Welcome to Mrs. Phillips’ Class 2014 - 2015

1. Welcome to Mrs. Phillips’ Class2014 - 2015 “This classroom welcomes all, embraces each, supports everyone and hopes that you find yourself better for having been here.” ~Sally Huss Feel free to write your child a index card note using their supplies 

2. School Website Information • Bus Change forms are linked on the front left side of our school website.  Lunch Menus and County Bus Routes are also linked there.  The Upcoming Events Calendar is on the right.  You can subscribe to it and it will update automatically to your computer, smartphone, or tablet. • We are now using MackinVia.  This is replacing the Cobb Virtual Library and Destiny.  The link is on the left side of our school website.  Staff, Students, and Parents will need the following information to use it.  • School:  EAST SIDE ELEMENTARY, MARIETTA, GA • Username:  easmedia • Password:  books

3. Student Planner/Homework Folder • Planners should be taken home and returned to school daily. It is the student’s responsibility to see that this is done. • The students have two homework buddies to call in case they forget homework assignments. • Please check the homework folder for pertinent information as well. • All homework is written on a planner in the classroom. I try to list homework on our class webpage daily before 6pm. http://teacherweb.com/GA/eastsideelementary/Phillips/gallery1.aspx

4. Homework • Missing homework book • Students are held accountable for their homework and it can affect their Report Card under the work/study habits section. If your child receives an N on the report card in the Work/Study section, he/she will not be on the Honor Roll. (This applies to behavior as well). • Missing 0-2 assignments = O (Outstanding) • Missing 3-5 assignments = S (Satisfactory) • Missing 6 or more assignments = N (Needs Improvement) • Nightly reading where they complete reading choice board (3 activities due at the end of every month and they’ll present 1) • Spelling (3 activities from speller’s choice menu due Friday mornings) then quiz on Fridays • Root words – quiz every 10 words (learn and practice in class • Math usually nightly (practice multiplication facts nightly)

5. Monday Folders • They include a behavior sheet, student work , graded work, field trip forms, book orders, and any other items that need to be sent home. • On Tuesday, the folder is returned empty except for the SIGNED behavior sheet. • Your signature lets me know that you have seen all of the information which will include all graded work. • There is a comment spot available for us to communicate or you can e-mail me. • Quiz Corrections (look at handout)

6. Attendance/Transportation • When a student is absent, a parent must send in a written note the following day explaining the reason for the student’s absence. It cannot be over the phone or emailed. • A letter will be sent home after a total of 5 absences and/or tardies. • Please review what an excused and unexcused absence is on East Side’s website • Schedule appointments for after school or on early release days if possible. • If your child is sick, keep her/him at home please! • Make up work will be given to students upon their return to school. It is the students’ responsibility to look through their “Absent Folder”. • Your child must have a Bus Change note (no longer accepting hand-written notes) to go home on a different bus. They are located on East Side’s home page on the left side.

7. Carpool Guidelines & Expectations • It is an expectation that all cars stay in the car line. • More people crossing the crosswalk equals a slower car line which then causes more people to try to park and cross. • When crossing at the crosswalk, please wait for all cars to move forward and begin unloading. Refrain from darting back across the line after escorting students to the front door. • When in the car line, please pull forward so that at least three cars are ahead of the crosswalk. Therefore at least seven cars should be able to unload at a time. • When you must park and enter the building or walk your child to the building because you are volunteering or have a meeting, please adhere to the following: • Park only in designated parking spaces. Do not use the handicapped spaces for drop off. • Do not park along the curbs or drop children off in the parking lot. • Park in a space and escort your child. It is too dangerous to drop children off in the parking lot to weave through traffic on their own. • It is our experience that when these guidelines are followed, the car line moves efficiently and there is ample time to get all students into the building on time.

8. Mathematics • Number Talks • Place Value • Add &Subtract • Factors and Multiples • Data/Graphs • Multiplication & Division (practice math facts please) • Measuring Angles • Analyzing 2-D Figures • Decimals • Fractions • Weight • Geometry • Algebra

9. Reading Workshop • Reading Workshop Model • Mini Lesson • Individual Conferences & Strategy Groups ~Sequencing ~Compare/Contrast ~Inferring ~Determining Importance ~Cause and Effect ~Making Connections ~Questioning ~Synthesizing/Visualizing • Sharing/Closing • Just Right Books • Read at home at least 20 minutes a night and complete a reader’s choice board • Book Buddies with 2nd grade (Ms. Anderson)

