Classroom Odds and Ends
Communication
A very important ingredient in making this year a special one will be the relationship we develop. Your child’s teacher will be in touch in many ways this year asking for your participation and help; and will expect calls from you if our assistance is needed. The teachers will send a newsletter home weekly to let you know what we are learning and any information you may need. Please check this newsletter for important dates as well. This information will assist you in reinforcing these skills or concepts at home. Students are more than welcome to take home any textbooks when needed.
A binder will go home daily. It will say, “O.W.L. Binder”. Please review any papers in the folder with your student. If there is a paper below a “C”, please sign and return this paper to me. You may keep all other work, unless there is an assignment that needs to be redone or is incomplete.
Each child will be assigned an agenda or planner. Students will fill out their agendas everyday. Students will write down any homework, upcoming tests, or notes to parents. I will also add notes in the agenda about daily successes and behavioral issues. Parents need to sign the agenda every night. This is a great tool for us to communicate daily with.
Grading
Grades are taken from tests, classwork, homework, and participation averages. We do a lot of hands-on activities in the classroom that count towards the participation part of a student’s grade. Progress reports will be sent home every three weeks. If your child is having difficulties with behavior or academics, you will be notified promptly by phone, e-mail, note, or planner/agenda. Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher if you have any concerns.
Our grading scale is as follows:
Tests 50%
Classwork 45%
Homework 5%
School Hours
Oakland’s school hours are from 8:45 a.m. until 3:45 p.m. In the case of a half-day, school hours are from 8:45 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. Children who are car riders or walkers may enter the building as early as 8:30 a.m. Preparation for departure from school will begin between 3:30 and 3:45.
School Attendance
Your child’s regular and prompt attendance is critical for success. Most learning experiences are based on prior knowledge or involve interaction with others. It is almost impossible to make up work at home. Please be sure that your child arrives on time everyday, except in cases of illness or emergency. If your child is absent, please remember to send a medical or a personal note explaining the reason for the absence.
Discipline Policy
We will adhere to the Oakland Elementary School rules and the classroom discipline policy. The grade level discipline policy is in the drop down menu. Please be sure to read this over with your child.
Homework
Homework is an important part of school. Homework will be given each week in your child’s take home folder. Homework will always consist of math practice, spelling practice, science, social studies, and reading weekly. Please keep this folder safe. It will not be replaced. This folder will need to be brought to school and taken home on a daily basis. The folder will include sight words, sight word phrases, and reading passages to practice throughout the week. By working together, your child will become a successful reader and mathematician.
Money Sent To School
Any funds sent to school must be placed in an envelope. Your child’s name, teacher’s name, what the funds are to be used for, and your child’s account number must be written on the front of the envelope. Please see example below. Upon their arrival at school, students will drop their lunch money off into a lock box in the cafeteria before ever coming to the classroom so it is very important for money to be sent in an envelope filled out completely.
Clothing
Since the children will be physically active, it is preferred that your child wears sneakers to school everyday. Dress your child appropriately for an active school day. Your child will be playing and working with many materials on a regular basis. They need to feel comfortable about getting their clothes dirty. You may want to send in a lightweight sweater or jacket. The classroom temperature varies.
Transportation
If your child will not be taking his/her regular bus home, please send a note stating which bus your child will be taking home. We are required to place your child on the regular bus unless otherwise notified. If someone other than yourself will be picking up your child, they must be listed on your child’s emergency card.
**Please make sure you send a handwritten note in.**
**We CANNOT accept Dojo messages, emails, or phone calls for transportation changes.**