August 26, 2019
Dear Parents,
Welcome to Ms. Truxall’s class and the 2019-2020 school year. I am very excited about working with you and your child this year and look forward to a wonderful year of learning and growing.
Our goals for all of our children are as follows:
· To have a positive, happy attitude towards school and learning and foster a sense of curiosity.
· To build and reinforce habits of initiative, concentration, persistence and independence.
· To allow each child to progress at their own pace and at the same time challenge their abilities.
· To develop a sense of high self esteem, a sense of order and inner discipline.
· To foster socially acceptable behavior.
· To create a caring and supportive classroom community.
· To allow each child to develop the skills they will need to be successful in school and in the future.
The following should also give your family information about the school year.
I. Attendance
· School begins at 8:40am. Students need to be in the classroom and ready to work at 8:40am. If a student arrives in the class after 8:40am, he/she will be marked tardy. Students will be allowed to come to the classroom at 8:35am and no sooner.
· Please remember there will be some late starts on Wednesdays. Watch for the school blog and /or my blog pertaining to the dates of these days.
· If your children are going to be absent, please call the office and let them know.
· Please plan family vacations according to the school’s calendar.
II. Dismissal
· Our school day ends at 3:35pm. Please arrive at 3:35pm to pick up your children. We will bring your children out to the back of the school. When your child sees you, he/she must “fist pump” my hand and tell me who is here to pick him/her up. This allows me to know exactly when a student is leaving and with whom. Please be sure whoever is picking up your child that his or her name is on the Emergency Card in the office. I will not release your child without this information. Younger siblings will dismiss with older siblings.
III. Snack
· Snack will be held at approximately 10:00am.
· Students will only be allowed to eat a healthy snack.
· Healthy snacks include: Fruit, vegetables, crackers, cheese, healthy dry cereals such as Cheerios, granola and cereal bars, pudding, yogurt, etc. Chips, cookies, candy, fruit chews, etc will not be eaten at snack. Your child will have to save it for lunch.
· Because we do not have a drinking fountain in the classroom, students will be allowed to bring a small bottle of water only. Please no juice, pop or lemonade. If spills become a problem, I will not allow your child to have one in the classroom. Thanks
IV. Spelling
· Students will receive a new list of spelling words for the week on Mondays. Please practice these words with your child. He/she will be responsible for spelling them correctly on tests and in everyday work. Tests will be on Fridays.
V. Math
· This year the teachers will be using Eureka math and Montessori math. There will be homework with Eureka math. I will send home the Eureka Succeed books for each unit. After a lesson is taught, I will blog the pages that students need to complete. Note that a lesson may take more than one day to complete so students may not always have Eureka math every night for homework. When assigned, please complete the page, take it out of the book and have your child place the page in his/her Communication folder and return it to school the next morning. We will also be using some computer websites this year to assist in teaching and allowing the children extra math practice with games and activities.
VI. Homework-see above for Math. In addition:
– Read every night for 20 minutes. Fill out Reading Log and keep it in the Communication Folder.
– Assignments not completed in class can be taken home if not finished in time. I will stamp it Homework
–Journal writing will be assigned on Tuesdays and Thursdays for homework.
-Please study with your child for Spelling Tests on Thursday nights.
VII. Friday Folders
Each student will have a Friday Folder
Throughout the week, the folder will be filled with completed, loose work and sent home. Remove items and return Folders on Monday.
VIII. Communication/Homework Folders
· Students will receive a Red Communication Folder that must be kept in his/her backpack. Any homework or notes going home or coming back to school should be placed in this folder.
All folders must then be placed in the black bin each morning.
IX. Sharing (Show and Tell)
· On Fridays, students may bring in something to share with the class.
X. Communication
· I would like to make myself available to talk with parents as much as possible but please understand that I am very busy in the mornings preparing for the day and will not be available to talk. Please give your child a note in the morning and I will read it as soon as possible. I will also be available after school on certain days. If you would like to talk, please call the office, leave a note in my mailbox, send a note in with your child or send me an email. My address is truxalc@dearbornschools.org. Email is the best way to reach me
Blog– Please visit and sign up for my blog on the district website. I will post homework, notes, and most parent communication through my blog. It is very important that you check your email for my posts.
Birthdays– This year birthdays will be celebrated at the end of the day. Children may bring in a small treat for the students to eat. Examples include cupcakes, brownies or cookies. No elaborate gifts or party bags will be allowed. If you’d like a healthy alternative, send in a fruit tray or decorative pencils/erasers.
Birthday invitations– If you are giving your child a birthday party and want to invite certain children from the class, you will have to give out those invitations outside of school. You may pass out invitations only if you are inviting the entire class. Too much class time is spent on consoling those who are left out. Sorry for the inconvenience.
We are looking forward to a wonderful year!
Ms. Truxall
