INFORMATION FOR: MRS. DEMERS
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***When is the best way to reach my child's teacher?
Email is THE BEST way to get in touch with me as I check it often.
demers@upperschools.org or kldemers@gmail.com
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***How do I know what is going on in class?
Newsletter: As you have seen already I send home a weekly newsletter at the beginning of every
week ( Monday). It will also have study guides and other info from the school.
http://TeacherWeb.com/NJ/UpperTownshipElementary/KatharineDemers. This is accessible through
the school website as well. Check it daily for updates.
Study Guides: I will try to give 1 week’s notice for all tests. I will also provide a study guide with
objectives to study, page numbers to look at, examples, and any other helpful information. Study
guides will be posted on my website as well.
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***Should I look at my child's assignment book?
Absolutely. I require that a parent/guardian sign the assignment book nightly once all HW has been
completed.
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Homework Policy: All homework is expected to be turned in the next day unless otherwise noted.
Homework turned in after 9:30 am is considered late. Late homework will be accepted, but it will
lose points. I ask also that all spelling and writing homework be completed in cursive and / or typed.
Again, I do not want anyone spending hours on their homework, so please let me know if your child
seems to be having difficulties completing their homework within that framework.
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Students’ Daily Responsibilities: The students are responsible for signing up for lunch, unpacking
and packing their belongings, completing and turning in all work, and copying their homework. They
must remember the necessary materials needed for the completion of all assignments. It is
important that they have some of these responsibilities carry over at home too. They cannot use
parents as an excuse for missing papers or late homework. Please do not drive late work to school.
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Current Event: Students will receive a Weekly Reader or Time For Kids every week along with a
current events form. They are to pick an article in the magazine provided and complete a summery
of the article in cursive. Each Current Event is worth 10 points, and points will be deducted for
sloppy work, not following directions, missing name/date, simple spelling errors, and lateness.
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Water Bottles and Snack: Students are allowed 1 snack per day. This should be something that is
healthy, CLEAN, and easy for the kids to eat while they are working. Water bottles are permitted in
our room unless they become a distraction. No colored drinks or sodas- water only. I have
explained to the children that if they cannot properly use a water bottle, they will not be allowed to
bring one. Please be sure all water bottles sent with your children have proper lids to prevent
spilling.
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Grading Scale: A = 93 – 100 B = 85 – 92 C = 77 – 84 D = 70 – 76 F = Below 70 Many students
become concerned with their grades and bringing home all A’s and B’s. This is a wonderful goal, but
please help your child see that A’s, B’s, and C’s are all good grades! A’s and B’s indicate that a child
is working above grade level expectations and C’s indicate working at grade level. When students
start to bring home D’s and F’s, this is an indication of work below grade level expectations and then
we can be concerned together.
Classwork: Classwork not completed in class will become extra homework for your child. This
should not be counted in the regular 40 – 45-minute timeframe that work should be completed in.
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Rules and Consequences: The entire class' behavior can earn them up to 20 minutes for a Fun Friday
activity at the end of the day on Fridays. Excessive talking, not following the rules, etc results in lost
Fun Friday time. Individual Accountability exists as well. Students who follow all rules and behave in
an acceptable manner both inside and outside the classroom can earn tickets. These tickets are good
for purchases in my "Demers' Department Store." Students can buy candy, pencils, stickers, etc. Any
donations to this store are more than welcome! A late or missing HW assignment results in lost
tickets
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Other Important Information:
Birthdays: Students are permitted to bring in a birthday treat on their birthday. Please keep the treats
simple and easy for the students to eat. Brownies and cookies are easy to serve in the classroom.
Please try to have uniform treats so that everyone gets the SAME item (same flavor etc). Please supply
napkins, plates, cups, etc with these treats.
Book Orders: I will send home a book order every month. If you would like to order a book, please
send the order by the designated due date with a check made out to the Book Company selected.
You can also order online (see my website)
***What should I do if my child is absent? What if I want to pick up work?
Please call the school attendance hotline before school and let them know the child's name,
homeroom teacher, and reason for absence. If you are requesting homework for the day, please call
the main office and/ or email me to let me know. If you are picking the work up, it will be on the
front office counter by 4PM. If you would like another child to come home with the work indicate the
child's name and teacher on the machine.
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***How do I request work for a vacation?
Make the request in writing at least 1 full week prior to the vacation and indicate the dates of the
vacation. The work will be sent home no more than 1 or 2 days before the vacation begins.
