Classroom Reminders
VOLUNTEERING: District policy requires ALL volunteers and chaperones to complete an observer guidelines and disclosure form. Please complete the form linked HERE.
ABSENCES: Much of our learning is discussion-, project-, or workshop-based. When a student is absent, it is often impossible to "make up" the learning s/he missed because the rich context of the community of learners can't be replicated. I ask that you keep this in mind when considering discretionary absences or appointments. Late arrivals after 9.00 A.M. or early departures before 3.00 are noted as half-day absences (excused or discretionary, according to BSD7 attendance policies). *Please call our attendance line to report an absence: 522.6160 LUNCH MONEY: Please be mindful of your student's lunch account balance. If providing lunch money is difficult for your family, please contact the school office for information on free/reduced lunch program. OBSERVANCES: In our diverse group of learners, we have families who celebrate many different traditions. If there are religious or spiritual holidays not reflected in our district calendar, I request that you provide me with a list of dates to which I should be sensitive when planning curriculum endeavors (like tests or field trips). I see this as a learning opportunity for me, so please give me as much information as you can about the observance and how your student's participation will be affected. I will do all I can to accommodate these dates within our calendar. Thank you for helping me! ALLERGIES: If you have not already done so, please notify me of any allergies that may need treatment at school, such as a bee or peanut allergy that requires an epi-pen. Also, you can contact our school nurse Rebecca Spear [email protected] BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS: We have much to celebrate in opportunities to acknowledge individuals on their birthdays! Our tradition is to sing with gusto, and we suggest our birthday boy or girl may choose to donate a book (used or new) to our classroom library. S/he should be sure to write an inscription in the cover. *If your student has a summer birthday, s/he may calculate his/her half birthday to celebrate with the class. LOST AND FOUND: Please help us unite your student with his/her belongings, especially sweatshirts or other layers of clothing s/he peels off during the day. Label clothes, coats, backpacks, lunchboxes, and everything else kids tend to lose. Longfellow's Lost and Found is already filling up! |
Email is a great way to reach us:
[email protected] & [email protected] We often cannot check messages during teaching time and school hours, so if you need to get a message to a student or teacher during the school day, please call the office at 522.6150 *You may notice email correspondence from us replaces a student's name with his/her initials; this helps ensure confidentiality as district emails are public record. APPOINTMENTS: Your student's journey is a team effort between home and school, and I want to facilitate communication as much as possible with an open-door policy. However, I am often occupied with meetings and responsibilities for students, parents, staff, and district before/during/after school. Please help me be respectful of your time by scheduling an appointment, so you don't drop in and find me otherwise occupied. ACCOUNTABILITY: An important fourth-grade goal is fostering independence and accountability in young minds. One classroom policy to help in doing so is our "Chore of Choice" rule... If your student forgets to bring something to school , and you bring it for him/her, s/he owes you a chore of your choice. My rationale for this policy is that if you take time out of your busy schedule to help your student; s/he should take time for paybacks. Of course, this policy is optional and may be used at the adult's discretion. VOLUNTEERING: I recruit volunteers at throughout the year. Please let me know your interest areas so I can match you with a job in the classroom. ☺ There will also be opportunities to help in curriculum areas -- I'll keep you posted through email announcements. Thank you for all you do! PURPLE FOLDERS: These weekly folders come home on Friday; please check its contents and send the folder back to school on the first of the week. WISH LIST: We are so grateful for the incredible families and friends of Longfellow who support students each day. If your family wishes to make a classroom contribution, we would love to have: a digital camera (new or gently used), Michael's gift cards, Amazon gift cards (for buying used books), and iTunes gift cards (for buying educational apps). Thank you for your generous contributions! |