Binder Reminder, Orange Folder, Website and Homework Binder Reminders
Students write important information in the binder reminder about homework, materials and schedule. Once is's written, we stamp it. The stamp indicates this information is correct. Please ask your student to show you the binder reminder daily. Orange Folder The orange folder is extremely important. We give vital information, homework and return work in this folder. It needs to be looked into at least on Friday (even better several days a week). Once a week, usually on Tuesdays, we send home finished work. Students can't always determine what is important to keep. Please help your student make decisions on what to keep in there and what to take out. IEP forms and other office announcements will come in through this folder. Keeping homework in progress in the folder is a great idea so that we can help monitor progress. Website : mrscruzclass.weebly.com I send an email each week to let you know that the updated website is ready. This website has a current schedule for the week along with what we are doing during the week -- these topics are great to get students talking about what we are doing in school. Also, I will be adding pictures of our class and our adventures on this site. These can be easily used to spark conversation. |
Classes and gradesClasses
Students take their core classes with the rest of the SC8 students. This curriculum is devised of topics from general education and supplemented by student interest, enhanced social interaction, and IEP goals. Grades The SC8 classroom is a pass/fail program. This means that we do not give letter grades on report cards. We can (and do) give scores for students work when we do independent work or projects. For much of the curriculum, we are helping students in group situations, which is more conducive to students and teachers helping each other in their work. Grades are then not useful -- other than to say we finished successfully and used our awesome social skills! You might notice a circled number on work. The independence levels range from a 5=completely independent to 0=was unable to start work, even with help. I will give a copy of this also, in the orange folder for reference. Electives Students well be enrolled in general education electives as they are ready for them. Usually, 7th grade second semester or 8th grade first semester. We place students based on student interest, class availability and staffing. Students usually go out to these electives in small groups with an aide. PE/APE PE takes place every other day. Staff and aides are available for support at this time. If they receive APE services, the service is provided at that time, as well. If students are ready to attempt a general education PE class, that can be arranged, also. |
Social skills, services and IEPsSocial Skills
Our program is arranged so that we can handle social skills. These teachable moments are taken daily when needed and as they come up in class and on the yard. Students in this class setting often need assistance with perspective taking and general skills having to do with how to handle daily social skills. Our curriculum is built around this concept. Students and parents are encouraged to let us know if social situations are occurring so that we can help give skills around these issues. Speech services are provided one time a week for 30-50 minutes and are social skills based. The class then works on the skills provided in that class for the rest of the week. Students are also working on a social skills program within the general curriculum that helps with Executive Functional skills. I passed out an introduction to Executive Function at the meeting. I will include it for parents in the yellow folder this week for anyone who was unable to attend in case you are interested in finding out more -- or you might like a refresher! Services Services are provided according to your student's IEP. If you have any questions about when your student is seen by providers, please let me -- or the provider -- know and we will give you that information. IEPs We will be contacting you via email or phone regarding scheduling for your annual or triennial IEP this year. It is a real feat to get all the attendees together in one place -- especially in the spring. So, please be as flexible as possible. We will always try to make it work for everyone as best as we can. IEP update reports come out quarterly and are sent home in the yellow folder. I will give you a heads up via email to let you know when they are in the folders. If you have any questions about goals and attainment please don't hesitate to ask! Thank you for allowing us to work with your student. It is our pleasure to work with them! They are worth every minute and we are happy each of them found their way to Rio Norte! |