Frequently Asked Questions s48

Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents. 1. What is the best way to reach you if we have any questions or concerns?

2. What do I need to do if important information about my child changes?

3. How do I send a message to my child's teacher?

4. What time does the school day begin?

5. When may students enter the building?

6. What if my child is a bus rider and I need them to pick them up?

7. What if my child is a car rider and I need for them to ride the bus?

8. Should Take- Home Folders be signed each night?

9. How frequently will students receive homework?

10. Where do I pay for my child's lunch?

11. How much do breakfast and lunch cost?

12. Is there a way to monitor my child's lunch account?

13. What are "specials" classes?

14. When do students go to "specials"?

15. How many library books are students allowed to check out?

16. What happens if a library book or literacy library books is lost or damaged?

17. What happens if families do not pay for lost books?

18. Can I send a birthday treat on my child's birthday?

19. Do students need to bring a snack every day?

20. What kind of snacks are allowed?

21. Is this website safe for my student?

22. How often is this website updated?

23. What is a Mystery Reader?

24. What does WWW mean? 25. What and when is community share time?

26. What is Accelerated Reader?

27. What is the AR goal for first grade?

28. How does my student earn his or her AR points?

29. How can I help in the classroom?

30. Can I go on fieldtrips with my child?

31. Procedure for Volunteers 1.What is the best way to reach you if we have any questions or concerns? return to top The best way is by my school e-mail account. I try to check it at least once a day during school, around my planning time. My e-mail address is [email protected]. Otherwise, you can get in touch with me by calling the school at 502-633-5222.

2. What do I need to do if important information about my child changes? Please inform me any time important information changes. Call, send a note, or an e-mail if you change phone numbers, addresses, or if your child will go home in another way or with a different person. Also, if important events occur in your family, please let me know. return to top

3. How do I send a message to my child's teacher? There are three ways to send messages to a teacher: write a note and put it in the student's Take-Home Folder, leave a message with the school's secretary, or send an e- mail to the teacher. return to top

4. What time does the school day begin? Students may arrive as early as 7:15 for breakfast. They should go directly to the commons area. Students will be dismissed from the commons area at 7:30. Class starts at 7:45. Students arriving after 7:45 are counted as tardy. return to top 5. When may students enter the building? Students may enter the building at 7:20 AM. and report to the commons area. return to top

6. What if my child is a bus rider and I need them to pick them up? A note must be sent anytime there is ANY change in transportation. A verbal message from the student will not be accepted. return to top

7. What if my child is a car rider and I need for them to ride the bus? A note must be sent to change transportation return to top

8. Should Take-Home Folder be signed each night? Yes, the Take Home Folder should be signed each night. Your signature indicates that the folder has been checked for notes, paper, and that you have reviewed the homework for that night. return to top

9. How frequently will students receive homework? Homework packets will be given on Monday and should be turned in by Friday. Unless otherwise stated on weekly newsletter. return to top

10. Where do I pay for my child's lunch? Students may bring their lunch money in an envelope marked with their name and the teacher's name. Students should turn their money to the teacher. Parents/Guardians may also go to the MealPay system to enter money for children for breakfast/lunch meal accounts at anytime. There is a $2 fee per entry. Parents can also check online and see how their child is spending the money. MealPay If Parents/Guardians have questions about MealPay's website or telephone functionality or payment process questions, they can call the new MealpayPlus Parent support Center at 1- 877-237-0946 between the hours of 9:00 - 6:00 EST. return to top

11. How much do breakfast and lunch cost? Shelby County Public Schools meal costs for the 2009-2010 are: Elementary - $1.05 for breakfast and $1.75 for lunch. All complete meals include choice of milk. We provide free and reduced-price meals for eligible students. Call your child's school for details return to top

12. Is there a way to monitor my child's lunch account? Parents can also check online and see how their child is spending the money. MealPay

13. What are "specials" classes? Specials are special area classes: Art, Music, P.E. and Library. return to top

14. When do students go to "specials"? Specials are held from ------each day. return to top

15. How many library books are students allowed to check out? No more than one library books can be checked out at a time. return to top 16. What happens if a library book or literacy library books is lost or damaged? All lost books must be paid for. The school librarian will send you information on the cost of lost books upon request. return to top

17. What happens if families do not pay for lost books? Unpaid fee will be included in student's record until the matter is resolved. return to top

18. Can I send a birthday treat on my child's birthday? Of course! Please send something that can be easily handed out to individuals. For example, a cake would have to be cut apart, but cupcakes would be quick and simple to pass out. Students will pass these out to their classmate during the last 10 minutes before preparing for dismissal. Students are not allowed to pass out party invitations at school. return to top

