W e l c o m e t o R o o m 2 0 5 The ABC’s of Mrs. Kruse’s Classroom
Mrs. Kruse ❖ University of Iowa Graduate ❖ Masters’ from Columbia and George Mason Universities ❖ 15th year of teaching ❖ Loves to experience and share nature with children ❖ Loves to watch children become excited about their learning ❖ Loves children, dogs, gardening and butterflies!
Mrs. Whittaker ❖ EL teacher; will be co-teaching in second grade ❖ Attended James Madison for Undergraduate and Graduate school ❖ Masters degree in Elementary Education ❖ Endorsement in English as a Second Language ❖ 7th year teaching; previously taught first and second grade in Fairfax County Schools ❖ Enjoys traveling and hiking with my husband, dog, and daughter Adilyn ❖ email: Sara.Whittaker@lcps.org
Learning Atmosphere ❖ Active and engaging ❖ Hands-on ❖ Authentic ❖ Differentiated ❖ Classroom community
Behavior Management ❖ In a Responsive Classroom, you will see: ❖ We pay attention to how we treat each other ❖ Students set goals for own learning ❖ Activities build and foster community ❖ Students collaborate to learn together ❖ Morning Meeting - Greeting, Sharing, Announcements
PBIS - Positive Behavioral Interventions & Support ❖ Creates a positive climate for learning ❖ There is always something going right ❖ Clear set of rules and consequences ❖ Focus on positive attention and praise ❖ We use a common language to set expectations ❖ Respectful ❖ Responsible ❖ Ready to Learn
Trailblazer of the Week ❖ Each week we will celebrate a Trailblazer of the Week. ❖ Bongo the Nature Bear will come home of Friday. Please encourage your child to explore outside with Bongo and then write about their adventures. ❖ Students will share “All About Me Poster.” ❖ Students will have “Lunch Bunch” with a friend in the classroom.
Homework The primary homework for your child will be: Reading . ❖ 20 minutes per night ❖ Complete Reading Log Math ❖ At least 15 minutes a night twice a week on Reflex Math There will be occasional projects
Lunch ❖ Packers – Please send your child’s lunch in a clearly labeled lunch box. ❖ Buyers – Please send all money to school in an envelope with your child’s name and five-digit number clearly indicated. ❖ Families are welcome to join us! – 10:30 – 11:00am ❖ Breakfast – Please make sure your child comes to school ready to learn by eating healthy breakfast!
Snacks Please only send in items which are: ❖ peanut-free ❖ can be opened independently ❖ can be eaten in 5 - 7 minutes Do not send : cookies, candy or liquid items - fruit cups, yogurt or drinks Healthy Allergy Safe Snack Food Ideas ❖ Fresh Fruit or Vegetables - apples, clementine, carrots, celery, grapes ❖ Pretzels ❖ String Cheese ❖ Popcorn ❖ Dry cereal - Cheerios, Kix, Trix ❖ Fruit Snacks ❖ Crackers - Cheese Nips, Goldfish
Belongings ❖ Please make sure that all items that your child brings to school are clearly labeled . Many coats, sweaters, gloves, and hats look alike. ❖ Please leave all toys at home, as these items tend to get lost or broken and are distracting. ❖ Your child is welcome to bring a water bottle with a pop-up or straw lid to have on his or desk.
Birthdays ❖ We will celebrate your child with a birthday routine during Morning Meeting. ❖ Loudoun County Food Policy - “No food is to be brought into and shared within the classroom.” ❖ If you plan to invite every student of Room 205 to a birthday party for your child, I am happy to distribute invitations.
Communication ❖ Open lines of communication ❖ Parent / teacher partners ❖ I will communicate with you electronically via email – lori.kruse@lcps.org ❖ If this does not work for you, please let me know, and I will be happy to establish another means of communication.
Classroom Directory ❖ Please complete the Google Survey I emailed yesterday if you are interested in participating in a class directory. ❖ This is completely optional. ❖ If you complete the survey, I will share your contact information with other families in the class who have chosen to participate.
Technology in the Classroom ❖ Devices used for academic purposes to do research and share learning ❖ Students can access apps at home through LCPS Go ❖ Permission Forms – Parents are required to sign permission forms for each app that we use in the classroom. ❖ Reflex Math – math facts ❖ Raz-Kids – leveled books ❖ See-Saw - communication ❖ Gizmo – math enrichment ❖ Quizlet – vocabulary building
● Once we have student accounts Communication: set up, look for a QR code that will SeeSaw be sent home!
Teaching Digital Literacy ❖ Students need to understand how to think critically, behave safely, and participate responsibly online. ❖ Empower students to make safe, smart, and ethical decisions online. ❖ Constantly revisiting and learning more about CommonSense Media units throughout the year.
! e c i f f O e h t m o r F Students Rights and Responsibilities ● Media Release and Photographs ● Parents either sign the paper form or acknowledge the form in ParentVUE
! e ParentVUE c i f f O e h t m o r F ❖ Visit the ParentVUE from the Discovery website. ❖ An activation key is required to activate account. ❖ If you do not have an activation key, please contact Discovery Elementary at 571-252-2370.
! e c i f f All Visitors Must Show O e h t m o r F Identification. ❖ All adults entering the building must show I.D. at the door. This includes visiting family members arriving with parents. ❖ All visitors must be signed in by staff in the front office. Visitors must also return to the front office to be signed out before leaving.
Dismissal Changes/Absences ❖ For all changes in after-school arrangements , please: ❖ Email dis-absentee@lcps.org and ❖ Email me at lori.kruse@lcps.org or send in a note Absence – call or email Temporary dismissal change ❖ Without a note or phone call to the office, I am unable to allow any changes from usual arrangements.
! e c i f f O e h t Dismissal: m o r F ❖ Please be sure that we have a current and accurate dismissal plan by the first day of school. ❖ No students will be dismissed from the front office after 2:15pm. After 2:15pm, parents will be directed to meet their child via their regular dismissal plan. ❖ Car Riders will be dismissed from the car line only. Parents must remain in line and should not leave their car for any reason.
! e c i f f O e h t Riding the School Bus m o r F ❖ Helps to the community and environment. (Each School Bus carries the equivalent of 36 cars.) ❖ Encourages independence ❖ Provides social time ❖ Students are more active moving to and from school ❖ Students are not tardy
! e c i Student Supervision f f O e h t m o r F & Bell Hours ❖ Doors open for students at 7:30am. ❖ Dismissal begins promptly at 2:35pm. ❖ Busses run on a tight schedule. Please be on time to meet the bus. ❖ Please make sure that you have emergency contacts and plans in place. ❖ After school hours students and siblings may not be left unattended in the front office.
! e c i f f O e h Clinic Reminders t m o r F ❖ All medication must be brought to school by a parent and signed into the clinic. Never send medication to school with your student. ❖ Students must be fever free without medication, for 24 hours, to attend school.
PTO ❖ Please support the wonderful PTO by becoming a member and volunteering at events. ❖ What does the PTO do? ❖ Pays for programs that enhance our children’s learning ❖ Supports teachers financially to purchase educational materials like Scholastic News, National Geographic Magazines and books for the classrooms ❖ Plans social events to build our school community
Thank you for coming! I look forward to a great year together! ❖ Please complete the Parent’s Homework and return with your child next Monday!
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