Class Handbook

First Full Day of School: Ready to meet new friends? Come with a smile on August 23

School Times:

Students can begin arriving on campus at 7:30

Tardy bell rings at 8:00

Dismissal bell rings at 2:40

(All traffic lines into the school and out of the school are going to be long and run slow the first couple of days. Please be patient and follow all rules.)

Total Number of Students: Our class has a total number of 28 students.

Water Bottles: Every student is encouraged to bring a water bottle to school every day. Water Bottle Filling Stations have been installed to refill water bottles. Please make sure all water bottles are filled at home to start the day and cleaned daily.

We will be using"Talking Points" to communicate home with families. These messages will come through as text messages or you can download the app. Please make sure we have the correct phone number.

Behavior Management Plan:

Students will be monitored in the classroom for excellence in behavior. Positive reinforcement will be given through the use of praise and positive reinforcements.

In addition to rewarding excellence, sometimes students need redirection to learn from mistakes. At this time a matrix (mark) system will be used. The first will be a warning and every mark after will result in 10 points off the weekly conduct grade.

* In addition to matrix marks, a severe offense will immediately warrant an office referral.

Students who earn 2 marks daily will receive laps to walk at recess and 3 marks daily will earn a time out period with a written reflection

Students are given ample opportunities to correct behaviors and positive reinforcement will be used. My goal is for students to become intrinsically motivated. I will provide many opportunities for exciting, hands-on activities and collaboration during instruction. Students taking responsibility for their own behaviors and habits will allow for an enjoyable classroom environment.

Homework:

Reading: Every student will be required to read 20-30 minutes every night for homework. Some other Reading Homework modifications may occur during the year.

Math: Math homework will be sent home as practice. It will be due the next day.

Vocabulary: During the year we will be learning prefixes, suffixes, and affixes along with other vocabulary words. Weekly, your child will have a vocabulary test that they will need to study for at home. Please keep an eye on their agenda/Talking Points for test dates.

Science/Social Studies: Sometimes a project is assigned for Science and/or Social Studies. Students will be given ample time to complete these projects and do well, given they do not wait until the last minute to start working. Specific project instructions and due dates will be given with each assignment.

Unfinished Work: Your child will have ample time to work on assignments during class, but any work they do not complete may be homework for the night. I do not like sending class work home for homework so I will do my BEST to ensure this work is completed at school. Students who do not use their time wisely may lose points if things are not completed in a timely manner. A matrix point may be required for not using time wisely in class.

Not turning in work on time does result in a minus 10 points each day for each assignment.

Grading Policy:

We follow the Caldwell County Schools Grading Policy. Midterm reports of your child’s subject area grades will come home half-way through each quarter (every 4 ½ weeks), report cards will be sent home quarterly.

Grades are based on a 10 point grading scale: 90-100- A, 80-89- B, 70-79- C, 60-69- D, 59 and below- F

Early Check Out:

The latest you can check your child out of school for an appointment is 2:00. Please plan accordingly and make sure you bring your ID tag for all early check outs.

Snack:

Water bottles are permitted in the classroom during the day. They should only contain clear water.

A snack time will be provided in the morning while we are working. Please send in a healthy snack (snack-size portions only) with your child to school. Students are not allowed to have snacks that require a utensil, candy, or any snacks that leave a residue on their hands. They can only drink water for snacks.

Visitors:

Any time you come to the school, please go to the office, sign in, and get a visitor’s pass. Please don’t be offended if someone asks you to do this. We want to create the safest environment possible for your child. You are welcome to join your child for lunch. Details about how to sign up for a lunch time will be coming soon.

Birthdays

We love to celebrate birthdays! If you would like to bring treats for the class on your child’s special day we do ask that do so during our class lunch. Please let us know ahead of time so we can help you plan.

Change of Transportation

If at any time during the year your child needs to go home a different way than usual, your child’s homeroom teacher MUST have a note. Without written permission, your child will not be allowed to ride home with a friend or on a different bus for any reason. We are not allowed to change transportation over the phone. This is for your child’s safety.