​Hello, most excellent teachers!

We are looking forward to seeing y’all this week! If you need us, you can find us at the south end of the lobby, but we will bring your class list and supply fee check to your room.

NEW​ISH: we have clarified our behavioral expectations of students. All parents had to consent to these before registering. Please see the note at the end of this email to help guide you.

1. 1. UPDATED CLASS LISTS are attached, including health information, which will not be on the lists that we provide to you in class.

You may get more students, unless your class is full, so you may want to have a few extra handouts, supplies, etc. Or have students share. Of course, your Amilia app has the most up-to-date information.
​Note: please send to all emails that are listed. Also, children’s ages may change in the next week or so. If you have any questions, please contact the parent.

2. ATTENDANCE POLICY: please take roll the first three weeks, but you don’t need to report anything until week 3. We will bring paper class lists to your room.
3. a) If a student is in your class but not on the class roster, please send them directly to the front table right then, unless they are 5yo or younger (in which case text us or send them to us with a helper.
4. b) If after three weeks a student has never attended your class, please let us know by email, text, or stopping by. (We will remind you when it’s time.)
5. PARKING: Please use the main lot or the south side lot (on your left as you face the building). Please do NOT use the north lot (behind/west of the playground) without previous approval, as we try to reserve that for occasional class activities. (Cooking teachers may park there to unload but then please park by the dumpster.

If you have a lot of supplies to bring in, feel free to text (or find us) at the front table so that we can round up some students to help you out.

Other Stuff

–Wi-Fi: The network that seems to work best is Swest Guest, password Isaiah9:6 ​ It is not always reliable. You may want to learn how to use your phone as a hotspot.

–CLASSROOM HELPERS: train them! Tell them what to do; they should be your first thought for handing out papers, standing by distracted students, etc. Many of them are waiting for instructions. We have attached a tentative list of these so you will know who to expect. Probably. If your helper does not show up, please text us. Also, we have asked volunteers not to use their phones while helping in the classroom.

–CELL PHONE/ EARBUD USE IN THE CLASSROOM: This should not happen unless you approve it for special occasions or it’s an emergency (as defined by an adult). Some teachers are inclined to look the other way on this practice, but there’s no question that it sends the wrong message to other students and to their parents who, undoubtedly, will be told about it at some point in the semester. Feel free to confiscate the device until the end of the hour. A second confiscation should result in an immediate trip to the Front Table.

–PUNCTUALITY: Please arrive at least ten minutes before your class begins and end promptly at ten minutes before the hour.  I know it’s hard to end an engaging lesson, but we want to be respectful of the students’ schedules, as well as other teachers who may need to set up in the room.

Please don’t release students early as it can be disruptive to other classes, as well as sending the wrong message to parents about the amount of content in a class. That time can be used for review, or you may want to have a generic activity on hand.

–MESSY CLASSES: Good job doing messy activities! But PLEASE DO NOT USE GLITTER or permanent ink or paints even with drop cloths. There may be vinyl tablecloths for messy work at the back of your room already; be sure that tables/floor is covered as needed. Ask us if you need more. Please let us know immediately after class if there is a spill or stain that needs to be taken care of.

Looking forward to seeing y’all!

Jack and Holly and Sarah
402-541-4829 (Please save this number in your contacts.)

​​–The Hidden dDress ​Code from last week’s email:

All persons on the Learning Center premises (including drivers picking up children, guests, etc.) must follow the dress code. PLEASE NOTE: younger ballet students are excluded from this rule.
  –Leggings and tights CAN be worn but are not considered pants; the garment worn on top needs to meet skirt and shorts requirements.
  –Skirts and dresses should be no more than an inch or so above the knee, even if leggings, tights, or shorts are worn. Shorts (including athletic shorts) should at least come down just past the fingertips when arms are at the side, even if leggings or tights are worn.
  –No tube tops, halter tops, spandex, muscle shirts, bare backs, immodest necklines, etc.
  –Shoulder straps should be at least two fingers wide.
  –Midriffs should not show when standing or sitting. Students should be able to raise their hands above their head without their midriff showing.
–Baggy or sagging pants or shorts are unacceptable. Pants should e worn at the waist, and no boxers or undergarments should be visible. If this is a problem, please wear a belt.
–Clothing may not feature violence, alcohol, drugs, gangs, inappropriate or sexually suggestive language or symbols. Additionally, it must not advocate
racial, ethnic or religious intolerance. This ban includes clothing that advertises groups (musical or other) that espouse these views.
 

OVERLY ACTIVE STUDENTS

We never want an undisciplined class to wear on you. Try these steps as soon as possible:

1. Separate unruly students.
2. Create a signal for the class (usually a raised hand). When given, students are to stop talking, look at you, and listen.
3. Let the students know that if you have to warn them multiple times in a single class, they will be sent to the front table. Then be sure to follow through.
4. If you have students that are repeatedly disruptive, send an email to their parents (and cc us) to make them aware of the situation and ask them to encourage their students to behave appropriately. Let them know that the next step is for their student to be sent to the front table and miss class.

DISCIPLINE POLICY (unofficial)

–First offense: Students may be asked to leave class, sit off to the side, etc. Afterwards, the teacher should talk with students and explain what they did wrong. Students should apologize for their actions before being readmitted to class. Contacting us is at the teacher’s discretion.

–Second offense: Teacher talks with the parent and student about the first and second offense. Students should apologize for their actions before being readmitted to class. Contact the Jacl who will notify the parents that the student will be removed from class if there is another incident.

