This page is designed to answer questions or concerns. If you have questions about classroom procedures, routines, discipline, or general parenting questions, this page is for you. Below you will find a list of commonly asked questions as well as some sites to help you with parenting advice. There is also a list of services available to you as a parent and organizations that you can go to for help in different ways. As with all my pages if you have difficulties please feel free to contact me via e-mail at MrsMilesMiddleMitten@excite.com.
Thank you. Your educator Mary K Miles
Frequently asked questions:
Q1.What type of discipline do you use in your classroom?A1. I use a system that helps children make better choices. It is a three warning system known as the green, yellow, red stoplight system. The stoplight chart holds a stick for each student. If a student exhibits excellent behavior throughout the day, he/she will stay at green. If a student demonstrates inappropriate behavior, he/she will receive a verbal warning. If the behavior continues, he/she will be asked to move their stick to the yellow pocket. If the child continues to demonstrate inappropriate behavior, the student will move his/her stick to the red pocket and take five minutes of time away from choice time. The child will then complete a behavior conference with the teacher. Some behaviors may result in an immediate change to yellow or red. Behaviors that warrant this type of action would be hitting another student or using language inappropriate for the classroom. In these situations, the teacher may also notify the parents with a note or a phone call that day. In the case of severe behaviors, the executive directer may also need to be notified. At the end of the week I send home a weekly folder on Friday that lets you know where your child was at all week. If the behavior was a build up of warnings you might only be notified by the Friday folder. If he/she remained at green the form will give that information. If for some reason your child ended up on all three colors on three different days I will tell you, your child was on green all week except Monday he/she was on yellow and Thursday he/she was on red. This way you know how your child is doing regarding behavior.
Q2. Do you celebrate holidays, birthdays, or special occasions in your classroom?
A2. Yes, we celebrate by recognizing birthdays with a crown, and a pencil or sticker. You may send in a treat if you like. We celebrate Valentines Day by exchanging cards and treats. We also celebrate spring in a way that does not recognize Easter as a religious holiday. We decorate eggs and call them spring eggs. We make spring art projects. We do recognize Halloween by dressing up in costumes. You also may send in treats for any occasion we celebrate. We do not celebrate Christmas. We do celebrate the winter season by making winter art projects and having winter treats that are in no way referenced toward Christmas as a religious holiday. If for some reason you do not want your child to participate in any of the above activities we will make sure your child is accommodated in a way that will treat your child fairly and not subjected to what may make it a difficult process to understand. Please feel free to notify me if you think there is something I can do to help you with this issue.
Q3. What can I do to help with my child's education?
A3. It is important to remember all children learn in different ways. Each child is unique. Be patient with your child and do what you can to help him/her learn developmentally appropriate skills. Be positive and not judgmental. Since all children learn differently you may have questions on what your child should know according to his/her current grade level. Please feel free to send me an e-mail and ask any questions about your child's learning. I will give suggestions on what you can do to help your child learn in a productive and appropriate manner. I can make up learning packets to accommodate your child's learning that you can work with him/her at home. If your child has a specific learning need or you think there is a problem please feel free to discuss it with me and I will make all of the accommodations needed to meet your child's educational needs. If your child is gifted and talented I will do everything I can to make advanced connections that will benefit your child. Please feel free to contact me any time you have a concern or question. MrsMilesMiddleMitten@excite.comQ4. What if my child needs to take time off from school/class for something like an illness or other important family function?
A4. Not a problem. If it is possible please let me know. If your child is ill you may contact me through e-mail or phone. I can make arrangements with you to get make up work for you to do with your child at home. Again if it is possible please let me know how long your child will be out and for what.
Q5. What if my child gets sick or hurt while at school/class?
A5. If it is an emergency I will contact you AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. If I am not able to reach you I will call the emergency number you gave me during orientation/sign up. If your child is hurt and does not warrant a phone call I will send home an incident report or a brief letter about the nature of the problem. Be rest assured you will be notified.
Parent Advice Web Sites
Consistent Parenting Advice
http://www.consistent-parenting-advice.com/index.html - Advice about parenting styles, bedtime, sleep, eating, divorce, sharing, discipline, the working mom, and much more. This site is also great for finking more parent resources and online games. A must see site.
Family Education
http://www.familyeducation.com/home/ - the best of the Internet's content, resources, and shopping for parents, teachers, and kids. Launched in September, 2000, the company's mission is to be an online consumer network of the world's best learning and information resources, personalized to help parents, teachers, and students of all ages take control of their learning and make it part of their everyday lives.
PBS Parents
http://www.pbs.org/parents/ - PBS Parents is a trusted online resource that's filled with information about your child’s development from birth through the early school years. Created with input from experts in child psychology, early childhood education, media and other fields, PBS Parents provides the answers you need to be your child’s first, best teacher. Looking for expert advice on the latest parenting issues? Check out the Expert Q & A blog on the Issues and Advice page. Post comments, ask questions, share stories — be part of the conversation. Don't miss the Child Development section, with its age-by-age guide to a child's development from birth to age nine. This page is also the home of the SuperSisters blog, where three real-life sisters (with ten children among them!) write about the stories and struggles that unite all mothers. PBS Parents is committed to providing valuable educational resources for parents and caregivers. The Education section offers strategies for building literacy and math skills, tips for Going to School, and recommendations from children’s book experts in the Booklights blog. You can also find information for Children with Disabilities.
The Successful Parent
http://www.thesuccessfulparent.com/ - a free parenting website designed to help you successfully navigate the awesome responsibilities of child rearing. At The Successful Parent you will find information on child and adolescent development, parenting styles, and skills for dealing with specific problem areas. The focus is to increase your knowledge base while offering real strategies you can use to put into practice what you learn. The goal is to help you raise successful kids while enjoying the rewards of building a close, warm, and solid relationship with your children that will last a lifetime.