11/22/2015 Welcome! School Year Northshore Elementary School Jana Heimer 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th grade VENTURE "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it's the only thing that ever has."- Margaret Mead

11/22/2015 Agenda/Topics to Be Covered  Mission Statement/Goals  Who’s Who  Classroom Policies and Procedures  Special Projects  Grading  Parent Conferences

11/22/2015 Mission Statement/Goals  The MISSION of the Rankin County School District and Northshore Elementary School is to prepare every student with the cognitive and social skills necessary to be productive members of an ever-changing global society.  As the VENTURE teacher I strive to create a learning environment that encourages, enriches and excites the students. VENTURE is an extension of the regular classroom. It challenges the students to think on a new level.

11/22/2015 Who’s Who  2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th grade VENTURE- Jana Heimer  4 th, 5 th and 6 th grade VENTURE- Crawford Grawbowski  Rankin County Director of Instruction-Charlotte Christian

11/22/2015 Classroom Policies and Procedures  Students will attend VENTURE ONE day each week.  Students are required to meet for a minimum of 5 hours a week.  We will cover Thinking Skills, Creative Writing, Creativity, Research Skills, Group Interaction and Civic Responsibility.  I allow students to eat a snack. It has to be a healthy snack. They may bring a water bottle. I do not mind if they take off their shoes as long as they are wearing socks and don’t abuse the privilege.  Students will complete an interest inventory so I can determine what units we will study. They will also complete a Learning Styles Inventory to see how they learn.

11/22/2015 Classroom Policies and Procedures  Students may go to bathroom whenever necessary as long as it isn’t abused.  Spelling/Handwriting: Spelling and handwriting are regular classroom subjects. I am more interested in their ideas than if the words spelled correctly.  $25 Donation: I use the money collected from the $25 donation to purchase all materials, books, resources that are needed throughout the year.  Tweets from Venture: At the end of each class, the students will Tweet about Venture. They will tell about a three things they did in Venture that day. The purpose of this is so that you and your child can discuss some of the things we did that day, whether it is something they liked or didn’t like. It is also my intention to keep you informed on what we are doing. I will occasionally indicate any minor problem that we may have had that day (talking too much, work not being completed, etc).

11/22/2015 Special Projects  Independent Research Project: There will be an independent research project.  Field Trip: We will go on a field trip. I am not sure where or when right now. They usually correspond with a unit of study.  Service Project: TBA. We have made jewelry, sold candy and popsicles, collected band-aids, and had a talent show in the past. Chess: As a class we will discuss the basics. Students will be encouraged to regularly play each other. There is a District chess tournament each Spring. Northshore will send one student from each grade (2-6).

11/22/2015 Grading  VENTURE has a grading scale of 1-5(the highest) Students will receive a grade in each of the following areas: Thinking Skills, Creativity, Personal Development and Research 5 - Exemplary performance 4 - Exceeds expectations 3 - Meets expectations 2 - Needs improvement 1 - Below Standards/conference requested  A report card along with completed work (thinking skills packet, ten minute tidbits and writing) will be sent home each 9 weeks. Please return the signed report card. Keeps the completed work. I do not send out progress reports.

11/22/2015 Parent Conferences  I am available before or after school if you need to schedule a meeting with me or have a concern you’d like to discuss.  You may contact me at or call the school-  Check out my website for class newsletter, pictures, schedules, announcements, etc.  You are always welcome to visit. My door is always open! “Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” Christopher Robin to Pooh

11/22/2015 Q&A  Does anyone have a job or hobby that they would like to tell us about? Please let me know if you like to come share.  Any questions or comments?