Welcome to 4th Grade Parent Orientation

1. Welcome to 4th Grade Parent Orientation Friday, August 23, 2013

2. PLANNER • Filled out by the students each day. • Needs to be signed by a parent and returned to school daily. • Daily communication between parent/teacher.

3. CLEAR FOLDER • Graded Papers • Information • Homework

4. SUPPLIESIf you did not purchase an EPI pack, please be sure your child has the necessary supplies on the first day of school. We have extra supply lists if you need one.

5. HOMEWORK POLICY • Homework reinforces what we are teaching, so it is purposeful • It is checked in class, but is not a grade in the grade book (district policy) • If your child struggles with an assignment, have him/her complete as much as possible and write a note in planner explaining difficulties

6. HOMEWORK • MONDAY : • Math HW assigned, due Tuesday • Revise/edit HW assigned, due Thursday • TUESDAY : • Math HW due • Study for spelling • WEDNESDAY: • Math HW assigned, due Thursday • Spelling HW due and assigned for the following week • THURSDAY: • Math HW due • Revise/edit HW due Additional homework may be assigned throughout the year in these and other subjects.

7. LOOKING FORWARD TO FOURTH GRADE Opportunities: • Living Texas History Museum • Book projects • Academic Fair • Hands-on science labs • Math Olympiad Objectives: • Writing personal narratives and explanatory papers • Multiplication and division strategies • Creative problem solving

8. AT HOME READING • It promotes: • a love of reading • reading books on appropriate reading level • reading for a purpose • starting and finishing a book Fourth graders will be encouraged to turn in a signed READING LOG 80+ minutes a week = Free Choice Coupon

9. 1. Verbal warnings 2. Sign Conduct Book and write reason 3. Sit out or walk the track for 10 minutes during recess time

10. CLASSROOM INCENTIVES “BUG” tickets “Being UnusuallyGood” Redeem for coupons and prizes

11. ADDITIONAL ITEMS Temperature-- Bring a lightweight jacket or sweater for cafeteria or classroom variations Field Trips -- TBA Parties-- Winter and Friendship Cell Phones -- Must remain off and in backpack during school hours

12. FRUIT BREAK and WATER BOTTLES • Please send a healthy snack each day for your child. • Students may have a water bottle labeled with their name to use in the classroom and during specials.

13. ALLERGIES • We have several students with peanut and/or tree nut allergies in 4th grade. • We ask that you help us create a safe and healthy learning environment for everyone by not sending snacks or lunch items that contain peanuts or tree nuts. Thank you!

14. LUNCH VISITS Reminder – no visitors for lunch during the first 2 weeks of school while we establish our routines. You are welcome to visit during lunch beginning September 9. Thank you for understanding!

15. NUTRITION Students may not share food. Parents are not allowed to provide lunches for children other than their own. This is a Texas law. Visit the following site for info: www.squaremeals.org It is helpful if your child has money in his/ her account, just in case a lunch is forgotten one day. Please keep your child’s teacher informed about any special dietary needs.

16. NUTRITION GUIDELINES • A student must take ½ cup of vegetables or fruit on their tray in order for it to be considered a full lunch ($2.00) • If they don’t, they will be charged a la carte pricing for all items on the tray ($3.00+) • Please make sure your child is aware of this policy. We can remind but not require students to add items to their tray.

17. BIRTHDAY TREATS • The only option is to purchase frozen treats from the cafeteria. Please see the cafeteria manager for information. • More than 2 weeks in advance = 50 cents each • After that = 75 cents each • If your child has an end-of-year or summer birthday, watch for announcements regarding the deadline for ordering.

18. BIRTHDAY INVITATIONS Per the Humble ISD Parent/Student Handbook: Invitations to parties held outside of school or events hosted or sponsored by parents cannot be distributed at school. – page 46 Please do not send birthday invitations to school.

19. DRESS CODE • Hats/bandanas may be worn only on specified days • No spaghetti straps • Purses must remain in backpack • Tennis shoes needed for P.E. days (no wheeled shoes or flip flops) • Please refer to the handbook for other items

20. P.E. REMINDERS • Wear appropriate clothing and sneakers on P.E. days • No flip-flops, sandals, skirts • Water bottles must be labeled with your child’s name!

21. BUG REPELLENT If you want your child to use bug repellent at school: • Send wipes or clip-on repellentto school with a written note signed by parent (e-mails and phone calls will not be accepted) • NO AEROSAL SPRAYS • Wipes/clip-ons will be kept in classroom and applied by studentprior to outdoor activities

22. TARDIES • Arrival: Students should not arrive at school before 7:30 AM. • The tardy bell rings at 8:00 AM. Students are tardy after 8:00 AM. • Instruction begins promptly at 8:00 AM.

23. For Your Child’s Safety… • School visitors need to sign-in and wear a visitor’s badge. • PLEASE update your emergency contact information in Home Access Center. The people listed here are the ONLY people who will be allowed access to your child during the school day.

24. ATTENDANCE Students must be in the building at 9:55 AM to be counted present.

25. ABSENCES • Upon a student’s return to school, you have • 48 hoursto communicate with the school explaining the absence. • We prefer written communication in the form of a dated, written note or e-mail • If your child goes to the doctor, please bring a doctor’s excuse. After 48 hours without a note, absence becomes a TRUANCY.

26. DISMISSAL Provide your child’s teacher(s) with a written note first thing in the morningwhen changes occur. Parents must request in writingthe release of their child to anyone not on their emergency list. This request must be receivedfirst thing in the morning. Teachers are not always able to check e-mail during the day. For this reason, please CC Anne Tynan on dismissal emails so that we can be sure the message is received. Thank you!

27. TRAFFIC PATTERNS - CARS • Please follow the traffic pattern below. It can also be found on the DWE website.

28. TRAFFIC PATTERNS - WALKERS If you park your car and walk up to the building to pick up your child, your child is considered a walker and will be waiting for you in the back of the school.

29. Important Student Handbook Pages for Your Child’s Safety cont. • Students should exit the building and report to their pick-up area immediately upon dismissal. They will not be allowed back in the building. No loitering or waiting on friends in the hallways. • For safety reasons, students not picked up by 3:30 will be escorted to their homeroom. Parents will need to come to the room and sign them out. • It’s important to provide updated contact information (including new phone numbers).

30. REMINDERS: • Please fill out a dismissal form today before you leave. • You are welcome to fill out the additional paperwork in the cafeteria and turn it in today. • The library computer lab is available if you need help with Home Access Center. • Join the PTA! • THANK YOU!!!

31. We are collecting $5.00 for the planner and $6.00 for the newspaper. If writing checks, please write 2separate checks payable to Deerwood Elementary. THANK YOU!!!

32. APPLE TREE Please help us by choosing an apple off of our apple tree located in the hallway. These are items we will be using throughout the year, and we would greatly appreciate your help!

33. REMINDERS FOR NEXT WEEK • Come to school on Monday!  • Friday is early release (12:00). Lunch will be served at school. • Monday, September 2, is a HOLIDAY. (Don’t come to school.) 

34. Thank you for coming! We are looking forward to a fun-filled year of learning.