The ABCs of Mrs. Ziruolo's Classroom

Absences: Regular school attendance is critical to the learning process. When your child is absent, he or she misses valuable instructional time. Please send a written note of explanation with your child when he/she returns to class. Excessive absences may result in retention.

Accelerated Math (AM): The Accelerated Math program allows a student to work at his/her own pace. The teacher assigns objectives to the student and the student masters the objectives before moving on. This program will tag objectives in which the student is struggling. This gives the teachers more information which can be used to target problem areas. Accelerated Math will be used in conjunction with our math series.

Accelerated Reader (AR): The Accelerated Reader program is an independent reading program. Students read books from a selected list and then take short computer quizzes to test comprehension. Students earn points based upon the length of the book and their performance on the quiz. Students will be tested at the beginning of the year and periodically throughout the year to find their approximate independent reading level.

Assignments: All class work and homework must be completed in pencil.
All work must be neat and easy to read; sloppy work may be handed back to the student to redo.
When a student is absent, he/she will be expected to complete missing work.
Each week, students will receive a homework grade.

Book bags: Your child will be allowed to carry a book bag. Library books, homework and completed work will be going home with your child. Please check your child’s book bag daily.

Brown Envelope: Your child will bring home a brown envelope each week that includes progress reports, notes and completed work. Please sign and return this envelope each week.

Communication: Communication is an essential ingredient in our success together. Please feel free to send in a note, send an email debbiemz@leeschools.net or give me a call at 995-4704.

Conferences: Student-led conferences are scheduled after the first and third grading quarters. This is a conference between you and your child. You may request a conference with the teachers at any time during the year. I may also request a conference with you, should I have concerns about your child.

Discipline: Establishing good classroom discipline is important for each child’s success, confidence and safety. Every child should feel safe and secure in the classroom environment. In addition, it is important that each child develop self-discipline and good work habits. It is also vital that each child learn how to resolve conflicts peacefully and learn how to think independently. In order for all children in our class to learn, they need rules and guidelines to follow.

Effort: I hold high expectations for each and every student in our classroom. I expect and encourage all students to do their best in everything they do.

FCAT: Students are given the FCAT for the first time in third grade. Any third grader that scores substantially below grade level on the third grade FCAT reading exam will be retained. Should the child score substantially below the following year, he/she may be retained again. This would put a child in the third grade for three years. Practice is critical – READ WITH YOUR CHILD AT HOME.

Field Trips: Volunteers are welcome to attend when we go on a field trip. All volunteers must fill out the volunteer form and return it to the office ahead of time. Volunteers go through a background check to help ensure the safety of our students. Approved volunteers may contact us to attend trips. I would appreciate advanced notice if you intend to come along.

Fluency: Second graders are expected to read between 92-100 words correctly in one minute at the end of the school year.

Homework: Homework is an extension of the learning that is happening in the classroom. It will be assigned Monday-Thursday. I expect every student to complete homework.

Kindness: Students are encouraged and expected to treat all members of our class, as well as others, with kindness and respect. Hitting, fighting, name-calling and making fun of others are actions which are not tolerated.

Levels: On your child’s report card, you will notice the levels at which your child is independently working in reading, writing, and math. ANY STUDENT working substantially or minimally below grade level at the end of the third quarter will be considered for retention.

Practice: Please practice skills taught in class at home with your child.

Report cards: Your child will receive a report card every nine weeks. Be sure to pay close attention to the levels your child is working on independently.

Signing out: There may be times when you may need to sign your child out early. This is done in the front office. Children may not leave the classroom before being signed out. This includes times you may be in the classroom for events. You will need to leave the classroom and sign your child out in the office. The office will call as soon as this is completed.

Star testing: Your child will be tested in reading and math using a computerized test. This test is known as the Star test. We will send home a report each time your child takes this test. Please be sure to sign and return this report.

Tardiness: Please be sure your child is on time for school. We start lessons on time and do not want your child to miss important information.

Toys: Toys are not allowed on campus. Any toys taken from your child will need to be picked up by a parent.

Weekly progress report: I will send home weekly progress reports. This will include AR grades, homework grades and a behavior grade. Please be sure to sign and return this report.

Visitors: Please sign in at the office.

You: You are your child’s first teacher, and you play an extremely important role in your child’s education.

Zzzzzzzz’s: Please make sure your child gets plenty of rest. It will help keep your child alert and ready to learn.