Handbook Policies
GRADING
Most assignments will be based on a percentage system. For instance, if there are 6 possible points and your child misses 1, you may see a ratio of 5/6 (correct number over possible number) which will convert into a 83%. Quizzes will count 2x as much as a daily assignment. Tests will be weighted and count 3x that of a daily assignment. Papers receiving an F may require your signature and need to be returned to me.
FRIDAY NOTES
Twice a month, usually on a Friday, your child will be given a Friday Note. This update will contain curriculum information including topics to be taught during the upcoming weeks, test dates, helpful pages to study, etc. This handy update will inform you about many other things that are happening at school like meetings, assemblies, early dismissal, and other special events. Deadline reminders will also be included.
AGENDA
I will expect you to sign your child’s agenda on a daily basis. This will be one of our major ways to communicate concerns about academics, behavior, homework, school events, and deadlines. Please sign at the bottom of that day’s date every night. Please feel free to write notes to me in the agenda. I will check agendas each morning.
HOMEWORK: Homework is assigned each Monday and due by the end of the week, Friday. Students may complete the homework and return it before Friday if they wish. The assignment is a short review of reading and math concepts, and sometimes a PREview of what’s coming up! I encourage parents to assist, if needed, and to look over students’ work. Missing homework assignments will be noted in the agenda to make you aware. Students who do not complete homework at home will be required to complete missing assignments during a free time, and a violation will be recorded in their agenda. Six or more violations will disqualify them from participating in our Good News Parties at the end of that grading period.
PROGRESS REPORTS AND SEMESTER REPORT CARDS
Please check the school calendar for dates for progress reporting. Each reporting period will include grades earned on assignments, tests, and quizzes. I will also provide a checklist indicating performance on work habits and social skills. Additional information about accessing Skyward to view grades and reports will be provided within a week.
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent/Teacher Conference dates are listed on the school calendar, but may also be scheduled whenever deemed necessary by parent or teacher.
BIRTHDAY TREATS
Birthday Treats are allowed and always welcome. Individually wrapped, store-purchased items like cupcakes, donuts, cookies, etc. are preferred. Items like cakes and big cookies are very difficult to distribute. The birthday child usually hands out his/her items right before lunch so treats should be at school by that time. (Our lunchtime is 11:30.) Please do not send items containing peanuts, traces of peanuts, or homemade items. These types of items are not allowed to be served at school.
DISMISSAL
If you must pick up your child during the school day for an appointment, please go directly to the Primary Office. After the office contacts me I will send your child directly to the office for dismissal. I will not be able to dismiss a child directly from my classroom without authorization from the Primary Office.
HOLIDAY PARTIES
Four holiday parties are scheduled: Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and End of the Year. At Open House, a sign up sheet was posted for volunteer help. A room parent will usually be in touch with other parents as these holiday parties approach. If you did not get a chance to sign up, please let me know and I will pass your name along to the room parent in charge.
ABSENTEES
If your child is going to be absent from school for the day or more due to vacation or another obligation, please let me know as soon as possible so I can get his/her daily work together. If your child is ill and cannot come to school, please call the school (239-0000) between 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. to report his/her absence and request homework at that time. I need advance notice if you, a brother, sister, or school friend is planning to pick up homework. All homework and class assignments must be made up within two days. Unfortunately, we do a lot of activities in class that are difficult to make-up, so it is important that your child have very limited absences.
