Mrs. Bousquet and Ms.

Adair

Communication
Communication plays an important role in your students education. In
addition to 4 report cards and 1 scheduled conference, we are always available to
meet or speak with you. Please send a note, email, or call and we will respond as
soon as possible. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns
related to your student.
School Telephone Number
Teacher
Name
Room
#
Subject Area email Phone
Extension
Ms. Bousquet 210 Math/ Science cacurtis@aps.k12.co.us 43783
Ms. Adair 211 Literacy/Writing
Social Studies
jaadair@aps.k12.co.us 43782

We look forward to working with you as partners in your childs education, and to
speaking with you more at Fall Conferences.
Guiding Principles and Classroom Expectations
Our school and classroom communities function successfully based on our
Guiding Principles. These Guiding Principals consist of the core values of Respect,
Responsibility, Courage, Excellence, Compassion, Adaptability, Integrity, and
Perseverance. These standards for behavior and performance will be reinforced
not only in your childs classroom, but in all areas of the Aurora Quest K-8 building.
P.E.A.K. Cards (Promoting Excellence Among Kids)
In an effort to maintain good communication with you about how your
student is performing according to our guiding principles and classroom
expectations, your student will bring home their P.E.A.K card every Friday.
It is our goal to foster a sense of personal responsibility for behavior and
academic performance. Each student has a P.E.A.K. card that has an area for
notations regarding missing assignments and behavior. Please review this with your
child each Friday. Any work listed that is not crossed off and initialed by either
Mrs. Bousquet or Ms. Adair should be finished and turned in by the end of the
following week. Work that is not completed by the end of the following week may
not receive credit. We want this to be a positive form of communication that allows
you to see how your student is progressing in school. We will record missing
assignments and behavior issues, but we will also try to let you know about positive
things that take place. Please watch this folder and use it as a tool from which all
of us can benefit.
Classroom Economy
Our class will implement a classroom economy system during this school year.
Its an excellent tool for teaching financial responsibility. We think the students
will enjoy it. Using classroom currency, students earn money for jobs and pay
rent for their desks. They can earn bonus cash by participating in extracurricular
activities, helping others, and earning excellent grades. On the other hand,
students who dont meet classroom expectations will be fined some of their
classroom dollars. That could happen, for example, if they dont complete
assignments or dont listen while other students are speaking.
The classroom economy helps children to learn valuable life skills such as
organization, the value of saving, and delayed gratification. Rather than being told
the importance of these skills, they actually experience them. In addition, the
system fits well with other parts of our curriculum.
Well also have a little fun with it. After paying rent, students can save
money to spend at monthly auctions where they get to bid on items everybody
likes. The students will certainly enjoy themselves and we know you will appreciate
the skills and knowledge they learn along the way.
Dont be surprised if your student comes home one day with questions about
paying rent, or regrets for overbidding for an auction item. You might find great
opportunity to have a thoughtful discussion about financial responsibility. If you
have any questions about the classroom economy feel free to contact us.

Schedules
Specials Schedule for the 1
st
Quarter-It will change at the beginning of each
Quarter via a letter.
Specials- Bousquet Specials- Adair
Monday- Tech Monday-Tech 2
Tuesday- Tech 2 Tuesday-PE
Wednesday-PE Wednesday-Music
Thursday-Music Thursday-Art
Friday-Art Friday-Tech

