• Here are some questions that I commonly get asked: 

     

    Q: What supplies does my child need to bring to school?

     

    A: The only supply that your child really needs to bring to school is a backpack to carry and organize materials. Really?? Yes, the school supplies all the other materials needed such as pencils, erasers, scissors, glue sticks, etc. Save yourself some money and spend it on something else that you really need to purchase.

     

    Q: What is the schedule for specials?

     

    A: Our specials run on a "Day 1-5" schedule. Day 1 is not always the same day. For example, if we start school on Thursday, then that is day 1; Friday is day 2; and Monday will be day 3 etc. If there is no school, the day schedule picks up from where we left off.

    Our current specials are: Day 1 is Art; Day 2 is Gym, Day 3 is Library, Day 4 is Computers and Day 5 is Music.

     

    Q: What is the best way to contact you?

     

    A: Email is the best way to contact me. I check my school email several times daily. It's the best way for me to respond as well. You can use the link on my homepage or send it directly to me at: dhines@hdsd.k12.nh.us. Just remember that the server is sometimes down, so if it is urgent or timely, you might want to follow up an email with a note to me or a call to the school office and leave a message.

     

     

    Q: What is the procedure for homework?

     

    A: Homework is given as a packet on Mondays and is due on Fridays. The packet usually includes teacher choices (must do activities) and student choices. Homework follows the guidelines as established by the HD School Board. Your child should spend 15-20 minutes reading each night and about another 15-20 minutes working on the packet. Sometimes special projects are assigned instead of the packet.

     

    Q: Should my child have difficulty doing homework?

     

    A: No. Homework is for review and practice purposes only. New information and skills are not given as homework without having practiced the skill as school. Your child should be familiar with the work given. In addition, the amount of work given is tailored to the amount of time that is given in school to complete an assignment. Most work should be able to be completed in 15 minutes or less. Packets are planned for 1 to 2 sheets to do per day. Also, some parts of the packets are chosen for the abilitiy level of your child. If your child is struggling, you need to let me know. Sometimes the level or amount can be adjusted as needed. Keep in mind though, that some kids will give their parents a hard time for work that they can do easily and without issue here at school. Regardless, it is important that we discuss the issue and come up with a plan for your child.

     

    Q: My child doesn't seem to remember to bring home information. When can I expect to get information about school events?

     

    A: All school information and corrected student work is sent home on Fridays in your child's "Friday" folder. Please take a moment to look through this information in the folders each week. Typical things that you can expect to see each week are: corrected work, notes as needed, and other school flyers/information. If information is timely and can't wait till Friday, then it will be sent home that day and should be in your child's backpack. Check both on my site and the school site for additional information.

     

    Q: My child is excited to learn cursive. Should I begin teaching cursive at home?

     

    A: Learning cursive is something that most kids in 3rd grade look forward to. It's often easier to teach the students cursive when they haven't already learned at home from a parent or older sibling. Many times people adapt their handwriting from what they were originally taught and then depending on the program we use, there will be differences. It's best to wait until your child has learned here at school because it's hard to undo habits once established. Once we've begun learning our cursive letters, then I encourage you to support your child by having them show you what they've learn and support them with practice. One the "newness" of cursive wears off, they'll need that support and encouragement.

     

    Q What is the class' color for Rainbow Assemblies?

     

    A: Our color is YELLOW!