Dear Parents,<\/p>\n
My name is Michelle Griffiths and I will be your child\u2019s teacher this year. I am happy to be back at Maple Grove Elementary and would like to say thank you for the warm welcome I have received.<\/p>\n
I am looking forward to working with you and your child as they embark upon the next stage of their learning journey. We will encounter many opportunities to learn and grow in the days ahead.<\/p>\n
During these first weeks of school we will be getting to know one another. Creating community is a vital part of establishing a positive learning environment.<\/p>\n
Attendance<\/strong><\/p>\n Our day begins at 9am with Mindful Breathing.<\/span> A child who is late and rushes into the classroom, where the routine is already in progress, has less time to collect their thoughts and settle into learning mode. In addition, the learning of the other students is disrupted when someone enters during a lesson or when the routine has begun. Please help your child develop a routine at home that will ensure they arrive at school prior to the start time, thus beginning on a positive note. Thank you!<\/p>\n Note:<\/b> We have a Safe Arrival program at Maple Grove Elementary. If a student arrives late, please check in with the office before coming to the classroom.<\/p>\n Planners & Home Reading<\/strong><\/p>\n Every day your child will take home their planner. Please review and sign their planner every day.<\/span> It may contain important announcements or homework tasks. It is very important that your child brings this back to school each day.<\/p>\n I would also like you to sign their planner to acknowledge that they have done at least 30 minutes of home reading<\/span> every day. This will help to create a \u201chomework\u201d routine at home.<\/p>\n Please use your child\u2019s planner as a way to communicate with me. For example, if your child is doing something different from their normal schedule or is having a bad day or even is very excited about something, please send me a note to let me know. I will check their planners every morning.<\/p>\n Note:<\/b> Payment for school fees and the planner is due by September 30, 2013.<\/span> No child will be denied supplies or field trips due to financial hardship. Please let me know if your family is facing financial challenges. The school can make alternate arrangements.<\/p>\n Communication<\/strong><\/p>\n I believe that parent-teacher communication is very important to creating a positive school experience for your child. You are one of the best sources of information on your child.<\/span> I encourage you to contact me if you have any questions or concerns at any time. Don\u2019t forget to also share the positive experiences your child has as well as the negative. If I know what they have enjoyed doing in the classroom, it will be easier to plan more positive experiences like it.<\/p>\n Please feel free to visit me in the classroom, send a note, or email me.\u00a0I will also do my part by sending out an email each week to update you on what we have been doing in class as well as things that are coming up. Pictures and information will also be posted on our classroom blog.<\/p>\n Learning Inside the Classroom<\/strong><\/p>\n Students will be expected to complete their work while at school. This will require time management skills, as well as being independent, responsible and self-disciplined. These are skills and traits that we will work on developing over the year. Please help your child practice these skills at home.<\/p>\n Success at school also depends on being prepared. Please help your child develop a routine of packing their bag with the necessary items and dressing appropriately for the weather or the activity planned for that day. Please keep in mind that we have PE on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please wear or bring a pair of runners. Also, Junior Band will be on Mondays and Thursdays.<\/span><\/p>\n Students are expected to be outside until the first bell at 8:55am.<\/span> They are also expected to be outside for recess and lunch unless it has been declared a \u201cRainy Day\u201d. On Rainy Days students will be allowed to play games in the basement.<\/p>\n Learning Outside the Classroom<\/strong><\/p>\n Upper Elementary is a time when the child is encouraged to take their learning outside the classroom. It is a time for them to participate in the \u201cGoing Out\u201d activities.<\/p>\n \u201cGoing Out\u201d activities are thought of, planned, organized and carried out by the child with an adult chaperone. These activities give the child the opportunity to experience their learning first hand. It also gives them a taste of independence and responsibility. After the child has created their proposal, the \u201cGoing Out\u201d activities must be done with the permission of both the teacher and the parent(s).<\/p>\n In addition to their own planned outings, I hope the children will also enjoy some of the events planned for them this year.\u00a0 I hope that you will be able to join us as a volunteer!<\/p>\n In fact, if you have any skills or talents you would like to share with the class, please let me know. Photography, knitting, drama, music, yoga, soccer, gardening\u2026<\/p>\n Homework<\/strong><\/p>\n You can help. I will be expecting all work assigned in class to be completed in class. Of course, all children do not work at the same pace. Some children will get their work done in class and some will not. Your cooperation is essential in developing a positive homework habit. First and foremost, you can encourage your child<\/span> by showing interest and demonstrating helpful attitudes towards homework.<\/p>\n Some suggestions for homework:<\/p>\n Food & Drink<\/strong><\/p>\n Many intermediate students go through a growth spurt (or at least an appetite spurt), and waiting until lunch is difficult. With a long stretch between breakfast and lunch, a hearty snack is very important. I encourage you to send a healthy snack<\/span> with your child such as cheese, crackers, fruit, dried fruit, yogurt, etc. No candy or junk food, please!<\/p>\n After recess, many children are thirsty. Staying hydrated is important. It would be wonderful if your child could bring a reusable water<\/span> bottle to school. They are welcome to keep this at their desk. We will also be drinking tea in our classroom this year. Please send a mug to school with your child. We will be making tea with mint, lemon thyme, sage and rosemary.<\/p>\n Supplies<\/strong><\/p>\n On Monday, September 9th<\/sup>, please have your child bring:<\/p>\n I look forward to meeting you next week at \u201cMeet the Teacher\u201d night on Wednesday, September 11th<\/sup><\/span>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Dear Parents, My name is Michelle Griffiths and I will be your child\u2019s teacher this year. I am happy to be back at Maple Grove Elementary and would like to say thank you for the warm welcome I have received. … Continue reading \n
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