Classroom Policies and Procedures

2015-2016 Classroom Policies and Procedures Ms. Arledge’s Classroom-Room 606 & Mrs. Holloway’s Classroom-Room 608

Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome to 5th grade! We enjoyed meeting so many of you at the Stop and Drop! We’re excited about working with you and your child and look forward to a productive and rewarding school year. Please take the time to read and discuss these policies with your child.

Weekly Overview/Daily Agenda: Overviews containing information about what we will learn in school during the upcoming week, as well as important dates and notices, is posted on our homeroom websites. It can be accessed through mandevillemiddle.stpsb.org under Faculty & Staff--Teacher Page—Arledge and Holloway. Please remember that the overviews are guides. If there are any changes to the dates, they will be written in the daily agenda. Please check the agenda daily.

The Folders: Your child will have one binder which goes home every day and is used to send communication back and forth between home and school. The other folder is a VIP (Very Important Paper) folder, which will go home every Friday and will contain completed work from the previous week. Please review, sign, and return papers each week on Monday. You may keep the papers unless the paper received a D or F. Please review, sign, and return these papers in the folder. These papers are used to plan re-teaching and/or practice strategies with your child. More information on school supplies and classroom organization can be found on our class websites.

Snacks: Fifth grade lunch is at 12:06, so we will have a mid-morning snack. Because this is during instructional time, please help your child choose healthy snacks that are as crumb-, noise-, liquid-and smudge-free as possible. No candy, sunflower seeds, peanut products, Ramen noodles, etc. Although nuts are nutritious, we want to be aware of allergies that may be in our classrooms. Clear water is allowed throughout the day, and reusable water bottles are preferred. Thanks!

Grades: All grades are weighted equally. This includes all assignments, quizzes, tests, projects, homework, and participation. This is a good time to encourage your child to check his/her own grades online. Information on the electronic grade book will be sent home soon. Also, please make note of the grading scale used in St. Tammany Parish schools: A 93-100 B 85-92 C 75-84 D 67-74 F 0 – 66

Weekly Conduct Report: Conduct reports will be included in your child’s VIP folder, which will be sent home on Friday for the previous week. A grade of or O (Outstanding), N (Needs Improvement), and U (Unsatisfactory). We will keep you informed about your child’s behavior, work habits, etc. in the classroom. Please review the conduct grade with your child and discuss any concerns with them. Please note that if necessary you will be contacted regarding behavior prior to folders being sent home if it is necessary.

Homework: All assignments are posted on the classroom homework board in both classes and on the teachers’ websites. Students are responsible for copying assignments into their agendas and returning homework the next day. If a student leaves class for a pullout class, the student is responsible for finding a homework buddy and getting the information from him/her. Students are responsible for missed homework assignments due to absences, as well. MMS uses the MAZE system to help students complete missing and late assignments. Please see the MMS handbook regarding this program and teacher websites for teacher guidelines. Homework is assigned to reinforce what was learned in the classroom. It aids in teaching responsibility, reinforcing skills and concepts learned, and developing positive study habits. Students can spend as much as 50 minutes per night on homework (10 minutes per grade level). Please let us know if your child is spending an excessive amount of time on daily homework, and we can work on a solution together.

Supply Fee: Students are assessed a $10 supply fee, which will be used to purchase consumable classroom supplies and agendas.

Conferences: Please feel free to contact the school or email to set up a conference as needed. Our emails are [email protected] or [email protected] .

Parent Volunteers: We would really love to have parents in the classrooms this year to help with copying, bulletin boards, etc. Please let us know what you can help us with or if you have any special talents you would like to share.

Theme: We have a school-wide theme this year as we are “Under the Big Top.” Ms. Arledge’s/Mrs. Holloway’s Classroom Expectations and Rules

School and Classroom Expectations:

Be there. (Good attendance, paying attention, participating, meeting deadlines are examples.) Choose your attitude. (Try your best, follow rules in and out of classroom, and consider consequences.) Make their day. (Respect each other and things; help and enjoy each other.) Have fun. (Enjoy yourself!)

Classroom Rules:

1. Follow directions.

2. Be prepared for class.

3. Respect others and property.

4. Use polite speech and body language.

Consequences: Rewards:

- Chance to “try it again” - School-wide Positive Behavior Slips - Reminder - “No Homework” pass - Student conference - Treats - Behavior Reflection sheet - Free time - Parent conference/phone call - Lunch outside - Office referral - Special privileges - Removal of privileges - Surprises?!?

Please sign and return to school tomorrow. Thanks!!!!

My child and I have read and understand these policies. Date: ______

Parent’s signature: ______

Student’s signature: ______