Classroom Handbook

Birthdays

I love to celebrate each one of my students on their special day. If you would like to send a treat, or small trinket with your child to share with the class, please let me know. Birthdays will be celebrated at lunch time so children can enjoy treats with their lunches. If you would like, you can join us for lunch that day to sing and celebrate your child.

• To ensure the safety of students with allergies and food sensitivities, please make sure all treats are store bought.
• Sending in a treat is completely optional. Students will be celebrated in class either way.

Book Reports

Students will complete a book report each quarter . This will include reading a chapter book they have never read before, completing the guided book report, and presenting their project to the class. Book reports are a great way for students to apply the reading skills we’re learning in class to a book of their choice. Having students share their work with their peers increases motivation and confidence. Detailed instructions will be sent home in your child’s homework binder at the beginning of each quarter. Students will not be keeping reading logs this year, so please plan your time accordingly.

Classroom Management / Behaviors

In our class, we have a behavior chart with each student’s name on it. Each student also has three different color cards: green, yellow, and red.

Green Card: Everyone starts on green each day. Green means students are “actively engaged in learning.” They are not causing a problem for themselves or anyone else.
Yellow Card: Students on yellow need reminders to get back on task, use kind words, and/or appropriate classroom behaviors. For a student to move to yellow, he/she has been causing a problem for himself/herself or others that interferes with learning.
Red Card: Students will move to red if they continue to need reminders or cause problems for themselves or others. Students will also be moved to red for inappropriate behaviors that include (but are not limited to): cursing, violent behavior, and/or disrespecting school property, staff, or peers.

Students who end the day on green will get to mark a spot on their classroom “punch card.” When a student’s punch card is filled, he/she will receive a special reward. This may include a small trinket or a special priveledge.

Students who end the day on red will not get to mark a spot on their behavior punch card, and a note will be sent home detailing the events of the day. If your child recieves a note, please review it with him/her before signing it and returning it to school. This will let me know that you had the opportunity to discuss it with your child.

In the case of consistent negative behavior within the classroom, an individualized behavior plan may be created.

Classroom / School Rules

Mr. Cordero has one main rule for the school: You can do anything you want as long as it doesn’t cause a problem for yourself or anyone else.

In our classroom, we have two rules:

1. Respect Yourself, Respect Your School, Respect Others
2. Make Smart Choices

Contact Information

The best way to contact me is via email: katkins@calvarymeridianprep.org
On school days I cannot guarantee a response until after school hours, however, on satellite days I will regularly check my email and respond to questions in a timely manner.

PLEASE don’t ever hesitate to reach out. Our unique school model allows for a partnership between teachers and parents. If you have a question, no matter how small, please ask it! Especially on satellite days regarding homework. I would rather you reach out and ask for clarification than struggle through assignments.

Homework

There is no homework on school days. All “homework” will be completed on Satellite Days. However, students may choose to work on projects such as book reports during school days if they would like.

Homework Binders

Each student will get an O.R.B.I.T Binder (Organized Resource Binder & Information Tracker). Inside the binder you will find the following:
Log-in Sheet: This is where you can find the log-in info for online learning sites.
Homework Folder: This is split into two sections
– 1 – Return to School: This contains satellite work your child needs to complete and return to school.
– 2 – Keep at Home: This is where you will find Space Logs (newsletters), graded work, and spelling lists.
Project Folder: Any long-term projects, such as book reports, will be kept here.
Resources and Study Materials: Students will occasionally take notes on key terms or concepts that will be helpful when studying for a test. All of these items, including study guides, will be kept here. This section will also include resources that may be helpful when completing assignments on satellite days.

  * Additional lined paper will be kept in the back of the binder for use at home when needed. *

Illness

If your child is not feeling well or is exhibiting cold/flu symptoms, please keep him/her home. Please refer to the CMPA Student Handbook for more information.

Satellite Day Success

Students will receive a Satellite Learning Sheet (SLS) on Wednesdays and Fridays. These sheets will have detailed instructions outlining the work that needs to be completed on satellite days. These assignments will consist of a variety of activities icluding worksheets, math games, online activities, and hands-on projects.

A few helpful suggestions to make satellite days a success:
1. Designate a workspace that is free from distractions.
Creating a space away from the television, video games, toys, or other
distractions will help students stay focused on their work.
2. Break the assignments into manageable chunks and take lots of breaks!
Even in the classroom, we don’t expect students to work more than 30 minutes
without a brain break. Make sure to schedule in a few breaks to get up and wiggle,
get a snack, etc. Small breaks like this help students stay focused while completing
assignments.
3. Schedule activities and electives around school work.
It’s helpful to keep school work in mind when planning activities on satellite days.
Blocking off a few hours to devote to work will help with time management and
ensure you have enough time to complete your assignments.
4. Remember that parents are co-teachers.
Parents, we want you to help your kids with their school work. The assignments
they are given are all designed to help students practice concepts we are learning
in class. In a five-day school, students complete this work in the classroom with
teacher support. Remember to offer them the same support we would in the
classroom if they get stuck or need help! We want them to practice the concepts
correctly, not build misconceptions if they are confused.
5. Check your work.
There is a reason we have parents initial the satellite learning sheets–we want you
to check over your child’s work. By doing so, you can help them correct any
mistakes which will address any misconceptions they had while completeing their
work.
6. Commuicate.
If you get stuck, please, please, please do not hesitate to email me. I check my
emails on satellite days for this reason. The last thing I want is for students and
parents to struggle through an assignment that doesn’t make sense. That will lead
to unnecessary frustration. Also, please let me know on the SLS if your child had a
difficult time completing a specific assignment. If you had to offer more support than
usual, it’s helpful for me to know so I can offer extra support in the classroom as well.
7. Give yourself and your child lots of grace
Learning at home is hard! Please make sure to give lots of grace where
needed. Big emotions are to be expected on satellite days, especially in the first
month of school. Transitioning back and forth between a classroom teacher and a
parent is a skill that needs to be learned and grown. You will have rough days. Rest
assured that everyone has them, and don’t hesitate to reach out for moral support if
needed. If I can support what you are doing at home in a way that will help you and
your child be successful, I am more than happy to do so!

Snacks

Students will have the option to eat a snack before and after lunch. While I do not require snacks to be “healthy”, please be advised that I will not allow them to eat candy for snack. They are welcome to have any treats they bring at lunch time.

Water Bottles

Students may bring a plastic water bottle to use in the classroom (this year, we are asking students not to bring metal water bottles as they are very top-heavy, fall often, and are a huge distraction in the classroom). Please make sure the water bottle is spill proof/leak proof as they will sometimes need to be kept inside your child’s backpack. All water bottles need to have a closing lid (not an exposed straw). I also recommend labeling your child’s water bottle with his/her name in case it gets lost.

Volunteering

CMPA has so many wonderful volunteer opportunities including monitoring recess, lunch, and other activites. Volunteers are also needed in the classroom! If you would like to volunteer in the classroom, please click here to sign up for a spot. Due to classroom schedules, policies, and procedures, we cannot allow volunteers to come unannounced. All classroom volunteer time MUST be scheduled ahead of time with your child’s teacher.

Whether you are in the classroom, on the playground, or teaching a special class, I’m so excited to see you on campus!