Welcome to Room 27!

The first month of school we will be getting to know your child and assessing skills in spelling, writing, reading, phonics and math. Throughout the first month we will be teaching your child classroom and school procedures. Do not worry if your child comes home and says we are reviewing what they learned in kindergarten. We have found many students need a review to get them ready for school again. This also lends itself for us to see where everyone is in August.

As a co-taught room, we believe in differentiated instruction. Therefore, we want all of our students to be meeting their own individual goals and working at their level. After the first month, we will be able to start working with small groups on writing, spelling, reading and math. The small group times help to meet everyone’s needs. In October, we usually begin reading groups. These are small groups of no more than five students working on comprehension, vocabulary, decoding and fluency. Students with different needs will participate in extra groups each day to focus on remedial or extensions as needed.

Schedule

School begins: 8:45am                                               School ends: 3:15pm

Gym: Wednesday and Thursday 8:50-9:20am               Music: Monday and Friday 2:35-3:05pm

Art: Thursday afternoon in the classroom                        Library Checkout: Thursday 2:20-2:40pm

Computer Lab Time: Every other Tuesday 8:50-9:20am

Lunch and Recess: 11:40am-12:45pm

Snacks

We will allow them to eat their snack when they are hungry assuming it is not a distraction or causes a large mess. We ask the students only bring in healthy snacks. Healthy snacks would be fruit, vegetable, crackers, oatmeal or fruit bars, cheese, fruit juice, etc. Please do not send your child to school with cookies, chips or chocolate for a snack.  Some students need 2 snacks per day, but should not be eating more than that per day.

Birthdays

If you would like to send in a special treat for your child’s birthday please let us know a few days before so we can schedule time. We usually can only allow 15 minutes for birthday treats. If you are going to send in treats please make sure they are easy to share with everyone. A new school wide policy this year states no cupcakes or cakes. Alternatives include: cookies, fruit snacks, granola bars, popsicles, etc.

Lunch

Every morning the students let us know if they are having school or home lunch. If a child does not like the school lunch they may request a cheese sandwich. If you do not wish your child to have school lunches or they have dietary restrictions please let us know. A new lunch menu will go home with students each month. The students are given 30 minutes to eat their lunches. Afterwards they go out to recess.

Allergies

If your child has any allergies or is required to take medicine at school please let us know and contact the school nurse: Karen Hyman.

Absences

If your child is absent you will need to call the office to let them know. If you are aware of a trip, doctor’s appointment or your child is sick ahead of time you may call the office, send a note in with your child or e-mail us.

If your child is not in the room by 8:45am each day he/she will be considered late. We begin the day at 8:50am and it is imperative for your child’s learning that he/she are here on time.

Backpack

In your child’s backpack they should bring to school their folder, snacks, lunch, if they are not buying, and gym shoes if they don’t leave a pair at school. Every night you should check your child’s backpack for notes, homework, graded work, etc.

Volunteering

There are many opportunities for volunteering in the classroom. We will need volunteers for field trips, classroom parties and other fun events. If you didn’t get to sign-up at Meet and Greet there will also be a sign-up sheet at Back to School Night.

Folders

Your child was given a folder today. This folder will be for homework, notes, graded paperwork or important information. Please send your child with this folder each day. We will use this folder on Friday in lieu of a Friday folder. Important correspondence from the principal, district or PTO will come home on Fridays.

Homework

Your child will receive homework in spelling, math and reading. They may also receive homework in other areas depending on their own needs and interest. Your child will have spelling tests every Friday and their lists will be sent home on Monday. As your child succeeds the lists will become more challenging. We view homework as a practice for what has already been introduced. Once the year gets under way your child will have a reading log which keeps track of how much they read at home. Regarding homework, if your child needs more time, doesn’t understand the directions or it is too difficult they may bring it back and we will work on it together.

Behavior

We believe in positive reinforcement. We work on a system of blue, green, yellow and red cards. Each morning your child will start off on green. If they receive more than one warning they have to take a time out and change their card to yellow. If a child goes to yellow we will find a time to talk out what happened with the student. If they fix their behavior and have a better day they can go back to green. If they continue to have the same behavior or have extremely disruptive or unsafe behavior they will have to change their card to red and write out a think sheet. This sheet will be sent home for you to review, sign and send back. If a student receives a yellow or red during the week they may not participate during that week’s free time. If they are outstanding, help their classmates and teachers they can go to blue which warrants a good note home and additional free time. Their behavior will be recorded on the newsletter for you to see. If they get on red you will most likely be receiving a phone call from one of us.

Blue = Outstanding behavior!!                  Green = A great day!         Yellow= Needed some warnings

Red = continued “yellow” behavior, hit, swore, stole, left classroom or damaged school property.

Communication

You can reach us through e-mailing, sending in notes with your child or calling. We will always get back to you within 24 hours. We are both best through e-mail as we check it at home, before and after school. Mrs. Beavers arrives at school by 6:45am each day, but leaves at 3:15pm on most days. Mrs. Contreras arrives at 8am each day and leaves at 4:30pm. If you would like to set up a time to meet please let us know and we can find a time that works for all of our schedules. In addition, we will send home newsletters on Friday. This will let you know what your child did during the week, upcoming dates, important reminders and a space for you to write a note should you choose to.

Sincerely,

Erin Beavers (Erica Weisz) and Natalie Contreras

847-675-3048 ext. 1171

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