1. Northshore Elementary School
Welcome!
Northshore Elementary School
Jana Heimer nd , 3rd and 4th 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
7/21/2018

2. Agenda/Topics to Be Covered
Mission Statement/Goals
Who’s Who
Classroom Policies and Procedures
Special Projects
Grading
Parent Conferences
7/21/2018

3. Mission Statement/Goals
Northshore Elementary School Mission Statement
The mission of Northshore Elementary School is to provide a positive, safe, healthy, nurturing, and respectful environment in which all students have the opportunity to become productive members of society and develop a love of learning that will last a lifetime. 
Northshore Elementary School Vision Statement
Northshore Elementary School is committed to creating an exemplary school in which teachers, staff, parents, and students are on a journey to excellence.  We are committed to developing a whole school of excellent readers, writers, and thinkers who are life-long learners.  
Rankin County School District Mission Statement 
The mission of the Rankin County School District 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.
7/21/2018

4. Who’s Who 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade VENTURE- Jana Heimer
4th, 5th and 6th grade VENTURE- Crawford Grabowski
Rankin County Director of Instruction-Charlotte Christian
7/21/2018

5. 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.
7/21/2018

6. 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).
7/21/2018

7. 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.
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).
7/21/2018

8. 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.
7/21/2018

9. 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
7/21/2018

10. 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?
7/21/2018