Important Information

Graded Papers:  Not every paper that goes home will have a number grade.  Some papers are papers that I simply check but do not record in my gradebook.  These papers will have check marks on them.  Check + is excellent, a check means there were some errors, check – means there were many errors.  Please go over every paper your child brings home and speak with them about any paper that has a check – or a 1 or 2 on it.

Birthdays:  Birthdays can be celebrated with cupcakes, cookies, or an item of your choice (please no cakes).  These items should be sent to school in the morning and your child may pass them out at lunchtime.  If you would like, you may join your child for lunch (11:44-12:14) and help them pass out the treats.

Daily Binder:  The daily binder goes home everyday and returns to school everyday.  It contains your child’s behavior chart, book log, homework, project list, and important papers from me.  Please check it nightly and initial the behavior chart.  Please record any books you read to your child or your child reads to you on the reading log.

Gator Folders:  The gator folder goes home every Wednesday.  It will contain graded papers, school papers, and book order forms.  Please look through it Wednesday night, initial the back of the folder, and return it to school with your child the next day.

Lunch:  Lunch is daily from 11:44-12:14.  You may eat with your child if you like.  Please meet us in the cafeteria. 

“Class Pet”:  Each week a child will get to take home Rafiki our “class pet.”  Rafiki is a stuffed animal.  He goes home on Monday and should return to school on Friday.  Your child should write daily in his journal.  This project is a great way to encourage your child to write.

Units of Study:  Units of Study are monthly summaries of the estimated material your child will learn during each particular month.  The actual time the material will be taught varies dependent on how each lesson goes.  Please use the UoS as a rough guideline of what your child is learning in school.

Reading Logs:  Your child has a reading log on the back of their behavior chart.  Any book that you read to your child or that they read to you should be recorded on this log.  Your child is required to read 8 books per month.  More is encouraged.  At the end of the month, the student that has read the most books receives a prize.  For chapter books, each chapter counts as 1 book on the log.

Book Orders:  Book orders go home every Wednesday.  I place the order the following Wednesday.  Orders take about 2 weeks to arrive.  If you are interested in purchasing books, please return the order form and a check made payable to the company by the following Wednesday.

Content Projects:  Content projects are due once a month, generally near the end of the month.  They are required and are graded.  Projects should be done by the students.  They can and should be very simple.  They can be done on notebook paper, construction paper, poster board, or any other method you choose.  Keep them simple and fun.  They will be presented to the class.

Book Reports:  Book reports are due once a month, generally near the middle of the month.  They are required and are graded.  Please help your child complete them on the paper provided each month.  They will be presented to the class.

Spelling Tests: Spelling tests will begin in mid-October.  Spelling homework helps your child practice the spelling words to prepare for the test of Friday.  The test is a front and back, real-life application spelling test, not a call the word and write test.  In addition, on Mondays, your child will be given a pre-test on the week’s words.  If they miss 1 or less on the pretest, they will use the advanced words for their homework and test that week.

Education Box Tops, Farm Fresh Receipts, Campbell’s Soup Labels: Our school receives money for every education box top, Farm Fresh receipt, and Campbell’s Soup Label you turn in.  Please send in all that you have during the year to raise money to buys books, computer software, and PE equipment.

PTA: Please, please, please, join the PTA.  For just $4, your membership can help our school purchase needed items and reduce the price of field trips we take this year.  In addition, the class with the highest membership receives a treat!  Thank you in advance for your support. 

Water:  Your child may bring a water bottle filled with water to school to keep on their desk.

Absences:  Any time your child is absent, please send me a note or e-mail to let me know why they were out.  You may also call my voicemail, 648-2520 ext. 54723.

Change in Way Home:  If there is a change in the way your child goes home, please e-mail me, call, or send a note.  I cannot change the way they go home without an e-mail, phone call, or note.

PE:  PE is daily.  Please make sure your child is dressed for the weather and wearing appropriate shoes.

Library:  We visit the library every week as a class.  Your child may also go daily if they return their books.  They may check out 2 books at a time.

Music, Art, and Computer Lab:  Music, art, and computer lab are weekly classes.

Guidance:  We have monthly guidance lessons on being good citizens.