THINGS TO NOTE!
- WHICH PARTS OF THE CURRICULUM ARE ACCELERATED?
- HOW DO THURSDAY FOLDERS WORK?
- HOW DOES "THE BOOK" WORK?
- HOW CAN WE CONTACT MS. DENISE?
- WHAT ABOUT BOOK ORDERS?
WHICH PARTS OF THE CURRICULUM ARE ACCELERATED?
According to guidelines, our program is accelerated in the areas
of English/Language Arts and Math. The class uses grade four
Reading and Math books. Science and Social Studies texts are at
grade level. However, many times topics are investigated at a
more in depth level than in regular classes.
HOW DO THURSDAY FOLDERS WORK?
Graded folders come home weekly on Thursdays. Please watch for
them and review the enclosed work with your child. Choose
three "Proud Papers" to send back for a cummulative portfolio I
keep at school (this comes home at the end of the year). Read
any comments I may have made on the weekly sheet and SIGN IT!
There is a space for you to make comments as well. All folders
need to be returned on Friday.
HOW DOES "THE BOOK" WORK?
The classroom operates on a 'token economy'. Basically this
means your child earns 20 Ms. Denise Deniro weekly for following
classroom rules and procedures. The rules in our classroom are
directly linked the 'The Fish Philosophy' and our Positive
Behavior Support rules, otherwise referred to as the "Bee Rules".
If a child does not follow the rules and procedures, they are
given a warning and then sign the book at the next infraction.
Generally a trip to the book costs two or three Deniro, which is
deducted on Friday. However, occasionally there is a "Frequent
Flier" who just can't get with the program. Sometimes, this
results in a higher deduction of Deniro. Many times, I will put
a child who just can't comply on a "Log" that goes home
everyday. This is to establish a direct contact between home and
school and many times gives the structure a child needs to feel
success in the classroom. That success results in less trips to
the 'book' and a more positive feeling about school.
Signing the book is not necessarily a 'bad' thing. Sometimes it
gives a child a sense of the limits they need to abide by.
Sometimes it teaches a child that it is okay to make a mistake.
I think a token economy is a powerful learning tool. It helps
children learn that EVERYONE makes mistakes, and also helps them
move on when they make one.
HOW CAN WE CONTACT MS. DENISE?
I am a HUGE fan of email, so the best way to contact me is via
my personal email (which I provided you on the first day of
school). I check my mail around 5:00 a.m. everyday and again
when I get home from school around 5:00 p.m. I also try to check
it again sometime in the evening.
Obviously, if you contact me during the school day, there is a
chance I will not pick it up, so if you need to contact me after
5:30 in the morning, it may be a better idea to phone me on my
cell (I provided this number in the Beginning of the Year
Brochure). My cell is on vibrate from the time I enter school
until the time I leave, so my voice mail will pick up. I check
my voice mail during breaks and will try to get back with you
as soon as possible.
Additionally, you can also contact me during the day on my STPSB
email, which I also provided for you at the beginning of the
year. I check this email regularly during the school day to stay
abreast of current directives from our administration as well
as from Central Office staff.
I do not object to calls at home in the evenings. These may be
made on my home number.
The main point is for you to understand I am VERY available to
your family. Communication is key to establishing a classroom
community. Do not hesitate to contact me in any of the above
mentioned ways.
WHAT ABOUT BOOK ORDERS?
I rely on a volunteer parent to spearhead the bookorders. More
information to come at Open House.