ABC's of the Classroom

Absences/Tardiness

 

            Your child’s regular and punctual attendance at school is crucial to his/her success. There   is a free breakfast program available for all students.  Please enter the building through the Rokeby Road doors for breakfast @ 7:35 a.m. At 7:55 a.m., students will be dismissed     from the cafeteria to enter classrooms.  Otherwise, students can enter our classroom from the main entrance at  7:55 a.m. If your child is absent, they must bring a written excuse with them upon returning to school.   ABSENCES WITHOUT A NOTE WILL BE MARKED AS UNEXCUSED.  If a student arrives late or needs to leave school early, must sign in/out at the office before coming to class.  School hours are 8:00 a.m. – 2:40 p.m.  Students       who have perfect attendance for the month will have their names published in our class newsletter!  Students with 90% attendance or better for the month will have their names on our Power 90 board within the classroom.

Assessments

 

            Every week, your child will be tested in several subject areas.  You will be notified in writing when those dates are approaching.  If a student is absent, they will make up any assessments on the following day.  There will be a reading test based on the story of the  week along with any other skills notified.   There will be a Math 4 Today quiz based on Math morning work that students will work on daily.  In addition, there will be Unit test for math skills and weekly drills in multiplication and division.  I expect students to memorize multiplication and division facts through 12.  Students will be assessed on Wednesdays on these facts.  The test will be timed at 2 minutes and the student must have 90% of problems completed and correct during the allowed if they do not receive 90% higher, they will be given an opportunity to retake the test on Friday. If your child a grade of less than 90% in any subject area, they are required to write corrections on a separate sheet of paper and the assigned dated and signed by a parent. Corrections are   due the following school day.

 

Birthdays

 

            If you want to bring a snack into the class on your child’s birthday, please do so.  This is not mandatory. However, I do request that you give me at least two days notice if you wish to wish to bring a cake and set aside time to celebrate in the event there is a scheduled school or curriculum activities. 

 

Class Rules

 

            Our classroom rules and discipline plan has been sent home.  Please read over the plan with your child so that you and your child understand the plan.   Conduct in school is reflected on the student’s interim reports and report. Rewards are in place for those that follow the rules and there are consequences for those that do not follow the rules.  

 

Conferences

 

            Conferences can be scheduled before and after school, after any interim report and after    any report card period.  Conferences may also be scheduled anytime during the school  year if you have any concerns, I will request conferences as needed if I feel that your child is having difficulty in a subject or conduct area.

 

Correspondence

 

            Feel free to call me at school or make an appointment to meet with me.  I can be reached   @ 410-396-0534 and leave a message.   Please be mindful that you will be able to leave a message and I will get back with you at my earliest time. Some parents feel it is very easy to send me an e-mail @ cwhye@bcps.k12.md.us.   Please do not hesitate to contact me for any reason. 

 

Grades

 

            Students will bring home a grading sheet to keep you updated on homework, quizzes, test, projects and student efforts during a marking period.   The sheet will be updated at the end of the week to keep you updated with any concerns or progress. I will post grades from Friday by Monday afternoon for parents to see.  All grades will be available online.  If you do not already have a Parent Portal account, please see me so that I can be of assistance to help get you access. All work and tests from the week will be sent home in the student's assigned folder.  This folder should be reviewed daily with your child, signed and returned to school the following day. Our school is following “Power 90”, with the goal of all students reaching 90% or better. If your child does not receive 90% on a test, they are required to do corrections on a separate sheet of paper (showing their work) and the test must be signed.  Corrections are due by the following school day. 

 

                        Tests and Quizzes           50%               Long-Term Projects          50%

                        Classwork and Drills       10%                Homework                      10%

                        Attendance                   10%                Behavior and Attitude        10%

                        Participation                  10%                Total                                100%

                                                                                                           

 

Homework

 

            Homework is an important part of the daily progress for our students.  Homework is assigned every night Monday thru Friday with Weekend Assignments assigned on Fridays. Please read the Homework Policy with your child and sign and return form. Homework shows what is being taught in school during the day and can show you how to help your student on a daily basis. Homework is to be completed, checked and signed daily.   Any homework that is not complete, legible or signed will not receive credit.   Homework   is reflected into the marking period grade.  Please help our students to be responsible and accountable for their work. 

