Welcome to Back to School Night!

1. Welcome to Back to School Night!

2. A little about me . . . • Second year of teaching • Graduated from the five year teacher education program at KU • From Wichita, KS • Getting married at the end of Sept. and will be Ms. Baker.

3. Communication: • Voicemail during the day: (913) 993-4533 • If EMERGENCY contact office! • Call office if child is going home with a different person/way • E-mail: rsbenski@smsd.orgor amarabenskin@smsd.org • Notes with your student • Please contact me right away if you see a problem or have a concern! • Web Backpack: www4.smsd.org/AmaraBenskin • Class Newsletters

4. Daily Schedule • 8:10 School begins • 8:20-9:20 Specials • 9:30-11:00 English Language Arts • 11:00-11:30 Reading Workshop • 11:30-11:45 Math – Check Morning Work • 11:45-12:10 Lunch • 12:15-1:00 Math • 1:00-1:30 Math Workshop • 1:30-2:00 Recess • 2:15-3:00 Science or Social Studies • 3:00-3:10 Pack-up • 3:10 Dismissal

5. Planners . . . • Our daily communication tool If a student is having trouble completing assignments I will call you and ask you to sign their planner each day All homework assignments are listed in the homework section

6. Homework • Should be taking about 40 minutes or less each night • Read for 20 minutes every day. • Should go home with the students and come to school with the student everyday- In yellow homework folder or in binder

7. Homework Assignments • English Language Arts (ELA) packets- due on DAY 5 (the day of the reading and spelling test) • Daily Math page due Friday • One state book due Friday. • Roughly 5 problems from math book most Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays(will be able to access book online) • Only time classwork may become homework is when a student is not using their time in class productively (this should be rare).

8. Pride Folder • Comes home each Friday and is returned on Monday. • Please sign the signature sheet in the left side pocket • Remove all graded papers and notes from school to keep at home.

9. Grading: • Letter grades are given in all subjects except handwriting and specials (U, N, S-, S, S+). • Grading scale: 90% -100% A 80%-89% B 70%-79% C 60%-69% D below 60% F • Correcting work: if work needs to be corrected, I will write “CORRECT” next to their grade. They can receive a new grade in these cases.

10. Absences and Make-up Work: • Work can be picked up at the end of the day, or sent home with a sibling/neighbor if requested. • If you are going out of town and want make-up work, please give as much notice as possible. • Students have two days for every one day they are gone to complete make-up work.

11. PBIS POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION SUPPORTS SCHOOL-WIDE EXPECTATIONS: • Be Safe • Be Responsible • Be Respectful We use a proactive approach and positive reinforcements to reward student’s making good choices.

12. Behavior Expectations: • One redirect during a class period for minor incorrect behavior • If behavior is not corrected after a reminder, student moves to safe seat in the classroom. A think sheet may be filled out. If one is sent home please sign it and talk with student about behavior. • If behavior is still an issue at the safe seat, student moves to buddy room in 3rd grade. • If behavior disrupts the buddy room, student moves to the office.

13. Field Trips • Tues., Oct. 1 to Ernie Miller Park • We need volunteers for this trip! • Covers pioneers, fur trade, and Native Americans • Coterie Theatre- Winter TBA • We need volunteers for this trip! • May to Topeka, KS. • Tour the Capitol building • Visit the Natural History Museum • Parents are welcome to attend • May need to provide own transportation

14. Special Events • Kansas Day –Jan. 29, 2014Celebrate Kansas’ birthday with our one-room school house, square dancing, and a Pioneer Feast! (Class coordinator needed for feast.)

15. Have a great evening! • Please go to the back table to sign up for conferences, field trips, etc. • Please consider being a room parent and joining PTA! • Thank you so much for coming!