Welcome to School Year 2014-15

Our
Mission

DGF

The mission of Rota Elementary School is to

provide an exemplary education that inspires and
prepares all DoDEA students for success in a
dynamic, global environment.

Welcome to our classroom! As you childs teacher, I hope you will be an active
member of our teaching team. I am looking forward to working with you and your
child and getting to know you this year. Please read over the packet and feel free
to contact me if you have any questions regarding our classroom.
Parents
The best way that you can help your child with reading is to read with him/her
daily. It is also important for your child to see you reading, writing, and using your
math skills. Visiting the library is a great family habit to begin if you have not
already done so. Our base library is a wonderful resource in our community. The
childrens section has a good selection of books.
You are your childs first teacher and will continue to be throughout his/her life.
What you do is important as you model for your child on a daily basis, helping them
to relate to their world. Remember that more is caught than taught!
Curriculum
The curriculum is based on DoDDS standards in all subject areas. The standards
outline what students should know, understand and be able to do when they
advance to the next grade. They have been designed to prepare your child for the
world that awaits him/her. School is the place where the environment is created
for the child. The purpose is to guide a child to construct meaning of their world,
to build on prior knowledge when making connections with new information, and to
solidify and deepen their understanding of current knowledge. Integrating the
curriculum is essential in helping children make sense of their world and seeing
connections in their learning experiences with previous knowledge. Best practices
for learning include authentic experiences, modeling, understanding the process,
and developmentally appropriate activities. Children learn best when it is relevant
to their world, has personal meaning and through interaction with others.

Curriculum starts where a child is at and stretches a child to move to a higher level
of understanding.
I plan and teach the curriculum thematically and integrate subjects. For example,
when we study the science standards on animals, we will have lessons planned in
reading, writing, and language arts, as well as science activities built around the
animal theme. Math is usually not included in any major way around the thematic
unit.
Grading
Our grading policy is consistent with the DoDEA report card. Assessments may
include; written and oral activities, projects, writing, published tests, observation
and anecdotal notes. For grading daily work, I usually use smiley faces, stars,
stickers, etc. Every opportunity will be afforded for your child to experience
success. If your child is having difficulty, a parent conference will be set up. If
we decide that more help is needed then various specialists may be consulted.
Homework
Beginning the middle of September, I will send home a daily homework paper.
Homework will reinforce Language Arts and Math skills. Your child should be able
to complete the homework independently with occasional guidance from you. This
is the time to establish good habits and responsibility. Stress neatness and
returning homework daily. Homework will travel back and forth in the Take-Home
folders.
I send home homework because.
Its a daily opportunity to have a positive impact on your childs future and
education.
It effects achievement in school as students who consistently do it perform
better academically and both low and high achievers improve in all academic
areas.
It teaches responsibility to get homework to and from school as well as
develops independent skills.
It is a link between home and school.
In order to establish good homework habits.
Set up the proper area with supplies your child will need.
Be sure the area is free of distractions and where you are close by to help.
Start establishing the good habit of getting homework turned in when it is due.
Try to establish a routine of when and where and dont change!
Go over the directions with you child, be sure things are ready and allow
him/her to do as much as possible with little help from you.

There will also be reading included in the homework assignments. Have your child
read to you daily. It is also essential that you read to your child. It introduces
them to higher level of vocabulary, increases his/her attention span, and models
how good readers read.
Discipline Policy
At DGF Elementary we work towards students taking responsibility and being
responsible. We tell them that means doing what is right, even when no one is
watching and without reminders. We will work together to establish classroom
rules. We will be working all year on making appropriate choices, practicing good
manners, and developing support, encouragement and respect for each other. Each
student begins the day with their clip on Ready to Learn. If your child follows the
rules then his/her clip will remain on Ready to Learn. Behavior going above and
beyond expectations will be moved up the chart. After a couple of warnings the
student will be told to move his/her clip to a Think About It. If inappropriate or
disruptive behavior continues then the clip will be moved to Teachers Choice, and
if needed, Parent Contact. If your child reaches Parent Contact, then I will be
calling so that we can formulate a plan to best help your child choose to make good
decisions and appropriate choices. We have found with parent follow up and
support at home that this plan is much more effective.
Daily Dismissal
Our class will be in our classroom at the end of each day and we will walk to the
office area to drop off your child if she/he is walking or riding home by bike or
car. I will then walk the bus riders to the buses. If you pick up your child, please
do so in front of the office. If your regular bus child will be going home
another way, you need to send a note or call me that day to inform me of the
change. Without a notice of change in routine, your child will have to get on
the bus.
Communication:
Every week your child will have a C.H.A.T. (Communication between Home And
Teacher) sheet in his/her Take-Home folder. This is a form of daily
communication between school and home. Please initial it daily and return it in the
Take-Home folder. I can always be contacted by e-mail sara.lamb@eu.dodea.edu or
by phone at 727-4185. The office will not connect you during class hours but will
send a message for your call to be returned. I will also send home a monthly
calendar so you know how to dress your child on PE days. The calendar will also
inform you of any events for the month.

Notes should be sent in when there is any change in your childs routine; i.e.
another person will be picking him/her up, going home with a friend, etc. Please
keep me informed of any changes. I am responsible for your child and take the
responsibility seriously. A phone call to the office is also acceptable as
emergencies do occur. Your child will not be released to another person without
permission from you.
Snacks
Our lunchtime is 11:35 and I have found that the students get hungry around
10:00. We will have a working snack time each morning. Please send your child
with a Healthy snack each day-no cookies or candy please.
Backpacks
Have your child bring his/her backpack and take-home folder daily. Be sure to
check it as notes and letters come home on a regular basis.
Volunteers
If you would like to volunteer please let me know. I will start asking for volunteers
to come in on a regular basis in mid September. We will be working on establishing
routines during the beginning of September. The best time for volunteering is the
mornings. I would love to have your help and have found that volunteers make a
positive impact on the students achievement. Please remember to stop by the
office to get a visitors pass before coming to the classroom.
Birthdays
We love to celebrate birthdays and they are a big deal!! If you would like your
child to bring in a treat to share with the class, just send in a note to set up a time
(afternoons usually work best for this.)
Lunch Tickets
Questions about school meals should be directed to NEX at 727-2391.
Schedule
Once our routines and procedures are in place I will send home a daily schedule.
We do have lunch/lunch recess from 11:35-12:20 (you are always welcome to have
lunch with your child.) Our specials time is daily from 12:35-13:20.
I have tried to include areas of importance to you. If you need further
information, please send in a note, e-mail or give me a call at school. Im really
excited and looking forward to a great year!

Sara Lamb
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