Mrs. Bjorvand’s Class Handbook
“Welcoming
your child to success!”
This handbook is filled with topics of concern to
you as parents. Please read this thoroughly and return the bottom portion to me
by Monday, September 12th. Please refer to this handbook frequently
throughout the year. Thank you!
1.
Check your child’s “homework folder” regularly for
homework, notes to you and graded papers.
2.
Provide a place and time each afternoon or evening
for your child to do his/her homework at a table or desk with minimal
distractions.
3.
Help your child find a spot to store everything
needed for school so he/she won’t lose or forget important items.
4.
Show interest and a positive attitude in your
child’s education. Work along side your child to help him/her achieve their
goals.
5.
Make sure your child has the necessary supplies at
school each day.
6.
Please call me to discuss any concerns you may have
about your child’s education.
Students have been provided a student daily planner
(“homework book”). While they are at school, they will record their homework
assignments, important dates, and school requirements. You may want to transfer
these dates to a larger calendar in your child’s homework area. All assignments
will be written on the board daily so they can be copied from the board to the
planner. It is your child’s responsibility to bring their planner to school
every morning and take it home every afternoon.
It is students’ responsibility to show their parents
the student planner EVERYDAY. Students must also have an adult from the home
initial their plan book every night. This ensures that you are aware of
assignments.
If you have any questions about your child’s
assignment – it is your child’s responsibility to answer your question. If your
child does not know the answer, they need to get that information as soon as
possible and inform you of the answer immediately. I suggest that your child
call a classmate or two to ask for missing assignment information.
Students are asked to take care of their student
planner. If the planner gets lost or destroyed it is your responsibility to
replace it.
Homework is important because it helps your child to
be successful here at school and it teaches responsibility. Homework also helps
develop good study habits.
It is important that your child has a quiet room or
area in your home where he/she can read books, memorize math facts, study for
tests and do other homework without having too much noise around. Homework at this grade can take anywhere
from 15 minutes to 1 hour.
If your child has difficulty with an assignment
please let me know. Please keep in mind that homework is for your child! Feel
free to offer some assistance and encouragement – but not the answers!
LATE
HOMEWORK: Homework is due the day after it is assigned unless
it is a long-term project, in which specific due dates will be given. Homework
turned in a day late will automatically lose 5 points. 5 points will continue
to be subtracted for each day the work is late.
*Check planners daily for assignments. If your child
has difficulty completing an assignment after putting forth an honest effort,
please write a note at the bottom of the page. Students will receive 50% credit
simply for completing an assignment. Students who had difficulty on an
assignment and received a failing grade will have the opportunity to re-do the
assignment for a higher grade.
ABSENCES/HOMEWORK:
Generally students are expected to turn homework in the day after being absent
from school. Students who are out longer than 2 days will be given specific
times in which make-up work is due.
At the beginning of the year, students will take a
reading test on the computer. The program will provide me with a reading grade
level. This level will be translated into a color code. Students are not told
what grade level each color represents. Students are then required to read 2
“Accelerated Reader” books the first quarter (3 books for the remaining
quarters). When a students completes a
book he or she will then take a computerized test on the story. These tests are
worth 30% of their ELA grade. Students are encouraged to read more than the
required amount and successful completion of several tests will allow students
to move up a sticker color.
I included a supply list in your child’s June report card, as well as sent a copy home in August. Please check with your child periodically to re-supply pencils, erasers etc. when needed. In addition, students may be asked to bring items for class projects such as cooking, art, parties and science experiments. Please help out if you are able, but let me know ASAP if such a request is inappropriate for your family at that time.
NEW YORK STATE TESTING
This year your child will be involved with testing at the state level. Your child is encouraged to be in school on the days that the tests are given, unless they are ill. Please mark these days on your calendar and plan accordingly:
English Language Arts Test (ELA)-
Monday, January 9 – Friday, January 13.
Mathematics
Tuesday, March 7 – Wednesday, March 8.
Science
The date is yet to be determined; however it will be scheduled for the end of May.
Reminders with specific test dates will be sent home closer to the test dates.
If at any time you need to talk to me you can call me at school. The number is 829 – 3551. If I am not available, I will return your call within 24 hours of receiving the message. Please do not hesitate to call me with questions or concerns.
Your child will have opportunities to order from
TROLL and Scholastic book clubs. This is an excellent way to get quality books
at a low price. If you choose to order for you child, you may pay with cash or
check (checks are preferred). If you choose to pay with a check it must be made
out to the book club.
Consistent, daily attendance is vital for school success and behavior that will benefit your child throughout life. Students are expected to be in attendance each day. Should your child need to be absent or arrive late
they must bring a note explaining the reason for their tardiness or absence.
Student attendance is monitored throughout the year.
If your child has an excessive amount of tardies or absences a meeting will be
held with the principal. A student will be marked late (tardy) at 8:20.
School dismisses at 2:55. Students should go directly home at dismissal unless they are involved in an after school activity.
You will be contacted in advance if your child is
asked to stay after on Extended Day
(Wednesday).
If you are picking your child up from school, please
stand in front of the cafetorium. Parents are asked not to wait in front of
classrooms. Please do not arrive too early to pick your child up. The
hallways can become very congested when several people arrive at once.
