Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
What time should my child be in the room?
We begin at 8:20. This is homeroom time where the children greet each other and prepare for the day. They unpack their bookbags, hang up their coats, choose their lunch, and hand in homework or give me any notes. When a student arrives late it does not allow them time to acclimate themselves to the room and they have to start the day rushed.Back to Top
What kind of homework is given?
All homework is a review of a concept taught that day or previously. It is not meant to be new or difficult. Students need to be able to assume some continuation of learning at home.Back to Top
If my child is doing poorly, can you send extra sheets?
Giving a child more work on concepts they may be having difficulty with may tend to frustrate your child more. All children need time to accept new lesons to see the value of them. If the lesson is not clear, more sheets will not help. You can however, use the environment around you to reinforce concepts. For example, if a child is having difficulty with a letter and its sound, ask them to find it in a magazine or a paper. Look around the room and ask them to name things beginning with that sound. Your child is learning words daily. Have them find the words on boxes or signs. This also will help your child to apply the work outside the classroom, making it more meaningful rather than calling it school work.Back to Top
Can work be sent home to take with us when we are on vacation?
All work will be made up after the child returns from a vacation. A day's work is easy to make up, but much of the work is built upon with each day's lesson. When a concept is difficult we may spend more time on it and this changes the work that may have been sent home.Back to Top
When I ask my child, "What did you do in school today?" they answer, "Nothing"
What did you do today is too broad of a question to ask your child. Asking them, "What did your eyes see today?"; "Where did your feet take you?"; "Who did you talk to today?" are all good questions. If you use the 5 senses to ask questions, your child can associate easier things that were experienced.Back to Top
Did you use the bathroom today?
We have the luxury of a bathroom in our classroom. All children will be given a lav break for the first few weeks of school in order to establish a comfortable routine. All children are told that in case of an emergency, they can get up and just go. We encourage independence and responsibility for their own needs. Please remind them to wash their hands thoroughly and dry them. There is a "STOP" and "GO" sign on the door handle and children will be instructed in its use. The door handle does not lock, for safety reasons, so we use the sign system.Back to Top
Did you get a drink from the water fountain?
During specific times of the day, students are allowed a drink from the faucet in the room. If they are coming in from recess, they go directly for a drink before I start any instruction. There is a step stool for children so they have access to the stream of water and their mouth does not touch the actual fountain.Back to Top
Did you wash your hands before lunch?
In our room there is a Purel dispenser as you enter the room. I also keep baby wipes and our sinks have soap dispensers.Back to Top
Teacher observation, teacher screenings, and tests generated by the curriculum are important factors in the overall grade given to your child. Most work is teacher directed and monitored very closely in the beginning of the school year. We do administer reading and math tests that accompany our curriculum. We also do a variety of screenings to assure specific topics are anchored.Back to Top