Classroom Procedures

Below are questions and answers that commonly come up about our class procedures. Please use the form at the bottom if you have a question that is not answered here.

Q: What is the grading system?

A: We're using standards-based reporting. Students will get two report cards, one at the end of each semester. Grades will be given for Mastery (4), Meeting (3), Developing (2), and Beginning (1) skills. You can see more information here: ISD709 Information on Standards Based Reporting.

Q: What is the planner used for?

A: The planner is a great communication tool. Each student buys one at the beginning of the school year for $4 in the office or in the hallway at Open House. Your child will write each day's homework and the weekly spelling words in the planner. Upcoming events and announcements are also highlighted in the planner. Students have a specialist schedule in their planner, too, so they know when their library books are due and when they'll need their Gym shoes. Please initial the planner in the designated spot after homework is completed. This is a good way to see what students are learning.

Q: How may I purchase school lunch for my child?

A: Place the money or check in a sealed envelope with your child's first and last name, grade, and teacher labeled on the front. Students can place the envelope in the Notes for Mrs. Miller basket on my desk in the classroom and I'll be sure it gets to the cafeteria manager. There's also a way to pay online on the Duluth Public Schools Child Nutrition website.

Q: Can I send in treats for my child's birthday?

A: Birthday treats will be passed out during Snack Time. Please make a healthy snack choice. Cupcakes and other sugary treats are for after school. Summer birthdays can be celebrated during the student's Sailor of the Week or on the last couple days of school. If you prefer to not send a snack, that's perfectly fine and acceptable! Please do not send birthday invitations for your child to pass out in class. This helps to avoid hurt feelings among classmates.

Q: Will my child have homework every night?

A: I would rather kids go outside to play and create something. Anything that isn't finished at school, however, will need to be completed outside of school. Homework is primarily given to practice skills and to prepare your student for coming grades. There will be math assigned just about every day and class time will vary. Social Studies projects often have extended dates. Due dates are always listed in the planner. You can look at our Planner web page to see that students have written all they need in their planner.

Q: What do I need to do if my child misses all or part of a day of school?

A: Call the office at (218) 336-8825 to report the absence or excused tardy. It is to your child's benefit and responsibility to make up missed work. Make-up work for the day(s) missed may be sent home. Please make every effort to have your child at school on scheduled school days. Absenteeism is a problem not to be ignored.

Q: How does the Sailor of the Week work?

A: Each student is assigned a week where they will have additional privileges and responsibilities. A schedule is posted in our classroom. Students have an optional planning sheet that they can use for planning Morning Meeting greetings, activities, and our Friday STEAM Challenge.

Q: What's the STEAM Challenge about?

A: On Friday during the child's Sailor of the Week week, they plan a STEAM Challenge to share with the class. It can be a math game, a building or engineering task, an art project, or some kind of an experiment or demonstration. It's totally up to the student. It doesn't need to cost anything or be elaborate. We have several books and materials in our school library, and we have a STEAM Tub with supplies like tape and toilet paper rolls.

Q: I am going out of town in two weeks and I will leave my child with a close friend/family. Is this something that you may need to know?

A: If you plan a trip out of town and your child will be taken care of by grandparents or friends, please send me a note specifying the person I should contact in case of an emergency.

Q: What are the procedures that my child will follow if they arrive to school late?

A: Once in a while circumstances may cause us to be late but excessive tardiness is usually a great classroom distraction. Parents dropping off tardy students should deliver the child to the office to sign them in and receive an 'excused' pass to class.

Q: Should I send a snack to school?

A: We have Snack Time mid-morning each day. It's usually less than ten minutes long, so don't send too much. Healthy snacks are best. Candy and pop are not allowed.

Q: If my child needs to take medicine during the day is there a specific procedure to follow?

A: All medication, whether prescription or non-prescription, is to be administered in the Nurse's Office only. If you send in medication for your child, please write a note or somehow consult with our school nurse.

Q: We are going on a family vacation and I will be taking my child out of school for a week. How can he/she make up the work that he/she missed when they gets back to school?

A: If you plan to take your child out of school for any unexcused reason (family trip, etc.) your child will have to make up the missed work when he/she returns to school. Please help your child to get missed work completed upon your return. I teach new things every day and missing class-time discussions and collaborative work will negatively effect learning, to be sure. I don't want anyone to get behind.

Our rules are based on Safe, Respectful, and Responsible behavior. I emphasize the fact that "we are here to learn" and I will not allow inappropriate behavior. Please back me up in this important part of classroom management and character development. We have so much to accomplish at school!

Thank you!