If your child needs to leave school early, a note
should be sent to school with your child and given to me first thing in the
morning. The note should include the reason he/she is leaving early and the
time you will be picking them up. When possible, medical and dental
appointments should be made outside of school hours. When you arrive to pick
your child up, you MUST stop in the nurse’s office and get a pink pass.
Students will be released only to parents, unless
you notify the school in writing that you have granted permission for someone
else to pick your child up.
BUS CHANGES: The school must receive a written note from a
parent if your child needs to be dropped off at a different location. This is
for your child’s safety. Last minute phone calls are strongly
discouraged.
VISITORS TO THE BUILDING: Parents and visitors are
always welcome at school. All visitors and parents MUST stop at the Elementary
Office and sign in.
EMERGENCY CARDS: Emergency information cards are
sent home at the beginning of school each year. It is very important that you
fill this card out and return it right away.
The information you provide on this card determines bus routes,
emergency contacts, telephone numbers and contacts. Please keep us up to date
if any information that you provide us changes! Thank you.
USE OF SCHOOL PHONE: The school phone is for business purposes. Children are responsible to be prepared for their daily activities and calling home for forgotten homework, instruments, sneakers or arranging after school plans will be strongly discouraged.
MEDICATIONS: Written permission is required from
student’s parents AND a doctor in order for medicine to be administered at
school. PARENTS MUST BRING MEDICINE
FROM HOME AND ALL MEDICINE MUST BE LEFT AT THE NURSE’S OFFICE. Do not send
medication to school with your child. The school will not supply any
medication.
*Children are not allowed to have cough drops in the
classroom. Please follow the procedures for medications.
DRESS CODE: Fourth grade students are required to
follow the school’s dress code. A copy of the dress code can be found within
the district’s calendar that you should have received.
The cafeteria serves a nutritionally balanced
breakfast and lunch daily. Children also have the option of bringing lunch from
home and purchasing milk from school if need be. Breakfast is not served when there is a delay! A price list and
menu will be sent home at the beginning of the year. Payment towards your
child’s account may be sent in at any time. Students are responsible for
getting their money to the cafeteria, so I encourage you to send a check,
rather than cash! The cafeteria staff will notify you if your child’s account
falls behind by $5.00.
Each year a qualifying application for free and
reduced meals is enclosed in the school newsletter. You also may request one
throughout the school year. Families
qualify for this program based on annual income and the information you provide
remains confidential. Should your
financial situation change throughout the year, you may reapply.
Each student will receive a quarterly report card outlining his/her performance to date. You are encouraged to contact me throughout the year as concerns arise – rather than waiting for report card time.
The first parent/teacher conference is held at the
end of the first quarter. This year’s conference will be held on November 10th
from 8:00 – 3:00. You must attend this
conference in order to receive your child’s report card! Please use this
information to plan accordingly. You are also invited to request a meeting with
me any time throughout the year.
The citizens of Franklin have a large sum of money
invested in books and classroom materials.
Students are responsible for their actions and should not mark, deface,
or in any way abuse the books, desks, chairs, and any other material purchased for
their use. Students are liable for the
cost of any textbook or library book, or other equipment and property of
Franklin Central School that is damaged in a manner inconsistent with normal
wear and tear.
Students are expected to behave in a manner that is respectful of others and the educational process. The rules that are posted in the classroom are as follows:
1.
Respect yourself.
2.
Show respect for others.
3.
Show respect for your surroundings and any
supplies/materials.
4.
Do not interrupt Mrs. Bjorvand (or others) unless
there is a “B Emergency” – blood, bathroom or barf!
I expect that the students will follow these rules
wherever they are in the building and with whatever adult they are with. If a student chooses to break a rule an appropriate consequence will be given.
All students are expected to follow the behavior
rules established by the bus driver. General rules for all riders are as
follows:
1.
Remain seated when the bus is moving.
2.
Talk quietly.
3.
Face forward – keeping legs out of the aisle.
4.
No eating or drinking on the bus.
Please direct any bus concerns to the driver or the
principal.
Field trips are organized by teachers to extend and
enhance student learning. Parents will be notified of all field trips well in
advance.
Believe it or not, Franklin actually has some bad weather! In the early morning during bad weather, local radio stations will begin carrying school closings and delays. The announcements are usually on beginning at 6:00ish.
Occasionally weather worsens once the students have already arrived at school making it necessary to close early. Should this happen, the local radio stations will carry this information. Please do not plan on having your student contact you if this should happen, as the phone lines are often jammed. Be prepared in advance! We will follow your instructions that you provided on the Emergency Dismissal section of the Student Information card. Please advise us of any change in these procedures before an emergency arises.
*Did
you find out when parent/teacher conferences will be
held?
*Do
you know when the dates for state testing are?
*Do
you and your child understand the homework policy?
This
information and much more can be found within the handbook.
I/we have read the 4th grade handbook. We
understand the material that the handbook contains. I/we will speak to you
regarding any questions or concerns as soon as they arise.
Signed ____________________________________
Parents of _________________________________
Date __________________
PLEASE RETURN THIS BY SEPTEMBER 12th.