Violet E.

McKee
Robert Shkorupa
EDU 201/W-9am
3/14/2017

Classroom Observation

1.​ ​Parking Lot and Buses:

a.​ ​The parking lot is small, unlike a middle school or high school. It is arranged in front of the
school where parents use to drop off their children, so it becomes very congested. The parents
form two lines, the drop off and the drive through. The bus drop offs are at the North end of the
school, where the entrance of the playground is located. This makes it easier for students to be in
the designated area when arriving early; the playground. The students and some parents gather
there before the first bell where the start of the day begins.
b.​ ​The start of the school day:
As the bell of the day rings, students walk to their assigned numbers on the black top. The
number represents the classroom assigned and their teacher. The lines are indicative of a
semi-circle, whereas, a small group of students and staff are posted before them. They are asked
to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by 30 seconds of silence. After the announcements
for upcoming events are complete, the students follow their teacher to the classroom.
c.​ ​Hallway/Bathroom/Lunchroom
Teachers expect students to walk through the hallways with a zero tolerance of speaking,
however that rarely happens. They are guided to the bathroom only after P.E. specials because
they are dirty and need to wash their hands. Other than that, they only ask to facilitate the
restroom in the classroom. Lunchroom rules are minimal talking, more eating. They must clean
their entire area (table, bench seat, and floor). Once the teacher arrives, they are to line up and as
they follow the teacher out of the cafeteria they must throw their trash in the bin by the door.
d.​ ​Specialist
Specialists consist of Music, Art, Library, and P.E. (students attend twice a week). Each
specialist has, like a teacher, a curriculum and a set lesson plan (approved by the administrator)
to follow. For example, the Music instructor not only teaches the fundamentals of music, they are
also teaching students music that is to be presented at an assembly, or parent night. All specials
are conducted in the same building as the classrooms aside for P.E.
2.​ ​School District Teacher Handbook
a. For a student’s early out, the office manager or clerk reviews the parents or adults license to
verify that the person is allowed to pick up the student/or on the emergency list (which also
permits them withdraw the student early).
b. List ​ONE​ thing that was of the most interest to you as you reviewed the teacher handbook
3.​ ​Emergencies and Protocols
a. What are the “fire drill” procedures? Each room is required to have a poster that indicates the
procedure for the following emergencies:
fire drill evacuation
shelter in place earthquake
hard lockdown active assailant
soft lockdown
b.​ ​What are the “shelter in place” procedures?
Lock and seal windows with plastic and tape.
Tape inside of door for extra protection.
Conduct staff and student accounting.
All student’s movement is constricted within sealed hallways and will be directed by an
administrator or an emergency corresponded.
Continue instruction as usual.
Assist any students with special needs.
Do not contact the front office unless you have pertinent information regarding the information.
Call 911 if there is a life-threatening situation in your room.
c.​ ​“Fire Drill” procedures:
Move students away from smoke and fire, do not lock the classroom door.
Pull the nearest fire alarm or call the front office.
Evacuate to your designated area.
Assist any students with special needs.
Conduct staff and student accounting.
Following evacuating protocol.
d.​ ​Each teacher is equipped with a first aid kit.
Schools are considered a part of the community. Investigate how the school invites the
community to participate in school activities.
4.​ ​Betsy Rhodes ES community activities:
Halloween Howl McTeacher Night
Skate Night Humanities Night
Yogurt Land (Chill Out) STEM Night
Family Dine Out @ CPK Glittering Nights (X-mas speedway)
Most of these activities are fundraisers to help the school gather needed items for classrooms
(laptops, supplies). Humanities Night is for the family to gather and play games, do art, create
art, and more.
a. Extracurricular activities that occur on the school grounds are Halloween Howl, Humanities
Night, and STEM Night. This is a fun night that is run one night in the evening for all the
families and friends of the attending students. There are no sports played after school.
b. The companies that partner with the school to help raise money are McDonalds, Yogurt land,
Crystal Palace, and CPK. These companies give the school a percentage of sales the night
selected by the school. Sometimes they give the participants discounts too.
c. How do parents participate as partners in the schools? Most of the parents can participate by
simply going to the company that is sponsoring the school on the specific date posted. As they
order, tell the cashier they are from “Betsy Rhodes” as your order is being totaled up. The
cashier will ring it up with a discount and a percentage will be put in the school account.