Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I contact Mr. S?
The best way: e-mail at
Second best way: call the office at 402-561-6000
Third best way: send a note with student (also use Homework Menu or Progress Report)
Worst possible way: calling the office and leaving a voice mail. I rarely check it.
2. What’s a Homework Menu?
A Homework Menu is a packet of worksheets sent home on Monday and due back on Thursday. There’s a part where parents sign to show that students have read nightly. The worksheets aren’t designed to be hard but to get them in the habit of doing something at home and coming back with it at a designated time. Students CANNOT turn it in early.
3. Can you explain the Progress Report?
A progress report is sent home on Friday and is due back signed by a parent on Monday. It is an ESTIMATE of student’s grades and an assessment of their effort. It also includes some details about their behavior and attitude. It will show the number of cards pulled that week. Students who are behaving well and have a great academic attitude are “Rowing Forward” which means they are helping our classroom succeed overall.
4. What does “Pulling a Card” mean?
In some classes it’s called “Moving a clip.” Our classroom uses index cards. One card pulled is a disciplinary infraction usually after a warning. The average student pulls about 5-7 per year. Several students go through the year pulling zero. The most common reasons for pulling a card are: not following directions, talking after being warned, and not being respectful to others. The first card of the day is a “green card” usually means a warning where there are no immediate consequences. The second card of the day is a yellow card means an automatic loss of recess. A red card means more recesses lost, a referral to the office, the PAC room or the school counselor and a note or phone call home.
5. What is your “Nurse” Policy?
I will allow students to visit the school nurse if they have visible symptoms or an obvious injury. I will also allow a student without these symptoms to visit the nurse if a parent sends a note to me (not the office) that says the student might be ill and may need to see the nurse.
6. What is the dress code?
No shirts with advertisements for alcohol, drugs or tobacco, no shorts that hang above the fingertips, no bare midriffs. Students who come to school violating the dress code will be sent to the office. They may have a change of clothes for your child. However they may have to call you and get a change of clothes. Please also don’t send students to school with noisy jewelry, unsafe heels, heavy perfume and makeup. Shoelaces must be tied and not drag on the floor.
7. What is your supply list?
All supplies are optional or by donation. However athletic shoes and a book bag are highly recommended. The optional list includes 2 boxes of tissues, pencils and a pencil box. Do not bring: Mechanical pencils, pens, permanent markers, glue, rulers, scissors, pencil sharpeners, toys, candy, gum, make-up, trading cards, footballs, CD’s, electronic “learning” games… anything distracting or so valuable that you can’t lose it or share it.
8. Are you really a vampire?
Maybe, maybe not.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I contact Mr. S?
The best way: e-mail at
Second best way: call the office at 402-561-6000
Third best way: send a note with student (also use Homework Menu or Progress Report)
Worst possible way: calling the office and leaving a voice mail. I rarely check it.
2. What’s a Homework Menu?
A Homework Menu is a packet of worksheets sent home on Monday and due back on Thursday. There’s a part where parents sign to show that students have read nightly. The worksheets aren’t designed to be hard but to get them in the habit of doing something at home and coming back with it at a designated time. Students CANNOT turn it in early.
3. Can you explain the Progress Report?
A progress report is sent home on Friday and is due back signed by a parent on Monday. It is an ESTIMATE of student’s grades and an assessment of their effort. It also includes some details about their behavior and attitude. It will show the number of cards pulled that week. Students who are behaving well and have a great academic attitude are “Rowing Forward” which means they are helping our classroom succeed overall.
4. What does “Pulling a Card” mean?
In some classes it’s called “Moving a clip.” Our classroom uses index cards. One card pulled is a disciplinary infraction usually after a warning. The average student pulls about 5-7 per year. Several students go through the year pulling zero. The most common reasons for pulling a card are: not following directions, talking after being warned, and not being respectful to others. The first card of the day is a “green card” usually means a warning where there are no immediate consequences. The second card of the day is a yellow card means an automatic loss of recess. A red card means more recesses lost, a referral to the office, the PAC room or the school counselor and a note or phone call home.
5. What is your “Nurse” Policy?
I will allow students to visit the school nurse if they have visible symptoms or an obvious injury. I will also allow a student without these symptoms to visit the nurse if a parent sends a note to me (not the office) that says the student might be ill and may need to see the nurse.
6. What is the dress code?
No shirts with advertisements for alcohol, drugs or tobacco, no shorts that hang above the fingertips, no bare midriffs. Students who come to school violating the dress code will be sent to the office. They may have a change of clothes for your child. However they may have to call you and get a change of clothes. Please also don’t send students to school with noisy jewelry, unsafe heels, heavy perfume and makeup. Shoelaces must be tied and not drag on the floor.
7. What is your supply list?
All supplies are optional or by donation. However athletic shoes and a book bag are highly recommended. The optional list includes 2 boxes of tissues, pencils and a pencil box. Do not bring: Mechanical pencils, pens, permanent markers, glue, rulers, scissors, pencil sharpeners, toys, candy, gum, make-up, trading cards, footballs, CD’s, electronic “learning” games… anything distracting or so valuable that you can’t lose it or share it.
8. Are you really a vampire?
Maybe, maybe not.