1. WELCOME TO BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT!

2. A little about me...  Second year of teaching  Graduated from the five year teacher education program at KU  From Wichita, KS  Getting married at the end of Sept. and will be Ms. Baker.

3. Communication:  Voicemail during the day: (913) 993-4533  If EMERGENCY contact office!  Call office if child is going home with a different person/way  E-mail: rsbenski@smsd.org or amarabenskin@smsd.orgrsbenski@smsd.orgamarabenskin@smsd.org  Notes with your student  Please contact me right away if you see a problem or have a concern!  Web Backpack: www4.smsd.org/AmaraBenskin  Class Newsletters

4. Daily Schedule  8:10 School begins  8:20-9:20 Specials  9:30-11:00 English Language Arts  11:00-11:30Reading Workshop  11:30-11:45 Math – Check Morning Work  11:45-12:10 Lunch  12:15-1:00 Math  1:00-1:30 Math Workshop  1:30-2:00 Recess  2:15-3:00 Science or Social Studies  3:00-3:10 Pack-up  3:10 Dismissal

5. Planners...  Our daily communication tool If a student is having trouble completing assignments I will call you and ask you to sign their planner each day All homework assignments are listed in the homework section

6. Homework  Should be taking about 40 minutes or less each night  Read for 20 minutes every day.  Should go home with the students and come to school with the student everyday- In yellow homework folder or in binder

7. Homework Assignments  English Language Arts (ELA) packets- due on DAY 5 (the day of the reading and spelling test)  Daily Math page due Friday  One state book due Friday.  Roughly 5 problems from math book most Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays (will be able to access book online)  Only time classwork may become homework is when a student is not using their time in class productively (this should be rare).

8. Pride Folder  Comes home each Friday and is returned on Monday.  Please sign the signature sheet in the left side pocket  Remove all graded papers and notes from school to keep at home.

9. Grading:  Letter grades are given in all subjects except handwriting and specials (U, N, S-, S, S+).  Grading scale: 90% -100% A 80%-89% B 70%-79% C 60%-69% D below 60% F  Correcting work: if work needs to be corrected, I will write “CORRECT” next to their grade. They can receive a new grade in these cases.

10. Absences and Make-up Work:  Work can be picked up at the end of the day, or sent home with a sibling/neighbor if requested.  If you are going out of town and want make-up work, please give as much notice as possible.  Students have two days for every one day they are gone to complete make-up work.

11. PBIS POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION SUPPORTS SCHOOL-WIDE EXPECTATIONS:  Be Safe  Be Responsible  Be Respectful We use a proactive approach and positive reinforcements to reward student’s making good choices.

12. Behavior Expectations:  One redirect during a class period for minor incorrect behavior  If behavior is not corrected after a reminder, student moves to safe seat in the classroom. A think sheet may be filled out. If one is sent home please sign it and talk with student about behavior.  If behavior is still an issue at the safe seat, student moves to buddy room in 3 rd grade.  If behavior disrupts the buddy room, student moves to the office.

13. Field Trips  Tues., Oct. 1 to Ernie Miller Park  We need volunteers for this trip!  Covers pioneers, fur trade, and Native Americans  Coterie Theatre- Winter TBA  We need volunteers for this trip!  May to Topeka, KS.  Tour the Capitol building  Visit the Natural History Museum  Parents are welcome to attend May need to provide own transportation

14. Special Events  Kansas Day –Jan. 29, 2014 Celebrate Kansas’ birthday with our one-room school house, square dancing, and a Pioneer Feast! (Class coordinator needed for feast.)

15. Have a great evening!  Please go to the back table to sign up for conferences, field trips, etc.  Please consider being a room parent and joining PTA!  Thank you so much for coming!