2008/2009 School Year

Dear Parents,

Welcome to Madison Elementary School, and the 2008/2009 school year.

If you were enrolled at Madison at the end of last year a classroom supply list was mailed with your class placement. If you need a reminder a link to the supplies can be found on my class web page. This information can also be found on the Madison Web Site: http://www.spokaneschools.org/madison . Please do your best to provide these supplies.

If you have any questions, please contact me in person or call at 354-3608. My classroom phone will be on voice messaging so I will get back with you as soon as I am able. If you need to give your child a message, or have an emergency, please do not call the class phone. Please call the office at 354-3600 and they will contact me about the message or emergency.

For those of you who are connected to the Internet you can also find this and other information on the World Wide Web at the following URL: http://www2.spokaneschools.org/Schools/Elementary/Madison/Classrooms/DennisA . Please visit the site. As time goes on more and more information about the class and other happenings at Madison will be found on that page.

Homework

Homework will be sent home each Monday. Each activity will have an assigned day to be returned. Math homework will come home at least once a week (usually Monday night.)

Your child should also read at least 30 minutes each night.

Students who do not complete their homework will complete it at recess or any free time they may have at school. It is very important for students to create a positive habit of completing their homework in a timely manner.

Absences

In the classroom we call missing school MSMO, Miss School Miss Out (we pronounce it mis΄ u mō). This is also a program developed several years ago and used in Middle Schools and some selective Grade Schools. It is very important for students to be at school. I know we all will have days where we are unable to do something (go to work, etc.), but if at all possible students will benefit from being at school. When "direct instruction" time is missed it is difficult for students to understand the new or more detailed concepts that are being taught, thus students tend to fall behind. We do our best to keep students caught up at school, but it does take time away from new learning. When students are absent an absent homework slip will be filled out along with any papers that are needed. If at all possible we try to buddy up with other students and those homework buddies can take the homework home for the absent student. Students should do their best to find a homework buddy. Most homework assignments can always be found on the web site too. Some assignments cannot be posted due to copyright issues.

Again, WELCOME TO MADISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!!

Sincerely,

D. Abel

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

If your child is too ill to go outside at recess I prefer he/she stays at home. (Please refer to the "Weather and Health Safety" in the "Student/Parent Handbook.")

Discipline


Dear Parents,

In order to guarantee your child and all the students in my classroom the excellent learning climate they deserve I will be utilizing the following "DISCIPLINE PLAN."

MY PHILOSOPHY:

I believe all students can behave appropriately in the classroom. Each student has the right to an uninterrupted learning environment. I will tolerate no student stopping me from teaching and/or any student from learning.

OUR CLASS RULES

1. Follow the directions (given by the teacher)

2. Work at your desk and move about the room without distracting others

3. Respect other people and their property

4. Keep your hands, feet and objects to yourself

5. Use the rest rooms quickly and quietly

6. Raise your hand to ask or answer a question unless otherwise directed

IF A STUDENT CHOOSES TO BREAK A RULE THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES WILL BE USED:

1. Student will be redirected toward the desired behavior.

2. A. Student will be placed (timed-out) in a time-out area to think about their behavior: Timing out is a plan of action that has two parts: The first part is designed to allow students to get back into control following a behavior which interrupts the learning process. The student is asked to sit off to the side of the classroom in a designated time-out area.

B. While there, the student reflects (thinks about) the behavior which stopped either their or other's learning. While in the time-out area the student will have the option to fill out a form that will explain their behavior and how they can improve their behavior so the can return to their seat.

C. If a student is misbehaving a third time in a day he/she will be asked to move to another classroom following the Madison School-Wide behavior plan. While at that location the student will think about what they need to do to rejoin their classroom. When the student is ready to return they will inform the teacher (when she/he is not

busy) that he/she is ready to return to class. The student will then return to class and begin working on the activity the classroom is currently working on.

3. Students who are repeatedly timing out (5 in a week) will require a conference with the teacher, parent, and the student. A formal contract will be written, discussed, and signed by the teacher, parent, and student. This contract will map out specific behaviors that will allow the student to behave successfully in the classroom.

4. A conference with the teacher, parent, principal and the student will be required for the student who does not comply with the signed contract developed at step #3. This may result in an In-School-Suspension or Out-of-School Suspension or the formulating of a new contract.

Severe disruption i.e., fighting, destroying property etc . Student will be sent directly to the principal who will follow the School Discipline Policy.

STUDENTS WHO CHOOSE TO BEHAVE WILL EARN:

Positive notes to parents, extra free time, special free time activities, special movies, parties and other awards that will be determined at a later date . (If your child is allergic to sugar or has any food related allergies please note that on the signature page of this letter as one of the awards might be a food treat.)

It is in your child's best interest that we work together in relationship to his/her schooling. I will therefore be in close contact with you regarding your child's progress in the classroom. Please sign in the designated location on the form on the next page and have your child bring it back to school tomorrow. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me by calling 354-3608 before or after school.

Sincerely,

D. Abel

We have read and understand the Discipline Plan for your classroom.

_____________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian/Custodial Guardian Signature

___________________________________________________________

Child's Signature

Date :_______________________________________________________

Please note any food allergies below:

Click here for a pdf printable version of the discipline plan.