S VES 2014-2015

OPEN HOUSE

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I earned my Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Central Florida. Go Knights! I am currently working toward my Masters Degree at Saint Leo University in Educational Leadership. I hold an Elementary Education Grades K-6 certification, a Middle Grades Integrated Curriculum 5-9 certification, and I am ESOL endorsed. This is my 13th year teaching. I have taught in Orange County, Baltimore County, and Pasco County in grades 2, 3, 4, and 5, and I was a Math Resource Teacher and Coach.

I have been at Veterans since we opened in 2008! J

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I earned my Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida. Go Bulls! I hold an Elementary Education Grades K-6 certification, Special Education K-12 certification, and my Reading Endorsement. I am also ESOL endorsed. This is my second year teaching, but I have been substituting at VES since 2009!

We are the proud parents of three children. Dane is four, Lainey is two, and Cade is six and in first grade here at VES!

We love to go to the beach and spend time with our extended family.

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SUPER HERO DISCIPLINE PLAN

Veterans Elementary School 2014-2015

Why PBIS?

S  PBIS is a CONSISTENT positive behavior system that focuses on the positive actions of students rather than the negative!

S  For the past two years, VES used a PBIS behavior system and saw excellent results in student behavior with a direct correlation to student achievement.

S  This year, we took all suggestions and input and listened to what worked best and what was wanted most! J

SUPER HEROES will…

Be Ready

Be Respectful

Be Safe

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Behavior Chart

Stamps & Stickers •  Sticker (K-1) or a stamp (2-5) on an index card for moving up on

the chart

•  Students keep these stamps and stickers no matter what!

•  10 stamps/stickers = schoolwide store run by patrols OR

•  Students can save up for larger rewards!

•  Students can earn Super Status anywhere!

SCHOOLWIDE REWARDS

•  Patrols will run a school store in the mornings in the

courtyard.

•  Students can purchase tangible items or choose from a catalog of experiences (lunch with a teacher, bring in a

stuffed animal for the day, etc.).

•  Items will be priced in increments of ten (stamps or stickers).

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9:45-10:15 Independent Reading 10:15-11:15 Math 11:15-12:00 Specials 12:00-12:35 Reading Differentiated Instruction 12:40-1:10 Lunch (Mr. Hammen) 12:42-1:12 (Mrs. Hammen) 1:15-1:45 Science 1:45-2:15 Math Differentiated Instruction 2:15-3:45 Reading and Writing

Our schedule was sent home the first week..

Attendance Absences, Late Arrivals, Early Check Out

Excused (Code of Conduct)

S  Illness of student

S  Medical appointments

S  Major illness of immediate family member

S  Death of immediate family member

S  Religious holiday of the student’s faith

Examples of Unexcused

S  Vacation

S  Oversleeping

S  Missing bus

S  Avoiding traffic

Why Focus on Attendance?

S  Students are more likely to succeed in academics if they attend school consistently.

S  Students not in class have fewer opportunities to learn material.

S  Absences have an impact on the teacher’s ability to move forward with the class.

S  Make-up work does not take the place of teacher instruction, discussions, and hands-on opportunities.

S  Research suggests a direct correlation between dropout rates and poor attendance beginning in kindergarten.

Arrival & Dismissal Please follow all Arrival & Dismissal Procedures for your child’s safety.

S  Car Loop S  Drop off begins at 9:20 a.m. S  Pull all the way through the line S  Park if your child needs help buckling or gets in on the driver’s side.

S  Bus Loop S  Cars are not permitted in the bus loop between 9:10 a.m. and

4:05 p.m. PLACE drop off and pick must happen before 9:10 a.m. and after 4:05 p.m.

S  Patrols cannot be dropped off in the bus loop.

S  Walkers S  Walkers must stay at the gate and wait until campus is opened at 9:20 a.m. S  Please allow the patrols and adults to escort students on campus. S  If you need to come on campus, enter through the front office.

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Please note! If you are changing your child’s dismissal, we must have a note in the planner, an email, or the office needs a phone call. We cannot change a child’s dismissal without the above under any circumstances.

Veterans Elementary WSB First Debuted in June 2013

The Walking School Bus

Please fill out the SRTS parent survey along with the WSB sign up so we can create a route near you!

Lunch

Parent Visitors

S  Please check in at the front office for a badge.

S  Please wait at the picnic area for your child’s class to head to lunch. Lunch visitors are only cleared for this area of the campus. They may not walk to classrooms.

S  Return your badge to the office and check out.

