finished at 8:30 a.m. is late, thus lower grades and missed recess to complete.
Monday Folders: Every Monday I will be sending home a Monday Folder. It will contain most of your child’s work from the week, notices, and notes from me. Please look through the folder, sign, and have your child return it on Tuesday.
Parents: Please check in at the office if you are visiting our classroom. If you make alternate transportation plans for your child, please send a dated, signed note that includes your child’s name. Please write your child’s name on lunch boxes, coats, hats, etc. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately each day. If your child will be missing school and you would like work for them to do, please notify me at least one week in advance. Work given before the student misses school will not replace all the work that the child may miss. However, it will help them not feel so overwhelmed with work when returning to school.
Schedule: 8:00 Campus open
8:30 Class begins
10:40-11:00 Morning Snack Recess
12:25-1:10 Lunch
2:40 Class Dismissal
School Materials: I ask that you provide a backpack for your child. Extra pencils and a hand held pencil sharpener are essential. I will provide a homework folder, which students will be required to return to school everyday! Pencil boxes are okay if they fit in the desk, otherwise they become a distraction and end up broken on the floor. We can always use extra supplies, pencils, Kleenex, glue sticks, hand sanitizers, etc. Thank you in advance for any classroom donations.
Snacks: Our morning snack recess is at 10:30. Please encourage you child to eat a healthy snack, fruit, yogurt, cheese or nuts, etc. No candy or sodas!
Sharing: Unlike the primary grades, we do not have sharing. I encourage students to bring in items that are related to our studies to share with the class. They are responsible for the items. No pets for sharing!
Tardies: Any child arriving at school after 8:30 is tardy. If it is before 8:45, they should go straight to class. After that time, the student will have to go to the office to get a tardy slip before going to class. After three tardies, students will miss recess time to make-up for the missed class time.
Toys: Toys are not allowed in the classroom. Toys that are used by the students during class hours will be confiscated. This also includes items that are not necessarily toys (iPods, MP3s, game boys, cell phones, etc.) but, that distract the student’s attention from their work or other students’ work. I will hold the toys until the end of the school year. If you would like your child’s toy returned sooner just send me a note.
Volunteers: I would like to encourage you to become an active participant in your child’s education. You can do so by supporting the school discipline policy, showing interest in your child’s work, attending school functions, and helping your child accept responsibility for his/her actions and learning. Parent participation in and out of the classroom is always welcomed. If you would like to help, please let me know. If you want work in the classroom or drive on field trips be sure to file out all the parent volunteer forms that will available at Back to School Night. I love it when parents are involved, and studies show it makes a positive difference in your child’s attitude and progress in school.
Let Me Know: It is important that parents and teachers keep each other informed. I can be reached at the school number, 891-3285 or email: [email protected].
Absences: If your child is not coming to school, please call the office in the morning and let them know. The number is 891-3285.
Bathroom/Drinking Fountain: Bathroom privilege is always open as long the students have the bathroom pass and no more than two people visit at the same time. Water bottles are strongly encouraged. Students can keep a water bottle at their desk to use as needed. Students cannot get drinks from the classroom water fountain after any recess. The purpose of recess is to use the bathroom and get drinks! If at all possible purchase a sturdy water battle that students can keep at school and be sure to write names on outside.
Birthdays: In fairness to all kids, I ask that you Please, Do Not send in cupcakes, cookies, etc. on your child’s birthday. We will honor everyone’s birthday at the end of the year with a whole class celebration. Many students have birthdays when we are off and I don’t want them to feel left out. Also, please do not send birthday invitations to school to pass out unless the whole class is invited! This will avoid hurt feelings from those not invited. Thank you for your understanding.
Box-tops: Please send in Box-tops for Education anytime. Hopefully you’ve been saving them all summer long. We have a collection box in the classroom.
Cell Phones: Many students now have cell phones; it is a fact of life today. In our classroom I request that all cell phones be turned off or volume turned off during school hours. If your child needs to call you during the school day they will need to use the phones in the main office. If you need to reach your child during the day, please call the office, 891-3285. I will confiscate phones if it interferes with the learning in our classroom.
