Freedom prides itself on its communication with families and the community. This prideful success comes from the communication tool we call the student's Day Planner. Each child receives a "free" planner at the beginning of the school year. The students are asked to carry this tool with them each day to assist in organizational skills as well as responsibility.
The planner is used for many purposes throughout the school year to keep the lines of communication open between school and home. The way I will utilize the Day Planner is to keep you informed on important school events, assignments, and projects. Your child is expected to share his/her planner with you each evening. After you have reviewed the planner please sign and return it the following school day. The planner also includes the Student Handbook where you will find specific information about our school's policies and procedures. The Day Planner is only as successful as we make it, so let's stay in touch.
It's report card time again, but grading is no longer as simple as AB and C's. There are various methods of grading and I will be using each of the following this school year.
Your primary child does not receive grades like you and I did a few years ago. It's an exciting time in education for him or her, and progress is their reward for learning. They won't fail work habits, social skills, and their daily assignments because they are not measured on "grades." Instead, your child will be measured on "progress."
Performance assessment: Students are required to perform hands-on tasks such as preparing a poster project, bringing a famous person to life through role play, or conducting a scientific experiment. Progress can be measured through practice. Parent thoughts: Have I helped my child prepare for this task? Does my child understand what he/she is asked to do?
Portfolio assessment: A portfolio is an organized collection of a student's work over the course of the school year. It demonstrates a student's knowledge and skills and includes some form of students self-reflection. Parent thoughts: When reflecting upon my child's school work do I see improvement in skills? Can I hear or see growth through my child's assignments?
Rubrics: This is a set of rules for scoring a student's work consistently. For example, "An Excellent job meets the following requirements..." Students are shown ahead of time what will be expected of them using a rubric.
Exit Cards: This is a written thought from the student regarding the material that is being informally assessed. It is written on a small index card for a quick evaluation and helps the teacher know when re-teaching is important
Antidotal Records: Observations of strengths and weakness of the student is documented throughout the school year and recorded by the teacher as a reference for future lessons.
I will work very hard to advance your child academically and socially. I feel it is in the best interest of my students to challenge them in a caring and nurturing environment. My reporting system will reflect areas of strength and weakness. (Remember, understanding our weaknesses are how we grow and mature.)
Your child's progress report should challenge you and your child to continue working hard to master new skills introduced each week. If your child has been trying really hard, but homework is a struggle and their progress doesn't begin to show the time and effort your child puts forth, then it's time for a conference to see what new strategies we can try. For appointments e-mail tina.anderson@bullitt.kyschools.us or call the school.
Having been an intermediate teacher, I am very aware of the transition between the primary years to the intermediate grades. (It's a huge change!) It would not be fair to you or your child, if I "sugar coat" their progress. I will be very honest about your child's quarterly progress. With your support your child should progress steadily and be prepared for the next school year. If we all work as a team; you, your child, and myself we can ALL ACHIEVE MASTERY!
Grading Scale: Freedom teacher's use "progress" to evaluate student achievement. This is the grading scale set by the school for primary students. E = Excellent Progress, G = Good Progress, S = Satisfactory Progress, P = Progress below grade level, I = Improvement Needed. Third through fifth grade students receive letter grades and their scale is 90%-100%=A, 80%-89%=B, 70%-79%=C, etc.
Our communication is very important for the success of your child's education. There are several ways to contact me. At the Open House you may pickup a business card with a complete list of telephone numbers were I can be reached. You may also call the school and leave a message for me with our secretaries. I will return your call as soon as possible. We can also schedule a conference before or after school to discuss matters of concern. You may wish to write a note in your child's Day Planner or e-mail me at tina.anderson@bullitt.kyschools.us.
I realize it is difficult to wait for a response, but your patience is greatly appreciated. I will contact you as soon as possible. Your child is very important to me and I want to do what is best for him or her, so let's stay in touch!
Freedom Elementary has an excellent faculty and staff. These educators have many years of experience and they are professional and outstanding teachers. Our primary team of teachers may assist your child and myself in the daily operations of learning. We are a team and we will work together to insure the best possible learning environment for your child.
Good behavior plays a HUGE part in your child’s educational progress. It is very important to advance academically, but it is also important to advance socially. Each day your child is given the opportunity to start with a positive attitude and a fresh beginning.
Everyday your child will be given the opportunity to learn! It is our job to create a safe and orderly environment for introducing new skills. It is the student's "job" to come to school prepared, respectful, responsible, and ready to learn.
The classroom is an environment to learn and of course a place for mistakes, too! I believe that each day should be a new beginning for every child. Therefore a "behavioral system" is in place for molding appropriate in-school responsibilities which allow for mistakes and learning. Each student will be given a pocket filled with three colored pencils at the beginning of each school day. Each pocket will have a green, yellow, and red pencil. The color green symbolizes "GO", but when a poor choice is made the student will be asked to remove this green colored pencil. The next pencil seen will be yellow and it symbolizes CAUTION. After the second warning the students sees a red pencil. This color should symbolize STOP, telling the student that they are not being a respectful or responsible student and they need to make better choices. After the third warning the student loses all their fun time privileges. (Even in a baseball game...three strikes and your out.) You will be notified if your child loses all three pencils and hopefully their will be a consequence at home such as; no TV or video games for the evening. Your support should create a more responsible person! After all...isn't that our goal as parents and teachers?
