New Events and Pictures Have Been Added - October
Check out the Look What's Happening In Our Classroom page for new events and pictures that I have updated during the month of October. There are lots of pictures from Pretty Pony Pastures, cooking, crafts and our Halloween party.
WELCOME TO THE 2015-16
SCHOOL YEAR!!!
Below you will find general information about our classroom. I have not edited for this year (yet) but it you will get general information about our classroom. To see our day to day activities and field trip pictures. I will also be updating the About Me page and Resources page eventually! Pictures from this current school year first!!!!
Crossroad's Village Field Trip!!!
We lacked snow this year on our field trip to Crossroad's Village but it sure was cold! (Mrs. Widdis told me that last year it was 60 degrees on this field trip.) We bundled up and had a great time looking at all the holiday decorations and taking a train ride.
CRAFT DAY is COMING!!!!Our annual Craft Day is Thursday, December 18! Craft Day is one of my favorite days because we spend the day with family and friends creating all kinds of fun projects. The activities give the children the opportunity to work on speech and language, fine motor, sequencing and assembling a slew of projects that they can then feel proud to bring home and share. Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, older siblings and family friends are welcome to spend the day with us! We do need a bit of help with organizing activities into bags to help streamline the day. I will be sending things Friday for those who have offered to help at home! Thank you!!!!
Welcome to Mrs. Dannecker's Classroom by Deirdre Dannecker is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Food For Families Food DriveOur Food For Families food drive starts November 17-December 12, 2014. Our classroom spearheads this drive. To benefit the Holly Kiwanis Club, who supplies holiday baskets to our community, we organize, collect, sort, and box all the food items that we collect during our theme days for Patterson Elementary. We include a raffle for a turkey(s) to students who bring 5 or more items on a given day. This year we are also having a "friendly" classroom competition for the classes who bring in the most boxtops and Campbell soup labels. Labels will be taken off the cans donated or you can send in already collected tops to your child's classroom. Here is a link to the Patterson Page and a list of themes. http://holly.pes.schoolfusion.us/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/802735/File/2014-5/11-15-14%20Patterson%20Page.pdf?sessionid=37b72e666b0142354dec6e3950edbdab
Here is a list of our theme days. Week of 11/17 Monday - Hats for Hamburger Helper Tuesday - Cans for Cookies Wednesday - Bows and Bow Ties for Baby Food & Beans Thursday - Jerseys for Juice, Jelly or Jell-O Friday - Stuffed Animals for Stuffing Week of 11/24 Monday - Mix and Match for Muffin Mix Tuesday- Cans for Cookies Week of 12/1 Monday - Silver for Silly Socks Tuesday - Cans for Cookies Wednesday - Holly Red for Rice & Beans Thursday - Peppermint for Pancake & Pie Mix, Potatoes or Pasta Friday - Crazy Hair for Crackers, Cookies or Cereal Week of 12/8 Monday - Slippers for Soup Tuesday - Cans for Cookies Wednesday - Lions, Tigers & Boxes Thursday - Santa Hats for Sauces and Sweets Friday - Pajama Pants for Week of 12/15 Monday - Count 'Em Up! Put us over the top!!! Mitchell's Farm Was A Blast!!!We had a great time at Mitchell's Farm on October 23rd. The weather was not too cold and not to warm. The corn maze was awesome with some really tall corn! We were able to pick a pumpkin, watch Mr. Mitchell make popcorn and talk about what farmers do and play in the play area with the corn room, the swings, the slides, the new bouncy balls, the animals and much more! We had lunch before we left. What a great day!
Members of the Holly Fire Department came to school to talk about fire prevention and what to do in case there is a fire in your home. One of the things they asked the children is whether they had a "safe spot" outside of their home to go to in case there is a fire/emergency in their home. It can be a fixed object such as a tree, lawn ornament, a shed, etc. that you meet at in case of a fire. Do you have a "safe spot" to meet at in case of an emergency????
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Mitchell's Farm and Pumpkin Patch - October 23rd
Our next field trip is to Mitchell's Farm on North Holly Road. This is always such a fun trip with a hay ride, pumpkin picking, corn maze, popcorn and the play area with all the different animals.
We go rain or shine, so please dress for the weather. We will also eat our lunch at Mitchell's Farm so your child will need a sack lunch. Permission slips and lunch orders were sent home last week.
We go rain or shine, so please dress for the weather. We will also eat our lunch at Mitchell's Farm so your child will need a sack lunch. Permission slips and lunch orders were sent home last week.
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2014-2015 Supply List For Our Classroom
This is the suggested donations list for our room. Please note that we are also looking for some loose items you may have around your house that make great donations! J This list is for our room only! Other teachers may ask for different supplies.
1 Back pack
2 Package Dry Erase Markers (any color)
2 boxes of colored pencils
2 boxes of Zip-Lock bags (any size)
2 boxes of Kleenex
1 box 64 count crayons
1 box markers
1 Elmer’s glue bottles (not glue sticks)
4 folders (with pockets and center with fasteners – not plastic) 1 red, 1 yellow, 1 green and 1 blue
1 PLASTIC yellow folder with pockets NO center fasteners
1 1” white folder with a clear front pocket on the cover
1 pair children’s scissors
3 packages of colored 3x5 index cards, any color, NO lines please
NO PENCILS (I have literally 100’s) please!
