ABCs of Our Class

Absences: If your child will be absent, please notify me right away at 906-282-5097.

Attending school: There are two meanings for “attend” here: presence and attention. Being present for learning and paying attention are done most easily when your child is on time with all needed materials (please see the school supply list). We begin our learning time at 8:00 AM, and it continues until 3:45 PM each day.

Assessments: A variety of formal and informal assessments are conducted throughout the school year. This helps me not only measure your child’s progress, but also tailor instruction to his/her unique needs.

Behavior Management: In our classroom, we use Love and Logic, positive procedures, a classroom economy system, and a few but clear rules with a three-step system to work together as a learning team (grades K-4 and grades 5-8 have slight differences). For more information, please see the "Classroom Management" page.

Birthdays: We have small but special ways we celebrate birthdays at school, including an inflatable birthday cupcake, class cards, and birthday chair. If you would like to help celebrate your child’s birthday with a lunchtime treat, please contact me a day or two in advance. Healthy treats are preferred. Also, as a person with a summer birthday, I want to make sure those children are also remembered. We can set aside a special day in May for him/her or celebrate the half birthday; just let me know. Note: If you would like your child to deliver birthday party invitations at school/during school hours, please be sure to include an invitation for every student in the classroom.

Communication: Good communication between home and school partners is vital to your child’s success. No matter how small you may think your question or concern is, I appreciate you letting me know as soon as you can. I also like knowing what we are doing in class that works for your child and makes him/her feel confident, happy, and motivated. You can reach me through a handwritten note, an email, or a phone call. You’ll hear from me during the year by email and phone, but you can also find announcements on our school website and our school’s Facebook pages. Any paperwork will be transported in a student Communicator folder in your child’s backpack to and from school. NOTE: If you need to communicate with your child during the school day, please call my cell. Students in grades 6-8 may bring a cell phone with them to school as long as it is kept in their lockers during school hours and they check with a teacher before using it.

Clothes: Sometimes there are accidents, so I highly recommend (especially for younger students) that you send a bag with an extra change of clothes. It will be kept in your child’s locker just in case of emergency.

Deodorant: Parents of adolescents are encouraged to talk with their child about the importance of wearing deodorant. Students may keep a container in their locker/backpack for use after PE or on hot days. We do discuss it at school in a lighthearted way as well.

Dismissal: Pick-up is at 3:20 PM on Monday-Thursday and at 12:00 PM on Friday. If your child needs to go home a different way than usual, please send a note to school. Because there may be times I cannot check email before the end of the day, please do NOT email me if there is a change in the way he/she is going home; instead, send me a text to my cell phone number. We are a closed campus, so students will only be released to parents/guardians or to those who you’ve specifically let me know will be picking up your child that day.

Emergencies/Email: Please make sure all contacts are updated. If phone numbers or names have changed, please send the updated information to me. It is vital that we have your correct information in case of emergency, including a current email address that you check regularly. You may reach me at my personal cell (906-282-5097) in case of emergency. My school email is egraham@graylingsdaschool.org or you may reach my conference email which is egraham@misda.org.

Family: In our classroom we are a family, and we are all part of the family of God. We work to cultivate a family atmosphere where we greet each other each morning, work together, share our struggles and joys, look out for one another, treat each other with kindness and respect, celebrate our successes, and say goodbye at the end of the day.

Guests: If you have an activity that you would like to do with the class, please let me know and we can work together to schedule a time. We love to have guest readers in our classroom, for example. This doesn’t have to be just parents; it can include grandparents, aunts, uncles, or anyone who is special to your child. It’s a great opportunity for a visiting relative to see their well-loved child in his/her classroom. Or, you may meet your child at their desk for lunch. We’d love to see you.

Homework: After a full day’s work at school, I prefer students to complete “home work” with their families (ie: chores, family worship, reading together) rather than formal homework, because building practical skills in the family environment is vital to individual success in life. However, more formal homework may be required at times, especially in grades 5-8. Any formal homework will be sent in your child’s Communicator or in Google Classroom. It should be completed neatly using the skills and practices used in our classroom. Messy work will result in a repeat of the assignment. NOTE: The homework habits and attitudes built now set the stage for your child’s future. Homework should not be a struggle for your child, academically or emotionally. If you find that it is, let’s meet and together come up with strategies or modifications to help.

