Dear Kindergarten Families,

In order to guarantee your child, and all the students in our classroom, the excellent learning environment they deserve, I am utilizing the following plan. The children are involved in developing our rules at the beginning of the year. Your support is needed in helping make our class the most enjoyable, positive and productive place it can be with up to 28 individuals in our room each year.

In the beginning of the year I strive to work on our routines, relationships and the basic rules. Once these are in place (within the 2-3rd week) rigor is added.

My Philosophy: I believe that positive reinforcement (extrinsic and intrinsic) encourages positive behaviors and the opportunity to exercise and learn self control. My discipline policy is to give verbal praise as well as behavior awards (see below*) for appropriate classroom behavior choices. A behavior type chart is used to award proper behaviors, reinforce learning to control oneself and discourage improper behaviors. The chart contains different colored cards for each student that change depending on their day.

Students start on green each day. Our behavior chart is fluid and students can move up and down the color system depending on their behavior. If they get an "ooops" they move their card from green to yellow in the chart. I will send home a little note describing the oops (I will privately give it to your child at the end of our day) with an area for the parent or guardian to sign and for the child to return the next day. The next morning, all the cards are moved back to green in the pocket chart, ready for a new day!

Sample of Our Class Plan (Rules)

1. Sit quietly and use an indoor voice when inside the classroom.

2. Keep hands and feet to yourself.

3. Raise your hand to share something - no shouting out.

4. Walk inside the classroom.

5. Treat everyone with kindness and respect.

6. Be ready to learn.

If a student chooses to continue a disruptive behavior (they are given 2 positive, discrete reminders about what is expected behavior before the ooops happens-i.e., "Thank you for remembering to keep your hands to yourself.") then they are asked to move their card:

Here are the six levels to our behavior chart:

• Blue: Outstanding. Student has displayed excellent choices throughout the day and are exceeding behavior expectations. They get choose a prize from our treasure box.

• Purple: Excellent. Student has made great choices throughout the day.

• Green: Good Job. Student is ready to learn and following directions.

• Yellow: Warning. Student has been given 2 discreet warnings. Brief conversation regarding appropriate behavior and an oops card will be sent home.

• Orange: Think About It. Time to refocus with a follow-up chat and an oops card will be sent home.

• Red: Phone Call Home. Phone call home and if necessary the student will visit with the principal.

Each day is a brand new day and a new start to choosing to do his/her best. School is not only about learning how to read, write and master math, it is also a place to learn self-control, responsibility and appropriate school behaviors that will serve them throughout their lives. If we see a pattern, we can sit down and brainstorm ways to help your child be successful.

I truly believe in positive reinforcement and that it can have a very positive effect. I phrase my redirection with the words, "Thank you for....." so the child hears what they should be doing, not what they shouldn't be doing. We begin with lots of external rewards (extrinsic) and I move to more intrinsic as the year progresses. Students who make good choices get behavior rewards: positive feedback, super kid awards, stickers, stamps on their hands, pats on the back, smiles, etc.

Students will know that they are able to use self-control skills, which is a learned skill at home and at school. Using self control builds self esteem!

We also have a popcorn chart in class where the class can earn popcorn for doing a number of wonderful things! When the chart is filled up, we have a popcorn party!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Jackie Giannini