Happenings Worth Hollering About
January 25, 2013
Happy (Late) New Year to You and Yours!
I apologize about the tardiness of this flyer. Ideally, it would have gone out the beginning of January, but alas, time slipped away from me.
I just wanted to send a newsletter out that touches base with everyone and gives kind of a refresher about all the information covered at the beginning of the year.
-Homework: Please know that homework is not ever meant to be a struggle. All the content of the homework sent home has been covered the same day in either a large group lesson or a small group lesson. I know that it sometimes seems as though it is "scattered" or covers topics that don't necessarily go together, but I am trying to incorporate a review of standards that we have previously learned. If you or your student ever have any questions, please email me, call me, or check on the wiki for resources. Also, math homework is sent home nightly, and science homework is sent home once a week. All homework is still due on Friday unless otherwise noted or discussed.
-Homework Help: If your child is struggling with any of the homework, please remind them to talk to me about what they're struggling with. I am available in my room in the morning from 7:10 - 7:30. I understand that students are supposed to go to the gym, and I still adhere to that rule, but if a student needs extra support, I will work with them at that time; however, please understand that there are times when I schedule conferences in the morning. I will have a note taped to the door on those days. If extra support is not needed, then they will continue to go to the gym as decided by the administrative team.
-Textbooks: Students are always allowed to take their textbooks home as long as they bring it back daily. Sometimes we use the textbook in class, but most of the time, we don't. The textbooks that we have do not align directly to the Fulton county units that are required for us to follow. A lot of times, I have to supplement the textbook by creating my own resources or pulling resources from the internet. I also post the pages from the math textbook on the wiki under the appropriate folder in the sidebar. Textbooks are also available online. Please look on the Google site for how to access the textbooks online.
-Important Dates: I put important dates for science and math on the Google calendar located on the class website. Please check this regularly. I also ask that students write down important dates in their agendas.
-Agendas: Students are to write their homework in their agendas daily. I usually initial next to their written homework to show that I handed it to them. I also write notes about behavior, Test scores, and missing assignments in agendas. Please check your child's agenda nightly.
-Conferences: If you ever have any concerns about anything, including ITBS scores, report cards, behavior, graded papers, etc., please contact me immediately. I am here for you and your child and want to see them succeed. I will do my best to accommodate your schedule and will meet with you soon after receiving your request.
-The Wiki: I will admit that I have not been consistently posting resources to the website like I was at the beginning of the year, and I will work diligently to improve that. Please be on the lookout for resources pertaining to math and science. I am going to include youtube.com videos, powerpoints, games, and other resources that can help in your child's understanding of a concept. Also, I am not going to post homework everyday to the wiki. What I would like to use that time for is pulling resources that can help further learning at home. Please check the Wiki site regularly for updated content and resources.
-Curriculum: I post what is being covered on the Google class website. Scroll past the Smore newsletter and Curriculum will appear in the left column.
I think that's enough logistics for this newsletter. :)
A HUGE thank you for everyone that made their way to Woodland's first Kid's Open House. I greatly appreciated the support, and I hope that I was able to help you understand what your child does with me during writing, math, and science.
Again, please don't ever hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. I am always available through email and will respond as soon as possible.
~Best
Ms. Garris
My Contact Information
Email: garrisj@fultonschools.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/jgarriswecs/
Location: Woodland Elementary School
Phone: 770 551 5890