Bear Team Parent Orientation

Multiage 1/2

2009-2010

Welcome

Welcome to Johnson Primary School. My name is Kristin Wyschka and I have taught at JPS for 4 years, although I have taught a total of 18 years in grades K,2,3, and multiage 1/2.  My most recent past assignment was in Germany where I spent 7 years and met my husband.  There are some familiar faces in our class this year and I look forward to getting to know my new friends as the year progresses.

My contact information:

School phone- 451-2431

School Hours

Student arrival:  8:15-8:30

Tardy:  8:31- Your child must have a pass to enter the class.

Daily Schedule- see handout for class schedule and specials

Dismissal:

3:05- Buses

3:15- Cars, walkers, bikers. We will dismiss from front doors.

Early Checkout- please sign your child out in the front office

Breakfast, Lunch, and Snacks

Breakfast 8:00-8:30 Full price $1.25  reduced price $.30

          Lunch 11:45-12:15 Full price $2.25  reduced price $.40

         Adults – a la carte

                    The computerized lunch system will allow you to place money in your child’s account and specify lunch or snack money for your child to use during lunchtime.  Please feel free to join your child for lunch whenever possible.  Just meet your child at the front door of the cafeteria.

          Daily Snack – This begins on day one and is provided free of charge for students thanks to a fruits and vegetables grant!

Multiage Program

There are four teachers on the Bear team: myself, Ms. Bruch, Miss May, and Ms. Kidd.   Please refer to your handout about multiage theory.

School/ Home Communication

Questions/Concerns- Please feel free to contact me any time you have questions or concerns. Please put all notes in the daily homework folder.

Money- Any time you are sending money please make sure that it is in an envelope or baggy with your child’s name, our name and room number D109 Mrs. Wyschka.

Change in Transportation- If for any reason your child will not be going home in the usual manner, we MUST have a note stating the changes. If we do not receive a note we will send the child home in their usual manner.

Interim Report- Interim reports are sent home halfway through each quarter. You will not receive an interim report unless there are concerns about your child’s progress or if there have been significant changes in academic achievement.

Parent /Teacher Conferences- The first report card conferences will be scheduled for November 3-5 in the afternoons (students will attend half days). Please let us know if you wish to have an additional conference at any time.

Volunteers- I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE VOLUNTEERS. Please let us know on the sign in sheet if you would like to volunteer.

Discipline

I firmly believe that positive reinforcement is the key to my management system.  Students are recognized publicly for good behavior and individually for poor.  When students are engaged in interesting, challenging, and orderly activities, they are more likely to make positive behavior choices.  Should poor behavior escalate at any time, you will be contacted for support and ideas.  Students will also self-assess weekly to share at home.

Each day your child will come home with a calendar in his/ her homework folder. If your child has a good day he/she will receive a sticker for the day. If not, I will put and X and write what rule they had trouble following (after reasonable reminders) during the day. Please initial the calendar every day to let us know you are checking your child’s behavior in class. If your child earns a sticker every day during the month, he/she will go to the treasure box for an award!

The students will help me create and sign a classroom pledge on our first day together, with a focus on the following ideas:

Follow all written and verbal directions.

Do your best work and persevere.

Respect others’ learning and feelings.

Take care of personal and school property.

Students will also bring home a self-assessment each Friday- wrapping up the week.

Supplies

Occasional extra supplies may be requested as the year progresses. Please ensure that your child has his/her backpack and every day and check it daily for homework and/or other important papers.

Birthdays

Johnson Primary School policy states that birthdays will not be celebrated with food of any kind. Parents are invited to read a book to the class. Your child may also bring in a favorite book to share.  Additional treat ideas include bringing pencils for classmates or something similar.

Homework

You can expect the homework folder to come home DAILY.  A short task (15 minutes) will be assigned as followed:  On Mondays and Wednesdays a Language Arts task, Tuesdays and Thursdays a Math task.  The entire packet for the week will come home each Monday and will be expected to be returned to school by Friday.

I look forward to a great year in partnership with you.  You are your child’s first teacher, and I appreciate the chance to share in that important job.