Classroom Handbook

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Text Box: Absences: If your child needs to miss a day of school, please remember to call the office 753-4644 or send a note with your child letting us know why they will be out. Arts: The arts are an essential component to learning. The arts; music, dance, drama, and visual arts will be fully integrated into our lessons. We will also be learning a great deal about art in different cultures around the world, thanks to PNM. Check out our web page dedicated to our project, PNM Passport to the World. Assessment: We will use Scholastic Readiness Assessments twice during the year. By the third week of school I will administer the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment to all students. During the last month of school I will administer the School Readiness Assessment. These assessments assist in determining a student’s readiness for beginning kindergarten and 1st grade. Look under ‘P” in this handbook for more information regarding portfolios. Attendance: Your child’s academic and social development is greatly influenced by their participation in school. The only way they can participate is to be present.

Text Box: Behavior: I believe that learning should be fun and engaging! In order to take risks in learning students also need to feel safe. I strive to create a learning environment based on the character traits emphasizing trust, honesty, respect, compassion and stewardship. Any problems that arise in class will be addressed promptly. I will give the students the tools they need to resolve issues on their own, and provide guidance when needed. I will provide students opportunities to role-play in order to resolve real or imagined conflicts allowing them to practice this essential life skill. Classroom Rules: Be Kind Wait your turn to speak Clean up after yourself Keep your hands and feet to yourself Always do your best Classroom Rewards An engaging classroom with happy teachers and happy students! Fun – Fun – Fun! Nomination for Top Quality (TQ) Kid Classroom Consequences Verbal redirection Create/Offer Choices Consequence to match behavior* Contact parent Contact principal *It is my goal for students to be highly engaged in learning and excited about being in school. Of course, as in life, issues are bound to come up. When they do, I intend on addressing them immediately. First, I want to give students opportunities to problem solve on their own with coaching if necessary. If actions warrant further attention, I will always give a consequence that is appropriate to the unwanted action. Big Brother/Sister: The sixth grade class will be partnered with students in our classroom and serve as mentors throughout the year. Birthdays: We will celebrate birthdays once a month. All students who have birthdays during the summer (June & July) months will be celebrated at the beginning of the year. We will establish a parent committee to organize the monthly celebrations. Breakfast: The cafeteria serves a free breakfast to all students. Breakfast is served from 7:30 to 7:50 in Marian Hall. If your child arrives after 7:50 they will not be served.

Text Box: Cafeteria Duty: Kindergarten is scheduled for March and April 2009 to serve breakfast and lunch on Fridays. Please refer to the schedule sent out through the main office. Classroom Calendar: I’ve posted a calendar on my website that will list special events and dates. I’ve also included a link on that page to the school calendar. Classroom Parent Committees: We need volunteers for the following classroom committees: Birthday Celebrations Classroom Parties Scholastic Graduation Children’s Liturgy: Students will attend mass every Friday from 8:30 to approximately 9:30. Holy Cross students generally host these masses. The kindergarten class will host a mass beginning sometime during the spring semester. What an incredibly beautiful event! Communication: In addition to the Wednesday Notes sent out by the principal’s office, I will send out a monthly classroom newsletter. I will also send out notices when I need to notify you of a special event. If you would like to meet with me one-on-one, please call ahead to schedule a time after school. Please bookmark the classroom webpage. This website is a great source of information. Conferences: Conferences are scheduled twice during the school year; October 27th, 2008 and March 23rd, 2009. Your child’s portfolio will serve as the centerpiece of our discussion. Please make sure to bring your child to the conference. Please jot down questions you have before you come to the conference since time will be limited. However, please keep in mind that I am available to meet any time throughout the year to discuss your child. I honor you as your child’s first teacher and make it a goal to create a partnership with you so that together we can address your child’s needs. Creativity: Children express themselves in so many ways. I will encourage them to use their imaginations at work and at play. Students will have many opportunities to show their creativity through classroom activities and projects.

Text Box: Differentiation: It’s no secret that children in classrooms all across the world have different interests, abilities, and learning styles. It is my goal to provide every child in my classroom stimulating and challenging opportunities to succeed. I recognize that what may work for one child may not for another. So, I will offer students plenty of choices, engage them with hands-on activities and provide them freedom to express their learning in a variety of ways. Dismissal: The school day ends at 2:30 p.m Monday through Thursday. Friday, school ends at 1:00 p.m. Refer to the Student/Parent/Teacher Handbook regarding the Extended Care Program. Diversity: We will celebrate all life inside and outside the classroom! PNM Passport to the World will allow us to go beyond our own culture and learn about the lives and cultures of other children around the world.

