About+Me...

Dear Parents,

Allow me to introduce myself; my name is Yolanda M. Rothfuss and I will be your child’s teacher this school year. I moved from California Sep. 2005.

I completed a Bachelors Degree in Child Development, as well as a Professional Clear Multiple Subjects Credential, (K-12) from California State University Los Angeles. I graduated from Southern Utah University with a Masters in Education with a mathematics endorsement last year. I also have an English as a Second Language endorsement.

Before deciding to become a teacher, I served 6 years of active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps, currently I am a reservist in the Navy.

By working together –teachers, students and parents- we can make this a productive school year. In order to insure the best possible learning environment for all students, the following expectations and rules will be maintained throughout the year:

1. Respect others, that means
 * Be on time (first bell 8:25 a.m.)
 * · Always be your best and treat others kindly
 * · Be courteous to others while others are talking
 * · Work quietly

2. Follow school rules:
 * Be Safe
 * Be Respectful
 * Be Responsible

Our class will use a “color code” system. If students follow the established rules, his/her card/clip will stay on green (great behavior). If student does not follow the rules, the following will happen: Rewards:
 * yellow (warning)
 * orange (Think Time/About it)
 * red (teacher's choice-loss of recess, call home, or office referral],
 * Free time
 * Choice Activity

Leader in Me: This year Oquirrh Elementary will be implementing the Leader in Me process which helps to create a common language within a school, built on Leader in Me proven principle-based leadership skills found in Dr. Stephen R. Covey’s best-selling book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People:


 * H A B I T 1: Be Proactive® • You’re in Charge
 * H A B I T 2: Begin With the End in Mind ® • Have a Plan
 * H A B I T 3: Put First Things First ® • Work First, Then Play
 * H A B I T 4: Think Win-Win ® • Everyone Can Win
 * H A B I T 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood ® • Listen Before You Talk
 * H A B I T 6: Synergize ® • Together Is Better
 * H A B I T 7: Sharpen the Saw ® • Balance Feels Best

Homework will be assigned Monday through Thursday, it will take approximately 40 min:
 * 20 minutes reading
 * 15 minutes (approximately) 2 worksheets (double sided) that reinforces or expands on what was learned that day
 * 5 minutes review spelling words
 * Any unfinished class work

Homework is intended to be a review and practice of student learning, and should not stressful or time-consuming. If this becomes an issue with your child, please let me know and we will work something out.

Spelling: We use the Sitton Spelling program at Oquirrh Elementary. We have found this to be a great program for our students, since students practice words that are at their level. The more the student manipulates the words, the quicker they will learn how to spell, read and use them. Students will have a list of about 20 words weekly and will be tested on 10 random words. It is very important that students learn the words, not just memorize them for the test. List are available on the class website.

Attendance is very important. If your child is absent he/she is expected to make up the work he/she missed. Please call the office or me or send a note when your child returns.

It also very important that your child be on time everyday, children who are consistently tardy not only disrupt other students who are working, but miss important activities and instruction.

Please ensure that your child dresses in comfortable clothing with appropriate shoes. We will be doing physical type activities as often as possible.

Restroom breaks are allowed on a needed basis. I prefer that your child uses his/her recess time to take care of such matters but I understand that there are times when that will not be the case. The reasoning for this is so that children learn to manage their time more appropriately.

I allow children to have a water bottle in class. Water only, please.

I am available before class (7:45) and after class until 3:45pm. I you need to meet with me at a different time please call me to make arrangements.

I will be more than happy to have volunteers. Please contact me to schedule.

From time to time we might correct assignments as a class. This reduces the workload for the teacher and gives the student instant information on how they are doing. It also gives the student more time to ask questions and master the concept.

Mrs. Rothfuss