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The ABC's of Mrs. Hoffman's Classroom
Arrival/Dismissal
Students may begin arriving in the classroom at 9:10 each day. School begins promptly at 9:20. If your child arrives after 9:30, you must sign your child in at the office as they are considered tardy. Our dismissal procedure begins each day at 3:20. Please be sure that a record of your child's transportation procedure is on file in the office AND with us, so that we can be sure your child arrives home safely each day. If your child is getting picked up or there is bus change for the day, 2 bus notes are required.
Attendance
Consistent attendance is important in school! Most of our activities are hands-on, and students will benefit most from learning when they are in school. Try to limit appointments during school hours, and schedule family vacations during school breaks whenever possible.
Absences
When your child is absent for any reason, please call the school nurse (315-266-3410). If you would like classwork to be sent home, call us and we will be happy to send any items with a brother, sister, or close neighbor. If items can't be sent home, missed assignments will be ready when your child returns to school. When you're sick, the most important thing is to work on getting well! Excuses are mandatory for each absence.
Behavior
We try to keep families informed about what goes on at school. If there is a specific problem, we will write a note, email, or call you. Please encourage your child to talk with the teacher if they have any problems or concerns. Many issues can be quickly resolved when children come to the teacher right away. Children are sometimes nervous about approaching the teacher, but we are always ready and willing to listen. Also, do not hesitate to call us or e-mail when necessary.
Birthdays
We love to celebrate birthdays at school! We will celebrate your child's birthday on the day of their birthday unless there is a conflict for a weekend, summer or holiday birthday. Summer birthdays will be celebrated in June. Please NO treat bags. The birthday snack may be left on the table by the office. Do not send in party invitations for an outside party unless ALL of our girls or ALL of our boys, or both are invited. This will spare a lot of hurt feelings. If you do not celebrate birthdays, no problem -- just let us know.
Communication
Please do not hesitate to call, e-mail, or write a note whenever you have a concern or question. If we are not able to speak with you immediately, we will contact you as soon as we can. I check messages and e-mail during planning times. The school's phone number is 266-3410.
Conferences
Parent/Teacher conferences are held in November. At our conference, we will discuss your child's accomplishments, strengths, and overall progress. Please feel free to schedule additional conferences at any time throughout the year if the need arises.
Discipline
We are a school family in our Fifth Grade class. We practice following the rules and procedures often so that we can prevent problems from occurring. Expectations, class procedures, and policies will be modeled and practiced throughout the year. It is expected that they are good role models in our school at all times.
Early Pick-Up
If you need to pick up your child early, please call the office first. When you arrive at school, the secretary will call our classroom to dismiss your child. This helps keep everyone safe at all times. An early dismissal note must be filled out and placed in your child's folder that morning so that we are prepared to have your child ready and out the door.
Email
Please feel free to email us at any time! We check our email before school begins, during lunch, and after school.
Mrs. Hoffman (Math): ghoffman@wboro.org -
Mrs. Phelan (ELA): fphelan@wboro.org
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Mrs. Defazio (Social Studies/Science): tdefazio@wboro.org
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Fire Drills
Fire drills occur throughout the year. Sometimes students are nervous about the procedure, but we will practice as a class, and with the rest of the school.
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Gym
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Our class will have (3) 40-minute gym classes per 6-day cycle. The children should wear lace-up sneakers on gym day.
Helpful Hints
*Set aside a special place just for homework and studying.
*Check your child’s folder/planner each day for homework.
*READ each day with your child.
*Remember that the time you invest in your child during their school years will pay off later when your child needs to work independently!
Health
Please let us know of special circumstances that may affect your child. If your child has an allergy, please let us know.
Illness
The question of when to keep your child home from school is often a difficult one, especially when decisions must be made first thing in the morning. School attendance is very important, but it is also important to keep your child home if he/she is sick. This helps to make him/her more comfortable and prevents others from becoming sick too. Children function more effectively in the classroom when they are healthy. Please remember that your child should be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school.
Just Encourage
Everyone has good and bad days, even your student. Please help us by encouraging your child each and every day. Your child is smart and capable of doing any task put before them. We know it, you know it, and sometimes they need to hear that WE BELIEVE IT!
Kindness
In our classroom, we treat each other with kindness and respect. We are all unique and special!
Lost & Found
If you have noticed that your child is missing something, please email, call, or write us a note. We also have a large lost and found bin outside the cafeteria that you can look through.