Independence: One of the most important ideas we encourage students to master is being independent in age-appropriate practical skills. All are encouraged to be as responsible as they can. For example: we encourage our youngest students to zip, button, try to tie, put on coats and hats, shoes -- all for themselves. We also ask that students wash and dry their lunch dishes well. We really appreciate you encouraging this at home also.

Illness: Please do not send your child to school if he/she has a temperature or other contagious symptoms. If your child becomes ill at school, you will be called to come and get your child. Please see our handbook for more health and safety information.

Jobs: Students will have weekly jobs that will be rotated on a daily basis and allow all children a chance to do each classroom chore multiple times. These help students develop habits of industry and enhance the feeling of family and responsibility for our collective learning space.

Keep Mrs. Graham informed: I (and Mrs. Tschetter) truly care about your child(ren). I am concerned when they are sick, I am excited when there is a new family member and I am a cheerleader for them when needed at an event. (I just need to know ahead of time to make time in my schedule if I can.) Even sometimes those things that are all a normal part of childhood--bad dreams, arguments about what clothes to wear to school, a parent going away on a business trip, or an illness in the family--can have an effect on your child’s school day. Dropping me a quick note that your child might need a little extra TLC or some slack one day can make all the difference in the world.

Lunch: We have lunch from 12:00-12:30 PM.

Library: At times, students are allowed to borrow books from our classroom library to take home. Please make sure the library book stays in a safe place and is returned on time.

Money: Anytime you send in money, whether it's sent in a backpack or communicator, please send it in an envelope with the following written on it: child’s name, the amount, and what it’s for.

Morning Message: This is a short message that I (or an older student) may write on the board to younger students. We use this message to help learn valuable reading and writing skills. It typically outlines some fun things we will do during the day.

Names: Please write your child’s name on all of their belongings. It’s so easy for things to get misplaced or left behind in another area of the building (lunchroom, playground, etc...). Writing your child’s name will help ensure that their belongings are returned to them, and that you don’t have to spend your hard-earned money to replace items that are still in the building.

Newsletter: I will email a weekly newsletter each Friday afternoon that will give you updates about our classroom, including the upcoming week’s units of study, funny quotes of the week, classroom needs, educational F.Y.I.’s, upcoming hot lunch information, etc. Please take time to read this carefully to be fully informed! This newsletter--sent from Smore--will go to the current email that you gave me to put on file. Please check your spam folder if you don’t see it in your inbox. I will post a link to this newsletter on the private parent Facebook page as well.

Notes: Please send a note or an email -- not a text -- if there is anything you feel I need to know. You may put notes in your child’s Communicator folder or send an email to egraham@misda.org (or egraham@graylingsdaschool.org). I check both daily, excluding Sabbaths.

Organization: This is a learned skill. It’s important for us, as partners in your child’s education, to remember that they are still relatively young. Although they are beginning to have a greater sense of organization, they need our help to fully develop their organizational skills. Together we can use a variety of strategies in the classroom and at home to help them grow in their abilities to both get organized and stay organized.

Outdoor Recess/PE: Exercise is best when done outside in the open air, so unless we are experiencing severe weather, we will go outside for PE/recess. Please send your child with appropriate clothing, including footwear, for the weather during these daily exercise times. Note: Label jackets, sweatshirts, snow pants, gloves, etc. with a permanent marker if you wish. Also, if your child prefers to wear skirts or dresses to school, please make sure to wear some type of pants/leggings underneath so that they are able to participate.

Progress reports: These are accessible anytime online through Jupiter Ed, but will be finalized once every quarter, or approximately every 9 weeks. We also take NWEA's MAP tests 3X a year (fall, winter, and spring). They will chart your child’s growth and should reflect the level of mastery of grade-level standards.

