Archives

First Day of School – Tuesday, August 21

Aug19

Welcome Back!   We are all excited to have your kids back in school Tuesday, August 21.   Please take time to read through this entire post, and the Classroom Management Plan – 2018-2019.  By doing so, many of your first day questions will be answered.

The first couple of weeks of drop off and pick up can be overwhelming for everyone.  While everyone is acclimating to procedures in the parking lot, please remain patient and follow the directions of the teachers and volunteers.   To ensure you are not distracted, please be sure to put your cell phone away while you are in the parking lot.  Driving on school grounds while texting or calling is dangerous.

  • Please pull forward as far as possible to ensure the flow of traffic runs smoothly – Do NOT stop in front of the doors to drop of your child
  • Children should enter and exit the vehicle on the curb side and should NEVER enter a vehicle that is not at the curb
  • Please allow your child to walk into the school independently – Ms. Kari and/or myself will be outside to meet your child on the first day of school – pull all the way forward and your child can walk to our location
  • Make sure your child knows your family’s drop off and pick up plan prior to the first day of school (Do they ride home with a carpool?  Do they walk home on sunny days? Should they meet you at North Shore?).

During the first week of school, we will be spending more time outside than usual as we build classroom community.  I strongly recommend students apply sunscreen in the morning and bring a sunhat to wear while outside during activities and recess.   Hats will be kept in their locker while we are inside the building.

Don’t forget to review the School Supply List as well as the School Supply Preparation document (so you know how to help your child be prepared for the first day of school).

We can’t wait to start the year!

2018-2019 School Year Preparation

Jul22

I hope you have all had a great summer, and have plans to make the most of the rest of the break.

In order to start the year off right, please read through this information with your child.

School Supplies

Please be sure to check the specific supplies for our classroom as each teacher requires something different.  You can find the supply list and guidelines for preparation.   Your child’s first homework assignment is the preparation of their school supplies.  Please help them come prepared for the first day by following the guidelines linked above.  If you choose to deliver prepared supplies (highly recommended) prior to the first day of school, please be sure to put your child’s name and my name (Ms. Amity) on the bag so they make it to the correct classroom.

If you have a sixth grade student, your child will need an additional, white, 2-inch 3-ring binder for their Expert Project. I will address this project in a separate post.

The school dress code can be found here .  Providing your child with appropriate options for school reduces the number of dress code reminders that we need to fill out allowing us to focus on education.  Please help Ms. Kari and I do our job effectively by ensuring your child adheres to the school dress code.  Girls: please remember leggings may only be worn under skirts, skorts or dresses (not alone).  Your child will need a pair of Indoor Shoes to wear while in the classroom and other lessons taking place in the building.

Subscribe to the school’s main blog here .

Pool Party

Join us for our annual pool party Tuesday, August 16 from 6-8pm at North Shore Aquatic Center across the street from the school.  You will have an opportunity to sign up to volunteer, reconnect with friends and chat with Ms. Kari and myself.

Sneak a Peak

You are invited to our Sneak A Peak event on Monday, August 20th from 1:30-3:30pm. On the half hour, beginning at 1:30pm, then again at 2pm, 2:30pm, and 3pm, we will review classroom expectations and answer general questions relating to the classroom.

 

State Capitol Field Trip – Thursday, February 1

Jan30

Our class is going to the State Capitol Thursday, February 1.   An information sheet was sent home detailing the plans for our trip, but several of you still had questions.  It is my hope that this post will clarify any remaining questions that you may have.

Children should dress in weather appropriate clothing and bring a lunch that does not require heating.  All electronics (iPhones, iPods, iPads) should be left at home.  If your child has a stand alone camera, they are welcome to bring it along to take pictures.  Any device that does not meet the expectations will be taken from the student and will be available for pick up in the office, by a parent, at the end of the school day.

Please be on time!  We will be reviewing field trip and bus etiquette prior to our departure from school.  Students who are tardy will miss important details regarding our trip.

  • 9:00 – Leave MMA via school bus and travel to SLC
  • 10:00 – Daughters of the Pioneers Museum
  • 11:00 – Tour of Utah State Capitol – During this time, we may have the opportunity to see the legislative process in action.
  • 12:00 – Lunch
  • 12:30 – Walk back to the museum to finish our exploration
  • 1:15 – Bus leaves SLC and returns to MMA

Please plan on picking up your children from school at the regularly scheduled end of day.

We have had numerous children out with various illnesses.  If you know your child will not be able to attend, for any reason, it is imperative that you notify me prior to the start of school on Thursday.  We will not be able to wait for tardy students as we are on a very tight schedule.

If you have any further questions, please let me know.

Happy New Year!

Jan1

As we welcome 2018, setting new resolutions and goals, it is important that we don’t forget how much we have already accomplished so far this school year.  Reflecting on our successes (and failures) is one way we grow stronger as a classroom, and school, community.

This month our classroom focus is working together in partners and groups.  Some students are naturals at guiding a group, and staying on task, yet others need more guidance and practice in order to master this important skill.  Students will discuss what group work should “look like” and “sound like”, each person’s role within the group, and how to hold each other accountable.

As a teacher, it is my job to hold your child accountable to the work expectations of the classroom.  For students, this sometimes means doing things they might not want, but need to do in order to progress and be ready for the next lesson.   As a parent, it is your job to hold your child accountable to the same expectations at home.   If you have any questions about our expectations, please review the Classroom Management Plan – 2017-2018 .

The start of 2018 is like the start of a new school year.  It is important that your students are present and on time every single day.  Entering the classroom as few as 5 minutes late means important instruction has already been missed.  With nearly 30 students enrolled in our class, there is no time to spare repeating instruction for students who are consistently late.  Students should be in class, ready to work at 8:30.  Please make sure your child arrives with plenty of time to visit lockers and change shoes before the bell rings.

Let’s work together in 2018 and make the rest of the school year amazing!

 

Please watch for more information regarding these upcoming events:

January 30 – Chili Cook-Off

February 1 – State Capitol and Pioneer Museum Field Trip

  • 3 Parent Volunteers Needed (no siblings)

February 8 – Astro-Camp Field Trip (date change, more info coming)

  • Parent Drivers to location and 3 parents needed to stay (no siblings)

March 14 – JA Biztown (5th grade only)

  • Parent drivers and volunteers needed

 

 

 

 

Snack Sign Up 2017-2018

Aug20

In the spirit of following Dr. Montessori’s recommendations for child nutrition, and in order to align with school policy for snack, our classroom will be participating in child/family provided snack.   This routine will allow children the opportunity to hone practical life skills of food preparation and clean up.  Students will provide and prepare snack for 28 students.  Please adhere to the approved items as it will streamline snack time and eliminate messy spills and stains in our classroom.

In order to ensure that snack does not become a distraction, our class is limiting the approved items to the following list:

  • Mini bagels with cream cheese
  • Fruit (ex. apples, clementines, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, cucumber, melon – cut at home, grapes, cherry tomatoes)
  • Cheese Sticks
  • Veggies (ex. carrots, broccoli, celery)
  • Crackers with cheese (pre-cut)
  • Granola Bars (no chocolate chips please)
  • Fruit Leather (no fruit snacks or fruit roll-ups please)
  • Mini-muffins
  • Whole Grain bread with jam

Please do not send popcorn, cereal, chips and salsa or ranch dressing.  These items will be sent home with your student.

If your child is bringing their own snack, please ensure it is a healthy one.  Chips, Cheetos, cookies, fruit snacks or other items high in sugar are not appropriate and will be saved until lunch.