Classroom Expectations & Procedures

Welcome, All Cruise Passengers, to HIS! 

Dear Students, Parents/Guardians,

Welcome to 5th grade at Howland Intermediate School!  I am excited that you are here and that we can begin a new school year.  You are on the Adventure, Explorer,  or Navigator ship, and your core subjects are:  

Mrs. Heinselman for Science and Social Studies  

I  have many expectations to ensure a successful school year.  This includes you, the student, your teacher, and your parents/guardians.  

Finding Success in 5th Grade! 

     The key to success in 5th grade is to arrive on time, stay on task, and be prepared for class each day. Each time you are absent, late to class, or forget your materials, you’re missing valuable classroom instruction that can mean the difference in learning the day’s objective or not. Missing a few minutes of class each day can add up to a significant deficit by the end of the year. 

Each time a student doesn’t have the correct materials or completed assignments, a charged Chromebook, or is late to class, that student will receive a strike. Three strikes will signal that the student needs to sit with me to try to resolve the issue and determine how it can be corrected. After the fifth strike is issued, contact with parents will be made via email or phone call. Once a student has received the seventh strike, they will be given a detention. After the first two weeks, I will implement our Adventure/Explorer/Navigator Ship “Baseball Training Camp.”

*Every effort will be made to help students learn how to become more organized and learn how to get to class on time with the proper materials. Students will use the time together with the teacher to clean out their classroom folders and/or discuss strategies to help address their organizational needs. Working together usually fixes the problem.

Behavior Policy 

Positive Reinforcement: 

1. Students will have the opportunity to earn “Tiger Tickets” for individual behavior.  Tickets will be awarded to students who consistently show appropriate classroom behavior. Tickets will also be awarded for consistent homework completion and for exceeding expectations in the classroom. 

2. Tiger Tickets can be turned in for treats or activities as rewards for positive behavior! 

Behavior Consequences: 

1. Students will always be given a nonverbal and/or verbal warning as a first step to remedy inappropriate behavior.  

2. After multiple warnings, students who continue to display inappropriate behavior may be removed from an activity, sent to the principal’s office, or given detention.  Parent contact will be made. 

       Homework Policy 

     All written homework must be completed nightly and returned to school on the assigned date, unless otherwise noted.  Most written homework assignments are worth 2 points if completed and turned in on time.  Late or missing homework assignments will result in the consequences defined below.

  Homework Consequences:

1. Late assignments will receive a 1-point deduction if they’re turned in the next day. After the following day, the assignment will receive a zero if not turned in. Students will not be allowed to call home if they forget their work. Students should pack their book bags at night with all the materials needed for the next day. Organization is the key to success!

2. After the first missed homework assignment, students will receive a gentle reminder about the importance of completing homework. All homework is factored into the total grade for each quarter.  

Positive Reinforcement: 

1. Homework is part of a student’s quarterly grade.  Students who consistently complete quality work will see a positive impact on their grades and feel good about themselves. 

Assignment Communication

Google Classroom:

1. Assignments will be posted on the “Week at A Glance,” which can be found in my Google Classroom, teacher website, and the HIS website via the Hub. 

2. Students are expected to write in their planners daily so that their assignments will be recorded as well.

3. Parents can access their child’s Google Classroom information by signing into their student’s Gmail account.  After signing in, click the waffle and choose Google Classroom.

4. I will also communicate with parents and guardians about missing assignments through ProgressBook, email, and phone calls, as needed. Please check Progress Book for grades and missing assignments. Another form of communication that I utilize is Rooms/Thrillshare.  

Progress Book:

1. Progress Book will usually be updated weekly.

2. All assignments will be graded on a point system. The grade will be given as the number of points the student earned over the total points possible. The percentage will be recorded on the actual assignments, but the points will only be displayed in the Progress Book.

3. All assessment grades are weighted more heavily than classwork or homework. This may vary depending on the core class.  

Classroom Communication  

     I have a class website and a Google Classroom for our classes.  Parents and students can visit the website to view subject expectations, the “Week at a Glance” for daily lessons and homework assignments, test dates, important announcements, etc.  

     Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have throughout the year.  You may also write a note or call the school at 330-856-8250 and leave a message. I will get back to you as soon as possible. 

I am looking forward to a great year with your child! 

Sinccerely 

Mrs. Heinselman