Class Description

This year we will cover a range of topics! Here is a quick break down.

UNITS STUDY: SCIENCE, SOCIAL STUDIES, LITERACY, MATH

Science: The Changing Earth, Energy

Social Studies: Citizenship, Vermont Geography/History, Government

Literacy: Writing (narratives, opinion, non-fiction text/research)/ Reading: Elements of Fiction, Non-Fiction (informational text), Ind. Rdg.

Math: Eureka Math: Place Value, Measurement, Geometry, Multiplication/Division, Fractions, Decimals

Important Class Information

Arrival Supervision begins at 7:30 a.m. No child should arrive before that time. Our school day begins at 8:00. Please try to arrive on time so that we can all start our day together.

Breakfast School breakfast is available each morning starting at 7:30. Students need to check into their classroom before heading down to eat. Breakfast is $2.50. Students must have payment with them or a credit balance.

Snacks Students will have daily. The school provides a small morning snack each day: usually a fruit or a vegetable. You are welcome to send your child in with healthy snacks in addition to this. Children may bring a drink or a water bottle from home. There may be time for an afternoon snack as well. Please plan to pack a small snack (finger food…no spoons needed) in the event your child would like an afternoon snack.

Lunch Lunch is available for $3.50. A menu is sent monthly. Please pay for your child’s lunch in advance either with cash or a check made out to MES. (please label all payments). Milk for cold lunch is available for purchase at 50 cents.

Breaks We will have a short break time each day. During this time students will be led in a variety of mindfulness activities (breathing, yoga (stretching), guided imagination, reflection, body awareness (learning to relax or pay attention to your senses), listening to quiet music, drawing / coloring, hearing a story, and resting) by practicing these activities, students are better able to focus, and self regulate.

Homework It is assigned daily Monday - Thursday and is due the following day. It includes 20 minutes of reading and 20 minutes of math (10 min. fact review and 10 min. skill review). Homework will always be practice and never focus on new learning. Fun Friday is offered to all students who are caught up on daily classwork and all HW assignments. If it has not been earned, students will work during this block of time.

Friday Folder All important schedules, newsletters, menus, and student work will be sent home each week in your child’s Friday folder. Please return this folder to school on Monday of the next week.

Toys Please do not let children bring in toys as they will not be allowed to play with them at school. It’s heartbreaking when a favorite toy is lost or broken, so it’s simply safer not to bring it in at all. This includes fidgets.

Sharing Students will be sharing within our morning meeting. To begin the year we will use sharing as a quick way to get to know each other. We will look for similarities and differences among our new friends. There is no need to send in any items for sharing at this point.

Specials

T1

Monday- Art/ Library

Tuesday- PE

Wednesday- Music

Thursday- Spanish

Friday- PE

T2

Monday- Spanish

Tuesday- PE/ Library

Wednesday- PE

Thursday- Music

Friday- Art

T3

Monday- PE

Tuesday- Spanish/ Music

Wednesday- Art

Thursday- PE

Friday-Library

Parent Volunteers It is always wonderful to have your help. Volunteering and chaperoning at MES involves a background check. Once the appropriate paperwork is filled out, and we are settled in, we would love for you to join us on our learning adventures. If you are available please let me know.

Dismissal School is dismissed at 2:55. I ask that parents picking up children wait outside the main entrance. I will bring your child out to you. Please be prompt when picking up your child and make sure the teacher knows you have your child. Children riding the bus will be escorted to the buses in our new traffic circle.

Any change in your child’s after school schedule requires a note from you. For safety reasons, I cannot allow children to leave with someone other than you or change bussing arrangements unless you have written me a note. If you need to call for this purpose, please call before 2:00.

Note to parents- Our classrooms are very warm in the Fall and Spring and students should dress appropriately and have a water bottle for the classroom.

Link to class blog- I am super excited to use a program called ClassDojo. It is a classroom communication app used to share reports between parents and I. I’ll also track your behavior and upload photos and videos. It’s a great communication tool! You can download the app called Classdojo and email me to let me know your code!

Important dates- CONFERENCES: October 18th, March 21st (student led)

Class expectations- Students are expected to follow the school rules- P.U.P.S. Persevere, Use Kind Words, Participate, and Stay Safe. Additionally, they are encouraged to practice and apply the scholarly habits: self-awareness, creativity, perseverance, collaboration and empathy.