Dear Parents,

It was so nice to be able to meet with many of you last Wednesday evening at the information night. I enjoyed explaining many of the routines we’ve established and sharing what we have to look forward to for the remainder of the year. Below are my responses to the questions that were left that evening. I decided to answer them in a document that I could share with everyone. Please continue to let me know when questions come up throughout the year, and I’ll do my best to communicate the exciting happenings of our room!

Thank you for your support,

Meghan Gander

1. How much should parents help with grammar and writing on homework assignments?

I appreciate when parents offer help on homework assignments. However, if you notice that your child has a significant number of errors on any given assignment, I  would appreciate a quick note attached to that assignment indicating that he/she had a lot of difficulty with the task. Anytime you can help with correcting spelling/grammatical errors is helpful. Just make sure your child is the one going back and making the corrections so they learn from their mistake.

2. Can parents be informed of what reading level our child is at after you complete the reading assessments?

Yes, I  can send home the results that I gathered from assessing your child's reading level.

3. Do birthday snacks have to be purchased?

Yes, birthday treats should be store bought. We have 24 students in our classroom this year, so please make sure you have enough for everyone.

4. What grade do the students start receiving letter grades?

Our school uses the same grading scale for grades K-8. This number system matches up closely to the traditional A,B,C, D, F grading system. For example, if your child is receiving a 5, this can be understood as an A on the traditional grading scale.

5. What time is computer lab on Wednesday?

Our class goes up to the computer lab from 10:00-10:30 on Wednesdays. During our time in the lab, students will learn basic keyboarding skills. The students will be typing some of the stories that they write during writer's workshop.

6. Will you come back at all after your baby is born?

I  am due in early February and my plan is to stay home with my baby for the remainder of the year. However, I will likely come back to visit the class and introduce my little one to the students.

7. How are children chosen for the enrichment programs as well as Word Masters?

Each Extra program has a different theme, so I  use both test scores as well as class performance to decide who to send to each session. Word Masters as well as the Wake-Up and Read program that is held before school is open to all students. Teachers do not select certain students to participate in these programs and they are held either before or after the school day.