Mr. Curt Clark
San Diego is my hometown, though I’ve lived all over the United States and also in the United Kingdom. I received my Bachelors from San Diego State University and my Masters through National University. I’ve had the privilege of teaching since 1998.
Not a day goes by in my classroom that I am not awed by the power of learning. Nothing brings me greater joy than witnessing one of my students, slight smile and eyes sparkling, in the moment of the great “a-ha!” – when that difficult concept finally clicks.
When I’m not teaching, I can usually be found traveling to new and exciting destinations around the globe. Or else, you may find me several meters below the ocean’s surface, exploring the underwater world along with the sea creatures. Either way, my passion for learning drives both my personal life and my direction in the classroom. I cannot expect my students to develop a love of learning unless I maintain my own!
Not a day goes by in my classroom that I am not awed by the power of learning. Nothing brings me greater joy than witnessing one of my students, slight smile and eyes sparkling, in the moment of the great “a-ha!” – when that difficult concept finally clicks.
When I’m not teaching, I can usually be found traveling to new and exciting destinations around the globe. Or else, you may find me several meters below the ocean’s surface, exploring the underwater world along with the sea creatures. Either way, my passion for learning drives both my personal life and my direction in the classroom. I cannot expect my students to develop a love of learning unless I maintain my own!
Dear Families,
Hello! My name is Curt Clark and I am your child’s teacher this year at Ross Elementary. I am looking forward to working with you and your child this year. Please read the following information carefully.
Homework
Homework is an integral part of your child’s success in school. Homework will consist of nightly reading, math, and science assignments – from time to time, there may be additional items, but these will be our routine items. Homework is checked for completion each morning. I ask that you sign your child’s homework planner each night when items are completed. Routine classwork assignment (ie Calendar Math & Word Problems) and Test Corrections are to be turned in on Fridays. It is extremely important that they have both the space and time at home to work on homework. An appropriate homework area is a well-lit, quiet table or desk with plenty of pencils and as few distractions as possible. Backpacks and 3-ring binders will assist your child in maintaining organization that is crucial to their educational experience. Support from you in creating a homework space and encouraging the completion of homework is crucial and very much appreciated.
Your student is responsible for their daily homework assignments. If an assignment is not completed, students will be asked to "walk the line" at recess. It is extremely rare that a student will be excused from any homework assignment as many of the homework assignments build on classwork and assist students towards completion of longer assignments (ie the Writing Process). Although I appreciate and understand that emergencies do arise, students are expected to complete all work. Students can earn Homework Passes that may be used (maximum of 2 per week) in the event that items are incomplete. Homework Passes may not be used for Final Projects/Drafts. Please notify me if you have an extended, planned absense so that I can gather items for your child to complete during his/her time away.
Homework as well as classroom expectations increase greatly in the Upper Grades. Particularly at the start of the year this can be difficult and you should expect this to take some adjustment on your child’s part. If your child is regularly taking an excessive amount of uninterrupted work time to complete homework please see me. This rigor is in preparation for the challenges approaching in Middle School. The adjustment to this will pass and your child will be better prepared for future studies.
Students are expected to be prepared for class daily. It is very important that they bring ALL Journals/Notebooks daily! In the event of an absence, students should borrow notes from a peer to catch-up during our morning Warm-Ups. Journals/Notebooks are to be kept up to date. These, as well as Homework Worksheets, may be used as a reference during routine classroom assessments. Please encourage your child to use their resources during tests!!!
Classroom Conduct
In an effort to create an effective learning community, there are certain guidelines that must be adhered to. Your child may NOT bring any of the following materials into the classroom: electronics, combs, hairbrushes, makeup, toys, mobile phones (except if turned off OR if the teacher has requested students to utilize personal technology [ie Note dictation, Google Search, eBooks, iMovies, etc.] ) or anything else that will distract from the learning time. If any of these things are brought they will be taken away and returned to you, the parent/guardian.
This year we will be following strict discipline guidelines to create a welcome and warm learning environment. I prefer to work on discipline from a positive point of view and students will regularly be rewarded with increased opportunities for privileges. Classroom expectations are very clear. Behaviors that do not follow these expectations are entered in our Behavior Book and parents/guardians will be notified. Students with excessive entries in our Behavior Book/on-going behavior issues will result in a parent-teacher meeting to attempt to establish a plan of action.
We will also be using the ClassDojo App (download the App for your mobile phone or click the link below) to give parents a direct link to behaviors in the class. Please note that I do try to "catch students being good more often than documenting areas of necessary growth, but I will attempt to give parents a general feel of their child's behaviors during class.
