Classroom Rules

• Follow directions the first time.

• Raise your hand to speak or leave your seat.

• Listen quietly while others are speaking.

• No name calling or teasing.

• Be prepared each day (Bring pencils, text books, completed assignments, etc.)

• Complete work on time.

 

Positive Rewards

 

When students choose to follow the classroom/school rules and model good behavior, the following rewards might be given:

• Verbal praise

• Stickers

• Classroom Parties

• Free Time

• Clip-Ups*

• ClassDojo* Points

• Passed-Lesson Points*

 

*Our classroom uses a clip-chart system. Throughout the day, when students are showing exceptional classroom behavior (i.e. listening, staying on task, helping others, being kind etc., they might be asked to move their clothespin upwards on our clip chart. The chart has 7 levels (from highest to lowest): Super Student (pink), Awesome Behavior (purple), Good Choices (blue), Ready to Learn (green), Think About It (yellow), Parent Contact (orange) and Detention (red). At the end of the day, depending on where they are on the clip chart, a student might receive extra Dojo points (for being above green), a note home (for being on orange) or a detention (for being on red). All students begin the day on green. 

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*Our school uses ClassDojo to manage behavior in the classroom. Students can earn positive points for good behavior, such as being on task or being a good helper. They can also receive deductions for negative behavior (talking during silent work time, being off-task, being unkind to others, not following classroom rules etc.). As a school, we like this program because parents can access their child's behavior at anytime on their own devices, and because it has a great messaging system that allows you to communicate with the teacher. Parents can also use ClassDojo to view important reminders, upcoming events, and see pictures of their children at work and play. Points earned in ClassDojo will allow students to attend a monthly "Dojo Party" where they will be invited to eat their lunch in the classroom with the teacher while watching a movie and playing games. Only students with an above-average number of Dojo Points will be invited to attend these parties.  

 

*In an effort to encourage students to work hard in blended learning, our class has a point system. Each passed lesson is worth 1 point (with the exception of Achieve 3000 lessons which are worth 2 because they are typically more challenging). Once/month students may cash in their points for prizes in our student store (pencils, knick-knacks, stickers, books etc.) 
 

Negative Consequences

 

Students are expected to behave responsibly. Below is a general outline of consequences that will be enforced should a student choose to break a rule:

 

• First time: verbal warning

• Second time: clip down (clip chart explained above)

 

Depending on the severity of the behavior and the circumstances, students may be sent directly to the office and/or lose other privileges without a warning. Serious offenses may receive an automatic detention and/or suspension. Some examples of serious offenses are: bullying, fighting, misusing computers, using a cell phone, and misbehaving during field trips, mass, music class, etc.

 

Detentions are held on Tuesdays from 3:00-3:30pm in the eighth grade classroom. Three detentions within a trimester will result in a parent conference with Mr. Browning and myself. After a fourth detention, the student will receive a school suspension.
 

Homework

 

It is important for students to develop the responsibility and study skills needed to take work home, complete it, and return it on time. Homework will always reinforce something they’ve already learned. Homework is taken very seriously. Four missing, late, or incomplete homework assignments within a trimester will result in a Tuesday detention. In Math, in order for work to be complete, students must show their work to explain their reasoning.
 

Expect your child to have some kind of assigned homework Monday through Thursday. Some tips for homework that are helpful include having a set time and place to do homework. It should be someplace where there are no distractions. If your child needs help, feel free to help them through it. This also gives you the opportunity to see how they are doing and is a great time to praise your child for their effort.

We will have weekly Spelling and Reading tests on Fridays. For all other subjects, I let students know several days in advance when there will be a test. At times, there may be pop quizzes. Students are allowed to take home their textbooks at any time to review or study as long as they are brought back the following school day.

It is also very important that your child give you all important papers that are sent home. These are placed in the student's take home folder or family envelope. Some papers that go home are to be brought back to school the following school day, and, if required, with your signature. At times, especially at first, they may forget. You might have to ask them or look in their backpack. Soon they will develop the routine of giving you the papers without you asking for them.

 

Students will be required to complete 15 minutes of nightly reading Monday-Thursday. Please initial the bottom of that day in your student's planner to verify that you have seen them read. A missing signature will count as a missing homework assignment. 

 

Spelling homework will be a nearly-weekly occurrence. Students will be expected to copy their spelling words into their planner on the first day of the week, but if they forget or are not at school, spelling words are always posted. Students may choose to write each spelling word three times or select another option from the spelling "menu." List, menu and weekly homework schedules can all be found on the blog. 
 

Agenda

 

Each student will be given an agenda to record homework assignments and other important class information. The student is responsible for writing down all home assignments and upcoming tests in their agendas. The agenda is a very important communication tool between the teacher and the parents. Because of the importance of communication, it is required that your child show you the agenda, that you check all homework and teacher notes if any, and that you sign it everyday. The agenda is to be returned to class by the student the following day. Two missed parent signatures in a week will result in a missed homework.

Graded Work/Yellow Folders

Graded work is sent home weekly in a yellow folder. Graded work can include quizzes, tests and daily work. When your child brings home this folder, please review the graded work, sign inside the folder, and make sure it is brought back the following school day. If it is not brought back, I will assume that it was not shown to a parent and it will count as a missed homework. If, by accident, you receive another student's work, please just put the paper back in the folder and send it back to school with your student. 
 

Make-up Work/Absences

 

For each day a student is absent, they will have one day to make up missed assignments. If they are absent for an extended period of time, additional time will be allowed. Parents should contact me at least two full days in advance if their child is going to be absent for several days. I can put together work that you can pick up at school, or it can be sent home with a sibling. 

Toys

Toys and trinkets can be a distraction in school and should be left at home. If your child chooses to bring a toy into the classroom, and it is out during school hours, it will be collected and held until the end of the trimester. If they continue to bring toys, they will be placed into the "June Box" and will be returned at the end of the school year. We have games and puzzles in our classroom that students can use during free choice time and indoor recess. Please discuss this no-toy policy with your child. Toys that are brought to school for Boys and Girls Club will need to stay in their backpack during school hours.

 

Birthdays 

 

Birthdays are special days. Students are allowed to wear free dress on their birthday. I understand that on birthdays you might like to honor your child with a little something extra. If you would like to send a birthday treat to share with the class on your child’s birthday please let me know in advance so we can plan for it. We enjoy our birthday treats in the morning during recess at 10:30 am or lunch at 12:00 pm. Cupcakes or goody bags are the easiest since they do not require cutting. If you bring a cake you must stay to cut and serve it since I am on my break during that time. If you are planning to bring pizza or other food, you must let me know at least one week before so I can inform the cafeteria for hot lunch cancellation. You will also be in charge of serving any food. 

Handbook

Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the school handbook on the school website and refer to it as necessary throughout the school year. Your signature on your enrollment contract indicates your willingness to abide by these as well as any policy updates that are communicated to the parent body throughout the academic year. Parents agree to communicate these standards and responsibilities to their children.