Gum policy: Students are allowed to chew gum in class as a focal aid. There are 3 rules for this! First, students are only allowed to chew the gum that their parents send in with them. Second, no one should be able to hear or see the gum. Third, students must make sure to clean up after themselves. 

Squishy policy: Students are allowed to have small (easily fit in the hand) Squishies or fidgets as a focal aid, ONLY if that student's parent/guardian emails, messages, or writes a note to Ms. Burda to say their child be allowed to use their squishy. Without a parent note or message, squishies will be treated like any other toy, and will have to stay in student backpacks. If a squishy becomes a distraction during work times, it will be placed into the student's backpack. If possible, please do not send in squishies that are filled with liquid - our classroom is carpeted, and the unknown liquid may stain the carpet!

One component of our class's behavior management plan is the Action Plan. A student is asked to fill out an Action Plan if they have not been following the class rules several times in a day. The Action Plan asks students 3 questions: What's the problem?, What's causing the problem? (please list the factors), and What plan will you use to solve the problem? An Action Plan is NOT the same thing as an office referral for behavior - it is just for in-class use and reflection purposes! It is a chance for students to pause and reflect upon the choices they are making, and guide them toward choosing a more productive path forward. If your child is asked to fill out an Action Plan, you will see a sticker label in your child's agenda, which will indicate how successful the plan was. The plan itself will come home with your child as well.