Welcome to Back to School Night

1. Welcome to Back to School Night Mrs. Murphy Room 28 Please come in, find your student’s desk, and write your student a little note to look at throughout the year.

2. Teacher introduction • BA from Azusa Pacific University. I also did my graduate program through Azusa. • I live in San Marcos with my husband, Riley, and my 17mo daughter, Berkley. • I student taught at Twin Oaks in 1st and 4th grade. I taught Kindergarten for 4 years and this is my fourth year in 3rd grade. Teachers on my team: Mrs. Pruim, Mrs. Cullen, Miss Ecker, Miss Martin, Mrs. Wells/Mrs. Cornell

3. Attendance Policies Arrival Time: School begins every day promptly at 8:45. Students may arrive on campus any time after 8:15. They should line up in front of our classroom when they hear the first bell at 8:43. It is important for your child to be on time for school. Important instructions for the day are explained during the morning meeting. Kids often feel out of sorts when they arrive late. It also sets a negative example to our children. If your child arrives after the 2nd bell in the morning, he/she must receive a tardy slip from the office before entering the classroom. Too many tardies will affect your child’s participation in end-of-the-year festivities, as well as the report card. Early Departures: If you need to take your student out of school early, please let me know with a note in the morning if possible. When you arrive to pick up your child, you will need to visit the office first to sign him/her out. The office staff will call the classroom and I will release your child to the office. Attendance: If your child is well, I want him/her at school!! It makes teaching very difficult when your child isn’t at school. It is especially difficult when one skill builds upon another skill (such as math and writing.) Also, with these tough economic times in education, our school actually LOSES money when your child is absent. Please make doctor/dentist appointments after school and schedule trips and special events for non-school days. Thank you!!

4. Homework Policy Homework will be written in the spiral-bound homework planner and found in the front pocket of your student’s G.O. Binder each day. Homework must be completed and returned the following morning. A reading/A.R. log will be provided and needs to be signed daily by the parent. Homework assignments will be selected based on the content standards we are focusing on in class and may include: Spelling Reading Comprehension Language Arts/Grammar Practice Math Practice Online Activities Writing Prompts On occasion, your child may bring home a special project or report. Special instructions will be provided for each such assignment. Late or missing homework assignments will affect your child’s report card. If your child does not complete a homework assignment, he/she will need to have a Homework S.O.S. signed and stapled to the missing assignment and returned the next day. Homework is always intended as practice. It is a reinforcement of what the child learned during class. Please let me know if your child is having difficulty so we can make adjustments. In some cases, unfinished classwork will be sent home as homework. If you would like your child to be further challenged, I recommend extra reading, a science experiment, or a writing assignment of your choice. There are some wonderful educational websites your child might enjoy visiting (with your supervision) online. I have links to several good sites on my classroom page.

5. 8:45 Morning Work 9:00 Language Arts 9:30 Literacy Rotations 10:50 Recess 11:10 Math 12:25 Lunch 1:10 D.I.R.T. (Dive Into Reading Time) Science/Music 1:30 Science/Social Studies 2:15 Specials* (P.E.) 3:10 Dismissal** *P.E. – Tuesdays and Fridays Please send your child in PE appropriate shoes Science Garden/Music – Alternating Mondays Library – Tuesdays All library books need to be turned in by 9 am every Tuesday or your child will not be allowed to check out a new book. **Early dismissal every Wednesday at 2:10 Our Daily Schedule

6. Teacher Communication If you need to get in touch with me about something urgent during the day, it is best to call the school. If it is something I need to know for that particular day, just send a note with your child. Otherwise, email is the best way to get in touch with me. I check my email daily. Aarika.murphy@smusd.org (760) 290-2121 ext. 3128 Classroom Website: I will post generic information on my school webpage. Please register and check in regularly for updates! Go to the La Costa Meadows website, click on “Classrooms,” then click on my name.

7. Classroom Management I firmly believe in creating a positive atmosphere for learning. It is my goal to prevent discipline problems whenever possible by reinforcing positive behavior. In addition, I have consequences for students who disrupt the classroom. • Rewards: • I promote positive behavior with verbal or written praise, stickers, high fives, Dolphin Behavior tickets, table points, the Super Improver Wall and other special privileges. Children who demonstrate excellent behavior can earn “bonuses” in our Classroom Economy and use their Dolphin Dollars to “buy” special privileges and rewards. • Consequences: • Negative behavior from one child can take away from the quality of learning for other children. Therefore, I have an approach that will inhibit students from disrupting the class. When a student fails to follow our classroom expectations by making poor behavior choices, I will first give a verbal warning. If the behavior continues, I will enforce our classroom discipline plan using the following steps: • First Occurrence: Verbal warning. “Warning” card placed on desk. • Second Occurrence: Sign Behavior Book. Possible in-class time-out or loss of privileges. • Third Occurrence: Sign Behavior Book. Time-out in Buddy Class or in Responsibility Room at lunch. Fill out Student Reflection Sheet and send home for parent signature. • Severe Clause: Immediate detention and/or conference with school administration. • Classroom Rules: • Students are expected to follow these rules: • 1. Listen when your teacher is talking. • 2. Follow directions quickly. • 3. Respect yourself, respect others, • respect your school • 4. Raise your hand to speak or stand • 5. Make Smart Choices

8. Character Education The Dolphin Way Do your best work Help others succeed Respect your school “Always do the right thing, even when no one is looking!” The 7 Habits of Happy Kids At La Costa Meadows, we want our students not only to be prepared academically for their future success, but also learn how to be the best all-around person they can be today. To that end, our school will focus on seven important character traits by reading the wonderful book, The 7 Habits of Happy Kids by Steven COVEY. The “7 Habits” will be incorporated into our classroom culture, assignments, and homework. Please visit my website for more information.

9. Cafeteria Accounts • Each child can get a lunch card from the cafeteria. • You can prepay and it works almost like a debit card • when your child swipes the magnetic strip. • Whether or not your child plans to buy lunch on a regular basis, it would be a good idea to load your child’s account with money for those days when he/she might forget to bring a lunch. • If you see a yellow envelope come home, that indicates your child’s account is in need of money. • Checks should be made payable to “La Costa Meadows Cafeteria” and can be made in any dollar amount. • You may also add money to your child’s cafeteria account online. Please see the La Costa Meadows website for more information.

10. Party Planning Healthy Snack Ideas Fruit salad Sliced watermelon Pretzels Chex Mix Fruit Snacks Granola Bars Cheese & Crackers Sliced Apples Veggies Strawberries Yogurt Popcorn 100% Fruit Juice Candy, soda, cake, cookies, or other sugary snacks are not allowed at school per the SMUSD District Wellness Policy. NO NUT PRODUCTS! Non-Food Birthday Celebration Ideas Pencils Notepads Key Chains (for backpacks) Erasers Small Toys Stickers

11. Super Parents! The truth is “it takes a community to raise a child!” If you have any extra time within your week, we would love to have your help! Science Garden Helper Dolphin Folder Parent Art Docent Yearbook Historian Room Mom Take Home Parent Copy Parents Student Supplies are listed on my classroom website and on my door with the apple donations.