 

Interims

 

            There will be interim reports to keep you advised of your child’s progress.  These are provided approximately five weeks after the beginning of each grading period to let you know what your child’s progress is at that point of time. Pleasw read over and check if an appointment will be necessary.  I will also setup appointments if needed. 

 

Lunch

 

            If your child has received a free or reduced lunch last school year, their status remains the same for September. During that time you will have to fill out a current application for the new school year. The exact deadline for submitting lunch applications will be announced. Please look for application in your child’s STAR folder.

 

            Lunch and Recess time will be 10:50 a.m. – 11:35 a.m.

 

Newsletters

 

            Newsletters will be sent home monthly.  Students will receive a Thomas Jefferson Newsletter and a Class Newsletter. Please read over all newsletters with your child, sign and return the newsletter tear off.

 

 

Room Parents

 

            During the school year, we will have the opportunity to have small celebrations in the  classroom for special occasions and holidays.  A room parent will help coordinate which students will being in treats. A room parent can also volunteer to help in the classroom.  When our class goes on a field trip, the Room Parent will get the first choice if they would like to attend with our class.  If you are interested in this position ( and we can have several), please notify me.

Spelling/Cursive

 

            Spelling words will be given to students every Monday with their homework sheet for the week. Please check your child’s STAR folder daily for assignments.  Since our spelling is integrated into our reading program, there is no separate spelling book. I will make sure that every student receives a copy of their word list.  Students will receive 20 spelling   words.  As the middle of the year approaches, all students will be expected to complete   spelling test in cursive.  Starting with the beginning of the school year, students will be allowed to use manuscript for writing.  Every week at least one word will be written in  cursive.  This routine will be used every week until the whole spelling test is written in cursive. Additional homework sheets will not be available.  Homework and Spelling List will be available online at our class website.  We will have a pre-test on Wednesday and  the quiz on Friday. If a student receives a 100% on Wednesday, then they will not have to take the quiz on Friday. Instead they will be given a Spelling Challenge. Challenge words will be sent home on Wednesdays and will not be posted on our class home page. 

 

S.T.A.R. Folders

 

            This is a very important part of my teaching because it is a means of communicating with you. As you may have noticed, STAR is an acronym for Students Taking Academic Responsibility. Your child is required to bring this folder home daily and is also responsible for bringing it back to school in the mornings.  Please check folder daily.   I will be checking the contents of the folder each morning.

 

Supplies

 

            Please look over the supply list provided in your child’s STAR folder.   Please make sure your child’s belongings are labeled with their name.  It saves time and avoids confusion, especially for students who think theirs are the only yellow pencils in the world. 

 

Transportation

 

            If there is a change in your child’s regular transportation routine, please send a written note or contact the office at 410-396-0534.  Do not rely on your child to tell us this information, because children often become confused and relay information correctly. If no written note or phone call is received, your child will be sent home by his/her usual method of transportation.

 

Uniforms

 

            Thomas Jefferson  is a uniform school.  We strongly encourage ALL students to wear school uniforms each and every day.  Dressing for success sets the tone for the school day and communicates your expectations to your child in a solid way. It is also very practical and economical.  Uniforms take the pressure off children to have the latest (often most expensive) styles to wear to school.  Girls may wear navy blue or blue/gray jumpers and white blouses. Boys may wear navy blue pants and white shirts. Fridays will be set aside for free day from uniforms.  Students may wear appropriate attire other than uniforms on those days. 

 

 

Weekly Progress Reports/Behavior Management Reports

 

            Each week some students will receive a weekly progress report.  This report will let you know if your child had a good week or is having difficulty in any subject. Some students may be put on a Behavior Management Plan in which it will need to be signed and checked daily. Students will have to return these reports the next school day. 

 

 

I will continue to keep you updated about class/school activities through newsletters, calendars and my website http://teacherweb.com/MD/ThomasJefferson232/AcademicExplorers/ If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at school at 410-396-0534.  You can contact me through my school email address:  cwhye@bcps.k12.md.us . Please read and discuss this information with your child.   Let’s make this year a successful year.

 

Ms. Whye