19. Do students need to bring a snack every day? No. Students should not bring snacks unless for as special occasion and for the whole class. return to top

20. What kind of snacks are allowed? Healthy and nutritious snacks such as crackers (saltines, animal crackers, cheezits, and goldfish) and non-sugary cereals are acceptable (and inexpensive) snacks. return to top

21. Is this website safe for my student? Absolutely! I have included a list of wonderful educational websites for your child that are very age appropriate. Also, all of the pages on this website are helpful for you as a parent and also informative for your child. I do recommend supervising your child while playing on the web, since sometimes there are advertisements that take them off of the recommended websites. return to top

22. How often is this website updated? I will try to update the homework, spelling, word wall, and announcements weekly. If your child misplaces his/her newsletter that I sent home, this website is an easy way to find the information you need. return to top

23. What is a Mystery Reader? Mystery readers are guests that are interested in coming and reading to our class. This could be a parent, sibling, or other family member comfortable with reading aloud to children. If you are interested, I will send home a Mystery Reader form for you to fill out. This form will ask for a few clues about yourself- please, please, please don't tell your child that you are doing this! I will read one clue a day about the mystery reader, and then on Fridays, we will reveal the mystery reader by having you come and read your favorite book (or I can pick one out) to the class. Students really enjoy this change of routine, and it's a great way to be involved in our classroom.

return to top 24. What does WWW mean? WWW means Word Wall Words. These are sight/ high frequency words students will learn throughout the year. Word Wall Words will be post in the classroom and a student list will be given for students to practice at home.

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25. What and when is community share time?

Community share time is similar to Show & Tell. Students are allowed to bring in an item to write about and share them with their classmate. Community share time is usually schedule on Fridays. Any other time a child brings in a toy without permission the toy or item will be taken away and given back at a later time or until a parent picks up the item from school.

return to top 26. What is Accelerated Readers?

Accelerated Reader is a computer program which encourages students to read. The programs achieves the following.

 AR makes essential reading practice more effective for every student.

 AR personalizes reading practice to each student's current level.

 AR manages all reading activities including read to, read with, and independent reading.

 AR assesses students' reading with Reading Practice quizzes.

 AR builds a lifelong love of reading and learning.

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27. What is the AR goal for first grade?

The AR goal for first grade is 15 points by the end of the year. Students should strive to earn 7.5 points by Dec. and the additional 7.5 points by the beginning of May.

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28. How does my student earn his or her AR points?

Students can check out AR books from the school library and public library. I or a parent volunteer also reads AR books to students. After students have read or listen to an AR story a parent volunteer will assist them in taking the test on the computer for the first few months of school. Once students have demonstrated the understanding of taking an AR test on the computer they may begin taking the test independently. AR test can only be taken one time per book.

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29. How can I help in the classroom? There are many ways I would appreciate your help in the classroom. Parents can plan holiday celebrations, copy, laminate, read with students, help students with AR test, check work, help students with WWW, fieldtrips, etc...

30. Can I go on fieldtrips with my child?

In order to ride the bus and assist students on fieldtrips you must be a registered volunteer with the Shelby County school district.

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31. Procedures for Volunteers

Procedures for Volunteers Application Persons who wish to serve as volunteers must be approved by the Principal and District Volunteer Coordinator before beginning volunteer duties. All volunteers must complete a volunteer information form, a signed participation and confidentiality statement, and a successful criminal check form prior to beginning duties. Orientation The District Volunteer Coordinator shall conduct volunteer orientation and training sessions for each school at the beginning of the school year. The orientation shall include volunteer expectations, District and school level rules of conduct, and instruction pertaining to the volunteer’s specific area of service. All volunteers who have contact with students on a scheduled and/or continuing basis shall be strongly encouraged to attend the orientation sessions.

Criminal Records Pursuant to KRS 161.044, all volunteers must submit to a criminal records check at District expense. Only those with successful checks will be allowed to volunteer in the District’s schools. Registration Upon entering the school as a volunteer, each individual must sign in at the main office or designated volunteer sign-in area. Name Tags All volunteers must wear the appropriate name tags for proper identification. A tag shall be distributed to each volunteer or made available at the sign-in area or main office.

Training Upon request by the Principal, additional training shall be provided for volunteers on an as-needed basis. Dependability Regular and punctual attendance is essential for program effectiveness. A volunteer who is unable to report for assigned volunteer tasks shall contact the school office as soon as possible. Accountability The District Volunteer Coordinator shall keep a record of each volunteer’s assignment, the hours s/he has volunteered, and the effectiveness of the services provided. return to top