Dear
Parents,
Please use the following links to check out my classroom's policies and
procedures. If you have any questions about them, or if something
is not addressed that you want to know about, please call the school,
write me a note, or e-mail me (see link above). I look forward to
our partnership in the education of your child.
Sincerely,
Pat Martin
Behavior
Policy ¦ School
Rules ¦
Communication ¦ Visitation
Change
in Pick-up ¦ Supplies
¦ Related
Arts ¦
Lunch ¦ Homework
Behavior Policy
In my classroom
each student is expected to use certain standards of behavior. These
standards will continually be taught, discussed, and practiced in
class. I use an
approach to discipline that does not include rewards or punishments.
Pre-determined rewards (bribes) are not given for expected
behavior. However, exceptional behaviors may be celebrated with
special treats or activities.
I see irresponsible behavior as an opportunity for growth, not
punishment. I encourage students to develop self-discipline by
guiding self-reflection and self-evaluation of their choices. If
it becomes necessary, and it rarely does, I will guide the student to
develop a plan that will be used to prevent repetition of the
inappropriate behavior; ie: write the rule, keep a check list,
discuss with
others, count to ten, planned ignoring, etc. (Focus on
self-control).
Helping children to develop internal behavior control develops the
positive attitudes and behavioral skills needed for a lifetime of
success. This also allows our classroom environment to be less
stressful and encourage learning.
If you would like further information about Marvin
Marshall’s
”Raise Responsibility” approach to discipline you may
visit
http://www.AboutDiscipline.com
Mrs.
Martin’s
Classroom Standards of Behavior
Students will
choose to:
1.
Listen when others are speaking.
2.
Follow directions.
3.
Keep hands feet and objects to self.
4.
Work quietly; do not disturb others.
5.
Show respect for people and property.
6.
Work and play safely.
Extreme
behavior resulting in injury will be immediately referred to the
Principal!
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School Rules
Of course the students will be expected to
listen to, learn, and follow all the rules in the school. A booklet
outlining school rules will be sent home with your child. My
classroom behavior policy is outlined above. Keep these handy and refer
to them often.
These rules must be followed at all times in
order for your child to learn how to behave properly in a school
setting so we can maintain the proper atmosphere for learning.
When there is less time spent dealing with behavior choices, more time
is spent learning!
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Parent/Teacher Communication
Parents, please feel free to communicate your
concerns with me through e-mail, notes, or telephone (during my
duty-free times). I plan to communicate with you regularly during
the year through your child's folder, phone calls, special notes, this
website, and conferences. Your child will bring home a take-home
folder (that I will provide) each day that has their completed work, a
daily communication log, school notices, class newsletters,
and notes from me to inform you about things you need to know.
Parents, as you have your child show you their
folder each
evening, it will show them that you support what they are doing and
learning at school. Also, if you ask your child daily what they are
doing in class, the discussion will help them to gain responsibility
for their own learning. Be sure to check your child's grades regularly
at PowerSchool. You must sign for the username and password at the
office. This daily communication
is my effort to keep you routinely and fully informed about your
child's activities and progress.
Please take advantage of the opportunity to
write responses in the folders as this is intended to be a two-way
communication. Constant and efficient communication is the best
way to make sure your child has the best opportunity to learn.
Be sure to watch
for your child's folder! AND... make sure it comes back to school the
next day.
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Visitation
You are very welcome in our classroom.
We would love to have you come to observe, or to help out with
our activities. If you would like to help out regularly as a room
mother, reading coach, or with supply preparations, please let me know,
your assistance will be greatly valued and appreciated and you will
enjoy the special opportunity of sharing in your child's work
day. While you are here at school, you might consider helping in
the library, the cafeteria, the computer/science labs or in the office
as well.
You are also welcome to come and eat lunch with
your child, the children really enjoy this. If you would like to bring
a special snack to share with the class, please check with me first
about allergies and appropriate times.
Please remember to
check in at the office and
get a pass for all visitations.
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Change in Your Child's Transportation
Plans
If your child temporarily needs to be picked up
early for
any reason, or needs to go home a different way, please send in a note
with a written description of the transportation changes on the day the
change needs to be made. Make sure to date, sign, and include the
child's full name and the teacher's name in the note. This note will be
turned in to the office in order to maintain complete records and keep
track of your child's safety.
Permanent transportation changes need to be
filled out on the appropriate form and filed with the school.
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Supplies
Your children's personal belongings should be
labeled with permanent marker. Many items children bring in look alike,
and it is the only way to make sure their things stay theirs. Your
child will need to keep a supply box, white glue, regular size
wood pencils (no loose erasers), 8 basic colors of crayons, and
scissors at school.
Besides your child's personal supply needs, our
classroom has many ongoing needs as well. Some of these are:
kleenex, paper lunch bags, paper cups/plates, hand soap, baby wipes,
dry erase markers and regular markers, etc.
If you would like to supply something special
for our class, just check with me. I will send notes home when we have
special food and/or supply needs during the school year that will be
needed for fun learning activities.
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Related Arts Classes, etc.
Your child will be very excited about visiting
other teachers in other classrooms throughout this year. They will have
up to ten other teachers to interact with on a daily or weekly basis.
It is very important that you encourage your child to remember these
teachers' rules and procedures for their classes. They are music, art,
gym, guidance, computer lab, science lab, and library. Children need to
be prepared daily for these classes, such as bringing gym shoes* on the
days they have gym and music, and bringing in their library book on
library class days.
*It is much
easier on the child and teachers if they wear gym shoes every day.
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Lunch and Snack
Children should bring all monies to school in a
sealed envelope or baggie with their full name, the teacher's
name, and the lunch account number, written on the
outside.
Children will be expected to know their lunch
number, for
automated paying, so they will need to start practicing it and soon it
will be memorized .
When packing lunch boxes, please make sure your
child can open and manipulate all the utensils and equipment you are
including in their lunch. Your child may not have timely assistance
available in the lunchroom and it will be a lot easier on your child if
you pack things they can manage by themselves.
Time for snacks in the classroom may be provided. If our lunch
time continues to be at 12:00 I will choose to not have a snack as our
morning and afternoon will not be overly long between eating
times. I will notify you if a snack becomes necessary.
Your child must memorize their 6 digit
lunch number.
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Homework*
Your child's homework will focus
on reinforcement of reading and math skills they are working on in
school.These homework assignments are assigned specifically as
homework on the communication log. It should not take them more than
about 15 minutes, and is
really an effort at training them to be responsible for their own
learning by having them:
remember the
assignment
plan to do the assignment
complete the
assignment
return the assignment
Grades will not
be assigned to individual homework assignments, but overall
participation levels will be considered in study skills
evaluations.
*Children
will not be allowed to take classwork home to complete for
homework as plenty of time will be allotted for daily classwork
assignments.
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