Lunch
Children purchasing lunch will receive a lunch PIN. Please be sure to put their lunch money in an envelope and label it with your child's name/account number. You will be notified if the account reaches a negative balance. You can also pay your child's lunch account online; please visit the school lunch page at https://www.wboro.org/Page/3895
Medicine
If a student needs to take any medication during the school day, an adult must take it to the nurse's office. Students are NOT allowed to transport medicine by themselves.
Money
Periodically, your child will bring money to school for lunch, field trips, book club orders, or the school store. When sending money to the school, be sure to use an envelope or zip lock bag marked with your child's name, what the money is for, and the amount enclosed. Please send the exact change when sending cash. Put the envelope or zip lock bag in your child's folder. This way, money isn't easily lost or stolen.
Notes and Newsletters and Google Classroom
Students will bring home newsletters and school notices in their take-home folder. We encourage you to check this folder daily so that you don't miss important school events.
Nurse
We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful nurse at Deerfield Elementary School. Please be sure to send in any change of contact numbers in case she needs to get in touch with you. The nurse can be contacted at 315-266-3414.
Out of Classroom Time
Children who qualify are taken out for reading, math, speech, resource room, ENL, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and other services as needed. Classroom instruction is generally planned around these times, therefore, these students will not miss any pertinent information.
PTA
If you would like to be more involved in activities at Deerfield Elementary School, please attend PTA meetings and events. Great things are going on at Deerfield Elementary School throughout the year!
Parties and Celebrations
There are two main parties each year--Halloween and Christmas. The room parents usually organize these events and coordinate volunteers and donations. We will have some other celebrations that we will organize too, such as the various 5th-grade end of the year activities.
Questions
Please don't hesitate to ask any questions that you might have. We are happy to talk to you! Please feel free to call us at school (315-266-3410). Or you can always write a note or email us. You can reach me directly before school (8:40 - 9:05) or after school (3:30 - 3:40). You can also leave a voicemail for me during the school day and I will return your call as soon as I have a break in my schedule.
Reading Instruction
We will use a Balanced Literacy approach to teach Fifth Graders to read. Currently, we use the Reading Street reading /language arts series. Students are given 1 ½ hours of direct reading instruction each day.
Our reading teachers, Mrs. Della Posta, Mrs. Zabek, and Miss Ciotti will instruct reading groups. They will also pull out students needing extra small group instruction. You will be notified of this before your child starting reading groups should your child need extra assistance.
Recess
The boys and girls will play outdoors for approximately 20 - 30 minutes each day (weather permitting). Please keep this in mind when helping your child to select clothing for the day. As a reminder, we do go outside each day - even in the winter! Children are expected to wear a winter coat, boots, snow pants, mittens/gloves, and a hat during outside recess days in the winter. Children may leave a spare set of winter clothing in their cubby.
Snacks
We are a NUT FREE classroom due to allergies. We will have snack time every day around 12:00. Please send a healthy snack with your child. A granola bar, raisins, cheese and crackers, popcorn, fruit, and pretzels are all good choices.
Transportation Changes
Please send in 2 notes on or before the dismissal date in your child's folder. On the note, please state the child's name, date change will be effective for and how long, bus number, and change being made. Your child will not be allowed to go home any way other than usual if we are not notified in advance. Please use the green “pick-up” notes utilized by the office.
Unexcused Absence
Any absence that is not accompanied by a written explanation will be marked unexcused.
Volunteers
We may need chaperones to accompany us on field trips. (Unfortunately, younger siblings may not attend school field trips.) Volunteers must fill out the school application and board approved before the field trips.
Website
Thank you for visiting us on our website! We hope that you will visit the site often. Google classroom will be mostly used for our daily announcements.
X-for-Extra
The extra time you spend at home establishing good school habits and routines will provide the foundation for future success!
You
YOU are your child's first and most important teacher. Your child learns so many things from you: things you teach directly and indirectly. You can help reinforce concepts that we are learning in school, and you can help by showing your child that school and reading are important. Thank you so much for your efforts at home. Your efforts truly make ALL of the difference in the world!
Zzzzz!
Make sure that your child gets plenty of rest each night. Establishing and maintaining a bedtime routine is a wonderful gift you can give to your child. It will help him/her to be alert and ready to learn each day! If you include some "snuggle with a story" time, bedtime is a wonderful time to bond with your child! Reading with your child is one of the best things that you can do to help him/her be successful in school! -