Welcome to my class web page.  My name is Phyllis Jones and I am so glad to have you or your child as a member of my class.  I am married to Jody Jones and we have four children.  I love to read mysteries, ride horses, shop, and spend time with family and friends.  We live on a farm and raise crops, cattle, hogs, horses, cats and dogs.

I grew up on a farm with my parents Dale and Hilda Sayler and my brother, Randy.  I went to Northwestern R-I Schools in Mendon.  I graduated from college in Fayette and got my BS in early childhood and elementary education.  I also have a degree in early childhood special education.  I received my master's in early childhood special education from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

I have taught at Keytesville for 17 years.  I've taught preschool, 2nd grade, 5th grade, K-12 title 1 language arts and now am in 6th grade.  Middle school is such a great age to teach.  I enjoy it immensely and look forward to a wonderful, successful year!

My Philosophy of Success:

I believe that learning can and needs to be fun.  Engaging, and interesting activities that apply to real world situations are implemented as often as possible in my classroom.  If you, my students see the value of what you are learning and it is presented in a fun, interesting, and practical way, you are more likely  to learn and remember the concept much better.

Sixth Grade "I Will" Pledge:

The main criteria for being successful in my classroom is to follow the 6th grade pledge in order to provide an environment where learning can occur.

                                      I will respect others with my words. 
                                      I will be responsible with my actions. 
                                                    I will be kind. 
                                 I will do my part to make Keytesville Schools 
                                               a safe place to learn.

Be RESPECTFUL:

• Treat others the way you want to be treated
• Allow  others to be different
• Acknowledge the ideas of others
• Honor the personal space of others
• Be a good listener
• Use appropriate voice levels

• Take care of yourself
• Do your schoolwork
• Be honest
• Report major problems or dangerous situations to adults
• Have good attendance
• Arrive on time
• Adhere to building dress code

• Include others
• Use polite words and appropriate language
• Keep hands and feet to self
• Share and take turns
• Be a team player
• Help those in need

• Walk in the building
• Use materials and equipment safely
• Resolve conflicts peacefully

Discipline Policy:

The sixth grade classroom follows the discipline policy in the school handbook.  In my classroom, I begin by giving the student subtle hints to get them on task: a look, walk near, point, etc.  If the subtle hint is not taken, I will say the students name.  If the student does not understand what behavior I am expecting; I will quietly give clear, concise directions.  If the student continues to exhibit misbehavior, I will speak to him or her in the hallway, explain the situation including the next step.  If the behavior continues, the student will be asked to remove him or herself from the classroom with a "Respect Sheet" form and to go directly to the "Safe Room."  The "Safe Room" is in the 3rd grade classroom with Mrs. Ratliff.  The student will quietly be seated in the "Safe Spot" and fill out the "Respect Sheet" form before returning to the 6th grade classroom.  While in the "Safe Room", the student is not allowed to speak or have eye contact with the teacher or 3rd grade students unless there is an emergency.  If the student is disruptive in the "Safe Room" they will go directly to the office.  After returning  to the 6th Grade classroom from the "Safe Room", if misbehavior continues, the next step is to the principals office and a call home to the parent.  If the infraction is serious enough, the student may be sent to the office and receive a call home on the first offense.

Grading Policy:

I firmly believe that students need to practice what they've learned independently in order for the information to be assimilated into their understanding and to remembered in the future.  I also believe that children and pre-teens need to be allowed to have some free time on weekends and evenings to relax and enjoy themselves. 

I will be assigning homework to practice new concepts learned in the classroom.  Students will be given at least thirty minutes of study time in order to complete homework.  Homework will be assigned Monday through Thursday and only occasionally on Fridays.  The school adopted a new homework program last year called ZAP, which means ZEROS AREN'T PERMISSIBLE.  You will find the policy in the student handbook as well.  When a homework assignment in not turned in, the student gets ZAPPED!  He or she will be required to have a parent sign the zap form and returned to school the next day.  If the homework is turned in the next day, the zap is cleared and the grade will drop a letter on that assignment.  If the homework is not turned in; the student will stay after school that day from 3:15 until 4:15.

I do offer for all of my students to redo an assignment for partial credit.  My intention for this policy is that the student learn from their mistakes and be given credit for the extra initiative of the student to improve their performance.  Extra credit may be available in some circumstances.  See me if you wish to do so.

Grading Scale:

The following is a rating scale, which will be used for the assignment of grades:
 

A 95-100	C 73-76
A- 90-94	C- 70-72
B+ 87-89	D+ 67-69
B 83-86	D 63-66
B- 80-82	D- 60-62
C+ 77-79	F Below 60

Tutoring:
I will be tutoring from 3:15 to 4:15 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  If you or your parents are interested, please let me know.  We will start the week after Labor Day in September.

Questions and Concerns:

If you or your parent ever have a question or concern, please feel free to contact me.  I am a full believer that communications needs to open and often in order to make the school experience a success for us all.  As a student, please feel free to pull me aside and say, "Hey, I need to talk."  As a parent, please feel free to come by before or after school or call me at the school at 660-288-3767 or at home or e-mail me at akz011 at mail.connect.more.net.  Please send me your e-mail address as well in order to send you updates via e-mail if you wish.

Thank you and I am looking forward to a fabulous year!

Mrs. Jones