The ABC’s
of Mrs. Vandermark’s Classroom
Absences
Please call the school and let us know if your child will be absent.
Arrivals and Departures
School starts at 7:57 a.m. and dismisses at 2:16 p.m.
Back to School
The first few weeks of school will be spent getting to know each other and becoming familiar with new routines.
Behavior Chart
The behavior chart is used for communication between you, the parents, and myself, to allow you to see your child’s behavior and homework/classwork completion. The bottom of the card features a star which must be colored green (child has completed homework/classwork) or red (child has not completed homework/classwork for the day). The box next to the star is blank. Your child fills in a symbol indicating what type of day they had.
Happy Face – Great Day!
Chair – Take a Break
Question Mark – Think Time
Sad Face – Principal
Take a Break is what you might refer to as a “time out”. However, this isn’t looked as a really negative thing in my class, yet it isn’t positive as well. Basically, if I’ve given a warning to a child, and they still can’t control themselves, they go to the Take a Break, which is a seat facing the wall in the corner of the room. This gives the child a well needed break from the class. They sit there as long or short as they feel they need, in order to get themselves together and ready to work appropriately. This reinforces teaching responsibility and ownership of one’s actions.
Think time is a little more serious, but comparable to Take a Break. If I have given a warning, and the student has gone to Take a Break, and still can’t get themselves under control , I will send them to a partner teacher where they will sit in a desk facing the wall. At this desk, the student is responsible to complete a “Behavior Reflection”. After the reflection is written the student must set the timer for three minutes to reflect and plan how they are going to rejoin the classroom in a respectable manner. The refection that is written is read by me, and then sent home to be signed and returned to me by the next day.
Birthdays
“Goodies” are allowed in to celebrate your child’s birthday, however EVERYTHING must be purchased at a store premade. No homemade treats are allowed.
Book Bags
Your child needs to have a backpack or book bag with them at school every day.
Book Orders
Every month or two I will be sending home book order forms for you and your child to look over, These clubs offer wonderful books at reduced prices- what a great way to build a home library! Orders may be made by sending them into class with your child or they can be conveniently available online this year. More information will be sent home and posted online.
Clothing
Students need to wear comfortable, appropriate clothing that follows the Student Code of Conduct to school each day. Please make sure to label anything of importance.
Communication
Should you need to contact me with questions, concerns, or just information, please feel free to text me at 352-1708 or the best way to get ahold of me during the school day is through my school email, tvandermark@oakdale.k12.ca.us. If the situation is an emergency please call the front office and they will contact me and or your child.
Conferences
Parent Teacher Conference week will be held November 4-8 . I will be sending home a sign-up sheet with dates and times a few weeks prior to conferences. Should you need to meet with me prior to conference week, please contact me and we can set up a meeting date and time.
Gold Star of the Week
Every child will be given the opportunity to be the Gold Star of the Week. You and your child will be given an assignment (a fun one...I promise) which you will have a week to complete. Each day of their week your child is able to bring something special to share with the
Monday: Poster Share
Tuesday: Talent
Wednesday: Parent Letter
Thursday: Trinket Thursday
Friday: Star Friends
Homework
EVERY NIGHT:
ü Clean out all papers that do not need to come back to school
ü Complete all homework in the folder for the night
ü Read an A.R. book and complete your reading log
ü Study your spelling and practice your math facts
ü GET PARENT SIGNATURE on anything that needs to be signed
Homework should take 40 minutes every night. Supplemental reading, math flashcards, and or spelling practice can always make up part of the 40 minutes.
All work should be kept clean and free of food, eraser marks, and or wrinkles.
Students that do not complete and return their homework signed on time will lose a participation point.
Morning Meeting
Learning how to communicate and treat each other with respect is does not come natural to most. I believe these skills that need to be taught and that they are extremely important to our children's success in life. Each morning we will meet as a class and discuss current issues, school events, share "Star of the Week" information, play a game, and much more!
Positive Rewards
Each time a child is "caught being good", they are rewarded with a ticket. Students use the tickets to purchase certain privileges. Tickets may also be saved up for a special end of the year "lunch with the teacher" reward.
PTC
Your involvement in our classroom and our school helps tremendously! Take time during the first few weeks to join our school's PTC! Your support of our school means a lot!
Snack
It is extremely important to send your child with a healthy snack each day. It is also a good idea to send your child with a water bottle labeled with their first and last name. Please do not send anything but water in the water bottle. Juice, soda, or any other drinks are not allowed in the classroom. If you would like, you may send in extra snacks to store in the classroom for those days that students forget a snack. They will be VERY grateful on those days.
Supplies
If your child runs out of one or more of their supplies, please replace them as soon as possible. See the supply page.
Tardies
If your child is late for school, please sign them in at the office before sending them to class.
Tests
All tests must be brought home and signed by a parent. I expect the tests back the following morning. If you wish to keep a test an additional day, please write me a note and I'll grant your request. Getting tests signed is part of your child's homework, so if the test is not returned their homework will not be complete for the day.
Toys and Play Equipment
All toys and play equipment is banned from Fair Oaks. Please make sure your child does not bring any of these items with them to school.
Volunteers and Visitors
It is very important that your child feels supported at school. I will do my best to provide opportunities for parents to volunteer in the classroom and around campus. Yet, remember your support can always be used by our PTC. If you do come to volunteer in the classroom or are on campus for a visit, you must sign in at the office and get a visitor's pass prior to entering the campus.
