August 27, 2009
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to the 2009-20010 school year. My name is Tina Owen and this will be my 15th year of teaching. I am very excited about spending this year with your sixth grader. Your child will be given the best educational opportunities to learn and practice important social and academic skills.
The following are some of our classroom policies and procedures:
CLASSROOM RULE
In any classroom, we do not cause a problem for ourselves or others.
DISCIPLINE PLAN
I work very hard to create a positive, caring classroom. I strive to give each child the best education in the best environment. The staff at Adams Elementary has implemented a program of Love and Logic. This program is about discipline that builds self-discipline. This program has eight core beliefs when disciplining students:
It is important for students to learn:
1. To take control of their lives
2. To think for themselves
3. To have to make decisions and live with the consequences
4. To experience logical cause/effect connections
5. To develop strong self-concepts
6. To own and solve their own problems
7. That problems are opportunities for growth
8. That adults are concerned, caring, warm and helpful
The students and teachers will work out solutions or consequences for their actions or behavior. We will keep in contact with parents when necessary.
Note: Students will be sent directly to the Principal for severe disruptions such as fighting, destroying property, harassment, etc., at which time the School Discipline Policy will be in effect.
HOMEWORK
Each child will be given a homework spiral organizer (purchased by the Adams PTG). It is your child’s responsibility to record all assignments each day. I will always post the assignments on the board throughout the day and give the kids time at the end of the day to write them in their organizers. Please review the organizer with your child each day to make sure assignments are being recorded and completed.
I have attached the directions to accessing our websites where we will also be posting daily homework assignments and notes. Please check there if you have a question about what assignments may be due.
Part of each day’s homework expectation is that your child spend at least 20-30 minutes reading. Practice will only help them to become better readers. From October through May, a Book-It reading calendar will be coming home. Each month, your child can earn a personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut by simply logging their minutes of reading and achieving their reading goal. This calendar is important and is a part of their reading work habit evaluation that goes on the report card. Please make sure it is signed by a parent and returned at the end of each month.
If your child is missing any assignments, I will send home a Missing Assignment Notice slip” every Friday which will require a parent’s signature. This slip will let you know exactly what work your child has not completed for the day. Please review it with your child, sign it and have your child return the slip to their teacher by the next day. This report is very important. It is my way of ensuring that you are aware of your child’s incomplete work.
Report cards will still come out 3 times during the year. In the middle of each grading period, I will be sending home a progress report to let you know how your child is doing. Please sign the report and send it back with your child.
SNACKS AND WATER
All students may bring a water bottle every day. Please bring plain water only, no flavored water, soda or juice. If your child needs a snack during the day, please send only nutritious snacks. No chips, candy, etc. Snacks are for individual students only, no sharing of snacks is allowed.
Your child is special and important to all of us. I believe that as partners, we can strive to create the best educational environment for your child. I am available for phone calls before and after school. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact me. I look forward to working with you and your child throughout the year.
Tina Owen can be reached at 354-2018 or ChristinaO@spokaneschools.org
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
At least once a month, I will be sending home book orders. Please make out the checks to Scholastic. Cash is okay, but checks are preferable.
I appreciate the opportunity to work with your child this year.
Sincerely,
Tina Owen
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PLEASE RETURN THIS SECTION ONLY:
I have read and discussed the class procedures and policies with my child for Room A115.
Date _____________
Parent’s Signature ____________________________
Student’s Signature ___________________________