The first bell rings at 7:40am, and the tardy bell rings at 7:45am. All students will be picked up at the playground under the appropriate section. School will be let out at 3:15pm. Students can be picked up at the front of the school and is a drive-thru process. No-parking is allowed. If your child is to walk home or ride a bicycle, please send me a note giving your permission.

Absences

Please try to have your child attend school each day. Your child's regular and prompt attendance is a must! When your child is out of the classroom, they are missing out on valuable instructional time. Most learning experiences are based on prior knowledge or involve interaction with other students. It is almost impossible to make up work at home. Please try to schedule any appointments after school or during intercession. If your child is absent, he or she should do the following within two days or returning to school:
1. Bring a note to the classroom teacher from a parent or guardian stating the date(s) of the absence and the reason(s).

Agendas
All students will receive an agenda. This agenda will have information about homework and other important events. Your child is required to bring his or her agenda on a daily basis. It is also required that the agenda be signed by a parent everyday. This ensures us that you are being informed about your child on a daily basis. If the agenda is lost there will be a $10.00 replacement fee.

Birthdays

"Goodies" are allowed on your child's birthday, however you must let me know a few days in advance. Cupcakes with sprinkles will NOT be accepted.



Book Orders

Throughout the year, I will send home monthly book club order forms from Scholastic Books. The book club has some great books at very reasonable prices. It is not mandatory for you to order books but it is an excellent opportunity to purchase books for your child and add to their home library. If you wish to order, please keep in mind that all payments must be made in the form of a check (made payable to Scholastic). Please include your child's name on the order form and return the form and check by the due date.

Change in Transportation
Please send a note or call the office if your child will be going home a different way than is listed on the transportation information sheet. Do not rely on your child to tell me this information because children may become confused and relay the message incorrectly. If a note or message from the office is not received, your child will be sent home by his or her usual method of transportation.

Communication

Communication is the key to a successful parent-teacher relationship. Should you have any questions or concerns please let me know. The best way is through e-mail or in a note with your child. If you would like to schedule a conference with me aside from those during the year please e-mail me or send me a note with some good days. My conference time is M-F from 8:00-8:50a.m. I will then e-mail or send you a note with the day and time. I will also conference over the phone during that time if necessary. With other teaching duties, meetings, and my own appointments and obligations, my time before and after school is limited. Making arrangements with me for conferences will ensure the effectiveness of our meetings.

Early Dismissal
If it becomes necessary for your child to leave school early, he or she must be signed out in the office. Please send a note if you anticipate a need for your child to leave early so that work can be prepared and I can have your child ready for your arrival. Upon arrival, the office staff will call for your child to meet you in the office.

Homework
Your child will be bringing home homework in their folder every night Monday through Thursday. The students are also expected to read (from literature of their choice) for at least 20 minutes nightly. Please be aware that any work not completed during class time will also be considered homework and it will be due the next day.

Late Pick up
All students need to be picked up by 3:30. Students not picked up by 3:45 will be sent to the front office to call their parents. Child Protective Services or the Police Department can be notified if you do not pick up your child on time. Neglect, as defined by the Family Code, Chapter 261 on child abuse and neglect, is failure to meet this responsibility. To avoid this, please pick up your child on time and please let me know if you will be running late.

Lunch

Our lunch will be from 11:45-12:20a.m. Children are responsible for their own lunch money. You may purchase a lunch ticket for your child in the cafeteria. I highly encourage you to do this since students often loose lunch money if it is handed to them daily. Students will only be allowed one charge if they do not have money for that days lunch. After that they will be served a peanut butter sandwich and milk. Please make sure that lunch money is taken care of. A reduced/free lunch application is also in this packet. It is necessary for all students to return it on the second day of school whether they qualify or not.

Morning Routine
Breakfast will be offered from 7:00 - 7:30am. in the cafeteria. Students must exit to the playground area when finished eating. Students will be picked at the playground under the appropriate section. The first bell rings at 7:40am. Students and parents are not allowed inside the building before the bell rings. If a student arrives after the first bell they will need to go straight to the classroom alone.

Signing In

Upon entering the school, it is necessary for all visitors to go to the office and obtain a visitors pass to wear. This is for the safety of your child/ren and staff.

Tardies
It is important that your child is on time for school each day. Every minute we spend in school is valuable. When students are late coming to class, it causes a disruption. Being early will help your child to build a sense of responsibility. Please be aware that if your child has 5 tardies or more, they will be sent to the office and placed in SAC for the day.

Telephone

There is a telephone in our classroom but due to the limited time with our students we ask that you please not call during the school day except in the case of an emergency. Messages will be taken in the office and put in our mailboxes. Please make sure that your child knows how they are getting home BEFORE they get to school. If you need to get in contact with me the best way is through e-mail or in a note with your child. The school day is very hectic and I need to be addressing the needs of the students. If you need to speak with me in person I ask that you please make an appointment with me. I have many duties in and out of teaching that limit my time. Scheduling a conference with me is the most effective way for us to work together. It also helps me to be able to focus on you and your child's needs and be prepared.

Volunteers
Volunteers are highly valued in our classroom. Please let me know if you are interested.

Work Samples Packets, Progress Reports, and Report Cards

Work Samples will be sent home every few weeks or so. Please do not be alarmed by the small amount of work going home. Much of our work is done in projects or in "logs". Please make sure that you go over the work samples with your child and be sure to praise your child for a job well done. Both report cards and progress reports need to be signed and returned as soon as possible.