Welcome to Fifth Grade

Welcome to Third Grade! I hope you and your child had a wonderful and relaxing summer. I am excited for the opportunity to work with your child this year. Third grade is such a transitional year with more responsibilities, higher expectations, and new learning objectives. All third grade students will take the state test called State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness or “STAAR” Test in Math and Reading. As your child’s teacher, I will do everything possible to make this year a successful year, but I cannot do it alone. You are also an important part of your child’s learning experience. I feel it is very important that parents are able to communicate with their child’s teacher. Please feel free to contact me by writing a note, emailing, or calling to leave a message. I will return your call either at my conference time or after school.

Homework Each night your child will be required to read at least 20 minutes from a chosen book or an assignment. Along with reading, your child will also have spelling for the week. They may also have math or other subject homework. This is to extend the concepts taught in class. There will also be several projects and/or writing assignments throughout the year in all subjects that will require more time to complete. For these, you will be provided advance notice and due dates. All assignments will be listed on the board and it is your child’s responsibility to copy them into their agenda. Please check and sign their agenda nightly. You may also use this agenda to communicate with me on a daily basis since I check agendas daily. In the case of an excused absence, your child has five school days to turn in all missed assignments. The following are guidelines for work: 1. All work must be done on lined notebook paper. 2. All work must be turned in on day due, be complete, and neat. Incomplete or sloppy papers will be returned ungraded and 10 points off each day late. 3. Policy of no name, no grade on papers will be enforced.

Tuesday Folder All school notes, graded papers, and conduct notes will be sent home in a Tuesday Folder (Light Blue). In addition, you will find your child’s weekly behavior chart attached to the folder for each 9 weeks. Please look over the work in the folder and sign/return any papers needed.

Transportation All families will fill out a transportation form for your child. At any point in the year that your child’s transportation will be different, I must have a written note in order to change the transportation. You may write a note, or simply jot the change in your student’s agenda for that day with your signature. We are a 100% ID check school to secure safety for all students. If no contact, or note, your child will go home as they normally do. Important Information : Front office: 336-1280 Principal: Mrs. Wendy Haider Assistant Principals: Ms. Michele Oswalt and Ms. Sonya Walker Counselor: Ms. Lynn Verrego

Homeroom Teacher: Mrs. Debbie Ruhl Room 206 Email: [email protected]

Mrs. Ruhl’s Conference Times Monday-Friday 12:15-1:00pm School Day: 7:30am-3:00 pm (Children may only enter the building after 7:00am) Breakfast: 7:00-7:20am ($1.25 or reduced $.30) Our lunchtime: 11:00-11:30 am ($2.00 /reduced $.40)

Specials: 12:15-1:00pm Music: Ms. Vega and Ms. Mowdy Monday and Wednesdays P.E.: Coach Duncan & Coach Melvin Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday For PE/Physical Education, your child must wear non-skid tennis shoes.

Nurse: Ms. Kenworthy (A special form is needed for any medication and students cannot carry medicine. An adult must bring in the medicine. This includes cough drops)

Classroom Management To reach our goals this year, we need a safe and orderly place to learn. During the first week of school I will establish procedures and expectations with our class. If your child had 1 or 2 offenses during the day, I will note it in their agenda. If more than 3 offenses during the day, I will note it in their agenda and will contact you as soon as possible. After reading over our Classroom Management Plan with your child, please sign and return the bottom portion only. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. Classroom Vision Management Plan / Expectations

1. Be in your assigned seat/area, ready to learn. 2. Have all needed supplies everyday 3. Keep hands, feet, books, and objects to yourself. 4. No cursing, rude gestures, teasing, or bullying. Be respectful of self and others. 5. Follow directions of all school personnel.

When a violation of the rules occurs during the day, below will be the result:

Infraction Consequence 1st Time Verbal Warning 2nd Time 10 minute refocus in the classroom and note in agenda 3rd Time Teacher’s Choice: Buddy Room, move desk, limit recess… Teacher will notify Parent 4th Time Office Referral and notify parent At the end of the day, all “slates” will be cleaned to start over the next day. For serious behavior problems (fighting, cheating, stealing, cursing, etc.) the consequences will be immediate and more severe. Parents will be notified right away at which time our principal will decide the consequence. You will be contacted as soon as possible if this should happen.

 Students who behave appropriately will be positively rewarded with verbal praise, class recognition, positive notes home, games, treasure box, and/or treats. Positive rewards will also be given for group points.

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Please sign and return to Mrs. Ruhl. Thank you.

I have read Mrs. Ruhl’s classroom expectations and understand the consequences that may occur if making a bad choice.

Student signature

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Parent/Guardian signature

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