Dear Parents/Guardians and students,
Hello! I hope that this letter finds you enjoying the last bit of summer and preparing for a
wonderful school year. My name is Katharine Demers, and I am privileged to be your child’s fourth
grade teacher. I am anxious to meet and work with you and your child, and I know that we will have
a successful year together. I will be sending home weekly newsletters (every Monday) informing you
of events, projects, tests, and long term assignments that your child will be involved with at school
or home. There will be many forms and papers to complete during the first week of school, so
please ensure that your child has a designated “Take Home” folder for such important papers. Please
send a snack (and water) with your child on the first day, as I am unsure as to what time we will have
lunch. Thank you!
As a partner in your child’s education, I want you to feel free to contact me. I have two email
addresses that I check daily: demers@upperschools.org and kldemers@gmail.com
I enjoy communication via email, so please feel free to send me your email address. I also have a
website that both you and your child are strongly encouraged to access throughout the year for daily
homework, weekly calendar of events, information about me, and my weekly newsletter. It
is:http://TeacherWeb.com/NJ/UpperTownshipElementary/KatharineDemers
This site is also accessible through the school website.
The transition from summer break to school is never an easy one. In preparation for school, I
have some ideas/ suggestions that might prove helpful to both you and your child:
• Discuss an alternative plan with your child in case you cannot pick him/her up from the bus
stop. Please make your child familiar with the person(s) who would pick them up in the event of an
emergency. Have all necessary numbers within access of your child.
• Please review bus safety and proper school conduct
• Set aside time each day to read with your child and to practice basic math facts
• Remember to label all of your school supplies so that they do not get lost!
EMAIL ME! If you would like to send me a letter (or email it to me) telling me all about yourself, your
summer, nicknames, etc, I would love to receive one! You may send your letter to the school, or you
may email me. (I LOVE LOVE LOVE getting emails!)
Parents/guardians: Since the first week of school is filled with forms, I am sending one form
ahead of time. Enclosed is a questionnaire to help me better get to know you and your child. Please
fill it out and return it to me at your earliest convenience either by mailing it to me at the school, or
simply emailing me the information – it is available on my website.
I look forward to meeting you and your child soon! I hope that you enjoy the rest of your
summer!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Katharine Demers
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CLASSROOM RULES FOR MRS.DEMERS’ CLASS
1. BE RESPECTFUL
FOLLOW DIRECTIONS
DO NOT TALK WHILE OTHERS ARE TALKING
KEEP YOUR HANDS, FEET, and OBJECTS TO YOURSELVES
TREAT OTHERS THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED
2. BE RESPONSIBLE
BE PREPARED FOR CLASS
COMPLETE YOUR HOMEWORK AND CLASS WORK ON TIME
BE IN CONTROL OF YOUR ACTIONS AT ALL TIMES- USE YOUR BEST BEHAVIOR
USE INDOOR VOICES IN THE CLASSROOM, LUNCHROOM, HALLWAY, AND BUS LINES
3. REMAIN IN YOUR SEATS DURING INSTRUCTION.
WAIT FOR PERMISSION TO GET UP OUT OF YOUR SEAT
4. ALWAYS WALK IN A STRAIGHT LINE - - DON’T RUN! LINE UP SILENTLY AS WELL.
5. BEGINNING OF DAY:
THERE IS NO TALKING WHEN YOU ENTER THE CLASSROOM IN THE MORNING (you have
too many things to do before special!)
COPY HOMEWORK AND LEAVE HOMEWORK BOOK ON YOUR DESK
TURN IN HOMEWORK AND ANY NOTES
SIGN UP FOR LUNCH
CHECK THE FRONT BOARD FOR DIRECTIONS
6. END OF THE DAY
PACK UP QUIETLY: (Check to see you have everything you need!)
THERE IS NO TALKING DURING BUS DISMISSAL. (Start your homework or read a book)
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THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MRS. DEMERS
(also available on my website):
http://TeacherWeb.com/NJ/UpperTownshipElementary/KatharineDemers
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When is the best time to reach my child's teacher?
• My phone does not have voicemail, so all calls ring directly through to the
classroom. You may call the office 390-1242 ext 321 throughout the day and
leave a message for me, or feel free to call between 8 and 8:30 in the morning
and anytime after 3:30
• Email is THE BEST way to get in touch with me as I check it often:
kldemers@gmail.com
Phone # to Room 20: 390-1242 ext 348
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How do I know what is going on in class?