Mid-morning Snacks & Water Consumption (***PEANUT-FREE SNACKS ONLY***) I have found it beneficial for the class to have a mid-morning healthy snack. This year our lunch is at 11:35. Only send enough for one day, and please don’t send snacks that need refrigeration. Please do not send in sweet or sticky items like cake, brownies, frosted cookies, or cupcakes. I also permit my students to bring a water bottle to school to keep on their desks during the day and to use at recess. Plain water is the only beverage permitted, and the bottle must have a secure lid. Water bottles should be taken home regularly to be cleaned. The following are examples of healthy snacks that we can enjoy while we continue to work.
apples
carrot sticks
oyster crackers
cheese crackers
small box of raisins
dried fruit
grapes
pretzels
graham crackers
protein or nutrition bar (peanut free)
dry cereal
granola
Parent Volunteers I love to have parent volunteers in the room! You can file papers, listen to students read, read with students, help with math, or anything else that needs to be done. In previous years, I have been lucky enough to have parents complete projects from home! I can be a much more effective teacher when I have volunteers to share the load. If you are interested in volunteering, please send a note or email me. It would be great if you could come in regularly on a certain day of the week or at a certain time. Doing so will help me plan activities that need a helping hand! So if you would like to volunteer, please send a note with the best days and times for you to work in our classroom. I will also be sending home a Volunteer Survey within the month. Thank you in advance for your consideration!
REWARDS
Many positive reinforcements are given to students who have achieved success with behavior, homework responsibilities, and good character. The following are examples of rewards that your child can earn.
GOOD NEWS PARTY:
At the end of every grading period (approximately every 6 weeks) our school has a Good News Party. Students who have been suspended, served detention, or had six or more violations (including homework) for that particular grading period are not eligible to attend. Every grading period all students start with a clean slate, so each child has the same opportunity to go to the Good News Party.
TICKETS:
Everyday that the students bring their homework and signed agenda, they will receive a ticket. These tickets help them earn prizes and Star Students for following the Four-B's!
ACCELERATED READER STORE:
Certain books in the library are designated as Accelerated Reader books. Students are required read these books and then take a computer test based on the story (additional information will be sent home outlining the reading requirements for Third Grade). Students earn tickets when they score well on the tests. These can also be used to shop in the prize closet. The school has an Accelerated Reader store that we will visit during Library, and they will be able to purchase items with their “AR” points at that time.
Most assignments will be based on a percentage system. For instance, if there are 6 possible points and your child misses 1, you may see a ratio of 5/6 (correct number over possible number) which will convert into a 83%. Quizzes will count 2x as much as a daily assignment. Tests will be weighted and count 3x that of a daily assignment. Papers receiving an F may require your signature and need to be returned to me.
FRIDAY NOTES
Twice a month, usually on a Friday, your child will be given a Friday Note. This update will contain curriculum information including topics to be taught during the upcoming weeks, test dates, helpful pages to study, etc. This handy update will inform you about many other things that are happening at school like meetings, assemblies, early dismissal, and other special events. Deadline reminders will also be included.
AGENDA
I will expect you to sign your child’s agenda on a daily basis. This will be one of our major ways to communicate concerns about academics, behavior, homework, school events, and deadlines. Please sign at the bottom of that day’s date every night. Please feel free to write notes to me in the agenda. I will check agendas each morning.
HOMEWORK: Homework is assigned each Monday and due by the end of the week, Friday. Students may complete the homework and return it before Friday if they wish. The assignment is a short review of reading and math concepts, and sometimes a PREview of what’s coming up! I encourage parents to assist, if needed, and to look over students’ work. Missing homework assignments will be noted in the agenda to make you aware. Students who do not complete homework at home will be required to complete missing assignments during a free time, and a violation will be recorded in their agenda. Six or more violations will disqualify them from participating in our Good News Parties at the end of that grading period.
PROGRESS REPORTS AND SEMESTER REPORT CARDS
Please check the school calendar for dates for progress reporting. Each reporting period will include grades earned on assignments, tests, and quizzes. I will also provide a checklist indicating performance on work habits and social skills. Additional information about accessing Skyward to view grades and reports will be provided within a week.
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent/Teacher Conference dates are listed on the school calendar, but may also be scheduled whenever deemed necessary by parent or teacher.
