Classroom Management

Get ready for your student to have their first job!! I will post classified ads in our classroom for different classroom jobs.  Students will choose the jobs they want, fill out the application, have an interview, and be hired. Students will be paid for doing their jobs well, and will track their pay in a classroom checkbook.  Students may gain or lose money for behavior in the classroom, also.  At the end of the month, we will do an auction in which students may use the money in their checkbooks to purchase items or special privileges.

I feel that parents and teachers should be a team that supports students to be their best.  I hope to work with you and keep communication open to help your student be successful!!

Uniform Policy

Students attending Pikes Peak School of Expeditionary Learning will be required to wear a school uniform that consists of a plain colored (not plaid or stripes) polo shirt embroidered with the school logo. Slacks, neat jeans, skirts and shorts are acceptable coordinates. However, nothing more than four inches above the knee is allowed at school.  If students come without the designated uniform and appropriate clothing for the weather or circumstance, teachers are responsible to inform the office so that parents may be informed. Please be aware that “appropriate clothing for the weather or circumstance” means that PPSEL teachers and the PPSEL office have the authority to deem what is appropriate and what is not. Items such as pajama pants, inappropriate shoes or other items that are deemed not to be appropriate for a school setting will not be allowed. If a student consistently refuses to comply with the uniform policy, parents will be required to pick up their child for the remainder of the day.  Sweatshirts, hoodies or other jackets may not be worn during class unless they are official sweatshirts with the PPSEL logo.  A uniform polo shirt needs to be worn underneath, as well. Finally, uniform shirts may not be cut, changed or altered, tied up in any many or worn in any way other than intended.

PPSEL requires a school uniform for many reasons. School uniforms build school spirit, show pride in one’s appearance and advertise the school.  A school uniform is more economical for parents. It lessens peer and social pressure to buy clothing that represents the latest fashion trend. Uniformity also has tremendous safety benefits.  School uniforms are invaluable when we leave school grounds for fieldwork activities because they allow teachers and volunteers to quickly identify Pikes Peak School of Expeditionary Learning students among a larger group.

On days that students have Physical Education (P.E.), students need shoes that the P.E. teacher feels will keep students’ feet and bodies safe.

Dress Code for Non-Uniform Days, Events and Activities

Occasionally, there will be times when the uniform requirement could be waived.  Those times could include, but not be limited to Fridays, school sponsored sports events, fine arts events, student school social activities, etc.

On those occasions that are school related “uniform free” days or functions, the dress code is as follows:

Apparel containing printed or visual messages that are inappropriate in a school setting (i.e., alcohol, tobacco, controlled substances, sexual references, profanity, “double meaning”, derogatory comments, gang affiliations, etc.) will necessitate a change in clothing.  Clothing is not to be tight, suggestive, revealing, or distracting, i.e. torn, “sagged/low riding, and/or baggy.”  See-through, bare midriff, spaghetti straps and tank tops are not appropriate.

·         Nice pants, leggings, sweat pant outfits, jeans and jean shorts that are hemmed (not frayed or torn) are acceptable.  Shorts and cutoffs must be no shorter than four inches above the middle of the knee.  Children should wear appropriate clothing for weather conditions.

·         Skirts and dresses should not be shorter than four inches above the middle of the knee.  Shorts must be worn under dresses during P.E. and recess. 

·         Sweatshirts and t-shirts with appropriate pictures, logos or words may be worn.  Collared shirts, turtleneck and mock-turtleneck shirts, and sweaters are acceptable.

Hats or caps are not to be worn in the building.

Students are able to have hair that has a color added.  When hair colors or styles begin to distract from learning, students may be asked to make a change.

Additional Information

Fieldwork:  

At PPSEL, much of our learning is done through the use of experts in the field.  This means we will often invite experts to come to school to speak to our students or to help them have a hands-on learning experience.  If you have special skill related to our fifth grade Common Core State Standards, and would be willing to be an expert in our classrooms, please let us know.  We are always looking for experts!!

We also go out on fieldwork to see experts.  When we go on fieldwork, we utilize parent drivers to safely transport our kiddos.  We try to give at least two weeks’ notice for fieldwork trips to allow parents that wish to drive the opportunity to make arrangements.  We will also send home a permission slip for parent signature to allow students to attend the fieldwork.  With that permission slip, we include any information about what students need to bring.

Items Not Allowed At School:  

There are some items that are not allowed at school, and we wanted to specifically name some items students have brought in the past.  This includes:

• Weapons (real/toy)
• Electronics such as iPods and games
• Cell phones (if your student needs to bring a phone, it must me off and stored in their backpack during the school day)
• Unhealthy snacks
• Flip flops