Open House Presentation

1. Open House Presentation By: Amanda Staso ED 340

2. Invitation to the Family Dear Parents/Guardians, On Friday September 20, 2013, from 6p.m. to 8p.m., Aster Elementary will be hosting an Open House Evening for you to attend. You will get to meet your child’s teachers, go through their daily curriculum, and write a note to them in their journal for them to read Monday morning! We want you to experience what school is like for your child, get to know the teachers, staff, and be proud of your children’s work! Sincerely, Amanda Staso

3. Introduction Hello Parents! My name is Amanda Staso and I teach kindergarten at Aster Elementary. I am a graduate of Seton Hill University with a Bachelors Degree in Pre K-4 with Special Education and a Masters Degree certified through 8th grade with a concentration in English. I have been teaching Kindergarten at Aster Elementary for four years and love every minute of it! In my free time I spend time with my family baking, cooking, going on vacations, and volunteering at the school’s morning and after school tutoring and community service program. I enjoy getting involved with our students and ensure they develop a love for learning, life, and new experiences.

4. What Will We Do This Year? Specials Social Studies/Science is reversed every other day (Ex. Day 1- Science, Day 2- Social Studies, Day 3- Science) Math Reading/Language Arts We like to integrate literature into every subject to stress the importance of reading and vocabulary Day 1- Art Aprons will be supplied in the art room Day 2- Gym Students will be required to bring tennis shoes and gym clothes Day 3- Drama Day 4- Library Students will get to check out one book for the week to take home and share with their families Day 5- Music Curriculum

5. What Will We Do This Year? Assessment Direct Instruction- demonstration of the material Inquiry Based Instruction- involvement that leads to understanding We do not have formal assessments in our kindergarten class. Rather I will benchmark and track the student’s progress by giving them informal work pages that I will grade at the end of a term. We will also do science experiments, discuss books, and discuss lessons in which each student will get participation points so I know they have an understanding. Instruction

6. Rules and Consequences Consequences Raise your hand Speak politely   Listen to your teacher Respect your classmates Use your walking feet Offer helping hands Always try to do your personal best Rationale: The rationale for these rules is to ensure a healthy and happy atmosphere. Also, to teach students at an early age how to listen, help, try hard, and be polite. 1st time- Warning 2nd time- Sign the behavior journal 3rd time- Note sent home to parent or guardian 4th time- Visit to the principal Rules and Rationale

7. Family’s Role • The family’s role in a classroom in crucial. There must be parent participation and interest in a child’s wellbeing and education for them to succeed. Every month, a newsletter will be sent home reviewing the books we read, special occurrences in the classroom, upcoming birthdays, holiday events, a calendar, and important reminders. Parents will be asked to be involved in holiday parties, bring in birthday treats, and to keep in contact with the teacher should an issue arise with a student. Also, we like to keep in contact to praise our students good work!

8. Classroom Procedures Arrival to School: When each student arrives to school they will turn their picture over on the picture felt board at the entrance. Then the students will go to their desk, take off their coat and hang it up. After that they will empty their book bag and put any homework in the “turn in” bin on the teacher’s desk. The rest of their items will go inside their desk. After this the students will choose a quiet morning activity. Homework: Homework is not assigned very often. When it is, a note will be sent home with the student in their “take home” folder and the parent or guardian will have to sign the note to be sure the student did his or her homework. The next day, the student will turn their homework in first thing in the morning in the “turn in” bin on the teacher’s desk.

9. Classroom Procedures Bathroom Break: When the student needs to use the bathroom, they will take the girls or boys pass and sign the bathroom book. When they come back, they will put the pass back on the shelf. Only one boy or girl student is permitted out of the room at a time. Dismissal: The students will have a nametag with their name and their bus number on it. Students who get picked up will have “pick up” next to their name, and students who are getting picked up on certain days will have to have a note sent to the teacher. At the end of the day, the students will line up according to their bus number and wait until their leader comes to get them. Students who are getting picked up will be taken down to the front lobby by another leader.

10. Parent Involvement Volunteering As both parents and teachers, we share a vision of wanting our children and students to succeed not only academically, but socially, physically, and emotionally. In our Kindergarten class, we focus on the student as a whole person, not just a student. This is when their lives are beginning to form, their personalities are being shaped, and their beliefs are being taught. Join us in not only supporting our students academically, but also with strong morals, values, and beliefs! We love and appreciate volunteering of any sorts! Parent and guardians, siblings, or any family members are always welcome to help at school picnics, holiday parties, bake sales, charity events, and community service. There are volunteering papers in the main office that will need to be filled out in advanced to the occasion and turned in to the principal. Then the teacher will receive the copy. Shared Vision

11. Parent Involvement “Take Away” School number: 724-343-7563 My extension: 0024 My Email: Staso@Astersd.edu Home Phone: 412-672-0918 From this open house I hope you have taken away our shared vision, a new outlook on your child’s school day, and an appreciation for their hard work. Go home and praise your child, for they are beginning the rest of their lives. Let’s make it a good one! How to Contact

12. Thank You! Thank you parents, families, and guardians for attending Aster Elementary Open House. Please feel free to contact me any time at my email address (Staso@Astersd.edu) or my house number (412-672-0918). If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or suggestions, please feel free to email me! I will forward it to our school principal and address it immediately.