September 4, 2007

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Welcome to the 2007-2008 school year. My name is Tina Owen and this will be my twelfth year of teaching. I am very excited about spending this year with your fifth grader. Your child will be given the best educational opportunities to learn and practice important social and academic skills.

The following are some of my classroom policies and procedures:

CLASSROOM RULE

In this 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 I will work out solutions or consequences for their actions or behavior. I 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 completed.

I have attached the directions to accessing my website where I 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 each night reading. Practice will only help them to become better readers. From October through March, 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 grade. Please make sure it is signed by a parent and returned at the end of each month.

I will send home a “missed work report” every Friday that needs a parent’s signature. This report will let you know exactly what work your child has not completed for the current and past week. Please review it with them and sign and return it with your child on Monday morning. This report is very important. It is my way of ensuring that you are aware of your child’s incomplete work.

Report cards 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 at 354-2018 (this number also has a voice mail). I will return your calls as soon as possible. I can also be reached through email at ChristinaO@spokaneschools.org. If you have any concerns or questions, please call me or we can schedule a conference. I look forward to working with you and your child throughout the year.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

At least once a month, I will be sending home book orders. Please make out the checks to Scholastic. Cash is ok, but checks are preferable.

I will try to send home a class newsletter periodically throughout the school year. This will be another way for me to let you know what is going on in the classroom and how you can help your child succeed.

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 ___________________________