Homework:
Your child will have a homework journal that will go home every Monday in your child's blue daily binder. The homework will be a review of a math or reading skill and will be due every Friday. Your child should read for 20 minutes a night, and this should be documented in monthly reading logs. Occasionally, your child will have social studies and science homework and projects. I will also send home a weekly update covering what we are studying each week in every subject.
Grading Scale:
A = 90-100/Excellent
B = 80-89/Good
C = 71-79/Average
D = 70/Poor
F = 69 And Below/Failing
S = Satisfactory
N = Needs Improvement
U = Unsatisfactory
25% Assessment (ex: warm-up activities, and daily skills)
45% Guided/Group Practice (ex: in class projects, homework, and classwork)
30% Summative (take home projects/book reports, and tests)
Tests:
Reading comprehension and spelling tests will be given every Friday. You will receive notice if there is any change in this schedule. The spelling words can be found on my website and on the weekly spelling homework. Students will have math, science, and social studies tests as we finish chapters. In-class participation should be all they need as preparation for these tests.
Transportation:
If your child will be going home any other way than his/her usual mode of transportation, please send me a hard copy note in the morning verifying the plans. Please be as specific as possible (list the bus number or name of adult that will pick up the child.) Bus drivers will not leave until I send them your notes documenting the changes. Legally, I cannot accept a child's verbal message about a dismissal change! If you change the dismissal plan after 12:00, please call the front office, and send me an e-mail.
Behavior Management:
ClassDojo will be used this year to redirect misbehavior and reward positive behavior. ClassDojo is an online tool that helps teachers monitor behavior in their classrooms quickly and easily. Each student is assigned an avatar to represent them. When students demonstrate positive behaviors, the teacher simply clicks on their avatar, chooses the appropriate behavior from the list, and awards the student with a positive point. When a student demonstrates a negative behavior, the teacher can subtract points from the student’s overall point total. Students will have ample opportunities throughout the day to earn points. ClassDojo is fully confidential. It also captures and generates data on behavior that teachers can share with parents. Parents receive a login code, which allows them to access their child’s Dojo account anytime and view a report outlining exactly why their child is receiving positive and negative points. These reports can be viewed on a daily basis, weekly basis, or monthly basis. After parents have registered for a Dojo account, ClassDojo will send them an email every Friday, detailing their child’s weekly behavior. Please remember to create your account at www.classdojo.com as quickly as possible.
Brief notifications about the behavior may be sent via email. Severe misbehavior such as continually hurtful or disrespectful behavior may result in a phone call home and a possible visit to our principal, Mrs. Crenshaw.
Snack:
A snack time will be scheduled every day. Please send a simple, nutritious snack that does not require a fork or spoon in a container that your child is able to open independently. Students should remember to unpack snacks in the morning so that they do not interrupt class to get it out of their book bags or lunch boxes during class. Because of this, the snack must be easy to eat and able to be left at room temperature. Students will be allowed to get their snacks if they forget to unpack them, though this will result in a negative point on ClassDojo. Students may have a labeled water bottle that sits on their desk throughout the day.
Birthdays:
As a school, we are encouraging children to develop healthy eating habits. We also strive to maximize instructional time. Because of these goals, we do not allow class-wide birthday treats. Instead, you may give non-food goody bags or donate a favorite book for their birthday. You are welcome to come and read the book to our class! Please send me an e-mail and let me know what day you would like to come. You may also bring your child a birthday treat during lunch, and you may eat with them in the lunchroom.
Money:
Any money that is sent to school must be brought in a sealed envelope or zip-lock bag with your child’s name and the amount of money written on the “school money info” slips that I send home. This includes lunch, milk, ice cream, anything! If you are paying for lunch by the week or month, please write your child’s lunch number as well. This makes it easier for the cafeteria.
Book Orders:
Book orders go home monthly with Thursday VIPs. All orders should be processed online using our Scholastic class ID (PBGBN). Ordering books is optional, but encouraged. It is a great way to find books for the reading log! The book clubs provide a wonderful way to begin building your child’s library at home. The books are very reasonably priced, and there are great selections! Our class can also earn points with your book order. These points are used to acquire free books for the class library.
Conferences:
The county has scheduled afternoon conferences for our school system every quarter of the school year. A letter will be sent home in the VIP prior to these scheduled times so that you may sign up for a conference. Aside from these scheduled times, we can work together to find a convenient time if additional conference needs arise. I like to have beginning of the year, mid year, and end of the year conferences with everyone.
Absences and Tardies:
If your child is sick or absent, I need note from the parent or doctor. If one isn't received, then the office marks it as an unexcused absence. The only absences deemed as excused are: illness, religious holidays, weather, death in the family, and being a page in the legislature. For any other reason (trips or vacations), parents must discuss it in advance with the school principal. If your child has 5 unexcused absences, then a letter from the county is sent home. Also, it is very important that your child come to school on time. If your child has 3 unexcused tardies, I am required to send home a note. After 5 unexcused tardies, the counselor will call home. Please read the Parent Resource Guide (link is on www.vanderlyn.com) to find out more information about absences.
