At the beginning of each school year, I make goals with my students about the kind of school year they want to have. We write our goals down and reference them throughout the year as we work to build a happy, safe, productive classroom environment. I enjoy creating an atmosphere that is joyful, musical, and incorporates movement. I love having fun and joking around with my students, but I am also passionate about learning and am committed to helping each student develop academically. My priority as a teacher is to create a classroom where kids have fun and are free to make decisions about what to do and how to learn. It's not in my nature to be overbearing, but I recognize that students (and teachers!) need structure and clear expectations in order to thrive at school. As such, I work hard to set up routines that support learning and keep disruptions and distractions to a minimum. I ask for your cooperation with the items on this page, which will enable me to spend more time creating a great classroom setting and lesson plans, and less time disciplining kids, grading late assignments, getting kids in proper dress code, and dealing with chronic tardiness. Thank you for your support and understanding!
Daily Commitment to Good Work- At the beginning of the year, I will establish a standard for school work that is done to the best of each student’s ability. As 4th graders, I expect my students to use their best handwriting, proper punctuation, and the best spelling possible (using a dictionary if a difficult word pops up). Of course, I realize that each student is unique and I will celebrate the individual efforts of each child. I will be discussing this with the class during the first few days of school.
I start classroom instruction promptly at 8:25 every morning. Please support your student in being on time to school, as missing those first few minutes really can make a huge difference in your day.
I appreciate emails letting me know when your student will be absent. However, I cannot excuse your student's absences. Please contact the front office for assistance with that.
Make-up assignments will be available either in the extra work drawers in my classroom or on our google classroom page for digital assignments. Students are 100% responsible for finding, completing, and turning in make up work.
Homework Policy
Whenever possible, I love when my students can finish their homework at school and spend their time at home being present with their families and other activities. That being said, unfinished classwork will sometimes need to be completed at home, as will projects like book reports. Students are also expected to read for at least 20 minutes at home every day.
While my homework assignments are relatively minimal, I see them as an opportunity to learn responsibility as students practice taking an assignment home, remembering to finish it, and bringing it back in good condition. As such completing and turning in homework (unfinished math classwork, reading, and spelling practice) will count toward your student's leadership grade. Completion of the math assignments will also be reflected in your student's math grade.
Dress Code, Electronics, and Toys
Electronics:
In accordance with the school's electronics policy, I expect that students keep electronics silenced and in their backpacks for the entire duration of the school day (including lunch, breaks, and recess). "Electronics" includes computers, cell phones, mp3 players, tablets, and smartwatches. Having personal electronics can be a severe distraction for the student themselves and others around them. Students will be only able to access personal devices before or after school, unless they are needed for medical reasons or other extenuating circumstances. If you need to contact your student during the school day, please call the school or send me a message.
Students in violation of this policy will have their device confiscated in a clear container where they can see it and will have it returned at the end of the school day. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns about this, and I will be happy to work with you to find a solution that works for your student.
Toys:
Students sometimes bring toys or other items from home to play with during class or recess. When this occurs, there is the chance that the toy could get lost or stolen, and this causes a disruption in instruction time (students crying, or asking to return to the playground to search for the object), so please keep the toys at home. If students are playing with something from home during instruction, I will ask them to put it away in a clear container to be retrieved at the end of the school day. If it becomes a recurring issue, I will ask to have a parent come retrieve the item instead and make sure that it stays at home in the future. Otherwise, it will be returned to them by the end of the year.
I realize that some students benefit from using a "fidget" item to enable them to concentrate during the day. Fidgets are fine as long as they remain inside or under the desk, out of sight, so as not to distract fellow classmates. If they become a distraction, they will be subject to the same policy as other toys.