Chelsea Schmieding

TWS 10: Communication and Collaboration

(LO 4.1) (APS 10)
TWS Standard: The teacher communicates and collaborates effectively with parents and colleagues.
A) Family Communication:
Communication is an extremely important aspect in not only life, but in the educational world.
Upon receiving my class roster, I will send out postcards to my future students welcoming them to the
upcoming year. This postcard will simply welcome them to my class and hopefully get them excited
about the approaching year. During the first few days of school, I will send a letter home to the
parents/guardians. In this letter, I will introduce myself as well as state my philosophy, and explain set
expectations for myself and my students. This letter will also inform them of my contact information.
(See Attachment #1). I will also send out a weekly classroom newsletter. This informative newsletter
will include what we will be studying for the week as well as any upcoming events. Any other school
information will be added as well. This will be sent home every Monday with their signed papers. I will
send a folder home weekly for signed papers, important forms and letters, as well as the class
newsletter. (See Attachment #2).
In my parent letter sent out at the beginning of the year, my contact information will be
included. I will provide them my email address and they can call the front office to reach me as well.
Parents are welcome to stop by any time to meet with me, observe classroom instruction, and to
volunteer. Parents who wish to volunteer within the school must abide by district policy and any
background checks necessary may be given. I will rely on email and personal notes home when any extra
communication is needed. Copies of both emails and notes home will be kept for personal records. Any
of these communication methods will be used for academic and/or behavioral expectations or issues.
Other forms of communication will be used in my classroom as well. I will have a class Edmodo account
for my students and parents to interact using the ever-changing technology. Edmodo is a website that is
similar to Facebook. It is a safe place where only approved members can comment, post, and have
access to. I will post updates within the class as well as any information on upcoming events or activities.
I will also provide the option to use Remind 101to communicate with parents. This is a safe, convenient
way to send txt messages out to parents from a given number. My personal mobile number will not be
provided and I can send quick reminders through Remind 101. Parent-teacher communication is vital in
reaching the optimum success of each student throughout the year. Each of these communication
methods can allow for relationships in and outside of the classroom and school to achieve success for
the students.
B) Communication/Collaboration with Colleagues:
Communication and collaboration with colleagues is also very important. Grade level meetings
will be held biweekly to discuss and plan upcoming lessons. This will allow me the opportunity to
provide diverse and effective lessons for my students. I will also collaborate with members of the
community that I know personally to see if they would come in and speak to my students or volunteer
with class and school events. (See Attachment #3). I will rely on email to communicate with the faculty
and staff in the school for any issue or assistance needed. I will also take advantage of faculty meetings
to discuss anything with my colleagues and administration. This will allow the opportunity to create
positive professional relationships so that working together will come with ease.

Attachment #1

August 14, 2014

Hello Families,
My name is Chelsea Schmieding. I am from Saluda, South Carolina and I am
currently an Elementary Education student at Lander University. I enjoy being outside,
going to the beach, and running. I also enjoy spending time with my friends and family.
At Lander, I am a member of several organizations: South Carolina Teaching Fellows,
Alpha Chi Honor Society, and Blue Key Honor Society. I will begin my teaching career
after graduation in December.
Since beginning my college career at Lander, I have had the opportunity to work
with several different age groups throughout Greenwood District 50. I have worked in
classrooms ranging from first to fourth grade. I will be working with Mrs. Humphreys in
her classroom everyday this fall. I hope to learn many things from her as well as from
your students. I am very excited to be back at Springfield Elementary and I cannot wait
to get to know each of you and your children! It is an honor to have the opportunity to
work alongside the faculty and staff here at Springfield.
Please feel free to contact Mrs. Humphreys or me at any time if there is a
question or concern you would like to discuss. I am also open to any suggestions that
you think would be beneficial to our classroom. Thank you again for the opportunity to
get to know and work with your children!

Sincerely,

Chelsea Schmieding

chelsea.schmieding@lander.edu

Attachment #2

October
ews

Third Grade

Third Grade Update

Fall is here! In third
grade, this means the
learning and fun continue
in addition to many
upcoming events! The
first quarter is quickly
coming to a close. We are
very proud of our third
graders and what they
have accomplished so far.
We look forward to what is
to come as they continue
to learn and grow this
year!

October will be a very

busy month at Springfield
Elementary. As you can
see, there are many school
wide events scheduled for
this month.
This month also brings the
end of the first nine
weeks. Parent
conferences will be held on
October 21st and 30th.
Please look for the blue

time request form to turn

in to your childs teacher if
you have not yet done so.
Our Fall Parties will be
held October 31st
beginning at 1:45. If you
volunteered to assist with
this party or to bring party
items, the grade parent
should be contacting you
within the next few
weeks.
We are running low on
the following items. Any
donations would be
appreciated!

Hand Sanitizer
Tissue
Sanitizing Wipes

ELA- Character Study

(reading), Complete
Narratives/Begin
Informational Writing

Important Dates:
10/17
October Birthday
Lunch

10/20-10/21
Book Fair
10/21
Parent Conferences

As always, we thank
you for all you do at
home to make this a
great and successful
year for our third
graders! We hope to
see all of you at the
events to come this
month!

10/24
Inservice Day

10/28-10/30
CogAT Testing

10/30
Parent Conferences

Third Grade Learning

Weve had a great time with
our academics this year so
far. This month, we will be
covering the following:

October 13, 2014

Springfield Elementary

Social Studies- South

Carolina Geography and
Native Americans

10/31
Dress as Book
Character Day
Fall Parties @1:45

Reminders:
11/2
Please check

and sign

Science- Animal and Plant

Adaptations

Time
Change: Fall
homework
Back
Onenight.
Hour!!!
each

Math- Adding and

Subtracting Numbers to

solve real world

problems

Later this month, the third

grade will be doing a math
unit with pumpkins. We
will need a few parents in
each class to contribute a
pumpkin for measurement
and other math activities!
Look for more info on this

Attachment #3

Dear Senator Nicholson,

I am a third grade teacher at Springfield Elementary School here in the Greenwood 50 school
district. As a part of the 3rd grade curriculum standards, the students are learning about South
Carolina History. I was wondering if your schedule allowed time for you to come speak to the
third graders about how important it is to be a responsible citizen within their school and
community in the next few weeks. Thank you for your time and cooperation.
Sincerely,
Chelsea Schmieding, 3rd Grade Teacher