Mrs. Belcastro

I was actually born in Oklahoma but, after a series of moves, ended up in Ohio just before I entered 2nd grade.  I graduated from Boardman High School.  I attended Kent State and Youngstown State, where I received my bachelor’s degree in early childhood education.  I later received my master’s degree through Ashland University.  I have been teaching at South Range since 2003. I taught kindergarten for 2 years and also Title before moving to second grade. I have a special love for children of all ages and I am excited and privileged to be a part of your child's 2nd grade experience. I am married to the love of my life and my high school sweetheart, Jason, and we reside in the district.  We have three amazing children—Ella, Zachary, and Adalynn. We also have a sweet little dog named Clisby, a thoroughbred mare named Mocha Bean Latte, and an axolotl named Nero. Outside of school, I love spending time with my family just enjoying everyday things like coffee,  taking walks, reading, playing the piano and all things music, and most especially traveling. 

Please make every effort to schedule appointments and family activities around school.  I do understand that this is not always possible though! Here is an outline of our daily schedule, so that you can have a good idea of what we are up to and when in the classroom! (Always subject to change!)

7:40-8:10 Morning Routine (a list of things that your child is responsible for completing 

              independently--includes turning in notes, recording homework in the planner, and getting ready to L.E.A.R.N.)

8:15-8:50        Language Arts Block 1 (phonics)    

8:55-9:35         Specials (Monday-Art, Tuesday-PE, Wednesday-Music, Thursday-Library, Friday-alternates each 9 weeks) 

9:40-10:50         Language Arts Block 2 (whole group-vocab/comp/grammar/writing)

10:55-11:25        Lunch

11:30-12:15          LA Block 3 (Readers Workshop and Intervention)

12:20-12:45         Recess

12:50-1:40            MATH  (whole group instruction)

1:45-2:15              MATH T.I.M.E (hands on centers and intervention)

2:20-2:40              Dismissal (car riders first and then bus riders)

*Behavior Management – I strive to create an atmosphere of mutual respect in our classroom.  The students will experience plenty of  positive  reinforcement (rewards) throughout the year, and there will also be consequences for poor choices.  

I will use a Reward System for good choices and behavior. As long as a child’s behavior and good choices positively influence our classroom,  there is an opportunity to have their Reward card punched.  Each child has many opportunities (showing respect, being helpful, showing they were paying attention, being proactive…) to have their very own reward card punched with a special symbol.  Once they have collected 10 punches, they will be able to choose a special reward! I will then replace their reward card with a fresh one, so that they can begin earning punches toward a new reward. *I will not punch cards for EVERY positive choice. If a child does not receive a punch on their reward card on a certain day, this certainly does not designate a "bad" day! Positive choices are a regular expectation in my classroom, though I do like to reinforce those choices through the reward card system :)

I will be incorporating elements of Whole Brain Teaching into my classroom management into the reward card system. If a child makes a not-so-good choice, he or she will receive a pink card (Pink=Practice) labeled with the rule that was broken, and that practice card will be placed in the pocket chart to cover up the reward card. The child will be given the opportunity to practice the rule(s) correctly and reflect on the choice  while discussing with me how to make a change.  A THINK SHEET will be sent home notifying parents of the day’s events.  The child would not be able to earn any reward punches until they have practiced and returned the think sheet. However, if I see the child really working to change things for the better, he or she may still have the opportunity to earn punches-which will be cause for celebration!

*Behavior plans are not limited to this and will be reevaluated if needed for individual situations.

*Class DoJo*

Class DoJo will be my main form of communication this year. A paper will be provided at Open House (or whenever your child joins our class!) with detailed instructions on how to connect with me through DoJo. If you used Class DoJo with your previous year’s teacher here at South Range, then you are already connected!! Please contact me if you would like to connect more than one parent.

Once you are connected, please make it a habit to check Class DoJo daily. It would be helpful to turn your notifications for this on as well. This is how I will contact you when necessary and it is a quick and convenient way for you to send me a message with the assurance that your child will not lose it :) I will post all general announcements and pictures in Class DoJo. This is the safest way for me to share pictures, as only the parents of students in our classroom that are approved to join will have the ability to see these pictures. I will make every effort to respond to messages in a timely manner between the hours of 7:30 am and 3:00 pm.

Email: cbelcastro@southrange.org (I may only check this email once each day- it is not the best way to reach me if you are hoping for a quick response. Please utilize ClassDoJo as a first option)

School number:  330-549-5578  (You may leave a voicemail or a message with our school secretary)

Notes: May be sent to school with your child. A good place to attach notes is clipped inside your child's planner.