Your student will have access to the classroom library, our school's library, as well as books checked out through our District's IMC (Book Club books). I trust each student to treat these books with respect and return them to school when they are finished. It takes the respect of all students to maintain an adequate supply of books for the library. Lost books may require reimbursement from parents/guardians, so please assist your child this added responsibility.
If you have any questions or concerns about any of the above information please feel free to contact me at (858)800-5800. Please be advised that I do not accept telephone calls during instructional time. However, I will return your call at my earliest convenience. You may also reach me via e-mail.
Your Partner in
Your Child’s Education,
Mr. Curt Clark
[email protected]
Hello! My name is Curt Clark and I am your child’s teacher this year at Ross Elementary. I am looking forward to working with you and your child this year. Please read the following information carefully.
Homework
Homework is an integral part of your child’s success in school. Homework will consist of nightly reading, math, and science assignments – from time to time, there may be additional items, but these will be our routine items. Homework is checked for completion each morning. I ask that you sign your child’s homework planner each night when items are completed. Routine classwork assignment (ie Calendar Math & Word Problems) and Test Corrections are to be turned in on Fridays. It is extremely important that they have both the space and time at home to work on homework. An appropriate homework area is a well-lit, quiet table or desk with plenty of pencils and as few distractions as possible. Backpacks and 3-ring binders will assist your child in maintaining organization that is crucial to their educational experience. Support from you in creating a homework space and encouraging the completion of homework is crucial and very much appreciated.
Your student is responsible for their daily homework assignments. If an assignment is not completed, students will be asked to "walk the line" at recess. It is extremely rare that a student will be excused from any homework assignment as many of the homework assignments build on classwork and assist students towards completion of longer assignments (ie the Writing Process). Although I appreciate and understand that emergencies do arise, students are expected to complete all work. Students can earn Homework Passes that may be used (maximum of 2 per week) in the event that items are incomplete. Homework Passes may not be used for Final Projects/Drafts. Please notify me if you have an extended, planned absense so that I can gather items for your child to complete during his/her time away.
Homework as well as classroom expectations increase greatly in the Upper Grades. Particularly at the start of the year this can be difficult and you should expect this to take some adjustment on your child’s part. If your child is regularly taking an excessive amount of uninterrupted work time to complete homework please see me. This rigor is in preparation for the challenges approaching in Middle School. The adjustment to this will pass and your child will be better prepared for future studies.
Students are expected to be prepared for class daily. It is very important that they bring ALL Journals/Notebooks daily! In the event of an absence, students should borrow notes from a peer to catch-up during our morning Warm-Ups. Journals/Notebooks are to be kept up to date. These, as well as Homework Worksheets, may be used as a reference during routine classroom assessments. Please encourage your child to use their resources during tests!!!
Classroom Conduct
In an effort to create an effective learning community, there are certain guidelines that must be adhered to. Your child may NOT bring any of the following materials into the classroom: electronics, combs, hairbrushes, makeup, toys, mobile phones (except if turned off OR if the teacher has requested students to utilize personal technology [ie Note dictation, Google Search, eBooks, iMovies, etc.] ) or anything else that will distract from the learning time. If any of these things are brought they will be taken away and returned to you, the parent/guardian.
This year we will be following strict discipline guidelines to create a welcome and warm learning environment. I prefer to work on discipline from a positive point of view and students will regularly be rewarded with increased opportunities for privileges. Classroom expectations are very clear. Behaviors that do not follow these expectations are entered in our Behavior Book and parents/guardians will be notified. Students with excessive entries in our Behavior Book/on-going behavior issues will result in a parent-teacher meeting to attempt to establish a plan of action.
We will also be using the ClassDojo App (download the App for your mobile phone or click the link below) to give parents a direct link to behaviors in the class. Please note that I do try to "catch students being good more often than documenting areas of necessary growth, but I will attempt to give parents a general feel of their child's behaviors during class.
Your student will have access to the classroom library, our school's library, as well as books checked out through our District's IMC (Book Club books). I trust each student to treat these books with respect and return them to school when they are finished. It takes the respect of all students to maintain an adequate supply of books for the library. Lost books may require reimbursement from parents/guardians, so please assist your child this added responsibility.
If you have any questions or concerns about any of the above information please feel free to contact me at (858)800-5800. Please be advised that I do not accept telephone calls during instructional time. However, I will return your call at my earliest convenience. You may also reach me via e-mail.
Your Partner in
Your Child’s Education,
Mr. Curt Clark
[email protected]