Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I eat lunch with my child?
- Do you need volunteers on a regular basis?
- Do you have /need/use/ a room mom?
- Do you really use agenda books?
- Do you give homework?
- Does homework coincide with what is being taught in the classroom?
- What is the "PAPER POUND?"
- Will I know, in advance, what special I have for the day?
- Do we have to read RC books in Fourth Grade?
- Do we have snack?
- Do you participate in book clubs?
- What are the requirements for work habits?
- Do you celebrate birthdays?
- What are your classroom rules?
- What are the consequences for not following your classroom expectations?
- Can my child take medication at school?
- What is the county Grading Scale?
- What do I do when my child is absent/tardy?
Can I eat lunch with my child?
Yes, as long as you come during your child's scheduled lunch period!!
Parents are encouraged to eat
lunch with their child. You may come any day of the week to eat with your
child. Parents are to sign
in at the front ofice and wait for their childs' class to enter the
lunchroom. You may sit at the tables
located along the wall that faces the parking lot with your child. You are
welcome to eat the cafetera
foo provided Or bring lunch for you and your child. Grandparents, aunts,
uncles, etc. are also
encouraged to come!
Do you need volunteers on a regular basis?
From time to time, volunteers may be needed when a certain project or
classroom event has been planned. I will send home a letter, far in
advance, letting everyone know that I will be in need of volunteers and what
you will be asked to do. This will give you ample time to plan accordingly
or simply bow out! (HA!HA!)
Do you have /need/use/ a room mom?
As of right now, I do not have a room mom, which means I need one and yes, I
use one! If you are interested, please let me know. The room mom's job
will be to contact parents for school carnival booth volunteers, classroom
functions, etc. Pretty simple/part time job! There will be a sign
up sheet @ Meet the Teacher Night if you are willing to accept the challenge!
Do you really use agenda books?
YES! I use agenda books daily, to notify parents of their child's daily
behavior, good, bad or ugly, and I use this as a communication tool between
the classroom and home. Your child is responsible for writing homework
assignments, etc. in it daily and you are responsible for looking it over,
signing it, and sending it back to school.
Do you give homework?
YES! Homework is given on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday night. Twenty
minutes of independent reading is assigned every night. Your child should
record all assignments in his/her agenda book. Failure to complete homework
will result in a loss of recess, a note in your child's agenda book and
effect your child's overall grade! OUCH!!
Does homework coincide with what is being taught in the classroom?
Absolutely! The homework given is a review of what was taught that day
and/or what is being taught throughout the quarter.
What is the "PAPER POUND?"
The paper pound is where a paper ends up if it has no name on it! If you
happen to forget to place your name on your paper and you see it in the
pound, it will cost you $.25 to spring it free! At the end of the year, the
money collected will be donated to The Sarasota County Humane Society, in
our class' name. Don't forget to put your name on your paper!
Will I know, in advance, what special I have for the day?
Yes! I will have the special schedule on the board for the week, as well as
on teh website. It is your child's responsibility to write it in his/her
agenda book!
Do we have to read RC books in Fourth Grade?
Why, of course you do! Beginning in September, your child will be
responsible for a monthly independent reading requirement that will be an
important part of his/her reading effort grade. Each month your child will
need to
read 2 Reading Counts books AND pass the Reading Counts computer test with
an 80% or higher. The RC books may be of your child's choice, however, they
must fall within your child's Lexile Reading Level. In addition, they must
be from a variety of book types (i.e. not all nonfiction books in on egiven
month. This requirement is only a minimum requirement. ALL STUDENTS ARE
REQUIRED TO HAVE THEIR EAGLE (50 points) by MARCH 1st!! That means, your
child should be averaging, at least, 10 points a month!
All scores from the tests are recorded in my gradebook each month and
averaged into the final quarter reading grade. An update will be sent home
at the end of each month and progress will be indicated on your child's
midterm report. Failure to meet this requirement will adversely affect your
child's reading grade.
Do we have snack?
We will be having snack each day, and it is your child's responsibility to
bring in his/her own snack. Please send nutritious snacks that can be
enjoyed WHILE WE CONTINUE working. Students should also bring bottled water
to have during P.E. or recess.
Do you participate in book clubs?
Yes! I order books form Scholastic and will be sendign those home in the
Friday Folder. Please make sure you have order form and payment back to me
by the stamped due date. Please DO NOT SEND CASH! Make checks payable to
Scholastic book clubs.
What are the requirements for work habits?
Sarasota County has adopted a set of Work Habits to its curriculum. They
are as follows:
1. Stay on task
2. Have a cooperative attitude.
3. Dress appropriately
4. Complete homewrok on time
5. Have all required materials
6. Be on time for school
7. No unexcused absences
Please be aware that these work habits do affect your child's grades. If
your child is in danger of failing Work Habits, a warning will be indicated
on his/her midterm progress report. If your child contiues to experience
problems, s/he will receive a failing grade in Work Habits.
Do you celebrate birthdays?
You are welcome to bring in a treat for your child's birthday! Please keep
it simple. Also, birthday invitations may be passed out in class only if
ALL students have been invited. Otherwise, please send them vis mail to
prevent hurt feelings. Thank You!
What are your classroom rules?
In order to reinforce the county's work habits, I have set certain
expectations that I will emphasize throughout the year:
1. Treat others with RESPECT
2. Act responsibly
3. Come to school prepared
4. Always do your best quality work
5. Follow directions
6. Work quietly
What are the consequences for not following your classroom expectations?
1. Verbal warning
2. Time out (in or out of classroom)
3. Loss of privileges
4. Note or indication in agenda book
5. Phone call home
6. Office intervention
Can my child take medication at school?
As per Tatum Ridge's school policy, ALL medications(including non
prescription) must be taken to the Health Room. I am unauthorized to give a
child any medication.
What is the county Grading Scale?
90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
0-59 F
What do I do when my child is absent/tardy?
Please make sur eto send in a note before or after an absence or tardy
explaining why your child missed school. Make-up work will be sent home
upon your child's return. Unexcused absences and tardies will be recorded
on the report card.