Classroom Management: I believe in positive reinforcement, and I hope to develop a positive classroom community. To do this I use a behavior system that focuses more on positive behavior instead of one that punishes misbehavior. I will use Secret Student. Each day I will pick one or more, usually no more than three, students to be our secret students. If at the end of the day that child or children have followed the 3Bs, they will be revealed and earn a reward from our classroom coupons. If that child or children did not, then their name will go back in rotation for another chance a different day. At some point I’ll talk to that child privately and let them know that they did not earn secret student and they will get another chance. We will talk about why they didn’t earn it and how to follow the 3Bs. This behavior system has been so successful for me the last few years and I’m excited to try it again!
Daily Folder: One folder will come home with students each day. This folder will be used for homework, completed work, communication, etc. It should come back to school with students every morning. At the end of the day students will write a daily reflection sentence. Please check your child's folder each night.
Homework: Students are expected to read each night for at least 20-30 minutes. I believe that reading needs to be a priority at home and is essential for student success, because of this there won’t be much extra homework. There will be a monthly Reading Log and I will also send home a Monthly Reading Challenge with ideas for ways to make reading extra fun at home. I will also send home words that fit our phonics pattern of the week. I don’t want homework to be an overwhelming part of the night for kids or parents. Kids need time to be kids when they leave school and family time is so important in the evenings. On occasion there will be additional at home projects, but not many.
Classroom Updates: I will send updates as needed through TalkingPoints; this will be the main form of communication. Make sure you have your contact info updated with the office and you’re checking the messages regularly. These will include academic updates, important dates, upcoming events, and any other important information.
Birthdays: I love birthdays and enjoy celebrating here at school! Please feel free to send a special snack with your child on his/her birthday. All I ask is for a day’s notice that you will be bringing something in to share. We will celebrate birthdays during recess or at the end of the day.
Snack: We will have snack every day. The children will be allowed to have a water bottle with them throughout the day, but this is the only drink they may have in the classroom, because spills happen. Snack time will be short, about 10 minutes, please send snacks that can be eaten quickly!
Volunteers: Volunteers are a very important part of our classroom and are always welcome and appreciated! If you would like to volunteer, you must register online through WCPSS. This needs to be updated every year. Once registered you will have your "green star" status and we would love to have you here to help during classroom events such as day to day classroom help, celebrations, field trips, and other school activities. Please check in at the front office and wear your "green star" badge and a visitor sticker whenever you are volunteering at school!