Mrs. Reeves Classroom Family Packet September 7, 2007
Dear Parents, Guardians and Students,
Hello from Grade 2/3! We have made a smooth transition into our school routine and everyone enjoyed learning about the classmates in our new multi-grade . We are all very busy learning and working together to make school safe and comfortable. I have been introducing the students to our classroom routines, expectations and joy of education and I hope that this Family Packet will assist you and your child.
A positive communication path is the greatest method for supporting these children and I hope that you assist me in doing so. At least once a month, I will send home a newsletter concerning our class and my goal is to add on to our 2/3 Grade “Portaportal”, which is a class web search. These both will provide classroom news, strengths/areas of improvement, questions to
ask your child, dates to remember, and a little laughter to keep us all children at heart! Once our class web search is up and running you will be able to access our areas of study, internet sites used to learn (see “Portaportal” further explained below), and homework helpers. * I am also open to phone calls and conferences which I will address later on.
This Family Packet is a way for you to become experts on your child's classroom! Although this is very informative (otherwise known as “thick”), I encourage you to attend our Open House October 4 th from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. (There will be a Book Fair hosted in our school library during this time for your convenience). I can answer any questions you may have as your child shares their “work space” to you.
In this packet you will find:
• A tentative Daily Schedule (still requires computer scheduling)
• Our Class Rules (We Strive to…) and procedures
• Homework Policy
• Directions to log into our 2/3 Grade Search Engine (“Portaportal”)
Classroom Rules and Procedures
Our classes main rules are to focus on the Core Value Words that are in bold on our ‘We Strive to…” list. If students show a challenge to these words they will first receive a verbal reminder, second (in most cases) be moved to a new location (in order to decrease the probability of a reoccurrence), and on the third offense will receive a Refocus Form. This method provides a clear and consistent three strikes guideline between the child and myself.
A Refocus Form will be filled out and which prompts students to process their actions and what to do next time. These Refocus Forms will be sent home and signed by a guardian and returned in order for the child to go out for recess the following day. A phone call home may also follow if the form is not turned in signed within two days. If a child should receive four forms within a week then a conference will be set up between the guardian, child and myself after school to go over a plan for making better choices. Should the offense be extremely severe, students may be referred to the principal for further consequence. *Intentional damage to school property will result in full reimbursement (this includes repair/replacement).
*All absences need to be informed to the office and if a proficient amount of unexcused absences occur (more that 5 unexcused), your child will be asked to stay after school or miss recess to make up missing class work. Missing homework will be sent home and need to be completed with a one-day extension of the number of days absent. For example if your child missed four days, they will have five to finish their missing homework due to an absence.
Homework
I will be sending assignments home every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in addition to their weekly reading work. The students will receive their assignment notebooks and will be checked daily to see that it has been filled out. They are responsible for their Home Binder, which contains both their Assignment Notebook and their Home Folder-essentials for successfully accomplishing homework. This organization provides students with the success to complete the assignments given.
Homework Policy:
Students will be required to do homework every night except Fridays (this includes nightly reading) . Homework is a tool of practice that keeps students learning, sharing with home and keeping routine. Students will be assigned two Homework Buddies to call should they have challenges with the homework that their guardian may not be able to assist with. These buddies are not to be abused or there will be a consequence. If all these steps have been followed and your child is still not able to go any further (they should be trying the work), then a note at the bottom of the paper explaining the steps have been following and all that could be completed was from the guardian will be accepted. REMEMBER: Most homework is checked for work completed, ability to follow directions, and effort and will be assessed on these qualities most of the time, rather than always on the “correct answer”.
If students forget their homework, a Homework Slip will be sent home which requires a guardian signature and they will stay in at recess to complete missing work . This Homework Slip is for the child to inform myself as well as home why work was not passed in. If in one month 3 Homework Slips are given, arrangements will need to be made for an after school conference with the guardian, the child and myself to discuss study habits. Note: The three strikes policy only applies for one month, so we start new the next month or after a conference.
I am looking to encourage work completed on time! The students and myself will keep track of passed in homework every morning – “seeing is believing” and I hope to encourage students to keep up on practice and learning.
Classroom Volunteers
I would like to welcome our class to anyone interested in giving their extra time to assist in the classroom learning experience. This may mean assisting a class activity, preparing for a lesson, or modeling and guiding as a chaperone on a field trip. At our Open House I will provide a sign up sheet, which will be used to better understand your availability and may be used to contact you when the time comes. I encourage everyone to in some way be a part of your child's learning in school as well as home. *With this in mind, all volunteering will be scheduled prior in order to best use your time as well as the students and my own. A volunteer confidentiality form will also need to be signed in order to remind us to respect the children's work environment as you would your own.
If you have a concern, a question, an idea, or a comment, I'd love to hear it. I can be reached at the School (207) or email me at reevesw@links75.org . As you check your child's assignment notebook, there is space for you to send a quick note or concern that I may address. I am available for prearranged conferences (where needed) in order to honor your time as well as my own.
I hope that together we can make this school year rewarding and fulfilling.
Kindly,
Mrs. Reeves
Portaportal is a web based bookmarking utility that lets our 2/3 grade store links to our favorite student used websites online. Now bookmarks and incorrect typing is monitored for all students! To access at home, go to www.portaportal.com and under “Guest Access” type in “whs” for West Harpswell School.