All About Mrs. Brenda Tudjan I am in my 28 th year of teaching.

2. All About Mrs. Brenda Tudjan I am in my 28th year of teaching. I was born in Newfoundland and Labrador. Education: I have a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Special Education from Memorial University of Newfoundland. • I have taught all grades from grade 1 to 12. • I have taught in Newfoundland, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Alberta. • I was a principal when I lived in Canada’s Arctic. • I have an awesome son, Shea, who is 19 years old. He has autism, but is very high functioning. Started Bow Valley College last week. • My husband, Dave, is also a teacher and he comes in to read with the students sometimes, but will not be able to as much this year.

3. Pedagogy: My goal: create a safe, caring learning environment where children are engaged, have a deep personal connection to learning content and strive to do their best - Structure – clear rules and routines, predictable outcomes - Mutual respect, independence - High expectations- Children are to be met at their current level and challenged to take it to the next level - Every child is respected and cultural diversity is celebrated.

4. Communication Communicating with the Teacher There is no agenda or communication book this year. The best way to communicate with me is through E-mail at brtudjan@cbe.ab.ca. I will not answer emails after 5pm (school policy). You can also phone and leave a message for me by calling the school. You will not be able to call my classroom directly as that interrupts learning. I will get back to you before or after school. If it is urgent, please tell the office and they will contact me immediately. The office sends out emails about special events and notices. The school website also has the monthly calendar, newsletter and important dates to remember. My “weebly”website will have updates from our weekly activities. tudjangrade1.weebly.com ***Please give me your email before you leave, so that I can communicate class messages. If you would like more than one email, please provide that as well.

5. Pick-up and drop off Supervision begins at 7:45. If you arrive before that time, you must stay with your child. If your child is dropped off after 8:00, please remind him/her to pick up a late slip from the office to bring to class. This ensures that all students are accounted for. If you need to pick up your child early, please email me so that I am aware. When you arrive at the school, please sign your child out at the office. If you are picking up your child early, and you did not know before your child left for school, please call the office. When you arrive at the school, head to the office and sign your child out. If we do not hear from you by 2:00, your child will be sent on the bus, as usual.

6. Absences Ifyou are planning a family vacation, please send me an email and contact the office. If your child is ill, PLEASE ensure they stay home until they are healthy to avoid spreading the illness. All absences should be reported to the office.

7. Recess and Lunch Recess:There is not a set recess break this year. Students will eat a small, healthy snack inside the class. To keep it easily accessible to your child – you can pack the snack in the front pocket of the backpack apart from the rest of the lunch. • Reduce garbage and the wasting of food; whatever is not eaten will be sent home with your child. (school policy) Please send a ziploc bag to keep in their lunch kit each day, to avoid any mess. Lunch – Students have 20 minutes to eat lunch and 20 to go outside. The lunch supervisors try their best to encourage students to eat their entire lunch but if that is your wish, please remind your child at home that it is the expectation to eat their entire lunch. Please do not send too much for lunch, as they will not be able to eat it all. Inside 11:45-12:05 Inside 12:05-12:25 Please LABEL all items!

8. Uniform Please wear Formal uniform each Monday and for any whole-school assemblies that you will be notified of in advance. Please ensure that all cardigans, vests, and shoes are labeled with your child’s name. Students need to have a pair of black dress shoes and a pair of non-marking gym shoes to be kept at school You may also choose to have one pair of solid black gym shoes. (labeled with your child’s name). If your child cannot tie shoes, please use velcro shoes.

9. Uniform *This year our vest has changed from navy to green, like the cardigan.

10. Homework will begin the week of September 16th. It will be posted online on the classroom website referred to as ‘weebly’ on September 13th. You will have an account with Razkids and Mathletics, as well as a spelling test and a math problem. There will also be a character education activity to do at least once per month. Homework will come home on Mondays and must be returned on Fridays. It is the parents responsibly to check for completion and correctness. Personalizing Learning: As the year progresses, there will be more differentiation in Math and Spelling. You will be informed of which assignment your child is expected to complete according to their learning needs.

11. Weekly Homework will consist of 4 things:Assignments- EVERY Friday new assignments will be posted to be done in the homework book and handed in on Friday (Thursday on short weeks). 1. Math problems and Mathletics . You will receive log in info later in the month. 2. Spelling Words- Tests will occur on Fridays so study them as much as you can throughout the week! 3. READING!! - Students are required to read for 15-20 minutes (each night). Home Reading books will not be sent home, due to the limited supply, however, children are given a log-in for an online reading program called RAZ KIDS. Later in the year, we are hoping to send out books for the home-reading program as well. Encourage your child to use this website daily. I will give out prizes for students who read at least 300 minutes per month 4. Character Education :monthly You will receive a folder and notebook. I prefer that you complete the work in the notebook, but you can print if you prefer. There is no need to glue it in.

12. Volunteers are needed to make these activities possible, and parents will be notified in advance, so that arrangements can be made to help out. Filed Trips will be announced later, as we have had some problems with bookings. We have two art projects booked. We have 3 presentations (in-class field trips) that will require volunteers. These volunteers are asked to follow a script provided by the presenter and run a center for a small group of children. More information will come closer to the dates. There will be 1 out of school field trip to the Glenbow Museum and 2 art projects. A

13. Volunteers All volunteers assisting with students MUST have an up to date Police Security Clearance. Please see the staff in the office to help you get started. You will also need to do an in-school volunteer form, so please get a copy from the office when you leave and return as soon as possible. Parent Council can also use volunteers for special events in the school.

14. What I need from you… Zip lock bags for food/garbage Headphones (ear buds are best) Water bottle with closed top

15. Birthdays Treat ideas: - Send a healthy, nut free treat with your child to share - Examples: fruit, cheese string, - An alternative to food treats would be special pencils, erasers, or stickers. Invitations: • Please have your child discreetly give me the invitation/ let me know they have them so that invitations can be placed into student backpacks without hurting any feelings

16. Fostering Independence • One way to encourage your child to be more independent is allowing them to practise routines on their own, i.e. zipping up jackets, tying shoes, zipping up backpacks • Guiding your child to be independent with routines at home will provide them with the confidence to try skills and routines on their own in other settings.

17. Thank you! I look forward to working with you and your child this year. My main goal is to inspire your child to love learning. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any comments or concerns. Questions?

18. What is TLC? “To think, to value, to know” TLC standards of practice – online Character Education Parent Engagement Homework PERSONALIZE LEARNING

19. What is TLC? TLC has changed! “To think, to value, to know”

20. What is TLC? “To think, to value, to know”