Classroom Handbook
Attendance
Your child’s regular and prompt attendance at school is crucial to his or her success. Please view school as a priority and see that your child attends class every day except in the case of emergency or illness. Also, please remember to phone the school (989-352-7221 ext. 2221) if your child is going to be absent. If a child is chronically late or absent, they miss important educational and social school experiences.
Birthdays
Birthdays are special occasions for children. You are welcome to bring a special treat for your child’s birthday. Please send a note a day or two in advance so I can give you an exact number of children in our class. Please, NO birthday cakes as they are too messy and time consuming to cut and pass out. Birthday treats are eaten at the end of the day. Please send any items that are needed for the eating of the snack, such as plates, napkins and plastic silverware with your child. I do not always have those items on hand. An alternative to a birthday snack would be donating a book to our class library. I will add a special label to the book with your child's name and birth date.
Breakfast
Nine years ago, Lakeview Community Schools started the Universal Breakfast program where all children were offered breakfast free of charge. That will continue this year as well.
Busing/Pick Up
Your child will be put on the bus (or will follow their regular routine) unless I receive written or verbal confirmation from you that states otherwise. If you are picking up your child, the office asks that you stop there first. Mrs. Johnson will call down to my room and I will send your child to the office to meet you.
Classroom Blog
In the past I have sent class newsletters home every other Friday. Now, I put all information on my blog and in Seesaw instead. However, if you do not have computer access I would be happy to send you a paper copy. This way I not only save trees, but know that my correspondence is making it into the appropriate hands. I try to write a new blog bimonthly. I encourage parents to comment on my blog posts, with comments or questions. The blog is a great way to stay informed about your child's week.
Daily Home/School Folder
Students are asked to bring their own daily home/school folder. On Fridays, inside the folder will be students graded work/tests and a weekly report. Parents are asked to review the student work, keep the contents, and then send the signed weekly report and folder back to school on Monday. Work that is not graded will come home in this folder as it is finished throughout the week.
Homework
All students are required to read at home every week. They will have a reading log that needs to be filled out weekly and returned to school. Your child may have other homework in addition to their reading. Most of the time homework is brought home when it wasn't finished in class. Encourage your child to do his or her very best! If your child has tried his or her best and is still having trouble completing the assignment in a reasonable amount of time, please contact me. Homework is a time for your child to shine and show you what he or she is learning! Keep your routine consistent and help your child enjoy learning at home.
Homework Routine
Fourth grade is an important year in your child’s academic career. It is important to set up important routines and expectations especially when it comes to homework. Below are some helpful tips that will help you and your child establish a homework routine.
Find a quiet, comfortable place to work.
Establish a consistent time to do homework.
Be involved! Check in with your child each day. Examine any assignments, review schoolwork that has been sent home, and talk with your child about his or her day.
iPads
ONLY students who have returned their iPad device insurance form will be given their iPad. Once the school receives your paperwork your student will get their device. We use iPad's daily in the classroom. It is best if all students get their iPad's at the same time so that their learning is not interrupted.
Lunch
Our lunch is from 11:00-11:45. Students go to lunch first and then go out to the playground for a 30 minute recess (could be slightly less depending on when they finish eating). Please make sure your child knows every day whether or not they are having hot lunch, cold lunch, or if they need to buy a milk. When sending money, please make sure it is in an envelope with your child’s name, my name and the amount written on the envelope. I do not keep track of your child’s lunch account. All money I receive gets sent to the kitchen. If you have any questions about your child’s account, please contact the office and they will direct you from there.
Hot lunch is $2.50 and reduced is $.40
Breakfast is free for everyone!
Milk is $.40
Morning Routine
School officially starts at 7:45 but students will be let off the bus at 7:35. They need to come immediately to the classroom and put their stuff away in their lockers. We begin our day by greeting at the door, eating breakfast, and completing morning work.
Reading Logs
Students are encouraged to read at home each week. All students are given a monthly reading log to record their at home reading. The logs are due every at the beginning of each month.
Recess
Fourth graders have one recess each day. Our recess is immediately following lunch from 11:15-11:45. The only time students do not go out is if it is raining or less than 5 degrees.. Due to this, it is extremely important that your child comes dressed appropriately for the weather. When the weather gets colder, if you are in need of warm clothing, boots, etc... please let me know. The school does have a supply of these items for children as needed.
School supplies
The school will supply most everything your child needs. This includes paper, pencils, pens, crayons, markers, glue, scissors, etc... Students do however, need a backpack to carry their stuff. We will be starting with iPads as soon as we can. So, you will need headphones or ear buds to keep at school. Finally, I am asking that all students bring 1 folder. This will be their daily home/school folder.. They can be any color, with or without prongs. A stylus is optional but last year many students liked using them. More information about iPads will come home soon.
Start/Dismissal Times
School begins at 7:45 a.m. Students will be let off their bus at 7:35 a.m. Students who arrive early must wait for the bell in the cafeteria. We start our day right away so it is very important students do not arrive late. School ends at 2:55 p.m. If you come into the building to pick up your child early, you will need to stop in the office and sign them out.
Specials: Physical Education/Music
Students will have music, and physical education. Gym and Music will rotate weekly and are daily from 1:40-2:15.
Toys/Candy from home
Toys are not allowed at school. Please keep them at home. The first time a toy is brought to school, it will be returned to a parent. The next time, it will be your responsibility to retrieve it from me. Any candy being eaten in the classroom will be immediately thrown in the trash. Lunch would be the only exception and even then candy should be eaten sparingly.
Vending Machines
There is a vending machine in the hallway by the office. Fourth grade students are ONLY allowed to use the vending machine before school (before morning bell). Food from the vending machine can be eaten for lunch or taken home, but it will not be allowed to be eaten in the classroom.
Volunteers
I welcome volunteers into the classroom once rules and procedures have been fully taught and practiced. This is usually around the beginning of October. All volunteers are required to go through the I-CHAT process before being allowed to volunteer.
Water Bottles
The children are allowed to have a water bottle. IT MUST BE THE PULL TOP KIND. If their bottle does not have a pull top then it may not be brought to school. They work best because the top does not have to be taken off to drink from the water bottle. Please do NOT send frozen water, as it will get the desk wet. Students are only allowed to have water in their bottles, NO juice or pop. If their water bottle becomes a problem, they will lose the privilege of using it.
***Information concerning SeeSaw (Digital learning portfolio), PRIDE will be posted on the blog and sent home the first week of school.
Mrs. Naasko :-)