Topics of Study
Reading- Ms. Adair
Reading instruction will be supported through Junior Great Books and the
William and Mary Curriculum. We will be exploring a variety of literature (for
example, novels, poetry, short stories, nonfictions, and plays) that represents
perspectives from places, people, and events. There will be a heavy emphasis on in-
depth discussions and written responses that include evidence from the literature
read in class. It is expected that your student be prepared for classroom
discussions and ready to present his/her written responses in their reading groups.
Students will complete 4 book reports throughout the year. Book report
directions for the first book report will be sent home with your student during the
first week of school. Please be on the lookout for this assignment.
Writing- Ms. Adair
We will be using both William and Mary and Lucy Caulkins to support student
writing. Our first quarter focus will be personal narratives.
Social Studies- Ms. Adair
We will be studying United States History. This year we will be using the
U.S. History books, as well as working on simulations to involve students in the
history. We will be studying Colonization through the American Revolution and
possibly part of the Westward Expansion. Students should expect end-of-chapter
essay tests and or end-of-unit projects or reviews.
Science- Ms. Curtis
Units of Study Living Systems Landforms Mixtures and
Solutions
Weather on
Earth

Science Instruction is supported through the use of FOSS Science Kits and
the College of William and Mary Curriculum, in which students perform hands-on,
minds-on science investigations to discover various science concepts. Therefore,
students are learning by doing science as to allow for consistent practice and
understanding in the processes of scientific investigation and design, conduct,
communicate about, and evaluation of such investigations. Students will be
expected to keep a Science journal where they will be able to collect their thinking
and data for all class science work. Students will be instructed in and expected to
maintain their Science Journals in an organized manner.
Math- Mrs. Bousquet
Math instruction is supported through the use of Investigations and Connected
Math. Student will perform hands-on investigations to discover various math
concepts. Therefore, they will be learning by doing math in order to gain deeper
meaning behind the mathematics and not just memorize algorithms. Students will
also learn to communicate clearly their mathematical thinking. They will be
expected to keep a math journal collecting their thinking and data for class math
work. At the end of each quarter, each students math block placement will be
analyzed and may be subject to change to meet your students mathematical ability.
3 and 4 digit multiplication and division
Percents, decimals, and fractions and the relationship between
Geometry
Data collection and assessment
Word Problems

Homework Policy
Homework is not only an integral part of the learning process, it also
encourages student responsibility. Any assigned homework is to provide
reinforcement, practice, application, and enrichment of what is taught in our
standards based classrooms. Homework also functions to develop independent
study habits and extend learning activities beyond the school day.
Students will have mostly Math and Reading assignments for homework and
will be responsible for completing these every week. Any missed classroom
assignments/ tasks will need to be made up as homework. Your student should make
arrangements with the appropriate teacher as needed. Late/ Missed assignments
will be noted on the P.E.A.K. card and will not be given credit if this is a repeated
behavior.
Students will be expected to carry their planners from class to class to
home each day. Any assigned homework will be written by the student in the
planner.
There may come a time when a student is struggling with a piece of
homework. If the student puts forth a genuine 30 minutes of effort on a single
piece of homework, they may put it aside to talk to the teacher the next day.
There could be some exceptions to the 30 minute rule, such as a take home writing
prompt that would need more time to allow your student to complete assignments
with minimal help. As stated above, if they are struggling, a quick note in their
planner from their parent will alert the teacher to the issue.
Please help your student develop good study habits by establishing a routine
for homework. Reminding your student that it is his/her responsibility to complete
homework and return it to school will help build success.
On Fridays the students will bring home a folder with all the handouts for
the week, as well as, their P.E.A.K card. Parents should sign the P.E.A.K. card and
return it and the folder to school on the next school day.

Parent Volunteers
At Aurora Quest K-8, parents are required to complete 20 hours of
volunteer hours. Please be sure to indicate any areas in which you would be willing
to help so that we may contact you for help as needed.
Birthday Treats
We are a nut free grade level due to allergies.
Birthday treats need to be brought in the morning in order for us to decide
which time during the day will be the least academically disruptive to celebrate. If
you have a treat that needs to be dropped off later in the day, please be sure to
arrange this with us ahead of time. We prefer the snacks are healthy! Cheese,
crackers, popcorn, & veggie/fruit trays make great snacks.
Additional Materials
Due to an error in the school supply list we may request addition materials
throughout the school year.
Thanks and we look forward to a wonderful year!