Welcome to the Home Page of Jo Aust

*About Me

My name is Jo Schopp (Ms. Schopp).  I helped open Deer Creek School in 1997..  Before that I taught at Carus School outside of Oregon City for many years. I have taught Kindergarten,1st, 2nd and 3rd grades. I grew up in Garden Home and graduated from Beaverton High. I received my BA from Southern Oregon College and a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Lewis and Clark College. I live in Tualatin and have two daughters that both graduated from Tualatin High and the University of Oregon. Katie, 24,  graduated from at and is living in Boston, and the Kelsey, 23, recently graduated from U of O. 

  *School & Class Rules

There are five expectations we have for students at Deer Creek and in my classroom: Be Safe, Respectful, Responsible, Kind and to Be Ready to Learn. Students are encouraged to follow our “High Five” expectations.

*Reading/ Spelling/Grammar

           The Tigard Tualatin School District uses MacMillan Treasures as our elementary reading curriculum. Reading instruction will be provided at each child’s particular rate and level in both whole and small group situations. Your child will have 90 minutes a day of reading instruction which will also include spelling and grammar.

    Writing

We will be using the “writing process” approach in most of our writing projects. Your child will practice writing in the following modes: narrative, imaginative, descriptive and informational. One way students will prewrite is to use the Four Square graphic organizer. 

*Handwriting

This is an exciting year for handwriting because we begin to learn cursive! We will practice it regularly so that our letter formation, spacing and slant are neat and legible. 

*Public Speaking

Throughout the year your child will have many opportunities to speak in front of the class. We will be working on organization of a clear topic, using eye contact, and proper voice level. 

*Math

We are beginning a new math curriculum this year.  It will cover: strengthening basic skills, , multiplication and division, fractions, calculators, algebraic relations, probability and solving word problems telling time, measurement, money, geometry. You will notice some different strategies in your child’s work. Be watching for parent letters which explain these new strategies. There will also be regular follow up homework in math to reinforce daily lessons. Your child will need a designated math HOMEWORK HELPER. See the first parent letter for this tip.

*Science

Our science program emphasizes hands on activities and experiments. Our areas of study will include: Insects, urban wildlife, forest habitats, weather and simple machines. We are very fortunate to have a “living classroom” outside the school with the wetland preserve! 

*Social Sciences

Geography, land forms and map reading will be a major part of our curriculum. We will learn to identify the continents, oceans, land forms and improve our map-reading skills. We will also learn about communities and natural resources.

*/*Media / Library

We will visit the library twice a week; once for book check out and once for computer skills, taught by Mrs Scypinski. Books are to be returned on the following check out day.

*/*P.E. / Music

Music is taught by Ms. Brown-Lundh, and P.E. is taught by Mrs Smith.  Our school is on a six day rotating schedule. At the beginning of each month your child will be filling out a school calendar. Check the calendar for their specials schedule.

*Art

Art will be integrated into all subjects. Your child will have the opportunity to create artwork using a wide variety of mediums including crayon, paint, charcoal, oil pastels, clay and textiles. Our fantastic art literacy program; taught by parent volunteers, teach classes about famous artists. 

*Lunch / Snack

Our lunch/recess time is from 12:00-12:40 pm. Hot lunch costs $2.50 and milk alone costs $.55. Money for lunch is put on a charge account and deducted for each meal. Your child will be notified when their lunch account is getting low. If no money is available, they will be offered milk, fruits and vegetables. 

Students may bring snacks to eat after morning recess. Please don’t send junk food or “messy” snacks. Some good examples of nutritious foods are: Fruit, cheese, crackers,   pretzels.

Birthdays

No treats, cakes, or goodies (edible or not) are allowed in the school for birthdays. We will give each child special attention in the classroom on their special day. If you would like, you may allow your child to share or donate a favorite book to the classroom.

*Newsletter 

I will be sending home a newsletter approximately once a month. These should help to keep you informed of the topics we are studying and upcoming events. 

*Home to School Folder

Everyday, your child should have in their backpack their “Home to School” folder. This is a plastic folder we have provided for any notes, correspondence, homework or papers to be transferred to and from school safely. We expect it to come back and forth from school to home every day. Please help your child develop this important organization routine.  

*Homework

Your child will be receiving a packet of homework on the first day of the week. This packet is due back on the last day of the week. It will be coming home and should return inside the provided plastic “Home to School” folder. Please remember that the completion of work in the packet is the child’s responsibility and not the parents. However, please check their work for accuracy and effort. 

The packet’s cover page has assignments set for each night of the week. Since many children participate in after school activities, please consider pacing of work on the cover page as a guide, the work can be completed at your child’s own pace or as it fits into his or her schedule. The packet may include a variety of assignments from the following categories: reading, spelling, math, language arts, handwriting, social studies, science or seasonal based activities. 

Homework is important and is expected to be returned completed on the last day of the week. If homework is lost or ruined and it is early in the week, a replacement packet will be sent home and is still due on the last day of the week.  If it is too late in the week, the packet will be completed in class during our “Fun Friday” activities. If no homework is returned, your child’s “Fun Friday” privileges for the week are revoked and an alternate seat work activity will be given. Constant loss, tardiness or unfinished packets will be handled by a conference with student, parents, teacher and/or principal. 

 Here is a list of helpful tips on how Parents can help their child:

    *Provide a well lit, quiet study area.

    *Set aside a specific time.

    *Discuss each assignment that is to be completed.

    *Monitor if your child is completing their work.

    *Check for accuracy and effort.            *Praise their hard work.

*Contacting Me

I am happy to be your partner in your child’s education. Together we can help to make this a fun, successful and productive year! Please feel free to contact me with any concerns or comments. I can be reached at school at (503) 431-4482, or by e-mail at

jschopp@ttsd.k12.or.us

        If you need me to get a message during the school day, please call the office at 

(503) 431-4450.

Jo Aust