Welcome to Parent Orientation!

1. Welcome to Parent Orientation! Mrs. Gonzalez

2. About Me….. Professionally • I earned my Bachelors Degree of Interdisciplinary Studies, Early Childhood through 6th grade at Stephen F. Austin University. I graduated Summa Cum Laude. • I am certified K-6 grade and ESL. • I have worked in LISD for 12 years. • I come from a background of Project Management and Child Nutrition Management.

3. About Me……. Personally • I grew up in Orange County, California • I have been happily married to Rico for 32 years. • I am the mother of 3 and a grandmother of 3! • I love to laugh. • I am overwhelmed by Pinterest! • I enjoy a good Cowboy game. • One of my favorite holidays is 4th of July because of the amazing fireworks in The Colony. • I love to travel because I lived overseas for 8 years and had the opportunity to see much of our wonderful world!

4. My Family!

5. Daily Schedule

6. Schedule • Please note that Conference time is 10:40-11:30. • If you would like to have a conference please allow 24 hours notice. • I will have 2 conferences- one after the first 6 weeks and one in • March 2015. • Our schedule for Specials • Music, Art, PE, Science, Repeat Rotation • Library will be every FRIDAY!

7. Communication • Classroom newsletter will be emailed on Friday for the following week. If you would like a paper copy, one will be available. I will also email spelling words. • You may check my website for the information included in this presentation. You will find websites for you and your child to visit. • You may email me anytime, but I may not be able to respond until after the school day is over. • You may phone call and leave a message at the front office and I will return your call during my conference time or after school hours. • You may set up a conference time.

8. Grades • If your child receives a grade lower than 70 on a major grade, I will re-teach and grade. However, their final grade will not be higher than a 70. I will send home both graded papers for your review. • New grades will be available on most Mondays. Grades are accessible online at www.lisd.net. • More information on grading can be found on the LISD website.

9. Breakfast and Lunch • Breakfast is served from 7:20-7:40. Cost is $1.00 • Lunch is at 12:00. Cost is $2.30 • If you plan to visit your child for lunch, please be on time. • Breakfast and Lunch menu’s are found on the • LISD website. • You may also check your child’s balance • online.You may pre-pay online or send in cash/check. • Please make sure your child’s name is on the check.

10. SNACKS • PROVIDE A DAILY HEALTHY SNACK. • PLEASE, NO NUT PRODUCTS • WE HAVE A NUT ALLERGY IN OUR CLASSROOM • SNACK IDEAS • PRETZELS • GOLD FISH • CRACKERS • CEREAL • GRAPES • WE WILL EAT SNACK AT 9:30

11. Attendance • It is important that your child comes to school each and every day well rested and ready to learn. • Regular attendance at school is critical for your child to achieve his/her highest academic potential. • If your child is absent, please call the office and let them know. Absence notes/emails are necessary to excuse the absence. PLEASE REMEMBER TO WRITE OR EMAIL A NOTE! • Each student may only be granted five pre-planned (non-consecutive/consecutive) days per school year. A student must be in attendance 90% of the school year. A planned absence that causes a student to be less that 90% would be denied this request.

12. Behavior Plan • Everyone starts on Green ! • If a student breaks a classroom rule, the student moves their star down. They can move back up if they make better choices. If they move to Teachers Choice they can move back up, however there will be discipline consequences. Teachers Choice will be either time taken off recess to reflect or practice desired behaviors, silent lunch, or both. I will sent home a behavior notice for a parent signature. • It is possible if they move to Parent Contact they may also be referred to the Principal. • Students have a Behavior Chart that they fill in everyday. • If they stay at green or above for 8 days they will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of coupons.

13. Behavior Chart Code

14. Bullying • Bullying has become a very important issue within our schools. It is very serious and will not be tolerated. Please talk to your child about respect of others. • Our rule is to treat others as we want to be treated. • Please note that if any child reports “bullying” it will be taken very serious. We will write up a report and appropriate consequences may occur.

15. Reading Homework Policy • I ask that students read 10-15 minutes each night as a part of their homework. I will not require a reading log, however, it will become very apparent during my assessments if your child is not reading at home. • First graders ability to improve their reading depends greatly on independent reading. I included a reading log for your use at home to help keep your child accountable.

16. Spelling Homework Policy • I will also be sending home spelling practice idea worksheets. I have a spelling quiz every Friday. • I will have the students sort and practice their spelling at school, but I expect the students to also practice AT HOME. Their spelling grade will reflect their efforts. • Our focus is not on memorization of words but of recognizing PATTERNS in words.

17. BIRTHDAYS • This year we will have a small celebration for the birthday child in our classrooms. If you would like to bring in a STORE BOUGHT treat for our class only (no extras for friends or other teachers please). Any treats need to be dropped off in the office. I try to make the children feel special and provide music during the celebration. They also take home a gift bag from me. • PLEASE NOTE: WE HAVE NUT ALLERGIES IN OUR CLASSROOM. READ ALL LABELS.

18. Dismissal • If your child walks or rides their bike, they will exit the front doors. • If your child is in day care or takes the bus, they will exit from the Cafeteria. • ESD children will meet in the cafeteria. • If your child is being picked up by car, they will wait in the gym. You must pull around the backside of the school and wait in queue until your child’s name/number is called. You MUST have a car identification card on the dashboard. • If your child is going home with another student, they must have a note. • Older siblings can meet their younger siblings at the front exit benches.

19. Volunteers • If you would like to volunteer in the classroom, at school or on a field trip, at all this year, you must be approved by the school district. I suggest that everyone fill out the application and be approved so that you don't have to worry about it later. It takes about 3 weeks to get approved, so it is almost impossible to apply at the last minute before a field trip if you want to chaperone. Please note that you must re-apply every 3 years. • If you are interested in helping out, I REALLY appreciate parents that can help with making copies once a week.

20. TAKE HOME I-CARE FOLDER The students have an “I CARE” folder that will go home daily with behavior, important papers, graded papers and homework. Please take the time to review ALL paperwork as some will need to be returned. Students enjoy seeing their work displayed so you may see work coming home a week or so after it has been graded.

21. THANK YOU FOR COMING! We are going to have an “SUPERSTAR” year!