General Classroom Information and Policies
Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG)
Students are screened for the AIG Program in third grade. All third graders are administered the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). This is an Aptitude test that reveals intellectual ability (the student’s capacity for learning). There is an additional test called the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS). This is an achievement test which shows acquired knowledge. AIG placement is also based on class work samples. Decisions for AIG placement are made at the end of third grade. For further information please contact the AIG teachers.
Attendance
To report an excused absence, please email me at [email protected]. It is helpful if you can email me in the morning before 9:15 so that I can enter the absence correctly in the attendance system, but I can also change it later if necessary. Please do not call the front office to report an absence.
Birthdays
GHE has started a new policy for birthdays this year. Food will not be permitted for birthday celebrations at school. If you would like, you may send a small treat such as pencils to share for birthdays. Also, the PTA will be running a photo booth to celebrate birthdays this year!
Conferences
Formal parent conferences will be held twice a year, around the end of the first quarter and third quarter. Additional conferences are held on an as needed basis. I am also available for phone conferences.
Early Checkout
If you will need to pick your child up early, please let me know by email or note in the morning if possible. When students are out of the room at specials, lunch, math or recess, they have to come back to the room (which is locked) to get their things. It is much easier if they know they are leaving early and just take their things with them (we try to remember! :) ). Also, the office stops early dismissal at 3:30 PM, so if you need to pick your child up early, please be sure to do that before 3:30 PM.
Field Trips
Information on fields trips will be sent home once it is available. It is easiest if payments for the trips are made through the online website. Be sure you have registered to volunteer with WCPSS if you would like to chaperone a field trip.
Friday Folders
Friday Folders are used to send home completed loose leaf assignments, school newsletters, and PTA information. Please review all of the contents. The folders should be returned the following Monday.
Homework
Homework is usually assigned Monday – Thursday. Students will be given an agenda to use for recording homework assignments. Reading at home for 20 minutes along with some written response to their reading is a continuous homework assignment for the year. Students will also have a math homework page to practice the skill taught in class that day. If for some reason your child is unable to complete homework that night, please write me an email or note and he/she may turn it in later.
Newsletters
The PTA Friday Falcon newsletter will be delivered electronically and includes important information about upcoming school events. You must register at ghepta.org. Signup is fast and easy. PTA membership is not required to receive these newsletters. I will also electronically send a classroom newsletter every week or two that will let you know what units we are working on in class.
Rainy Days
Since we are in the cottage, it is helpful for your child to have a raincoat and/or umbrella on rainy days!
Snack/Water Bottles
Please send a nutritious snack with your child each day. Suggestions include sliced fruit or vegetables, pretzels, dried fruit, cheese and crackers, or low sugar cereal (please no candy or sugary drinks). Students may also bring a water bottle to school each day to drink in the classroom.
Transportation
If your child is going home a different way than what is listed on the yellow Student Data Card, a note must be written (or the office must be called) to give permission for your child to leave school a different way than usual. For transportation changes/updates/reminders that occur during the day while your child is already at school, you may email me, but please be sure I send a reply to confirm. If I have not replied to your email, I may not have seen it yet. In that case, please call the office to be sure your child gets the message about afternoon transportation. Thank you!
Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG)
Students are screened for the AIG Program in third grade. All third graders are administered the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). This is an Aptitude test that reveals intellectual ability (the student’s capacity for learning). There is an additional test called the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS). This is an achievement test which shows acquired knowledge. AIG placement is also based on class work samples. Decisions for AIG placement are made at the end of third grade. For further information please contact the AIG teachers.
Attendance
To report an excused absence, please email me at [email protected]. It is helpful if you can email me in the morning before 9:15 so that I can enter the absence correctly in the attendance system, but I can also change it later if necessary. Please do not call the front office to report an absence.
Birthdays
GHE has started a new policy for birthdays this year. Food will not be permitted for birthday celebrations at school. If you would like, you may send a small treat such as pencils to share for birthdays. Also, the PTA will be running a photo booth to celebrate birthdays this year!
Conferences
Formal parent conferences will be held twice a year, around the end of the first quarter and third quarter. Additional conferences are held on an as needed basis. I am also available for phone conferences.
Early Checkout
If you will need to pick your child up early, please let me know by email or note in the morning if possible. When students are out of the room at specials, lunch, math or recess, they have to come back to the room (which is locked) to get their things. It is much easier if they know they are leaving early and just take their things with them (we try to remember! :) ). Also, the office stops early dismissal at 3:30 PM, so if you need to pick your child up early, please be sure to do that before 3:30 PM.
Field Trips
Information on fields trips will be sent home once it is available. It is easiest if payments for the trips are made through the online website. Be sure you have registered to volunteer with WCPSS if you would like to chaperone a field trip.
Friday Folders
Friday Folders are used to send home completed loose leaf assignments, school newsletters, and PTA information. Please review all of the contents. The folders should be returned the following Monday.
Homework
Homework is usually assigned Monday – Thursday. Students will be given an agenda to use for recording homework assignments. Reading at home for 20 minutes along with some written response to their reading is a continuous homework assignment for the year. Students will also have a math homework page to practice the skill taught in class that day. If for some reason your child is unable to complete homework that night, please write me an email or note and he/she may turn it in later.
Newsletters
The PTA Friday Falcon newsletter will be delivered electronically and includes important information about upcoming school events. You must register at ghepta.org. Signup is fast and easy. PTA membership is not required to receive these newsletters. I will also electronically send a classroom newsletter every week or two that will let you know what units we are working on in class.
Rainy Days
Since we are in the cottage, it is helpful for your child to have a raincoat and/or umbrella on rainy days!
Snack/Water Bottles
Please send a nutritious snack with your child each day. Suggestions include sliced fruit or vegetables, pretzels, dried fruit, cheese and crackers, or low sugar cereal (please no candy or sugary drinks). Students may also bring a water bottle to school each day to drink in the classroom.
Transportation
If your child is going home a different way than what is listed on the yellow Student Data Card, a note must be written (or the office must be called) to give permission for your child to leave school a different way than usual. For transportation changes/updates/reminders that occur during the day while your child is already at school, you may email me, but please be sure I send a reply to confirm. If I have not replied to your email, I may not have seen it yet. In that case, please call the office to be sure your child gets the message about afternoon transportation. Thank you!