Hello and welcome to the first grade! My name is Yvonne M. Moultrie and I will be working with you and your child at SDCCS. Things will shift and
change through the first six weeks of school as I get to know the students and when we change the location of the school. However, there will be basic guidelines that will (mainly) remain
constant.
Curriculum: In a constructivist classroom, the students create their own learning by being active participants in the environment. The projects and activities that the students work on
will be student-driven. I have sketched out a flexible plan for each month based on the California Standards that will stimulate exploration, but it is open to
transformation.
Homework: Initially, all students will be required to read for twenty minutes a night. This will be adjusted as the year progresses depending on your child's needs. The students will
respond to the books that they read in a Homework Journal. The students will regularly receive mini-project assignments or tasks to do at home which are extensions of classroom activities. Most of
these tasks will be assigned on Fridays, but they may also be assigned on other days of the week - depending on the momentum of the students as a group. Worksheets and drill activities will be
assigned on a case-by- case basis. Homework may be turned early - but it must be turned in on Thursday. Please keep in mind that homework should reflect your child's efforts and ideas.
Community Building: After reading the book Tribes this summer, I was thoroughly convinced that students do not need constant treats and punishments in order to make the classroom run
smoothly. The students and I will decide together what individuals need to do to ensure that everyone can learn in a comfortable environment. From those ideas, we will create our "rules," but I won't
call them rules. Based on our agreement to work together, I will introduce several activities that will strengthen the class as a community, and enable the children to work in cooperative groups.
When problems arise, I will remind students about our class agreements and redirect them to do things that are positive. If students are exhibiting negative behaviors (being disrespectful, being
inconsiderate of others, etc.), I will deal with each student on an individual level, and notify you if necessary. If you'd like concrete examples of how I will do this, we can chat about it. If
persistent behaviors are being demonstrated in the classroom, I will work with you and your child in a goal setting conference before referring him/her to Randy.
Snack/Lunch: Students may bring a low sugar, nutritious snack to eat after the morning recess. Some snacks that your child may bring are: dried fruit, fresh fruit or vegetables, a small
bag of popcorn, cheese or peanut butter with crackers, nuts, yogurt, and a hard boiled egg. Lunchables, soda, cookies, cakes, chips, and candy are not acceptable. The students will eat lunch
indoors primarily. Each Friday, weather permitting, we will have lunch in the park.
Break times: At Beth Israel and at our permanent site, the kids will have morning recess in the play area on campus. The afternoon recess will be on campus at Beth Israel as well. At
our permanent site, the kids will play in the park during the afternoon recess. We need two parent volunteers to assist during lunch recess at Beth-Israel.
Before/After School Care: This service is available for a nominal fee at 6:30 a.m. and ends at 6:00 p.m. If your child is dropped off earlier than 8:00 a.m. or if your child remains in
school much later than 3:00 p.m., your child will be placed in before/after school care. You will be charged for the time that your child is in this program.
Volunteers: The parent who volunteers to be our Room Parent will be in charge of contacting you when I need your help. We will always need at least four parent volunteers when on field
trips or in open spaces in the park. All classroom assistants and field trip chaperones must have a TB clearance before working with the children. Parents who are interested in teaching classes or
leading small groups on field trips must have a Live Scan fingerprint clearance. This is essential in the enrichment of our program.
Home-School Connection: Weekly newsletters will be available every Friday. Newsletters will also be posted near the classroom and saved in a binder for future reference. A progress
report will be sent home on Mondays to keep you informed about your child's progress. Please feel free to respond in the parent/caregiver's comment section. The report, and most communications, will
go home in your child's take home folder. I am always willing to have a conference with you (at school, at your home, or in a coffee shopwhatever you prefer) as long as we schedule it in advance. You
may call my cell phone number any time. If there is an emergency, you may call me at home before 9:00 p.m.. You may also email me ,
or drop a note in the office.
