Ms. Metzger’s 3rd Grade Class Syllabus

Brook Glenn Elementary School

Room #: 304 (Upstairs by the elevator) 

Phone #: 864-355-4731

Email: jmetzger@greenville.k12.sc.us 

Website

Our School Mission Statement:

To provide the foundation for students to become lifelong learners and responsible citizens through the combined efforts of home, school, and community.

Communication with Parents:

1.) Messaging: Class Dojo Mobile App - Be sure to download it and fill out an information sheet for anyone you want to have it. 

2.) Newsletters: Parents will receive a weekly electronic newsletter through email from Smore. The newsletter will also be posted on my website. The newsletter will keep parents informed about what we are learning in our classroom, upcoming events, and classroom announcements.

3.) Website: I will update our class website throughout the school year. The website contains important information regarding our class schedule, how to contact me, behavior management policy, and other educational resources for students to use at home.

4.) Phone Call: Contact me with questions or concerns anytime at my office phone (864-355-4731). It may prompt you to leave a message, and I will respond within 24 hours. I will be notified by email that you have left a message. If you have a change with your child's dismissal, please message me on TalkingPoints or call the school office at 864-355-4700. 

5.) Email: Please feel free to contact me at jmetzger@greenville.k12.sc.us.

6.) BackPack/Power School: Parents can check their child's current grades and lunch account at https://gcsbackpack.com/signin.aspx. See Beth Watts in the front office for your login information.

7.) Conferences: Parents may set up a conference anytime to discuss questions or concerns. Please schedule a conference time with me by phone, messaging, note, or email ahead of time so that I can make myself available. Parent/Teacher conferences will be set up in October for all students. 

8.) Grade Reports & Progress Reports: Students will receive a Progress Report if needed (failing grade half way through the quarter) and report card each nine weeks. These reports or envelopes should be signed and returned within three days.

Grading Scale:

A: 90 -100

B: 80-90

C: 70-80

D: 60-70

F: Below 60

9.) Student Records: Student records are located in the main office. I keep a hard copy of student grades in my classroom and a digital copy is stored in PowerSchool. Parents and students can view progress at any time by logging in to BackPack. If you have not already received your login for the parent portal to access your child's current grades, then please see Beth Watts in the front office to obtain this information.

Procedures for Non-Instructional Routines:

1. Morning Procedures: Once students arrive at school, they should first go to the cafeteria for breakfast and then, go to the upstairs hallway until 7:30a.m.. Students should enter their classroom quietly and unpack their belongings, make their lunch choice, turn in notes/ lunch money or homework, and use the bathroom if needed. They may read a book of their choice, work on Reflex or Dreambox Math. The morning announcements will come on at 7:45 AM. Students are to listen while they continue to work on their morning work.

2. Restroom: We have one scheduled bathroom break right after lunch. They may use the bathroom in the classroom with teacher permission. Students are asked not to use the restroom during teacher directed mini-lessons unless it is an emergency.

3. Lunch Behavior: At lunch time, we line up with our lunch cards according to our lunch choice with lunch boxes at the end of the line. Students are to stay quiet in line while waiting for their food. Students will be allowed to choose who they sit by unless behavior problems occur.  The first 10 minutes of lunch are silent and the teacher will signal to the class when this time is up, so that they can begin to talk quietly. At the end of lunch (25 min.), the teacher will signal for one side of the table to throw their trash away and to line up on the yellow line. After all students on the first side have gotten in line, then the other side of the table will throw their trash away and line up.

4. Dismissal: Students will begin packing up at 2:05 PM. They will stack their chairs and wait quietly in the classroom to be dismissed. Dismissal is at 2:15p.m. Please be prompt. 

5. Emergency Drills: Fire or Tornado Drill - Students will line up quietly at the door and follow their teacher to the class assigned location. Lock Downs will happen in the classroom with our door locked. GCS will notify parents if real emergency procedures are needed. 

6. Health Room: Students are allowed to go to the health room at the discretion of the teacher.  They must have a signed pass that includes the reason for their visit and the time they were sent down. The classroom teacher or the school nurse will notify the parent for the visit. 

7.  There is a "Calming Down" spot in our room with some fidget/calming toys. Students are encouraged to use this spot for up to 5 minutes if they feel overwhelmed or need to get their emotions in balance. We also have a school counselor for the students to talk to if the teacher and student feel it is needed. 

Classroom Rules:

In this class we are HEROES:

1. H= Hand in your best work!

2. E= Enter the room prepared to learn!

3. R= Raise your hand to share! 

4. O= Obey rules and follow directions quickly! 

5. E= Exit the room leaving your area clean!

6. S= Show respect to adults and peers!  

Classroom Behavior Management Policy:

I will encourage students to follow the classroom rules and give warnings for disobedience. A paper referral may need to be written to the principal. If so, parents are asked to sign and return it by the next school day. After the third paper referral or if the offense is great, the teacher will fill out an online referral that stays a part of the student’s record. Consequences may need to be used depending on the situation. 

Consequences=

1st offense - verbal warning given

2nd offense - paper referral to parent & principal & silent lunch 

3rd offense - paper referral to parent & principal, silent lunch, & partial restricted recess (10 minutes)

4th offense - online referral & principal notification

Missed Work/ Makeup Work Policy:

All make/up assignments will be given to the student when they return from being out.  All missed assignments should be completed and turned in within two days of return unless otherwise stated by the teacher/ administration. Students are responsible for making up all missed work when they are absent. Quizzes/tests will have to be made up when they return to school.

Students are not allowed to retake any graded assignments for any reason, so it is crucial that they always give their best effort on every assignment.

Late Work:

There is sufficient class time provided for students to complete their classwork. If students are not using their class time wisely and not completing classwork assignments by the due date, then their overall grade for that assignment will be deducted 10 points every day that the assignment is late. At the end of the week, if the assignment is still not turned in, then the student will receive a 0 as a grade for that assignment.

Classwork/ Homework Policy:

Students will have homework Monday through Thursday each week. No homework on Friday. Each night the students should read for 20 minutes and respond to their reading on their Reading Log.They will also complete some math problems or practice math facts on Reflex. For Spelling theymay study their words however you decide as a family. They will need to be prepared for the Spelling test bi-weekly on Thursdays. Word list and free games are on SpellingCity.com. They will also need to study for Science & Social Studies tests as needed. Students will write down their homework assignments in their agenda each morning. Please check their homework & agenda nightly. They will also copy down their spelling words in their agenda. If your child completes both Math and Reading homework nightly, they will get to add a sticker to the Homework Club chart. For every 8 stickers earned, the student will be given a choice of selecting an item from my Treasure Box or 10 minutes of free time on their computer close to dismissal time. 

Please reach out any time!  You can also message me on Class Dojo.   

Looking forward to a great year!!! 

Sincerely, Ms. Metzger