Overpark Elementary

Overpark Elementary

Parent Handbook

2015-2016

Fourth Grade

Mrs. Jana Long

Dear Parents,

I’m so excited about what the upcoming year holds! My name is Jana Long. This will be my 5th year of teaching fourth grade and I will be your child’s Math, Science, and Social Studies teacher this year. I am hearing impaired and I read lips. The best way to stay in contact with each other is through email, text, and notes. I also use Remind on daily basis, so please make sure you sign up for our class to receive notifications if your child has a device that receives text messages they can sign up for it as well.

We are very excited about this school year. I am so thankful for the opportunity that you have given me to be a part of your child’s education. My hope is for our continued communication to help your child learn and grow. I was hoping you might be able to help me get to know your child a bit better so I have a quick request.

Would you take a few minutes to jot down some great things about your child? What are his/her greatest strengths, proudest achievements, favorite things about school? What are the things you like or admire most about him/her? What are your hopes and wishes for your child this year in 4th grade? Please write as much or as little as you’d like in the “Kid Notes” and send it back to school with your child. I’m just looking for that kernel of knowledge you can share with me to help start our year and build relationships!

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter, and thanks in advance for responding to it. I can’t wait to partner with you in your child’s continued success in school, in learning, and soaring to new heights!!

I would like to provide you with some general information about our classroom.

Classwork

My style of teaching and or classroom work will vary. I will use board work, books, workbooks, individual and group projects, lecture, many manipulatives, hands-on learning, music, technology, and home projects to enhance your child’s learning experience. All students learn differently. I will use an eclectic approach to teaching in my classroom to meet all students’ needs. Listening to and following directions are major skills in all areas.

Important Times

Recess: 11:30-11:50

Lunch: 11:05-11:30

Activity: 1:15-2:00

Activity Schedule

Monday: Computer

Tuesday: P.E. ****Please wear tennis shoes ****

Wednesday: Art

Thursday: Library **** Don’t forget your Library book****

Friday: Music

Recess

The students will be going outside each day unless it is raining, extremely cold or hot. Please keep this in mind when helping your child dress for school each day. Also, we are very blessed to have a fantastic playground with several climbing pieces, so please keep this in mind when selecting shoes. Water bottles are welcomed and encouraged!

BEHAVIOR

We utilize a system of behavior in my classroom that provides a more private monitoring rather than public.(See the behavior portion)

Attendance

School hours: 8:25-3:25

Attendance to school is very important. Timely arrivals and departures are expected and crucial to your child’s success. However, if your child arrives late or leaves early, they must be checked in/out through the front office.

If your child is absent from school, please send a note with your child on the first day he/she returns.

Transportation

If normal transportation plans change, we MUST BE NOTIFIED IN WRITING. If no written note is received, your child must go home by their usual method of transportation. We cannot rely on your child to tell this information. Their safety is most important!

Lunch/Snack

Each student has a lunch account. Lunch prices are $2.50 for students and $3.00 for adults. You may pay for additional days and the computer system keeps track of the days used. Weekly/monthly payments are very helpful. PLEASE label your child’s lunch money. The students will be allowed to have a snack at a designated time.

Birthdays

Store bought cookies/cupcakes/donuts may be sent to school to celebrate your child’s special day. Please provide enough for the entire class. You are welcome to come for lunch or send the treats to school on the day you wish to celebrate. Also, only party invitations for the entire class may be passed out at school.

*Birthday Treats will not be passed out in the cafeteria. We will have them in the classroom before recess.

Money

If any money is sent to school for lunches, field trips, books, etc., PLEASE place in a sealed envelope with your child’s name and purpose on the outside. LOOSE MONEY QUICKLY BECOMES LOST MONEY. Please make sure your phone number is written on all checks sent to school.

Book Orders

Scholastic Book orders will be sent home periodically. Please send in checks made out to the specific book order company. Again, place the order form and check into a labeled envelope and return it to school by the due date. This is a GREAT way to reward your child with fun, positive, and challenging material. I firmly believe in building your child’s love for literature.

Parent Volunteers

Parents are always welcome in our classroom! I will need your help throughout the year. Please look for notes and opportunities to come. Please check in when you come through the front office.

Communication

·  School phone-662-890-8745

·  Web page- desotocountyschools.org/oes

·  School email-

·  Parents and Students sign up for Remind- send a text to 270-803-4116 and type @long1 to register for reminders from me!!

