How are birthdays handled? What can I send in for my student's birthday?
Per school/district policy, no food products may be brought in or shared due to allergies and food sensitivities. You are welcome to send other non-food items to school to celebrate your student's birthday, including pencils, stickers, or small toys for each classmate.
Also, per school/district policy, birthday party invitations can only be distributed in school if every student in the class is given an invite, or if all of the girls or all of the boys are invited. If that is not the case, you will need to find another place to distribute invitations to specific students.
On their birthday, students will get a small gift from me and the opportunity to sit in our bean bag chair for the day. The class will also sing to them during snack time.
Can my student bring a snack and/or drink?
Yes, students may bring one small snack from home to eat at snack time.
Per school/district policy, students are not allowed to share snacks with peers.
Students should also bring a full water bottle each day. They may only bring clear water in their bottle (no soda, no juice, no colored water). Colored liquids stain floors and school materials. I recommend a water bottle with a flip-up straw to minimize spilling. As much as your student might love their Stanley or Nalgene, open straws and screw-off lids spill all day long in the classroom.
Can my student bring toys to school?
Yes, students may bring a small toy for recess.
Students do not need to bring any toy for recess. We have plenty of engaging play materials at school and on the playground for them to enjoy!
Keep in mind that the student is solely responsible for any item they bring from home. Neither the Dallas School District, nor myself, is responsible for any missing or broken toys.
To avoid distractions to learning, toys may only come out of their backpack for recess and must go back in their backpack right after recess.
What's an FID?
A FID is a Flexible Instruction Day. FIDs will be communicated by the district in cases where school cannot take place on campus.
FIDs do not have to be made up at the end of the year. They count as full instruction days.
All FID assignments will be posted in our Google Classroom. Assignments will be manageable, meaningful, and minimal because I understand that kids also need time to be kids and that FIDs present other challenges for families and caretakers.
I will be accessible during normal school hours via email or Class Dojo to answer any questions or provide support.
Students have three days to complete FID assignments. If work is not submitted, the student will be marked absent for that day of school.
Do I need paperwork to volunteer in school or on a trip?
Yes. In order to chaperone you MUST have your PA Criminal History Check, Child Abuse Check, FBI Clearance, and be a paid PTO member.
All clearances for volunteers must be obtained BEFORE attending events/trip. PTO Clearance Info
Clearances take time to process and be approved. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE. Usually, if you wait to submit clearances when the event is announced, it is too late. In the past, the March board meeting has been the LAST date to get anyone approved to chaperone end-of-year trips.
Do I need to let the school know when my child won't be present?
Yes, you must submit the Absence & Tardy Form to the office before or after (within 3 days of) your student's absence.
It is not required, but I always appreciate an email or Class Dojo message to let me know if your student will not be at school.
If your student will be absent for an extended period of time, you must submit the Extended Absence Request Form to the office at least 2 weeks before the requested leave date.
What do I do with my child's Chromebook?
You have two options for storing your student's Chromebook:
Option 1: Families may choose to leave their child's Chromebook in the class in our charging station only IF you have access to a device at home for daily and FID assignments. If we know the weather looks questionable, we will send Chromebooks home. (I recommend this option).
Option 2: Families may choose to bring their Chromebook back and forth each day between school and home.
Chromebooks must be charged and ready to use each day.
District Chromebook information here: LINK