Dress Code: Please refer to the Little Chico Creek Behavior and Dress Standards pamphlet in your first day packet. A few reminders for girls, shirt straps must be at least one inch wide or wear t-shirts underneath, no spaghetti straps and no short shorts/skirts. Sandals must have a strap on the back and socks must be worn with them (this is to protect from bees during P.E. and recess). Sagging, low riding pants and shorts are NOT allowed. Hats are not worn in the classroom. Any questionable clothing issues will be sent to the office. Please write names on all jackets, hats, etc.
Early Release Days: We are scheduled to have early release days during parent conference week, and Friday before winter break as well as the last day of school. More information will be provided as to specific times and lunch schedules.
Homework: Homework will be assigned Monday through Thursday. Students will be completing 30 minutes of math, spelling and writing work, plus 30 minutes of independent reading every evening. The amount of time to complete homework will vary and sometimes there won’t be any homework. Here are some homework tips from: Classroom Instructions That Works, by Marzano, Pickering, and Pollock:
1. Help set up a consistent organized place for homework.
2. Establish a consistent schedule.
3. Encourage, motivate, and prompt your child, but do not sit with them and do their homework, The purpose of homework is for your child to practice and use what they have learned. If your child is consistently not able to do the work, contact the teacher.
4. If your child is practicing a skill, ask them to tell you which steps are easy, which are difficult, and how they are going to improve.
5. When bedtime comes, please stop, even if work is not completed
It is the student’s responsibility to get their homework finished and turned in on time…..not Mom, Dad, Grandparents, or the babysitter! This includes having a parent sign the weekly reading log. I do not allow students to call home to ask a parent to bring in their homework. Any homework that is missing or not finished at 8:30 a.m. is late, thus lower grades and missed recess to complete.
Monday Folders: Every Monday I will be sending home a Monday Folder. It will contain most of your child’s work from the week, notices, and notes from me. Please look through the folder, sign, and have your child return it on Tuesday.
Parents: Please check in at the office if you are visiting our classroom. If you make alternate transportation plans for your child, please send a dated, signed note that includes your child’s name. Please write your child’s name on lunch boxes, coats, hats, etc. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately each day. If your child will be missing school and you would like work for them to do, please notify me at least one week in advance. Work given before the student misses school will not replace all the work that the child may miss. However, it will help them not feel so overwhelmed with work when returning to school.
Schedule: 8:00 Campus open
8:30 Class begins
10:40-11:00 Morning Snack Recess
12:25-1:10 Lunch
2:40 Class Dismissal
School Materials: I ask that you provide a backpack for your child. Extra pencils and a hand held pencil sharpener are essential. I will provide a homework folder, which students will be required to return to school everyday! Pencil boxes are okay if they fit in the desk, otherwise they become a distraction and end up broken on the floor. We can always use extra supplies, pencils, Kleenex, glue sticks, hand sanitizers, etc. Thank you in advance for any classroom donations.
Snacks: Our morning snack recess is at 10:30. Please encourage you child to eat a healthy snack, fruit, yogurt, cheese or nuts, etc. No candy or sodas!
Sharing: Unlike the primary grades, we do not have sharing. I encourage students to bring in items that are related to our studies to share with the class. They are responsible for the items. No pets for sharing!
Tardies: Any child arriving at school after 8:30 is tardy. If it is before 8:45, they should go straight to class. After that time, the student will have to go to the office to get a tardy slip before going to class. After three tardies, students will miss recess time to make-up for the missed class time.
Toys: Toys are not allowed in the classroom. Toys that are used by the students during class hours will be confiscated. This also includes items that are not necessarily toys (iPods, MP3s, game boys, cell phones, etc.) but, that distract the student’s attention from their work or other students’ work. I will hold the toys until the end of the school year. If you would like your child’s toy returned sooner just send me a note.
Volunteers: I would like to encourage you to become an active participant in your child’s education. You can do so by supporting the school discipline policy, showing interest in your child’s work, attending school functions, and helping your child accept responsibility for his/her actions and learning. Parent participation in and out of the classroom is always welcomed. If you would like to help, please let me know. If you want work in the classroom or drive on field trips be sure to file out all the parent volunteer forms that will available at Back to School Night. I love it when parents are involved, and studies show it makes a positive difference in your child’s attitude and progress in school.
Let Me Know: It is important that parents and teachers keep each other informed. I can be reached at the school number, 891-3285 or email: [email protected].