Text Box: Early Dismissal: Students are dismissed at 1:00 p.m. on Fridays. For all days that precede a holiday break such as Christmas and Easter, students are dismissed at 11:00 a.m. If you need to take your child out of class before school is out, you must first check them out through the office. E-mail: I will check my e-mail erin@holycrosssantacruz.org at least once a day and do my best to promptly answer any questions or concerns you have. Environment: Students are expected to respect each other, the classroom, its’ contents and the teacher. Students are to keep tables and shared areas clean and safe. A respectful environment invites learning. Expectations: Below I’ve listed my expectations for you, your child and myself. I know this is a two way street and you probably have expectations of your own. I would like for you to share those with me. Print the Parent Expectations sheet and return to me. I will also have sheets available at our orientation meeting. Students are expected to: Come to school with a positive attitude about learning. Show respect for themselves, their peers and for all Holy Cross staff. Take responsibility for their actions and work. Be model citizens. Compliment one another. Apply Christ’s teachings to their daily lives. Be honest and reliable (trustworthy). Teacher is expected to: Honor the diversity of all students. Model the six pillars of character in my behaviors. Communicate regularly and consistently with students, parents and peers. Teach concept records (standards) through well-prepared curriculum, instruction and assessment design. Excite students to want to learn. Work in partnership with parents. Parents are expected to: Participate in school functions as much as possible. Volunteer to help in the classroom/school whenever possible. Support child. Encourage child to read. Work in partnership with teacher. Take children to Mass on Sundays

Text Box: Field Trips: We have been given permission to go on two field trips this year. These trips will provide opportunities to enhance the learning that takes place in the classroom. Students will most likely be asked to pay a small fee to cover the cost of gas. You will receive more detailed information and a permission slip that must be signed prior to each trip.

Text Box: Goals: Goals are very important. I once heard that you are more likely to reach your goals if you write them down. I’ve been writing my down ever since I heard that and I am pretty successful at reaching my goals. I’ve asked on the Student Information Sheet for parents to list any goals they have for their child. We can all work together at helping your child reach those goals. Goodbyes: Saying goodbye to your child can be a very trying experience for some of us. Try to do your best to send your child off with a smile, hug, kiss or wave and reassure them that you will see them at the end of the school day. Sometimes the goodbye is harder for the parent. Be reassured that even upset children settle shortly after your departure. Resist the temptation to return if your child is crying and know that we will show your child love and compassion. Graduation: Kindergarten graduation has tentatively been scheduled for May 26th, 2009. I am seeking volunteers who would like to serve on the Graduation Committee. This committee will have a large roll in making arrangements for the graduation celebration.

Text Box: Handwriting Without Tears: This is a new program the kindergarten class will be using this year. This program comes highly recommended. Homework: Homework will be assigned the beginning of each week and is to be turned in the last day of the week. I will post weekly assignments on my website along with any information that will help guide you as a parent.

Text Box: Illness: Colds and other contagious illnesses spread very quickly especially when you have 24 little ones all in the same area for an extended period of time. If your child is sick, please do not send them to school. We will miss them while they are out; however, our focus will be that they quickly recover! If you know that your child will not attend school because she/he is sick, please call the office or contact me erin@holycrosssantacruz.org. Make sure to send a note with your child upon their return. If your child gets sick during school, you will be contacted to pick him/her up. In most cases they will be sent to the office to wait for you to arrive.

Text Box: Library: The kindergarten class will go to the school library once a week. Mrs. Lujan often has activities for students to complete while they are there. Lunch Time: We are scheduled to eat lunch from 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. All meals are free. Students are encouraged to eat what is served; however, you may send a sack lunch with your child.

Text Box: Messages: There is not a direct phone line to my classroom. If you need to contact either me or your child during the school day, please call the main office at 753-4644 and leave a message. Morning Meeting: We will begin each day with a morning meeting. The goal of our morning meeting will be to build community, set a positive tone for the day, increase excitement about learning, improve academic and social skills, We will begin by greeting each other then move to a group activity followed by news and announcements. Sharing is a component of morning meetings; however, we will have a time later in the day set aside specifically for sharing. Money: If we ever request money for events or field trips please secure the money in an envelope with your child’s name and brief description. All checks need to be made payable to Holy Cross Catholic School. I will turn in all money collected to the office. The only exception to this is the Scholastic Book Order. Music: Our classroom will be filled with music; singing, chanting, playing instruments, keeping rhythm and making up our own. Music will be integrated into our daily lessons. Students will also attend music class with Mrs. Delores once a week where they will learn songs that we sing in mass and for other special occasions.

© 2008 Erin Manzanares - All rights reserved.

Text Box: Newsletter: Every Wednesday the principal sends out a school newsletter. We will place the newsletter in your child’s take home folder. I will also send out a monthly classroom newsletter that will also be posted on my website,

Text Box: Orientation: Our Welcome Back (to School) Night is scheduled for Wednesday, August 13th, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. Please report to the gymnasium. After a short introduction you will be dismissed to come to the kindergarten classroom.

