Ralph M. Captain Elementary believes in strong partnerships with parents/caregivers supported by solid communication.  When parents have questions or concerns, it is important to contact the classroom teachers first.  Teachers represent the first step in resolving concerns because they are knowledgeable about your children and the school program.

We believe that clear and frequent home\school communication is the foundation on which a student’s successful elementary school experience rests. Two formal procedures, Conferences and Report Cards, are used for reporting a child’s progress to parents.

Conferences
Conferences are held during the first and third quarters of the school year. First quarter conferences are goal setting conferences when parents, students and teachers set goals for the school year. Third quarter conferences are used to assess progress toward those goals. Additional conferences may also be scheduled any time during the school year by contacting your child’s teacher or the school office.

Report Cards
Report Cards are issued at the end of the second and fourth quarters.

Curriculum
Students at Captain School follow the elementary school curriculum designed and approved by the School District of Clayton. The basic subjects for all grade areas are language arts (reading, writing, listening, and speaking), mathematics, social studies and science. In addition, specialists provide instruction in music, art, physical education, Spanish, computer and library skills.

During the month of September, parents are invited to attend a curriculum night where classroom teachers will give them an overview of the curriculum, including standards students are expected to meet and ways student growth is assessed.

Home/School Partnership
The way we have found we work best together, parent to parent and parent to teacher, is with the assumption of good will. The teachers assume the parents are doing their best and parents assume good will in regard to the teachers and between parents. We encourage everyone to take the time to check out the facts in a situation and not assume that because they ‘heard it’, it is necessarily true. Keeping those simple points in mind throughout the year makes it much easier to build our partnership with each other and our teachers.

There are several opportunities to serve on building committees along with staff. Please see the Parent-Teacher Organization; PTO and Volunteer Opportunity Sections of this handbook. Parents are encouraged to play an important part in the decision making process which affects our children at Captain School.

Captain’s LOG

The Captain’s Log is a monthly newsletter emailed home to each Captain family on the last Thursday of the month.  In the newsletter, you will find general school news, information on upcoming events, important dates, PTO news, and articles on school programs.  We appreciate you taking time to read the Captain’s Log so you are aware of pertinent information and school events.  Parents will have the option of receiving a paper copy of the newsletter.