2 bag dried beans and 2 bag white rice (for our rice/bean table – cheap brand)
1 Box or bag of a healthy snack (animal crackers, pretzels, crackers, raisins, fruit, etc.) PER month. Please help us by supplying sweets only for birthday treats.
Odd but very useful....... box of cornstarch liquid starch
container of regular salt Kosher salt
old keys CHEAP oatmeal (not to eat) box of baking soda
can of cheap shaving cream
box of instant vanilla/lemon pudding
About Our Classroom - Things To Know About
Welcome to the 2014-15 school year! With each year we find new and interesting changes. We have two new students and an additional set of hands, Mrs. Cheryl Tessens, this year! Our class is going to be full and active with lots of new things to do and learn. You will be receiving many papers over the next week. Please take a few minutes to read this as some general information has changed.
All emergency information (aka Blue Sheets) is now kept at the district level through Skyward. Please make sure that as cellphone numbers, address and contact people change that you either notify the office or edit your profile so that we have the most current information. No one wants an emergency but they do happen and we need to be able to contact you if needed. There is information in this folder regarding registration.
My disclaimer: There is much information in this letter, but please keep in mind that although this is what “we think” is the schedule of specials and daily routine, things do occasionally change and therefore I may be in a position where things need to be moved around.
Orange Folders: Come home the first day of school. This folder contains (this letter) along with office information regarding lunch forms and menu, a blue sheet-with your family information, school picture information, our supply list, Title One Compact (if you have not signed yours yet), and the medical information for Pretty Pony Pastures. PLEASE read all the information, fill out the pages that need your signatures and information and return as soon as possible. We get a prize if we get all our Title One Compacts in first….I’m a bit competitive.
Bell Schedule: The first bell in the morning is at 8:35AM. We have breakfast in our room each morning. Since we are a Title One building, there is NO cost to students for breakfast. Instruction begins at 8:40AM. If you are bringing your child to school, all students stay in the lobby until the first bell rings. The dismissal bell rings at 3:51PM. If you are picking up your child, we will bring them to the lobby and make sure you are there before releasing them. Please help your child get the most instruction possible by arriving and departing the school in a timely manner. Arriving late or leaving early directly affects the learning process.
The White Folder: (IMPORTANT) For our returning students much is the same. For our new students we look forward to getting to know you and your families. My door is always open and I am reachable by phone or computer very easily. You are always welcome to share your thoughts. (I don’t always have an answer, but will do my best to figure it out or ask someone else!) The white folder, which is our “home to school connection”, is very important. Your child is responsible to bring this folder to school every day and show it to you every night. (S)He is asked each morning to place it on the table. The White Folder includes a yellow duotang, the Daily Note, the homework parent signature sheet and a correspondence pocket.
Yellow Folder: The yellow duotang/folder in the white notebook is where you will find any schoolwork you child has done and/or his “homework” for that day. You will want to check this folder nightly.
Daily Note: I try to write a note each day to let you know what we have done that day in our classroom. This is a general note to everyone. As many of the students have challenges with language, this Daily Note gives you information so that you can talk with your child about their day. With changes in the school day and specials, I may not get a note off each day. If something specific to your child happens I will call, email you or write you a note on the daily note or in the correspondence section of the white folder.
Pretty Pony Pastures: We will start our fall riding at Pretty Pony Pastures either the end of September or beginning of October. We will ride for six consecutive weeks this year. Your child MUST have the paperwork completed (including the medical form with a doctor’s signature) in order to ride the horses. A permission slip for the field trip will also be necessary so that your child can attend the field trip. For our new parents, you are more than welcome to attend and watch your child ride. This is a WONDERFUL way to involve multiple disciplines into one activity. All children wear helmets while riding and also learn about equine behaviors and anatomy while at the farm.
Fundraising: Our fundraising for Pretty Pony Pastures (and other field trip/activities) is done in the fall. Money earned helps offset the costs of transportation (which is very expensive) and entrance fees for some of our field trips. Our horseback riding costs approximately $1500 per session (includes riding and transportation). We highly encourage all families to participate in this fundraiser so that we will be able to ride in our spring session this year. Additional information will come home regarding the fundraiser at the end of September or beginning of October. We may be doing our fundraiser later……work in progress.
Contact Information and Email Address: Please feel free to contact me using my email address for correspondence. I check my email frequently both at work and home. [email protected] The school phone number is 248-328-3700 ext 5746. Our school fax number is 248-328-3704.
Homework: Research has found nightly homework is valuable to a child’s learning process. Therefore, there is one section in the white folder for tracking the homework sent home for your child to complete. I will be assigning homework based on the specific needs of each child. Below is an example of some of the types of activities you can help support at home.
1) For example, if your child is struggling with spelling his name I may ask him/her to practice their name using the letters in their name on cards, write in shaving cream or pudding, cut and paste on a paper, with magnets or whatever cereal they have at home. I will supply some materials in their yellow folders for the activities but understand that you can always supplement using your own ideas.