–Third Offense: The student is removed from class, except under extraordinary conditions, which should be agreed on by the teacher and the Jack and Holly.

You can always send a child to the Front Table with a helper or call us (402-541-4829) since you have our number in your contacts. Please stop by to let us know what the issues are.

 SAMPLE DISCIPLINE EMAIL (Feel free to just use these as a template.)

 Subject: Learning Center Discipline Issue. Please reply.

 Hi,

 I teach Benjamin’s Rats of NIMH class, and I was hoping that you could help me. Benjamin has difficulty participating appropriately in class. He often [choose appropriate items] talks while I am addressing the class, has difficulty staying on task, talks to students who sit by him, calls out answers when I ask for raised hands, comes late to class, etc.

 I’d appreciate it if you could talk to him about behaving appropriately. If you have any insights, I’d love to hear them.

If his behavior continues, I will need to send him to the front table so that Mr. Donnelly can talk to him.

Thanks so much for your help in this matter!

CLARIFIED BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS
(All parents had to consent to these before registering.)

 The Learning Center is delighted to serve homeschool students. However, classes are necessarily group-based environments, which prevent us from making the kinds of accommodations that are available at home. Parents should make realistic enrollment decisions based on a child’s experience in group settings, such as library activities, Sunday school, etc.

Please carefully read the online class description as well as take note of the following common issues that prevent students from meeting classroom behavior expectations:

[Preschool]

• Children do not tolerate separation from a parent.
• Children are consistently unable to quietly pay attention for ten minutes.
• Children consistently resist redirection.
• Children are unwilling or unable to follow directions.

[6-13-yr-olds]

• Children are consistently unable to quietly pay attention for fifteen minutes.
• Children consistently interrupt the teacher or talk to a classmate.
• Children are unwilling or unable to follow directions.
• Children are unwilling or unable to work cooperatively in small groups.

[14-18 yr olds]

• Students consistently interrupt the teacher or talk to a classmate.
• Students are unwilling or unable to work cooperatively in groups.
• Students are unwilling to attend class (consistent tardiness, frequent bathroom breaks, leaving early, etc.).

CODE OF CONDUCT

[Teachers: This is just an FYI; don’t feel obliged to enforce any of it unless you feel like it. You have the option of just letting us know. You really don’t get paid for a lot of hassle; we want you to save your energy for teaching.]

Parents, be aware that the Learning Center is only responsible for the safety of children in the classroom; parents or the children themselves are responsible at all other times. Please instruct your children to remain in the classroom if you would like to pick them up.

1. Please do not enter the church office at any time.
2. My children and I will respect all people and property at the Learning Center.

  –We will immediately report any spills, mars, or other damage done to the building.

  –We will clean up after ourselves, picking up any trash, etc.

  –We will not touch or use any church materials or displays.

3. My children will avoid running, horseplay, or loud voices in the hallways. Roughhorseplay is also not allowed on the playground. 
4. My child will turn off all electronics (including cell phones) while in class as well as removing earbuds. (Emergency exceptions must be approved by the teacher prior to the start of class.)
5. All persons on the Learning Center premises (including drivers picking up children, guests, etc.) must follow the dress code. PLEASE NOTE: younger ballet students are excluded from this rule.

  –Leggings and tights CAN be worn but are not considered pants; the garment worn on top needs to meet skirt and shorts requirements.

  –Skirts and dresses should be no more than an inch or so above the knee, even if leggings, tights, or shorts are worn. Shorts (including athletic shorts) should at least come down just past the fingertips when arms are at the side, even if leggings or tights are worn.

  –No tube tops, halter tops, spandex, muscle shirts, bare backs, immodest necklines, etc.

  –Shoulder straps should be at least two fingers wide.

  –Midriffs should not show when standing or sitting. Students should be able to raise their hands above their head without their midriff showing.

 –Clothing may not feature violence, alcohol, drugs, gangs, inappropriate or sexually suggestive language or symbols. Additionally, it must not advocate racial, ethnic or religious intolerance. This ban includes clothing that advertises groups (musical or other) that espouse these views.

6. My children will obey all adults and address them with respect. My children and I will respect other students (no name-calling, taunting, etc.).
7. My children and I will not have open drink containers outside of the Moms’ Room, and we understand that no red or orange drinks are allowed on the Learning Center premises, no matter what kind of container.
8. My children and I will not engage in behavior or bring objects that may interfere with, disrupt, or prevent a normal learning environment in or outside of the classroom.
9. My children will not skip or be tardy for class without parent permission.
10. My children will not engage in public displays of affection (handholding, hugging, arms draped over a shoulder, etc.) between boys and girls. My children understand that there is to be no unsupervised boy-girl alone time.
11. My children and I will not use profanity or vulgar language or gestures, or gambling.
12. My children and I will not engage in fundraising or other sales.
13. My children and I will not use or possess tobacco products including cigarettes, smokeless tobacco products (such as chewing tobacco), and e-cigarettes or vapes within the facilities or on or in view of the property of the Southwest Church at any time. Violators will face expulsion.
14. My children and I understand that students are not allowed to bring any kind of weapon into the Learning Center or on Learning Center grounds. Weapons are defined as any object or substance designed as a weapon or capable of threatening bodily harm, including, but not limited to all knives, nunchucks or throwing stars, bows and arrows, slingshots, razors, blackjacks, clubs, firearms (loaded or unloaded), objects designed to be worn over fists or knuckles, and explosive or incendiary devices or material.