Policies and Procedures

 

Accelerated Reader (AR)

Students are required to participate in the AR program.  Students will receive one reading grade each nine-weeks based on their achievement and participation in the program.  See AR form for more information.

 The following are averaged together to create the one grade for the student in  AR each nine-weeks:

• % of AR goal that was met (I will assign individual goals each nine-weeks)
• Average of Test Scores for the nine weeks

Checking Out AR Books

Once students are given their reading levels, they will be allowed to check out books on their level or slightly above their level.  Students cannot check out books below their level.  There is one exception to this rule.  If a student is performing at a high reading level, I will allow that student to check out books as low as 5.0.  However, I still try to encourage those students to stay around their level if they can.  Students can only take AR Tests on their books at school due to the site only being available for testing during school hours.

 

Attendance

Be sure to send a note (not in agenda) to school if your child is absent, checks in, or checks out.  All absences will be considered unexcused if no note is presented to the teacher.  Please include the following information on your notes:

• Student’s Name
• Teacher’s Name
• Grade
• Date(s) Absent
• Reason for Being Absent

 

Attendance Facts:

• After the tenth absence from school, only doctor’s notes will excuse absences. 
• Four tardies equal one absence.
• If you check out before 11:00, it counts as being absent a whole day.  If you check out after 11:00 but before 2:30 your child will be counted as tardy.
• If a student checks out, a note still needs to be sent to school.  If you will be checking your child in late, you must provide a doctor’s note in order for it to be excused.  You can write a note for your child to check out, but you must have a doctor’s note for him/her to check in.

 

Treats

The Tipton County Schools have adopted a healthy food program.  If you ever send treats or snacks for the class, please try to provide healthy ones (individually wrapped).  

 

Pencil Sharpening

Pencils may only be sharpened at the class sharpener at the beginning of the day (before 8:00).   Throughout the day, your child can sharpen his/her pencil with a personal hand-held pencil sharpener.  Every student must have at least 2-3 sharpened pencils by 8:00.  If not, (s)he will receive a conduct point for being “unprepared.”

 

Make-Up work

Students can get their make-up assignments from their “make-up buddy.”  Make-Up work is expected to be completed as promptly as possible.  (“A day for a day.”)  If an absence is unexcused, work may not be made up and zeros could possibly be given for any missed assignments.  (See the Tipton County Student Handbook for further details.)

 

Newsletters

Newsletters will go home in the “Monday Folders” every week.

 

Bathroom Breaks/Water Breaks

Students are given plenty of opportunities throughout the day to take restroom breaks as a class.  Only an emergency will permit your child to go to the restroom at any other time.  If your child has a medical concern, please let me know.

 

Grading

I weigh all grades equally with the exception of tests, which count twice. 

Test: Students may not use books, etc. (grade counts twice)

Quiz: Students may not use books, etc. (grade counts once)

Daily Grade:  Students may use books, etc. (grade counts once)

Please take note of the grading scale:

A:  100-93     B:  92-85     C:  84-75     D:   74-70     F:  69-0

 

Graded Papers / Monday Folders

Papers will go home every Monday.  The papers will be located in your child’s “Monday Folder.”  Papers in the right pocket are to be kept at home and papers in the left pocket are to be returned to school.  I will staple graded papers together.  Keep the papers.  Please use these papers to work with your child at home.  Always sign the “Weekly Update” sheet in the Monday folders.  The signed “Monday Folders” are to be returned to school every Tuesday.  Students will miss recess every day that they do not have their signed folders.

 

Lunch Number

Students will be asked to give the last 4 digits of their SSN when purchasing lunch.  Please assist your child with learning their number.

 

Things brought to school

Please do not bring extra money or toys to school.  If your child has an extraordinary item that he/she would like to show the rest of the class, just let me know and we will set up a time.  Any toys that I collect will be returned in May.

 

Folders/Notebooks

I believe that a very important aspect of being successful is being organized.  Please help keep your child’s binder organized.  I will be speaking to the kids about how I want them to keep their binders.  They are responsible for maintaining their binders.

 

Homework

RESPONSIBILITY IS VERY IMPORTANT IN FOURTH GRADE.  Students are responsible for writing down all homework assignments in their agenda.  If students do not turn in 100% of their homework, they will have to complete it during recess, in addition to writing all of their multiplication facts once.  They will not be able to get up and play when they finish their work.  They will not have any recess on the days that they do not have their homework.  I do not give a lot of homework for the mere fact that I expect a lot of studying to be going on at home.  Homework is required and will be given at least three nights a week.

 

Conferences

If you need to speak to me about anything, please contact me and I will call you to set up a convenient time for us to talk.

 

Visiting the Classroom

You are welcome to visit our school for lunch, programs, and special occasions.  Please sign in at the office before coming to our room.  It’s important to follow ATES policies.  If you’d like to talk with me, please contact me beforehand.  You deserve my undivided attention as do my students.  I will be unable to participate in unscheduled conferences while the students are under my supervision.  Thank you in advance for following this procedure.

 Handwriting

After Christmas, all assignments will be expected to be written in cursive unless told otherwise.  We will be working on cursive during the first semester.

 Incomplete Work

Students will be given ample time to finish class work.  Students that do not finish assignments will have to complete them during recess or for homework.  There will be times when incomplete assignments will be graded “as is.” 

 

Recess

Recess is a privilege and not a mandatory part of our day.  There may be days when recess is omitted due to scheduling conflicts or behavior issues. 

 

Snacks

Students are allowed to bring a small snack to be eaten at a specified time during our school day.  Bottled water is allowed during this time.  I would prefer that the snacks are not messy or full of sugar.

 

Money

When you send money to school, please always send exact change.  If you have more than one child in the school, you should not combine funds into one check. 

 

Agendas

The agenda is used to record homework and conduct grades.  Please sign this daily.

 

Volunteers

Background checks are required if you will be volunteering in our school.  Please contact the front office for further details.

 

Dismissal

Car Riders: 2:30

1^st Load: 2:35

SACC: 2:50

2^nd Load: Upon arrival of buses

 

*For any other policies / procedures, please consult the Tipton County Student Handbook and weekly newsletters.