• Monday newsletter: sent home Monday in a special manila envelope that also
has papers for you to sign and return. It will also have study guides and
other info from the school.
• http://TeacherWeb.com/NJ/UpperTownshipElementary/KatharineDemers.
This is accessible through the school website as well. Check it daily for
updates.
• Study Guides: I will try to give 1 week’s notice for all tests. I will also
provide a study guide. Study guides will be posted on my website as well.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
Should I look at my child's assignment book?
Absolutely. I require that a parent/guardian sign the assignment book nightly
once all HW has been completed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
Homework Policy:
• All homework is expected to be turned in the next day unless otherwise noted.
• Homework turned in after 9:00am is considered late. Late homework will be
accepted one day late only. After that they will receive no credit.
• I ask also that all spelling and writing homework be completed in cursive.
From this point on all homework not completed in cursive will be redone by the
student.
• Again, I do not want anyone spending hours on their homework, so please let
me know if your child seems to be having difficulties completing their
homework within that framework.
• Papers without a name will not receive full credit.
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Students’ Daily Responsibilities:
• The students are responsible for signing up for lunch, unpacking and packing
their belongings, completing and turning in all work, and copying their
homework. They must remember the necessary materials needed for the completion
of all assignments.
• It is important that they have some of these responsibilities carry over at
home too. Please do not drive late work to school.
OVER PLEASE
Current Event: Students will receive a Time For Kids every other week. They
are to pick an article in the magazine provided (or use another news source of
internet news site) and complete a summery of the article in cursive.
• Each Current Event is worth 10 points, and points will be deducted for
sloppy work, not following directions, missing name/date, simple spelling
errors, and lateness.
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-------------------------------
Water Bottles and Snack:
• Students are allowed 1 snack per day. This should be something that is
healthy, CLEAN, and easy for the kids to eat while they are working.
• Water bottles are permitted in our room unless they become a distraction. No
colored drinks or sodas- water only. Please be sure all water bottles sent
with your children have proper lids to prevent spilling and are LABELED.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
Other Important Information:
• Birthdays: Students are permitted to bring in a birthday treat on their
birthday. Please keep the treats simple and easy for the students to eat.
Brownies and cookies are easy to serve in the classroom. Please try to have
uniform treats so that everyone gets the SAME item (same flavor etc). Please
supply napkins, plates, cups, etc with these treats.
• Book Orders: I will send home a book order every month. If you would like to
order a book, please send the order by the designated due date with a check
made out to the Book Company selected. You can also order directly online.
Here's how it works: www.scholastic.com/parentordering
THEN: Class User Name: demers and the Password: piggy (this info is on my
website under “Newsletter”)
Attendance Hotline: If your child will be out of school, please report their
absence by calling the Attendance Hotline: 390 – 1242 Ext. 500. THEN… call me
or email me to let me know if you would like work for your child to be in the
office or sent home with a friend or sibling. Please email me or call me by noon.
***How do I request work for a vacation?
Make the request in writing at least 1 full week prior to the vacation and
indicate the dates of the vacation. The work will be sent home no more than 1
or 2 days before the vacation begins. I will do my best, but please be aware
your child will have work to make up upon returning.
Grading Scale: A = 93 – 100 B = 85 – 92 C = 77 – 84 D = 70 – 76 F = Below 70
Many students become concerned with their grades and bringing home all A’s and
B’s. This is a wonderful goal, but please help your child see that A’s, B’s,
and C’s are all good grades! A’s and B’s indicate that a child is working
above grade level expectations and C’s indicate working at grade level. When
students start to bring home D’s and F’s, this is an indication of work below
grade level expectations and then we can be concerned together.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
Classwork: Classwork not completed in class will become extra homework for
your child. This should not be counted in the regular 40 – 45-minute timeframe
that work should be completed in.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
Rules and Consequences: The entire class' behavior can earn them up to 20
minutes for a Fun Friday activity at the end of the day on Fridays. Excessive
talking, not following the rules, etc results in lost Fun Friday time.
Individual Accountability exists as well. Students who follow all rules and
behave in an acceptable manner both inside and outside the classroom can earn
tickets. These tickets are good for purchases in my "Demers'
Department Store." Students can buy candy, pencils, stickers, etc. Any
donations to this store are more than welcome! A late or missing HW assignment
results in lost tickets
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