BIRTHDAY TREATS
Birthday Treats are allowed and always welcome. Individually wrapped, store-purchased items like cupcakes, donuts, cookies, etc. are preferred. Items like cakes and big cookies are very difficult to distribute. The birthday child usually hands out his/her items right before lunch so treats should be at school by that time. (Our lunchtime is 11:30.) Please do not send items containing peanuts, traces of peanuts, or homemade items. These types of items are not allowed to be served at school.
DISMISSAL
If you must pick up your child during the school day for an appointment, please go directly to the Primary Office. After the office contacts me I will send your child directly to the office for dismissal. I will not be able to dismiss a child directly from my classroom without authorization from the Primary Office.
HOLIDAY PARTIES
Four holiday parties are scheduled: Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and End of the Year. At Open House, a sign up sheet was posted for volunteer help. A room parent will usually be in touch with other parents as these holiday parties approach. If you did not get a chance to sign up, please let me know and I will pass your name along to the room parent in charge.
ABSENTEES
If your child is going to be absent from school for the day or more due to vacation or another obligation, please let me know as soon as possible so I can get his/her daily work together. If your child is ill and cannot come to school, please call the school (239-0000) between 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. to report his/her absence and request homework at that time. I need advance notice if you, a brother, sister, or school friend is planning to pick up homework. All homework and class assignments must be made up within two days. Unfortunately, we do a lot of activities in class that are difficult to make-up, so it is important that your child have very limited absences.
Mid-morning Snacks & Water Consumption (***PEANUT-FREE SNACKS ONLY***) I have found it beneficial for the class to have a mid-morning healthy snack. This year our lunch is at 11:35. Only send enough for one day, and please don’t send snacks that need refrigeration. Please do not send in sweet or sticky items like cake, brownies, frosted cookies, or cupcakes. I also permit my students to bring a water bottle to school to keep on their desks during the day and to use at recess. Plain water is the only beverage permitted, and the bottle must have a secure lid. Water bottles should be taken home regularly to be cleaned. The following are examples of healthy snacks that we can enjoy while we continue to work.
apples
carrot sticks
oyster crackers
cheese crackers
small box of raisins
dried fruit
grapes
pretzels
graham crackers
protein or nutrition bar (peanut free)
dry cereal
granola
Parent Volunteers I love to have parent volunteers in the room! You can file papers, listen to students read, read with students, help with math, or anything else that needs to be done. In previous years, I have been lucky enough to have parents complete projects from home! I can be a much more effective teacher when I have volunteers to share the load. If you are interested in volunteering, please send a note or email me. It would be great if you could come in regularly on a certain day of the week or at a certain time. Doing so will help me plan activities that need a helping hand! So if you would like to volunteer, please send a note with the best days and times for you to work in our classroom. I will also be sending home a Volunteer Survey within the month. Thank you in advance for your consideration!
REWARDS
Many positive reinforcements are given to students who have achieved success with behavior, homework responsibilities, and good character. The following are examples of rewards that your child can earn.
GOOD NEWS PARTY:
At the end of every grading period (approximately every 6 weeks) our school has a Good News Party. Students who have been suspended, served detention, or had six or more violations (including homework) for that particular grading period are not eligible to attend. Every grading period all students start with a clean slate, so each child has the same opportunity to go to the Good News Party.
TICKETS:
Everyday that the students bring their homework and signed agenda, they will receive a ticket. These tickets help them earn prizes and Star Students for following the Four-B's!
ACCELERATED READER STORE:
Certain books in the library are designated as Accelerated Reader books. Students are required read these books and then take a computer test based on the story (additional information will be sent home outlining the reading requirements for Third Grade). Students earn tickets when they score well on the tests. These can also be used to shop in the prize closet. The school has an Accelerated Reader store that we will visit during Library, and they will be able to purchase items with their “AR” points at that time.
A special thanks to my coworkers and mentors for helping develop strong academic and classroom policies over the years. Also, a special thanks to Laura Candler and Beth Newingham for making their personal materials available to teachers.
Click on the apples to see Laura Candler's website.