Dear Families,

     Welcome to our classroom! Everyday your child will come into a classroom environment where they will have ample opportunity to laugh, learn, smile, explore, discover, express, create, probe, grow, decide, choose, care, belong, and succeed!  I firmly believe that every child can learn and be successful in school.  Third graders are incredible learners, and I know that you will be amazed at the progress and growth they will make this year.  I believe the key to a positive learning environment is holding every child to high expectations for success and providing the support they need to get there.

     I know kindergarten will be a great experience for your child.  Please take time to review this handout so that you will just as familiar as your child will be, with our classroom routines, procedures, and expectations.  We have a very important job ahead of us this year...to educate your child together!  If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.  It is imperative that we be in sync so that your child can be their very best! My sincerest thanks to you for taking the time to read over this handout!

I look forward to a great year with you and your child!

Sincerely,

Annie O'Donnell

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Classroom Information

Classroom Newsletter and Assignment Notebook

TO ALL FAMILIES IN THE LIBERTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COMMUNITY

There are two assignment notebooks: One for primary students / grade K-2 and One for intermediate students / grade 3-6. The students will teach themselves to be organized on the JOB with this assignment book.

 

We teach 5 basic “job” skills to be at the “green light” in the assignment book:

 

Come to “job” on time! Do all my work! Give my work to the Boss/Teacher! Follow Liberty School Rules/Life Skills Just Do It! (Do what is asked the first time)*

*Goal: If the child is able to be at the GREEN LIGHT and listen the first time - they are keeping their troubles at a penny!

Liberty Elementary follows a foundational study skill program that every staff member embraces. We believe your child will succeed when using this study skill program of consistent and clear expectations for every grade level. Liberty Elementary sees school as your child’s job; your child’s teacher as his/her Boss, with the full understanding that family, students and all adults at Liberty Elementary practice mutual respect. Please direct all questions regarding students to their classroom teacher first.

We try very hard to be a community at Liberty School. We hope your child has great success and fun in learning to do their JOB. Our goal at Liberty School is to prepare them for their future career in the workforce.

Keep it in the MAJOR GREEN!

Be on the lookout for monthly classroom newsletters to keep you updated on important events and happenings in our classroom!  Your child will fill out an assignment sheet daily with the required homework to be responsible for.  This sheet will be signed at home and returned each day in the folders.  One sheet will be used for a whole week.  There is no homework on Fridays. 

Backpacks

Your child will need to bring a backpack to school daily. Please label the backpack with your child’s first and last name. The backpack should be large enough to hold several folders and large library books. We try very hard to encourage independence and responsibility in our students. Please help us out by making your child aware of all items in his or her backpack. In our classroom each child will be responsible for “unpacking” each morning by turning in their folders with notes from home, money, etc.  A great way for you to prepare your child would be to help your child “pack” for school the night before. Going through items in your child’s backpack together with your child will help them to become more responsible!

Homework

Your child will have homework daily. Each night your child will have a simple math and spelling assignment as well as reading. You will be able to locate your child’s homework on the “take home” side of their folder. Homework assignments are a great chance for you and your child to work together!  Homework activities are always simple and should not take more than 20-25 minutes for your child to complete. You can help your child develop positive study skills by –

·Making homework a priority.

·Providing praise and support.

·Helping if needed.

·Contacting us if you notice a problem.

Homework should be returned daily in their folder. The purpose of homework at the first grade level is to help foster your child’s responsibility for their education, in addition to reviewing skills learned in the classroom.    

Classroom Birthdays

We love to celebrate every child’s birthday! If you would like to celebrate by bringing a special treat for your child’s birthday I ask that you please call or write ahead so we can arrange a time together. Remember it has to be pre packaged.  If you are planning to have a birthday party for your child outside of school I ask that you PLEASE do not send the invitations to school unless every child in our class is invited. This is to prevent hurt feelings of our little 7 and 8 year olds. If you have any questions about our classroom birthday policies please feel free to contact me.

Coats and Jackets

Our class will go outside daily, weather permitting. As the temperature changes PLEASE make sure your child is dressed for the weather and brings a jacket or coat. This will help to keep everyone HEALTHY and HAPPY!

Shoes

Dismissal Changes / Early Dismissals

Classroom Routines and Procedures

Classroom procedures and routines are taught over and over again for the first month of school. Your child will learn how we expect them to do the simple little things that can sometimes get busy second graders into trouble. F In our classroom we will continue to re-teach and practice these procedures and routines repeatedly throughout the school year. Our schedule and daily routine is very predictable and structured so that the children know what to expect and how to conduct themselves.

Quiet Signal

Finishing Early

Voice Levels

In our classroom we have assigned numbers for the appropriate voice levels to use for a given activity. 

·        0 - No Voices

·        1 – Low Voices

·        2 - Normal Voices

·        3 – Outside Voices

Hallway

At Liberty all students are expected to walk on the right side of all hallways and staircases. Students are expected to move quietly in the halls and stairs in an effort to respect the learning time of others. School-wide we use two terms to teach and re-teach expected hallway behavior. They are:

·        Looks Like– “What should you look like in the hallway”?

·        Sounds Like–“What should you sound like in the hallway”?

Lunch

Recess

Preparing for Dismissal

Silent Dismissal

Rules and Behavior Management

 Rules of Respect

 Behavior Management System

What To Do If There Is A Problem

Ways to Contact Me

Communication is so important, please do not hesitate to contact me!!

You can –

·       Write a note

·       Call during my planning time – 1:40-2:30 daily:

·       Call at any other time day or night to leave a message on my voice mail. I usually check it first thing in the morning, during my planning time and around 2:30.

·       Email me – annieo81@yahoo.com – I usually check it before students arrive, during lunch, and after school.

Rotation of Special Classes

        Day 1       Science

        Day 2       P.E.

        Day 3       Music

        Day 4       Computer

        Day 5       Library

        Day 6       Art