Welcome to Parent Night 2012-2013

1. Welcome to Parent Night 2012-2013 Amy delaTorre’s Classroom Information

2. OMIS Mission Statement The mission of Oak Mountain Intermediate School is to transition fourth and fifth grade students from early childhood to early adolescence by promoting responsibility, independence, character development, and academic growth

3. Vision Statement The vision of Oak Mountain Intermediate School is to become an exemplary model amongst nationally recognized schools of excellence.

4. Classroom Goals for the Year The Four C’s Collaboration – teams, partners Communication – across the curriculum, Buckets Critical Thinking- Bird and Frog questions Creativity - AMSTI

5. Schedule • Reading 7:50-9:15 • Math 9:15-10:15 and 11:05-11:30 • Language 11:30-11:40 and 12:10-12:45 • Social Studies 1:20-2:00 • Science 2:00-2:40 • Specials: M/W Music and Art 10:20-11:05; T-Computer Lab/Science Lab 10:15-11:00; Th-Library 1:35-2:05; Lunch 11:40-12:06; and PE 12:45-1:20

6. Classroom Responsibilities The following is a list of the Classroom Responsibilities. I have already discussed these with the classes and they know our expectations and responsibilities in our classroom. I exercise courtesy and respect towards all students and expect the same from them. Your child should be able to explain this policy to you as well. • Be respectful of all people. • Always do your best work. • Be prepared for class at all times. • Keep work areas clean. • Talk at appropriate times and in appropriate voices.

7. Consequences If a student chooses to act irresponsibly, he/she must sign the Responsibility Notebook. The student signs on the first offense. The first sign is considered a warning. If he or she signs a second time in the day, the student fills out a log report that is to be initialed by a parent and returned the next day. If a student signs for missing homework, he or she has silent lunch that day and must work on homework. If a student signs three times in one day, I will contact parents via email or phone. *Severe or chronic behavior may result in an office referral and the parents will be called (or note home).* *The above steps can be skipped if deemed necessary by teacher and/or administration.*

8. Conduct Grade/Progress Conduct Conduct grades and progress conduct grades are determined by the amount of times a student signs, as well as log reports. 0-3 Log Reports/signs = Satisfactory (S) 4-5 Log Reports/signs = Progressing (P) 6+Log Reports/signs = Not Progressing(N) Conduct Sheets will be sent home in the Blue Progress Folder each Friday. These should be signed and returned by Monday.

9. Anti-Harassment Policy • If you or your child feel as though your child has been harassed or bullied, it should be reported via a specific form located on our website. • You will also find this form on my blog. • My blog can be found at http://podcasts.shelbyed.k12.al.us/adelatorre/

10. Anti-Harassment Form Step One:  Go to Shelby County Schools Website Step Two:  At the top left corner of the screen there are two options that will link you to the form 1)    Click on Parent Links then under Assistance click on Bully/Harassment Reporting or 2)    The form is under Harassment Reporting

11. Behavior Sheet & Graded Paper Packets Weekly folders will be sent home most Fridays to keep you informed of your child’s progress academically as well as behaviorally. Please sign and return the folder WITH THE PAPERS by Monday.

12. Parent Communication The students have a red folder for daily communication. Anything sent home on the left side can be left at home. If it is homework or items that must be brought back, it will be on the right side. If you are unsure if something can stay at home, please play it safe and send it back to school! I can be reached by email at adelatorre@shelbyed.k12.al.us Please understand that you may not get an immediate response. However, if I have not gotten back to you before the next morning, please email me again or call and leave a message with the office. My filter may have gotten you! You may also refer to the classroom blog for information. I’ll post the weekly newsletter there, as well as announcements, comments, and study material, when applicable. http://podcasts.shelbyed.k12.al.us/adelatorre

13. Birthdays We love to celebrate birthdays. You are welcome to send a healthy snack to school to celebrate your child’s birthday. The snack will be served at the end of lunch as a dessert. Please note that we do not allow floral deliveries, balloons, or limo rides.

14. Conferences I encourage parents to schedule conferences with me whenever they feel we need to discuss their child’s progress either academically or behaviorally. Please leave me a message with Julie Brane in the office at 682-5220, and I will contact you to set up a conference. You may also contact me via email to schedule a conference. My conference time this year is 12:45-1:20 Tuesday-Thursday.

15. Absences Please send a written excuse of illness or verification of doctor/dentist visits for each absence. Please write your child’s full name on the excuse and sign with your full name. This helps the office tremendously. We must turn these in to the office so the absence can be counted as excused. It will be considered unexcused after THREE DAYS with no verification. Please refer to the Code of Conduct for specific details on make up work policies. Please give special attention to prior permission for family trips/travel and the emergency clause. **Make sure to read the Attendance Policy!

16. Absences For assignments that were due on the day in which the student was absent, provided that the due date was previously communicated prior to the students’ absence, the student should be prepared to turn in the assignment upon returning to school.

17. Cell Phone Use Cell phones brought to school must be stored in a backpack. Cell phones MUST be turned off during the day. Please do not turn your child’s cell phone on and place it in the backpack before school. The phone may be turned on when the child gets off the bus in the afternoon. The school is not responsible for attempting to recover lost or stolen cell phones.

18. Field Trips Field trips are planned during the year. A permission slip will be sent home before each trip. Please send back the permission slip and money due as soon as possible.

19. Meal Charges Please make sure your child has money for meals daily. Funds are not allotted for “charges”. Please remember to WRITE YOUR CHILD’S NAME AND ACCOUNT NUMBER ON ALL CHECKS AND INCLUDE ALL MONEY IN AN ENVELOPE WITH THE CHILD’S NAME AND LUNCH NUMBER. Please do not bring in any outside food (such as McDonald’s) into the lunch room for your child to eat. You are invited to eat lunch with us any time during the school year.

20. Homework I assign homework in order to reinforce concepts that are discussed and practiced in class. I also want students to practice responsibility and time management when working at home. I do not feel like I give a lot of homework; however, there may be nights in which it is heavier than others. Please know that if your child does not finish his/her class work, it is also included in their homework load. Therefore, homework will essentially be doubled. “OMIS Late Work Grading Policy” will be enforced with homework assignments we collect.

21. Please Sign and Return the following Completed Paper Work : • Dismissal Plan-pink • OMIS Special Services Questionnaire-white • OMIS Late Work Policy-blue • Code of Conduct Acknowledgement Form-white • Shelby County School Medical Form-green