Quick and Quiet Hellos and Hugs: Quick goodbyes tend to leave drier eyes. For parents of younger children: Though it is hard to send your sweet little one off quickly, it is highly encouraged to ease the transition. Also, if you volunteer in our school, it’s important to acknowledge your child with love, but please do so quickly and quietly so they stay engaged in the activity at hand.

Questions: As parents, our first instinct is often to ask our child “How was your day?” and “What did you do at school?”. From our children we often hear simply that their day was good or bad, and that they didn’t learn anything (despite hours of instruction!). Try asking your child some leading, but open ended questions. “What story did you read today?” “What was math about?” “What made you laugh today?” “What made you feel confident?” “What made you feel insecure?” “Who did you play with at recess?” Questions like these might spark more discussion, and give you better insight into your child’s day.

Reminder Bands: We all need a little reminder once in a while. From time to time children may come home wearing a paper wristband with a reminder note on it. It’s a simple and engaging way to help them remember something if they are having a hard time remembering to bring home their Communicator folder, for example

Snack: We provide time around 10:00 AM for those who need something extra to make it through the morning. You may send snacks for your child (nuts, fruit, raw veggies and dip, or grain-based products with low sugar are best). We will snack and work at the same time, so please pack something easy to grab and eat. Snacks should fit easily in backpacks or lockers.

Supplies: Please read over the school supply list carefully to ensure your child has everything they need for the year. We will let you know if/when additional items are needed at various times during the school year.

Sweaters/Sweatshirts: Consider sending a sweater or sweatshirt for your child to leave in his/her locker. We should all have access to something warm to put on when we feel chilly.

Teach & Tell: Similar to Show & Tell, I encourage students to bring something from home they’d like to teach us about and present it to the class on Fridays (5-10 minutes per person). It’s a fun way to share interests and knowledge with each other. Students ask/sign up to present in advance; 1-3 students may share each week. Pets are welcome as long as prior arrangements have been made with me.

Technology: We are very fortunate to have technology available in the classroom. Each student in grades 3-8 has his/her “own” ChromeBook, and students in grades K-2 have access to shared ChromeBooks. These are used frequently and integrated throughout all areas of our curriculum in developmentally appropriate ways. A signed technology agreement must be on file before computers are used or brought home.

Toys: Bringing toys to school is discouraged. If they are brought, students must keep them in their lockers until recess time. It is also understood that toys at school may be lost or broken and, if shared with anyone, should be shared with everyone. If these procedures are not followed, I may keep the toy(s) at my desk until pick-up time.

Unique: Your child is a unique individual, with specific strengths, challenges, and interests. The uniqueness of your child will be celebrated while learning strategies are tailored to meet his/her needs.

Understanding: Thanks for understanding that your children are my number one priority during the school day. I will work my hardest to ensure the success and safety of your children.

Volunteers: We LOVE volunteers! Volunteers are always welcome in our room or at home. Let me know if you’d like to help out.

Water Bottles: Our brains and bodies need to stay hydrated to work well! Please ensure your child has a water bottle to keep on their desk! It does need to be one where there is some sort of a twist-up or pop-up top. Water bottles should be taken home (at least) every Friday to clean.

Website: Our school’s website is www.graylingsdaschool.org. In addition, we use Jupiter Ed for record-keeping and Google Classroom as our LMS student portal. We also have two (2) Facebook pages: One is visible to the public, and the other is a private page limited to current parents.

eXcited: I’m eXcited for another year! I LOVE teaching in the multigrade classroom.

You: You are the most important teacher and role model to your child! Your input is always welcome; I can’t stress strongly enough that we are partners in your child’s education. Thank you for allowing me to help!

ZZZZZ: Sleep is absolutely vital to your child’s success. A sleepy child simply does not have the capacity to pay attention in class, learn and retain new knowledge, or work with peers to the best of his/her ability. While the recommended amount is 9-10 hours, you know the optimum amount of sleep your child needs to be at his/her best; please help them get that sleep. Thank you!