Yes! Yes! Yes! Your child's academic success depends upon good role models and a positive learning environment. These cannot be accomplished without the help of parents, grandparents, and other adults in the community. There are many different areas of need, and there is always a job to fit everyone's talent. Listed below are just some of the items that are needed;
The only requirement is that all volunteers are to have a criminal background check completed. This is to protect our students and your child. Also, remember to sign-in at the front office and enter the classroom quietly as not to disturb the students thinking process. I do want you and need you!
1. Forms: Please complete all the necessary forms and return them as soon as possible. Also, tear out and sign the forms in the Student Planner and the Discipline Book.
2. Discipline Policy: Please read the school policy in the front of the student's Day Planner. Our classroom policy will follow the rules of being respectful, responsible, prepared, and safe. I will notify you of concerns and document them in the Day Planner.
3. Reading Logs: Student’s need reading practice. A reading log will be provided and the books your child reads can be recorded on that sheet. Our reading goal for this school year will be 175 books. There will be recognition for the students who accomplish this goal.
4. Word List: Word list are provided for your child to read and they will assist your child in their daily learning. Mastery will be necessary for satisfactory progress.
5. Expected Estimated Expenses: Three Field Trips ($15.00each), *Team shirt ($6.00), *Scholastic News Magazine ($4.00), Parties ($2.00 X 3 = $6.00), Book Fair, Year Book ($15.00), Santa’s Shop, snack Friday's, and various fund raisers.
6. Snacks/Birthday: We love to celebrate your child's special day! Remember if your child is having a birthday party over the weekend and special friends are invited please remind your child to do this privately during Morning Business. If you plan to share a snack then prepackaged cookies with milk will be GREAT!
7. Day Planner: Communication is very important to me. Please use the student’s Day Planner as a tool to keep in touch. Signing it nightly tells me that you have read my notes and you are aware of classroom issues and your child’s progress.
8. Tuesday Envelope: No more missing important information from school or graded papers from the teacher! Your child should bring home an envelope each Tuesday and all graded papers, important school notes, and homework assignments will be placed in this envelope each TUESDAY afternoon for you to review. (That's one less thing to worry about Wednesday's thru Monday.)
9. Attendance/Tardiness: Sometimes students need to be absent from school. Of course, we know that there is no way to make up the learning your child has missed during a full school day, but sending a note to school after your child has been absent will excuse their absence so I can send important missed assignments home to be completed and returned.
10. Field Trips: All volunteers MUST have a background check on file for your child’s protection. Thank you for following this county procedure. There will be three trips this school year and dates will be announced in your child’s Day Planner, on the Updates page of the website, and on the Newsletter located in the Tuesday Envelope.
11. Money Procedures: Money can be easily lost by young children. PLEASE send ALL money in a sealed envelope or a plastic "Ziplock" baggie with your child’s name on it. Mark it clearly on the outside. This keeps accidents from happening and keeps you from paying things twice!
12. Lunch Money: A check can be written and placed in your child account for lunch and breakfast. Lunches are $2.00. Adult lunches are approx. $3.50 and student’s love visitors during lunch time. Hopefully, you can join us sometime soon. (Do you have questions about the free/reduced application?)
13. Book Orders: We have GREAT books at terrific prices! Children love getting new books and every time you order we receive books for our classroom library...FREE! This is a great way to support education and your child's reading.
14. Homework: Read a great story! Read, Read, READ, READ! Math and writing practice will be given weekly, as well. All homework should be returned on Friday to be used as your child's ticket to Fabulous Friday activities.
15. Curriculum Map: Both Bullitt County and the state of Kentucky has mandated curriculum that must be mastered for your child to successfully exit the Primary Program. I will follow this curriculum and report progress at least 4 times this school year. Mrs. Link, Mrs. Cauldwell, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Huddleston, and Mrs. Axline are my team teachers and your child may visit their classroom throughout the school year.
16. Contact Information: I am here for you and your child, so please keep in touch. It is my goal to be available for you to better your child's education as needed. I make home visits each year and I love seeing the look on my student's faces when I surprise them at their front door. A business card is provided with important numbers such as; school and home telephone numbers, our classroom web address, and my e-mail address. If you need anything please feel free to contact me.
17. Conferences: I love bragging on my students! Conference dates will be set for fall and spring. If you need me before these "official" conference dates then I will be more than happy to meet with you by a scheduled appointment before or after school anytime throughout the school year. REALLY just ask!
18. Website: Visit OFTEN and STAY INFORMED! This will be my number one source of communication and a copy of the Updates page will be printed each week. Remember important links will not be available to you if you don't get connected! You may log-on at; home, here at school, your place of employment, or at your local library. You can view pictures, videos of your child, showcased student work, lunch menu, school procedures, calendar of events, and even the weather!
19. Classroom Coordinator: I am in need of a person to organize parties, make phone calls and/or help collect needed supplies for art and cooking activities.
20. Community Service Projects: An important part of being a responsible and caring citizen is teaching children about the agencies that help the people within our community. Here at Freedom we have ways to help your child learn this important skill. We offer monetary support to; The American Cancer Society through the Relay for Life, Toys for Tots sponsored by the Hillview Police Department, the American Red Cross, and St. Jude through the Math-A-Thon. If you find it possible to support these agencies we want to THANK YOU for helping us meet our school's goals.