Ms. Krista and Ms. Sharon’s class Overview
2017-2018
Normalization:
The first 6 weeks of school are called the “normalization period.” During this time, students learn the rules and organization of the classroom. They become familiar with how to use their individual work-chart and how to work independently, etc. Please have your child at school during this important time.
Friday Schedule:
Starting Sept. 29 the lower-elementary students will rotate through social studies, art/music, and P.E. classes throughout the morning from 8:40-11:30am. Friday afternoon will focus on our Continent Studies—Africa (first semester) and Europe (second semester)
Class Blog:
I will be using the class blog for listing upcoming events and information. Please Subscribe to my blog by clicking “Subscribe to Ms. Krista’s class by email” on the lower right column. You will receive an email asking you to verify. Click the link to verify. You will then automatically receive an email each time I post something on the blog.
Celebrations of Life:
This is a celebration in honor of your child’s birthday. I will send a schedule out each month for the following month’s birthdays. Parents are invited to attend. Please provide a picture and brief summary for each year of your child’s life. The school policy does not allow food or party favors. If your child has a summer birthday then I will schedule his or her celebration of life sometime midyear.
Continent Study Project:
During each semester students will be assigned to do a presentation on a country or territory in the continent we are studying. This semester each child will be assigned a country in Africa. The International Festival will be held in December this year. Each child will need to be prepared to present their country at the festival. I will provide more details as we get closer.
Home-Based Projects:
Each student will be expected to do a home-based project several times during the year, which also includes book reports. This is an opportunity for them to do a presentation on something they are excited to learn about and share with the rest of the class. I will provide more information as they are assigned. For a brief summary of topics please click the link at the top right of the blog.
Reading:
Research has shown that reading for at least 20 minutes a day helps create successful readers and writers. I highly encourage you to have your child read to you at home daily
Seasonal Clothing:
Please make sure your child is adequately dressed for the seasonal changes. They will need boots, gloves, hats, and coats during the cold weather season. Please always send a jacket as the weather can change unexpectedly. We will also be having P.E. every Tuesday. Please make sure they bring appropriate athletic shoes that day.
Attendance:
Please have your child here on time. It is very distracting and disruptive to our line time and work-cycle when students arrive late. Students are allowed 5 unexcused absences a year. Please contact the office if you know your child will be absent. School policy requires that I notify a parent by email once a child has been tardy 3 times in a semester. If a student’s tardies exceed this amount the student will have to be referred to the administration. (Please read through the parent handbook at mariamontessoriacademy.org for complete policy guidelines.)
Illness:
In an effort to keep all our students and teachers healthy, please keep your child home if they are sick. Students are not allowed to call from the classroom phone. If a child needs to call home they will need to go to the office. Parents will be notified if their child has a fever or is throwing-up.
Water bottles:
Each child is expected to have their own water bottle in the classroom. Water bottles will be sent home on Friday to be washed. Please return them on Monday.
Snack:
Snack is a part of MMA’s philosophy. An online sign-up sheet is used for our classroom snack. You will find the link on my blog under “sign-ups”. If everyone can sign up for at least 2 different weeks during the year than snacks will be covered! Snacks also need to be healthy to follow MMA’s health policy. Please click on “Snack Suggestions” on the top right column of the blog for ideas.
Lunch:
We have a microwave in our class for use during lunch time. Because many children bring lunches that need to be heated, please make sure all microwavable items will take no longer than 1-2 minutes.
Field trips:
I will be scheduling several fieldtrips during the year. Transportation is a challenge and we need authorized drivers. Please talk to the office if you are willing to become an authorized driver for our class fieldtrips.
Please subscribe to MMA’s blog to receive the weekly newsletter for upcoming information. Check the school calendar for important events and no-school days and early outs.
We look forward to teaching your children this year!
Sincerely,
Ms. Krista and Ms. Sharon