Your child will have a homework journal that will go home every Monday in your child's blue daily binder. The homework will be a review of a math or reading skill and will be due every Friday. Your child should read for 20 minutes a night, and this should be documented in monthly reading logs. Occasionally, your child will have social studies and science homework and projects. I will also send home a weekly update covering what we are studying each week in every subject.
Grading Scale:
A = 90-100/Excellent
B = 80-89/Good
C = 71-79/Average
D = 70/Poor
F = 69 And Below/Failing
S = Satisfactory
N = Needs Improvement
U = Unsatisfactory
25% Assessment (ex: warm-up activities, and daily skills)
45% Guided/Group Practice (ex: in class projects, homework, and classwork)
30% Summative (take home projects/book reports, and tests)
Tests:
Reading comprehension and spelling tests will be given every Friday. You will receive notice if there is any change in this schedule. The spelling words can be found on my website and on the weekly spelling homework. Students will have math, science, and social studies tests as we finish chapters. In-class participation should be all they need as preparation for these tests.
Transportation:
If your child will be going home any other way than his/her usual mode of transportation, please send me a hard copy note in the morning verifying the plans. Please be as specific as possible (list the bus number or name of adult that will pick up the child.) Bus drivers will not leave until I send them your notes documenting the changes. Legally, I cannot accept a child's verbal message about a dismissal change! If you change the dismissal plan after 12:00, please call the front office, and send me an e-mail.
Behavior Management:
ClassDojo will be used this year to redirect misbehavior and reward positive behavior. ClassDojo is an online tool that helps teachers monitor behavior in their classrooms quickly and easily. Each student is assigned an avatar to represent them. When students demonstrate positive behaviors, the teacher simply clicks on their avatar, chooses the appropriate behavior from the list, and awards the student with a positive point. When a student demonstrates a negative behavior, the teacher can subtract points from the student’s overall point total. Students will have ample opportunities throughout the day to earn points. ClassDojo is fully confidential. It also captures and generates data on behavior that teachers can share with parents. Parents receive a login code, which allows them to access their child’s Dojo account anytime and view a report outlining exactly why their child is receiving positive and negative points. These reports can be viewed on a daily basis, weekly basis, or monthly basis. After parents have registered for a Dojo account, ClassDojo will send them an email every Friday, detailing their child’s weekly behavior. Please remember to create your account at www.classdojo.com as quickly as possible.
Brief notifications about the behavior may be sent via email. Severe misbehavior such as continually hurtful or disrespectful behavior may result in a phone call home and a possible visit to our principal, Mrs. Crenshaw.
Snack:
A snack time will be scheduled every day. Please send a simple, nutritious snack that does not require a fork or spoon in a container that your child is able to open independently. Students should remember to unpack snacks in the morning so that they do not interrupt class to get it out of their book bags or lunch boxes during class. Because of this, the snack must be easy to eat and able to be left at room temperature. Students will be allowed to get their snacks if they forget to unpack them, though this will result in a negative point on ClassDojo. Students may have a labeled water bottle that sits on their desk throughout the day.
Birthdays:
As a school, we are encouraging children to develop healthy eating habits. We also strive to maximize instructional time. Because of these goals, we do not allow class-wide birthday treats. Instead, you may give non-food goody bags or donate a favorite book for their birthday. You are welcome to come and read the book to our class! Please send me an e-mail and let me know what day you would like to come. You may also bring your child a birthday treat during lunch, and you may eat with them in the lunchroom.
Money:
Any money that is sent to school must be brought in a sealed envelope or zip-lock bag with your child’s name and the amount of money written on the “school money info” slips that I send home. This includes lunch, milk, ice cream, anything! If you are paying for lunch by the week or month, please write your child’s lunch number as well. This makes it easier for the cafeteria.
Book Orders:
Book orders go home monthly with Thursday VIPs. All orders should be processed online using our Scholastic class ID (PBGBN). Ordering books is optional, but encouraged. It is a great way to find books for the reading log! The book clubs provide a wonderful way to begin building your child’s library at home. The books are very reasonably priced, and there are great selections! Our class can also earn points with your book order. These points are used to acquire free books for the class library.
Conferences:
The county has scheduled afternoon conferences for our school system every quarter of the school year. A letter will be sent home in the VIP prior to these scheduled times so that you may sign up for a conference. Aside from these scheduled times, we can work together to find a convenient time if additional conference needs arise. I like to have beginning of the year, mid year, and end of the year conferences with everyone.
Absences and Tardies:
If your child is sick or absent, I need note from the parent or doctor. If one isn't received, then the office marks it as an unexcused absence. The only absences deemed as excused are: illness, religious holidays, weather, death in the family, and being a page in the legislature. For any other reason (trips or vacations), parents must discuss it in advance with the school principal. If your child has 5 unexcused absences, then a letter from the county is sent home. Also, it is very important that your child come to school on time. If your child has 3 unexcused tardies, I am required to send home a note. After 5 unexcused tardies, the counselor will call home. Please read the Parent Resource Guide (link is on www.vanderlyn.com) to find out more information about absences.