Common Questions 

1. What is the Homework Policy? 

     The homework policy in our classroom is typically students will receive the homework packet on a Friday, and it will be due the following Friday. If there is no school on a Friday, it will be due the following Thursday. Students can work on their homework over the weekend, or as much as they want to each day, the reason I give you one week to complete it is so that you can work around your busy schedules. Some students complete it over the weekend, some like to work on it in two nights, and others like to work on it nightly. There's at least 20 minutes of required reading with a reflection log, 10 minutes of math, and 10 minutes of spelling/vocabulary practice. You are to work no longer than 10 minutes on Mathematics, if it takes longer than 10 minutes, then you can absolutely draw a line and put a parent or guardian signature. If you'd like to do I-Ready Reading or Math tutoring lessons instead, there's an option for that as well.

While there are no studies that show homework leads to improved academics, it does show that those who consistently complete homework outside of school, learn pacing, self-regulation, organization, and time management skills that do become beneficial in the secondary school system. So that is why we push homework in Elementary. 

2. What is the Snack Policy? 

     I allowed two snacks per day. The first snack is in the morning block around 10:30 in the morning, and the second snack is in the afternoon block around 2:30 in the afternoon. Snacks however have to be nutritious and healthy, and it has to be non-disruptive to the learning environment. This excludes items such as cheetos, candy, potato chips, or sugary drinks. What is preferred are healthy snacks such as crackers, cookies, fruit, or even gummy snacks. 

3. How do I get a hold of you or the school? 

Three ways! 

1. My email (jfnezbeda@dcsdk12.org )

2. The contact page on my website 

3. Call the office at 303-387-5150, they will send a note.

4. For emergencies, call my personal number at 719-258-7069. 

DO NOT call the office and be transferred to my classroom phone!! It goes directly to a voicemail by default, and I honestly don't even know the password, or how to access that voicemail because I haven't used it for years. 

4. We are leaving for an extended absence? What do you need from us? 

Call the office first at 303-387-5150 and Lisa Lee is the secretary who handles absences, and enters them into the computer. if you call her accounts as an excused absence. if you do not call the office, and you email me, sometimes I forward the email to Lisa as well. however there is no guarantee that it will go as an excused absence. But let me know too. Best way is just to email myself and Lisa at the same time (jfnezbeda@dcsdk12.org and lalee@dcsdk12.org ). Also! Please do not send email one or two days before the extended absence, asking for a packet of work. So much of our work is continued on a digital platform, or continuation throughout the week.  If you give me enough notice, I can happily provide a packet of stuff to work on, or direct them to the Google Classroom as well if they have internet access. I will not have time to get a week's worth of material with a day’s notice. 

5. What is the cell phone policy? 

     Smartphones are to be kept in backpacks while they are on school premises. They are to be removed from their backpacks at 3:30, and not before. If a smartphone goes off inside a desk, a jacket, or a student is seen on it during school hours, the student receives a warning on the first offense. The second offense is they lose it for the day. The third offense is you have to come pick it up, and it is not allowed on school campus for the rest of the year. They should be powered off, but I'm okay if they are on silent mode, or airplane mode. Smart watches can be worn in the classroom. however if they are used to text, or take pictures, then the same discipline follows as a smartphone. The one thing we're having problems with is students are running to the bathroom to text their friends, or to text their parents to come and pick them up. Then the office has no clue, and the teacher has no clue, so please talk about proper uses of smartphones and smartwatches with your children, before we get to that point. 

6. My child is sick and won't be at school. Now what? 

If your child is sick at home, then you have to email or call Lisa and let her know so it counts as an excused absence. It helps if you email me as well, just so I am not waiting for them in attendance. If you want some work sent home, I may be able to do it the day of, but usually rest is more important. Sometimes I may not be able to send you work because we have meetings. If your child feels sick at school, I send them to the office and the nurse. They take their temperatures, and they determine if they will call you, let them rest, or send them back to class. 

7. Where can I pick up my child? 

Typically a car loop runs at the front of the building. But you can also meet them across the bridge at Founders Park, or some kids walk to the church across the street where the parents pick them up as well. I provided a map for you for your reference.