Birthdays

Individual birthday celebrations are not permitted on campus. Each month our PTA hosts a Birthday Club and students are given cake during this time in the cafeteria. This procedure does not conflict with academic time and it ensures that our students with severe food allergies have alternatives.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Florida Statewide Assessments (FSA)

Homework

Reading Expectations

S The school-wide expectation for all grade levels will be to read 30 minutes Monday-Thursday and one weekend evening (choose from Friday-Sunday) for all grade levels. For K-2 students, we know that we are working on building reading stamina, so split their time between Read to Self and Read to Me. Grades 3-5 students will be expected to read for 30 minutes each evening.  Reading Logs are a school wide expectation.

Math Expectations

S Math homework will be sent home to allow students to practice the skills they are learning in class. If students struggled in class, a previously taught skill will be sent home for the student to practice. Math homework for K-2 students should take approximately 5-10 minutes. Grades 3-5 should be spending 15-20 minutes on math homework. If the homework is taking longer than the suggested time, it goes beyond practicing a skill and needs to be retaught. In the event this occurs, have your child stop at the recommended time limit and write the teacher a note indicating he/she is still learning the skill. The following day, your child’s teacher will pull a small group and reteach the skill.

Want to know what is happening at VES?

Follow us on: ü  Facebook-VES, VES PTA, Special Areas (Team Titan) and Fantastic Fourth!

ü Twitter ü YouTube (VES Super Hero News Show)

If you do not want your child to be identified on these sites and/or in the newspaper, please ask your child’s teacher for a NON-RELEASE Form. We will only refer to a child by his/her first name and last initial on the

school news or in print on Facebook or Twitter.

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A: Well Above Expectations

Your child has demonstrated performance that is well above expectation on concepts and skills emphasized or addressed during this reporting period. This grade recognizes excellent achievement based upon your child’s ability to independently and on a consistent basis apply critical thinking, problem solving or innovative thinking that goes above and beyond teacher’s expectations for successful performance.

B: Above Expectations Your child has successfully demonstrated performance on concepts

and skills addressed during this reporting period. Your child has successfully learned concepts and skills and independently and on a consistent basis is able to apply them in a variety of settings.

C: Adequate Progress Your child has adequately learned concepts and skills emphasized or addressed during this reporting period and is independently and on a consistent basis continuing to perform at the expected level.

D: Below Expectations Your child is in the process of learning concepts and skills emphasized or addressed during this reporting period. Your child is making minimal progress and needs assistance to complete the tasks at the expected level.

U: Well Below Expectations Your child has made little or no progress in learning concept and

skills emphasized or addressed during this reporting period. Extra assistance is needed to perform assigned tasks. Your child is working well below expectations

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If you would like to volunteer in the classroom, at school or on a field trip at all this year, you must be approved by the county for the 2014-2015 school year. We suggest that everyone fill out the application and be approved so that you don't have to worry about it later. It takes about 3 weeks to get approved, so it is almost impossible to apply at the last minute before a field trip if you want to chaperone. Please note that you must re-apply each year. It can be done online; contact us for the link.

If you are already an approved volunteer, please let us know, or if you apply, please let us know when

your approval comes through.

Volunteer in our Classrom!

NO TOLERANCE FOR BULLYING!

�  BULLLYING IS:

�  Aggressive behavior intended to cause harm. Bullying can be physical, verbal, or emotional.

�  Usually repeated over time.

�  Often there is an imbalance of power or strength.

�  BULLLYING IS NOT::

�  Usually an isolated incident

�  Unintentional

�  A form of conflict with two parties of equal status or power

�  BULLYING CAN BE::

�  Cyberbullying

�  Social or Relational

�  Verbal

�  Physical

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We CAN Make a Difference!

�  Students, parents, and staff are encouraged to work together to prevent bullying and all forms of harassment, including sex-based harassment.

�  Students found to have engaged in acts of bullying, including sex-based harassment will be subject to prompt disciplinary action, including, if warranted, suspension or expulsion.  

S  The District School Board of Pasco County does not tolerate bullying. 

S  The District is committed to taking immediate action to eliminate bullying, prevent its recurrence, and reduce its effects.

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Planners: Please check these nightly! Behavior and notes will be noted here. e-mail: Frequent e-mails will be sent to all parents. We will also email for more detailed issues or behaviors. This is the best way to contact us. If you do not use email, please let us know so we can print the emails we send out and place them in your child’s planner. Online: Like our Fantastic Fourth Facebook Page!

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for taking the time to attend Open House!

We look forward to working with you and your children this year. It is going to be a wonderful year filled with exciting learning activities!