This page will answer questions commonly asked by students and parents.
- What is the school's policy on visitors?
- What is the class make-up policy for students returning from an absence?
- How can a parent schedule a conference with the teacher?
- Can you explain how my child's graded papers will be sent home and when?
- What is needed in my child's planner to get a stamp and check?
- I noticed that there is a symbol next to one of my child's assignments on STI. What do they mean?
- How can I contact you?
- When is lunch?
- Is it okay to celebrate birthdays in class?
- How are grades assigned?
What is the school's policy on visitors?
Visitors MUST check in to the school office. This is to notify
the school and teacher that you are here, but, most importantly,
it is for security purposes. You must have a visitors pass to
get further than the office. Non-compliance with these
procedures is breaking school board policy.
Any parent interested in visiting with the teacher must also
schedule a conference. "Drop ins" will not be permitted unless
cleared with both the office and teacher with advanced notice.
Thank you for your understanding.
What is the class make-up policy for students returning from an absence?
Students are responsible for getting the work they missed while
they were out for an excused absence. Each teacher has an area
in their classroom designated for make-up work. Assignments and
notes will accumulate in the folder and be ready for the student
to get upon their return to class. The work will only remain in
the folder for 3 days after the child gets back to school. After
that, if none of the work has been picked up, the grades earned
will be incomplete/zeroes. If a student does pick up his/her
assignments, a week is given to have them completed and turned
in. Tests cannot be made up at home, but rather need to be
completed during class time (only with teacher's permission), at
recess, or before/after school (with parent's permission).
Again, it is the student’s responsibility to remember to get the
work and turn it in.
How can a parent schedule a conference with the teacher?
Because Open House is a brief introduction of class policies,
procedures, and expectations AND because many parents are in
attendance, it is not the ideal setting for me to get to know my
students' parents on a personal level. I certainly encourage
parents to schedule a time to introduce themselves to me
and/or to discuss concerns and expectations for the school year.
Parents can send me an email to set up a date and time that is
convenient for both of us, or parents can contact Debbie Vitrano
in the front office. Conferences can be set up to also include
Mrs. Bernard, Mrs. Salvaggio, or any of your child's other teachers.
Can you explain how my child's graded papers will be sent home and when?
Graded papers are generally sent home every 2 weeks. All graded
papers are accumulated and stapled into one bundle. The students
will bring the bundle home for parents to look through and go
over with the students, and then the bundle must be returned the
next day with a parent signature (only on the top page is
necessary). If the bundle is returned the next day with the
proper signature, the student receives an A homework grade. For
each day late it is returned, a letter grade is dropped. Once I
have recorded seeing the signature, the papers are returned back
home where they may stay. At the end of each quarter, these
grades are averaged together as one "graded papers" homework/participation
grade per subject.
What is needed in my child's planner to get a stamp and check?
Everyday students' planners are checked (previous day's Mon. on Tues., etc) for information from the planner on my
board including the following:hmwk, due dates, quizzes and tests.
This should be written on the correct date with a parent/guardian signature at the bottom.
If all is filled in correctly and signed, their planner recieves a stamp and a check on the chart by their name.
All of the planner checks are averaged together as "planner check" a homework/participation grade per subject.
This helps students to become organized on their assignements.
This is also setting up a good routine for the upper grades where they switch classes more often.
The planner is also a good area to maintain communication about your child.
I do ask them to show me any notes that you write on them.
*I go over planner at the beginning and end of my classes to explain, answer questions, and go over supplies
needed to accomplish the assignments.
I noticed that there is a symbol next to one of my child's assignments on STI. What do they mean?
If you notice * next to one of your child's assignments while
checking STI, this means that he/she was excused from the
assignment. There is no score entered and it neither helps nor
hurts his/her grade.
If you notice # next to one of your child's assignments while
checking STI, this means that he/she did not turn the assignment
in. The computer system recognizes this symbol as a 0 (zero) and
averages it accordingly with the other scores for that subject in
the grading period. A # sign can affect the overall grading
average.
How can I contact you?
email: susan.shay@stpsb.org or through the link on the left
side menu (I check email often.)
phone: (985) 641-8200
Due to school board policy, students are not to have electronic
communication with a teacher unless specified via Class Chatter
for assignment purposes.
When is lunch?
4th Grade lunch is from 11:30-11:50 A.M. with a 10 minute recess
from 11:50 A.M.-noon.
Is it okay to celebrate birthdays in class?
Parents may bring or send in treats to celebrate a
birthday with at least 3 days of advance notification. Cupcakes
and treats will have to be for the entire class. For allergy
purposes, please do not send anything with peanut butter, nuts,
or red dye, or Doritos and Cheetos.
How are grades assigned?
The breakdown for grades is as follows:
tests/projects/quizzes: 50%
daily in-class work: 35%
homework/participation: 15%