·  My cell- 901-359-5785 (TEXT ONLY)

Conferences

All conferences will be scheduled through me via email, note, or message. We can meet during our activity time (1:15-2:00). I can also meet before and after school.

Wednesday Graded Papers

I will send home your child’s test papers as they are graded in their daily/homework folder. I will only require you to sign and return if your child has a failing grade. Every other week I will send home a grade report with all your child’s grades up to that date which will need to be signed and returned by every child.

Grading Scale

90%-100% - A

80%-89%- B

70%-79%- C

65%-69%

In closing, I am very excited about this new school year. It is truly my honor to fulfill my “calling” to education each new school year. I have a genuine passion for children and their growth. I am excited about what lies ahead of us. Without you and your support, our fourth grade experience will not be successful and memorable. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please feel free to contact me!

For the children,

Mrs. Long

Classroom Behavior and Expectations

I created a separate section for discipline and expectations for my classroom because I feel that consistent discipline plays a key role in creating a positive learning environment. It is my belief that EVERY child has the right to a quality education, and I will allow no child to get in the way of another student’s learning. Therefore, I want to work with you and my students to better create a positive community within my classroom.

Classroom Rules

1.  Respect everyone and everything.

·  This means your teacher, peers, and staff.

·  It also means the school and other people’s belongings.

·  Be kind with your words and actions.

2.  Raise your hand before you talk or get out of your seat, unless the teacher has specified otherwise.

3.  Keep your hands, feet, words, and other objects to yourself.

4.  Always be prepared for class.

·  HOMEWORK/Study Guides

·  Study for tests

·  Pencils, paper, and any books for class

5. Listen carefully and follow instructions.

Behavior Management:

In order to have the most productive and effective environment, our classroom management plan will be held firmly throughout the year. I hold high expectations for my students, and I expect them to have high expectations of me as well.

This year I am using ClassDojo to encourage important skills, like working hard and participating. I’ll also use it to communicate with you about your child’s behavior. We can instantly share messages, updates and photos from class. It’s the easiest way for you to see how your child is doing at school.

I’d like for all families to join me and sign up for ClassDojo! You can use it on any device: it is a simple, free mobil app for iOS and Android, and can also be used from a computer at: www.classdojo.com.

I will need your cell number or email to invite you to ClassDojo. Our class goal is for every family to fill out and return the slip below by Wednesday, Aug. 5.

SEVERE CLAUSE

The severe clause goes into effect when a student demonstrates severe behaviors such as verbal and/or physical abuse to a fellow student or teacher. If this should happen, the student skips all other levels of color and automatically is sent to white. They will then be issued an office referral. The administrator will determine the consequence for the behavior.

______

Please send me my invitation to ClassDojo

Student Name: ______

Parent Name: ______

Your cell number or email (both parents can sign up to receive

updates!) :______

______

I would like to volunteer to be a classroom mom:

(in charge, delegate, plan, parties, and phone calls)

This can be a single person or a group of moms (and dads) that want to work together!

______

______

______

______

I would like to volunteer as a helper mom:

(called upon, send in supplies, come in room to help!)

______

______

______

______

______

Our classroom could use some helping hands. When we all pitch in and give a little, it can make a BIG difference. Below are items that we wish for in our classroom to enhance our learning, activities/projects, and provide more resources for our classroom. These are not required items, but items that would be HELPFUL! They may be sent in at anytime during the school year.

computer copy paper for printers

dry erase markers

“rainy day” board games & puzzles

snack items like goldfish, animal crackers, pretzel sticks

colored or white card stock paper

stickers

Band-Aids

address labels

file folders

sheet protectors

microwave popcorn

address labels

shaving cream

drinking cups

paper plates (large and small)

new/used books for our classroom library

stickers

stamp pads

Gratefully,

Mrs. Long’s Class

Unity

(Author Unknown)

I dreamed I stood in a studio

And watched two sculptors there.

The clay they used was a young child’s mind

And they fashioned it with care.

One was a Teacher-the tools she used

Were books, music, and art.

The other, a Parent, working with a guiding hand

And a gentle, loving heart.

Day after day, the teacher toiled with touch

That was careful, delft and sure.

While the parents labored at her side

And polished it smoothed it o’er.

And when at last their task was done

They were proud of what they had wrought

For the thing they had molded into the child

Could neither be sold or bought.

And each agreed they would have failed

If each had worked alone.

For behind the Parent stood the school

And behind the Teacher, the home.