2) Other nights I may add or mention a HOMEWORK activity to the bottom of the Daily Note. These activities will be reinforcement for your child of skills he/she is working on in the classroom. This may be as simple as, “Ask you child how they made ants on a log for our snack today.”
3) A reading log is in each folder to track books you read at home. This is considered a homework activity. 10-15 minutes a day is recommended.
4) Buddy Bags – will be set up for additional reinforcement of math and literacy skills. They will come home on a weekly basis. These will start in a few weeks.
If you are not available to help on a given night, an older sibling, relative or even your child reading (where someone can hear them) to a stuffed animal will work. Your help at home lets your child see that you want them to be successful and gives them the opportunity to “show off” for you.
Correspondence: This section is for both you and me. This gives us the opportunity to touch base on things like lunch money owed, doctor appointments, a missing coat, or why your child was absent. If you need to speak to me and have been unable to contact me because say, your phone number has changed, this is where you can let me know that information. IF your child has special needs (pull ups, wipes, special dietary needs) we will put a PINK note in the cover of your child’s folder when more supplies are needed. We cannot use other children’s supplies on your child.
Snacks: This year we are asking for a donation of 1-2 boxes of crackers or other healthy foods per month, per child. This can include fruit (bananas, grapes, apples) and raisins, popcorn, cereal, etc. Please no sweets such as cupcakes, cookies, popsicles, etc. This will hopefully be less expensive, as you will be able to purchase treats when they are on sale. We have 11 children to start the year.
Cooking: We cook weekly based on what we are learning in our classroom. We may cook twice a week depending on the subject matter. We may also ask for donations occasionally. Money continues to get tighter and tighter. I will try and send home a note or added it to our website (when it is running) when possible. Cooking and art projects, are two of our favorite activities!
Lunch & Recess: Always subject to changes the first week or two of school.
LUNCH: 11:20-12:00 Recess 12:00-12:15
Lunch cost is $2.25. Reduced and free lunch forms were sent home with your child’s classroom teacher. You are able to prepay for lunches. You can send in a check or cash to the room OR bring it to the cafeteria before school. Additional forms are available upon request. You must fill out the reduced and free lunch form each year to qualify.
SPECIALS – We will attend specials with Ms. Marion or Mrs. Church this year. We are being split into two groups of four to help with class sizes. All of our specials are from 1:40-2:30.
ABCD Schedule for specials. The district has implemented a new special schedule. ALL our specials are at the same time to help with grade level collaboration. Children get Art, Music and PE (B,C,D) When we have an “A” day we do not have a special.
My plan is for our “A” days to be cooking days or field trip days. This will give us extra time to do activities that might otherwise get missed. Riding is always on Wednesdays.
IMC (library) and Tech times will be on "C" days from 10:45-11:20.
Field Trips: We will be riding twice, six weeks in the fall and five or six weeks in the spring, at Pretty Pony Pastures. Your child MUST have a medical form filled out by their DOCTOR. These forms will be coming home soon. At this time, swimming is no longer one of our activities due to financial costs. Your child will also participate on field trips with their buddy classmates. We try and go on all the lower elementary field trips as a class when they have enough extra room for all of us. We are hoping on scheduling some other field trips but will have to see how our fundraiser goes. Transportation is the big issue as it is VERY expensive.
Book Orders: I will be sending book orders home, periodically. Book orders are a wonderful CHEAP way to increase your home library. Every month there are usually at least one or two books for $.95. Please be aware that in order for our classroom to get free shipping we need to have a minimum $20 order. This can be one $20 order or several orders, which total $20. I will send home several book orders covering several grade levels. You are welcome to pick and choose. Checks should be made to Scholastic Books.
Important Names & Numbers:
Phone E-mail
Deirdre Dannecker 328-3700 [email protected]
We have 4 instructional/behavioral assistants in our classroom this year. They are my right hands and help with EVERYTHING from tying shoes to support in the general education classroom. We could not survive without them!
With our busy schedule if often seems “easier” to speak to one of these wonderful people on important issues but please note that I need to be aware of everything that is going on in the classroom. Our policy is for the Paras to direct you to me for this reason or get a phone number so I can call you as soon as possible. They are not trying to ignore or seem uninterested in your concern. Big picture – I am the one who is responsible!
I have implemented a new procedure this year to help with communication. On top of the cubbies inside the classroom door there is a green folder with “Parents” on it. This is for YOU to comment, leave me messages, give us important info that you would like to share, etc. We will all be looking at this folder regularly to get information that we might miss as we are working with children. With 5 adults and the children in the room, it is very difficult to keep everyone on the same page especially in the morning and at the end of the day. IF there is something you need me to know, or you need me to call you, please put a note in the green folder and I will get back to you on my first opportunity.
Emily Mayo Ms. Emily
Michelle Elliott Mrs. Elliott
Denise Buttery Mrs. B
Cheryl Tessens Ms. Cheryl
Below are other staff that work with the students in our room.
They can all be reached at the school number 248.328.3700
Jennifer Fons Occupational Therapist
Amy McDonald Physical Therapist
Renee Riefe Speech/Language
Suzanna Cox Social Worker