Solutions Update for Music and Spanish

Good news!!  Solutions is now available for Music for students in grades 1-8 and Spanish for students in grades 5-8.  There were originally some problems with whether or not Solutions was able to be used for specialty subjects but it seems that we’ve finally gotten all of the “bugs” worked out.  Please be aware that numerical grades of 70 – 100 will convert to a grade of “S” and grades of 69 and below will convert to an “N”. 

**Spanish participation grades are based on ACTIVE participation by the student.  It is extremely important to SPEAK Spanish in order to learn it.  Students who do not volunteer to speak in class or answer when called on will not receive 100% participation.  Also, students who fail to bring their supplies to class will only receive 50% participation for the day.  We only meet once per week so it is imperative that students have their supplies each class meeting.  Since it is already 2^nd quarter and because it disrupts class, students will not be allowed to return to their homeroom to retrieve forgotten items.  Also, behavioral problems affect participation grade.  If a student is not behaving appropriately, they are not participating appropriately.  Therefore, if you see that your child(ren) have received a weekly participation grade that is lower than 100%, you will know that one of the above listed criteria has not been met.  If you would like to know the details of the grade, please feel free to contact me.

I will also be posting Spanish study guides and test dates to my Solutions page as I did last year with Edline.

 I hope that the use of Solutions will help to keep you aware of what’s going on with your student(s) in Spanish and Music.  However, please contact me if you need clarification.

Thanks,

Lee Benbow

The rules for the music and Spanish classrooms are the same as the school-wide rules.  Discipline with Purpose skills are taught and implemented and a grade is given to students in grades 1-8 for each skill.

The following procedures will occur for students demonstrating behavioral difficulties in the music and/or Spanish rooms:

Kinder – 2^nd Grade

*The student will receive a verbal warning and description of the behavior that needs to be corrected. A yellow warning card will be handed to the student.

*If the behavior does not improve or another inappropriate behavior is demonstrated, a red card will be handed to the student.  Any student receiving a red card will be given a specialty teacher discipline form to take home.  This form should be signed by the parent and returned the NEXT SCHOOL DAY.

Grades 3-8

*The student will receive a verbal warning and description of the behavior that needs to be corrected.  A blank disciplinary (demerit/detention) form will be handed to the student.

*If the behavior does not improve or another inappropriate behavior is demonstrated, the student will be asked to fill his/her name in on the disciplinary form and a demerit or detention will be given.

**PLEASE NOTE:  Students in grades 3-8 may be issued a demerit at any time at Mrs. Benbow’s discretion without prior warning.

**Any student who receives 2 or more Specialty Teacher Discipline forms or 1 or more demerits within a quarter will automatically receive an “I” and possibly a “U” for their quarterly conduct grade.

**Demerits are due back to Mrs. Benbow with a parent signature on the NEXT school day.  It is the STUDENT’S responsibility to make sure that it is returned. Failure to return a signed disciplinary form may result in the issuance of another demerit/detention.

**Rewards will be given in the form of hand stamps, stickers, treats, fun days, etc… at Mrs. Benbow’s discretion.

I look forward to a great school year with your children.  Please feel free to contact me through the school office, with a written note or by email if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Lee A. Benbow

Music and Spanish Teacher

St. Dominic School