ABSENCES: Please send a note to school when your child returns from an absence.
ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES: School starts at 8:00 AM and ends at 3:10 PM.
ACCELERATED READER (AR): Students will be able to check out books from the Armstrong library. They are able to check out two books at a time. They are also able to check out books from our classroom library. In addition to their nightly reading, my class has a 20-30 minute DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) time daily. Once they finish their book, they are required to take the AR test. It consists of 5-10 questions that test for comprehension. Each book has a point value and students collect points to be part of "Point Clubs". They can earn prizes for reaching different point levels. Books start at 1/2 point and go up from there. The point value depends on the length of the book and the reading level. Students are required to check out a book on their independent reading level. I set their reading goals each six weeks. AR is part of their 6 week reading grade. Please help monitor your child's progress each week. I will send a weekly report home to be signed.
AVIATOR CLUB: This is a club for students who are interested in achieving "above and beyond" the normal expectations. They pick a listed topic, research it to become an expert in that subject, and then answer the questions and turn them in to me. After becoming an expert in 15 topics, they are placed into the HALL of FAME, and their name will remain there until I retire! Questions are posted in the room.
BEHAVIOR CHARTS: Your child will bring home a behavior chart each day. It must be signed and returned daily. If a folder is not signed for two consecutive days, the student will receive a mark on their chart.
BIRTHDAY GOODIES: Store bought goodies may be brought to school on your child's birthday. They must be eaten at the end of the day. Cookies or "Little Debbie" snacks are easier for the students to eat than cupcakes. If a student brings invitations to school to pass out, they must bring one for each student in the class. If only select students are invited, you must pass out the invitations outside of school.
CHANGE IN TRANSPORTATION: Please send a note if your child will be going home a different way.
CLOTHING: Students need to wear appropriate, comfortable clothing to school. Flip-flops are not permitted. Shorts should be fingertip length. Shirts must have a strap of at least three fingers wide. Please be sure to send tennis shoes with your child on days that we have PE. Please check the district dress code for other requirements. Putting names on coats, sweaters, backpacks and lunchboxes helps in the return of lost items.
COMMUNICATION: If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to write me a note or call. I also check my email periodically throughout the day. Email is probably the best way to reach me during the day. My email address is [email protected]. This website is also a great way to get information. I update it weekly.
GRADED WORK: Graded work will be sent home every Tuesday in the Tuesday envelope. Please look over the work, sign the tests, and have your child correct any work that is below a 70%. Students may correct homework and daily work to bring up their grades. All corrections must be done in red pen or on another sheet of paper, stapled to the original. Also, a parent signature is required for me to change the grade. If the corrections are satisfactory, I MAY change the grade to a 70%. This corrected work needs to be turned in to me by that Friday. Work corrected and turned in later than Friday will not be graded.
HOMEWORK: Homework is assigned nightly. It is due the following morning. Any work not completed during the day will also be considered homework. All homework will be placed homework folder to return to school. If homework is not completed the day it is due, the child will miss recess to finish it. Points will be deducted daily on late work, and a mark in the behavior chart will be given. Students are expected to read 15-20 minutes each night. They will have various nights where a reading response will be given as homework. This response needs to be written on the response sheet.
LATE WORK: It is GISD policy to take 10 points off of an assignment for each day it is late. If an assignment is received after 3 days past the due date, it cannot be given a grade higher than a 70%. Also, it is up to the teacher and/or the administration to decide if the work can still be accepted. This does not apply to make-up work that follows an absence. Special circumstances may be taken into consideration.
LIBRARY: We will be going to the library once a week. Your child will be required to check out 2 books at that time. I require them to check out one fiction and one non-fiction book at their current AR level each week.
LUNCH: Parents/guardians are welcome to come eat lunch with their child. There is a table located along the wall of windows where you may sit. Students may invite ONE friend to join them at this table with their guest. Please do not sit at our class table. Seating is limited here. If you choose to sit at the picnic tables outside, a friend may not sit with you.
POSITIVE AWARDS: There will be many times for your child to be rewarded throughout the year. Compliment Bingo - When the class is doing a great job, or they get a compliment, they receive a bingo number. When bingo is reached, the class will earn a special treat. Caught Being Good tickets - Each time a child is "caught being good", they are awarded a ticket. These are used in our Friday treasure chest drawings.
PTA: Your involvement in our room and at school helps tremendously! Take time to join our PTA! Your support is greatly appreciated.
READING: During the year, your child will be reading stories from textbooks and library books. Each student is responsible for reading 15-20 minutes EVERY night. Students that do not read at night will have a very difficult time reaching their individual AR goals. Students may read silently or aloud to another person. Some nights you may have them do both. Fluency and comprehension will only improve with practice!
SPELLING: Each week your child will be given a list of spelling words to study. They will be tested on these words every Friday. Please practice these words each night with your child. They will be given various homework assignments to complete as well. SpellingCity.com is a great place to practice our words. The spelling list is listed under "Spelling List".
SUPPLIES: If your child runs out of one or more of his supplies, please replace them as soon as possible. They are listed on the website. We always need extra notebook paper, pencils and kleenex.
TARDIES: If your child is late for school, please sign them in at the office before sending them to class. Students arriving after the 8:00 bell are tardy. Students arriving after 8:10 or leaving before 3:00, will be given a partial day absence. If your child is late or leaves early because of a doctor's appointment, please remember to send the doctor's excuse form so it can be excused.
TESTS: Tests will be sent home weekly to be signed. Please look for them and return them the next day.
TOYS: Toys are not to be brought to school. We are not responsible for a child's toy, if they choose to bring them. This includes those silly band bracelets.
VISITORS: Armstrong has a policy that ALL GUESTS (even familiar faces) are required to check in at the school office. You will need your current driver's license. You will receive a visitor's pass.
VOLUNTEERS: I feel that it is a very important for a child to know that his/her parents support their education. As such, we will try to provide many opportunities for parents to volunteer and visit our classroom. These include helping with parties, assisting with special projects, sending in treats or party goods, chaperoning field trips, reading to the class and preparing materials at home. In order to volunteer, you will need to complete a background check form and turn it in at the office.
ZZZZZ: Please make sure your child gets plenty of rest each night. Setting and keeping a bedtime is a wonderful gift you can give to your child. It will help them to be their best at school.