Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions
of students and parents.
- What should I do if I have important notes for the school or teacher?
- Do I have to sign my child's F.I.S.H. Binder every night?
- What is the VIP folder?
- What will my child need to bring home each night.
- How much time should my child spend on homework?
- Do you celebrate birthdays and can my child hand out invitations at school?
- How will my child be graded?
- How can I get in touch with the teacher?
What should I do if I have important notes for the school or teacher?
Send all correspondence through your child's F.I.S.H. Binder. I
will check the Parent Communication section daily for notes and information each day.
Do I have to sign my child's F.I.S.H. Binder every night?
No, you may not have to sign each night, but I do want you to review your child's F.I.S.H. Binder each night.
It is important for us to have daily communication.
Check the Binder for notes from the office, community reminders, and general notes each day.
Check for the Bucket Filler Page or Reflection Sheet. Respond if necessary.
Review your child's homework and class news. Sign at the bottom of the page each week.
That way I know you have read it.
Help your child get into a routine of recording Choice Homework and being ready for the next school day.
What is the VIP folder?
VIP folders stand for "Very Important Papers." This folder will
go home each Wednesday. Included in this folder are test papers
and sometimes important notes from the community or school.
Your child will also received a weekly Work Habit grade. This
Work Habit grade is important. Working together we can improve
your child's Work Habits, which will in turn improve
productivity, learning, and test grades. Please sign the
attached paper and return the entire stack of papers the
following day.
What will my child need to bring home each night.
Your child should bring home his/her "F.I.S.H. Binder". He/she should practice reading
the vocabulary words and practice stories each night.
Your child may also have a library book or an Accelerated Reader
to take home for reading practice or enjoyment.
How much time should my child spend on homework?
Your child should spend about 20 - 30 minutes a night on
homework. Longer time periods may be needed until a routine is
established. If you find that your child is spending more than
the required time, please call me. I am here to help. We can work
together to find a solution.
Do you celebrate birthdays and can my child hand out invitations at school?
We do not formally celebrate birthdays at school. Your child may
receive a birthday ribbon on his/her birthday and is allowed to
bring a classroom snack for that day. Your child may only hand
out party invitations at school if everyone in the class is
invited.
How will my child be graded?
For the first nine weeks of school, your child will not receive
any subject grades. They will receive a Conduct and Work
Habits checklist on the report card. After the first nine weeks, a grade of E
(excellent), S(satisfactory), N (needs improvement) or U (Unsatisfactory) will be
assigned in each core subject. Please be advised that an U is not
a passing grade.
How can I get in touch with the teacher?
The best way to communicate is by written communication sent
through your child via the F.I.S.H. Binder. Please date all
correspondence. For information that is not time sensitive, you
can email me at karen.hanagriff@stpsb.org. Please remember that
email is usually checked before 8:00 a.m. and my not be checked
again until after 3:30 p.m. If the message is urgent and last
minute, you can call the school office and leave a message with
the office staff. I will return your call as soon as possible.