Text Box: Parties: We will celebrate special occasions such as Christmas, Valentines Day, and Easter with a classroom party. Let me know if you are interested in being a part of a committee to coordinate these parties P.E.: Physical activity is vital to keeping the mind active and ready to learn. I plan to provide opportunities for students to move creatively such as mimicking an animal or dancing about to music. In addition to creative movement students will participate in a P.E. class once a week with Mrs. Melissa Ainsworth. Portfolios: Students will be keeping a portfolio that serves several purposes; to track student growth throughout the year and to provide evidence that the student has met specific achievement targets. The portfolio is an excellent way for students to begin to look at their work in a meaningful way and to be able to reflect on their progress. Both student and teacher will select work for the portfolios. Portfolios are not allowed to leave the classroom; however, you are welcome to come to the classroom to view your child’s portfolio at any time. The portfolio will serve as the centerpiece for the student-led conferences we will have this year. Prayer: Prayer is an important component to the Catholic faith. Prayer will be fully integrated into our day. We will begin and end our day with prayer and, of course, before we eat lunch. Progress Reports: Progress reports are scheduled to go out about 4 weeks into each quarter. Please keep in mind that I am always available if you have anything you would like to discuss with me. Sometimes a conversation works out better than a written report.

Text Box: Recess: Weather permitting, students will have time outside to play on the new playground equipment everyday in the morning and after lunch.. I believe that physical activity is vital to keep students focused and engaged. Students will also be given many opportunities throughout the day to move about the classroom whether dancing, moving creatively, or changing areas/classroom activities.

Text Box: Scholastic Book Orders: Scholastic book orders are wonderful opportunities to purchase great books for your child at a very reasonable price. You may either send a check or money order with your order form to me or place your order on-line using your credit card (fast, easy and convenient). Book orders will be distributed monthly. School Supplies: Please see the Kindergarten School Supply list for items your child needs to bring the first day of school. Show & Tell: I use show & tell as an opportunity to expand our learning beyond the walls of our classroom. Students will be assigned days in which they may bring something associated with what we are studying. Items should be able to fit in their back packs, not be alive, something other than a toy and safe for all students to handle. Snack Time: The snack schedule is posted on the classroom website. Make sure you provide enough snacks for 24 students for the total amount of days you have been assigned. I ask that all snacks be nutritious and free of any type of nut (packaging labels will provide this information.) You may send individually wrapped juices or containers. I have asked that each student provide a small drinking cup that will be used and washed when large containers of juices are brought in (to keep our waste to a minimum).

Text Box: Take Home Folders: Every child will receive a folder labeled with their names. This folder will serve as our (teacher/parent) main tool to stay in touch. This folder will go home everyday with your child and it is to be returned every morning. I will place notices, student work and other items that need to be reviewed nightly. You may place notes or anything else in the folder that you would like for to see. Tardiness: Class will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. Please make sure to have your child to class well fed and on time. When students come in late, it makes it difficult to get off to a smooth start. Toys: Please do not allow your child to bring toys from home to school. Sometimes things happen beyond our control and personal belonging could get lost or damaged. It is best to keep them safe at home. Technology: The kindergarten class will be split into two groups for computer class once a week. Children will spend approximately 30 minutes in class with Mrs. Carmen Borrego.

Text Box: Visitors: To ensure the safety of our students, all visitors must sign-in at the office before coming to the classroom. Volunteers: Throughout the year we will be doing many hands-on activities, outdoor activities, and many art based activities. Please let me know if you are interested in helping out with these projects or just spending time in the classroom. You are always welcomed to come visit, just remember to sign in at the office and get a visitor’s pass before coming to the classroom. I would also appreciate if you could let me know in advance when you would like to volunteer so that I can plan accordingly. Requirements: The Archdiocese requires all volunteers to participate in a ½ day sexual abuse prevention workshop along with submitting a background check to HCCS’s office. This is a strict policy so you will not be able to volunteer in the classroom until you have met the requirements.

Text Box: You: What en exciting adventure for you! Your child is growing up (much too quickly) and you are watching them move on to their first year of elementary school. For some, this is the first time your child has attended school. For others, your child may have had the opportunity to attend preschool. For our children this is a magical time to meet new friends and learn more about the world around them – never forgetting that their first teachers are their parents. Thank you for the opportunity to spend the school day with your child. Please know that in addition to teaching your child I also intend to love him/her!

Text Box: Zz Zz Zz: A child is definitely affected by the amount of sleep they get. Please make sure your child gets to bed at a reasonable hour so that they wake refreshed and ready to start a new day each morning.

Site Meter

This webpage was modeled after Mrs. Packer’s website.

Text Box: Website: Check out our classroom website! I’m quite new at website design and find the challenge exciting. I hope to keep the site up to date with information and photos. Wish List: I’ve created a wish list of “things” from which we could certainly benefit in the classroom. A lot of these items are things that may be lying around the house or something you find at a thrift store or garage sale (my favorite places to go)!

Acknowledgement Form: Please print, sign and return to Mrs. Erin once you have reviewed the handbook.