WELCOME BACK ODYSSEY STUDENTS AND FAMILY!!! 

 I can't believe the new school year has arrived!!  I hope you all have had a fun-filled summer.  My summer was crazy busy, but I did accomplish a lot.  I actually learned how to slalom ski.  YEAH ME!  I did a lot of scrapbooking and of course went through a lot of training to make this school year the best yet!  I am so excited to teach your children.  I have learned so many great and new things.  I also look forward to learning from my students as well.  In fact, at times I feel I am the student and they are the teachers. 

I have a lot of wonderful and engaging lessons and activities and hope your children come ready to learn and succeed!  I am here to guide your children to success.  THEY WILL BE SUCCESSFUL and WILL LEARN AMAZING CONCEPTS AND INFORMATION THAT WILL HELP THEM TO ACHIEVE GREATNESS NOW AND IN THE FUTURE.  This year is only a part of their educational journey, but it will be an amazing path to follow! 

I will convey a message of high and positive expectations to my students and help them reach their goals.  Research has stated, "The results suggest rather strongly that children who are expected by their teachers to gain intellectually in fact do show greater intellectual gains after one year than do children of whom such gains are not expected"  Benjamin S Bloom has said that this is the most important growing period for academic achievement and that all subsequent learning in the school is affected and in large part determined by what the child has learned by the age of 9 or by the end of grade 3.  It is evident that when the school and home environments are mutually reinforcing, learning is likely to be the greatest.  The nature of the learning environment is most critical during the periods of most rapid change in learning--the early years of school. It is my goal to work together as a team with the parents to guarantee a successful year.  The parents are the childrens first and foremost teacher.  I am here to help the parents with their child's education.

My classroom is well managed and extremely task-oriented.  The students will know what is expected of them and how to succeed.  During the first few days of school I will be going over classroom and school procedures thoroughly so as to leave no doubt in the students mind as to what they should be doing or how they should be doing it.  Students make greater achievement in a predictable environment.  This will also give the the students a sense of accomplishment and belonging in the classroom.  I also want to make sure the students feel safe in my classroom.  They can come to me anytime with questions or concerns.  I will always be available to them when they need my help.  As parents, please feel free to contact me anytime with any concerns or questions.  I will give you my cell phone number if you would like it.  Please come in and observe any time.  Parents are always welcome to come see what their chidren are learning in class and how I am interacting with the students. 

You will have three ways of communication from me each week.  I will update this website every weekend, a class newsletter will be sent home every Monday and the students will have a learning plan each week.  I am hoping this will keep you informed of what events are happening and what your students are learning everyday.  Dockets are extremely important.  Please remember to have your child bring it home and to school each day and to check for homework on their learning plans.  I need your help with keeping the students organized.  Please go over the classroom procedures and school HERO program frequently with your child.  I find that if a student knows that the teacher and parents are working together, good behavior is increased.  On the first day of school you will receive a manilla envelope with a lot of information.  Please make sure to go through it all and send back what is necessary in the envelope. 

This year will be a memorable year for all and I am looking forward to meeting and getting to know all of you.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Call