10. Writing Workshop • Writer’s Workshop • Mini Lesson • Practice strategy/Individual Conferences • Sharing/Closing • What will they will use and learn • Take ownership of their writing • 6+1 Traits of Writing • Ideas, Organization, Fluency, Word Choice, Conventions, Voice • Units of Study • Narrative Writing • Informational Writing • Persuasive Essay

11. Spelling • Words Their Way • Spelling Homework (pre-test will be given on Mondays then they choose 3 activities to complete by Friday) • Spelling Assessments on Fridays

12. Social Studies • Economics • Map/Globe Skills • Native Cultures • Early Explorers • Colonization • American Revolution • The New Nation • 3 Branches • Constitution • Bill of Rights • Westward Expansion • Reform Movements

13. Science • Water • Weather • Force and Motion • Light • Sound • Stars & Star Patterns • Earth, Moon, Solar System • Ecosystems • Protective Adaptations

14. Health • Emotional and Mental Health • Personal Health • Nutrition/Growth and Development • Disease Prevention • Alcohol, Tobacco, and other Drugs • Fire Safety

15. Specials • We are on a 8day rotation • PE, Guidance, PE, Computer, Music, PE, Science, Art • Please be sure to have your child wear their tennis shoes on P.E. days.

16. Medication Please remember in order for our nurse to administer medication to a student, Cobb County Form JLCD-2 Authorization to Give Medication must be completed.  Please follow these guidelines:Medication must be in the original labeled container.  Pharmacist may provide two labeled bottles for this purpose.  Medications sent in an unlabeled container will not be given.  If your child takes daily medications, please send an extra bottle to be used for field trips and After School Program.Written permission of the parent/guardian is required for the administration of all medications.The parent/guardian must inform the school of any medication changes. New medication or new doses will not be given unless a new form is completed.Medications must be brought to the clinic/office by the parent/guardian.Unused medications will be disposed of unless picked up within one week after medication is discontinued. If medication is given throughout the school year, medication will be disposed of according to the medication Rule Section IX.For additional information please contact our nurse, Romonica Long at 770-578-7200 ext. 228 or e-mail her at romonica.long@cobbbk12.orgForms and other information may be found at this site.http://www.cobbk12.org/centraloffice/adminrules/J_Rules

17. Snacks and Lunch • Please send your child to school with a snack and water bottle each day. We eat lunch at 11:03 and students will need a little more fuel for the mind before that. • Remember that their snacks should be: • Healthy and nutritious • Non-messy • Finger food (can eat it while they work) • Come enjoy lunch with us at 11:03 in the cafeteria at Table 9. However, please sign in at the front office and get a visitor’s pass first. • Please follow lunch room rules to set an example for our students (no fast food allowed). • You and your child must sit at the table provided for visitors and you may not have a friend with you since there is limited space.

18. Birthdays • OPTIONAL: small snack for 28 students (please pre-cut if it requires cutting) – be mindful of our peanut and tree nut allergies • We’ll enjoy them at recess (11:30pm) • If your child has a summer birthday, we will celebrate their half-birthday (you’ll need to let me know which date you would like via e-mail). • No birthday invitations at school please!

19. Potential Field Trips & Shirts We will also be ordering class t-shirts this week and next week! Please fill out the form on your child’s desk…the shirts run small so please be mindful of this. Students will need to wear shirts for field trips and end of the year events. Youth Museum Fire Safety Village High Touch High Tech Wahsega 4-H Camp Alliance Theater for Performing Arts Chattahoochee Nature Center Cost: $10.00

20. Scholastic Book Orders • ONLY online! • Forms are sent home in Monday folders. • Our class code is GNBVP • There is a link on our website or you can sign up at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs

21. Grades/Testing In 4th grade we have percentages that will be used to calculate your student’s letter grades. Lowest grade in gradebook is 60% • A = 100%-90% • B = 89%-80% • C = 79%-74% • D = 73%-70% • F = 69% or below We will be using Synergy this year! Please sign the form on your child’s desk – codes will be given out in September if you don’t already have them. • 4th grade will have End of the Year Assessment (formerly CRCT) on April 15 – 24 and then student learning object assessments in January and May.

22. Example of 4th Grade Report Card

23. Classroom Environment • Class Meetings • C.A.R.E.S. (cooperation, assertive, responsibility, empathy, and self-control) • Community of Learners with responsibilities • Class Incentives (compliment jar and treasure box) • Consequences • Behavior Book • Problem Solving Sheet • Parent E-mail or Call • Sent to office

24. Communication • The best way to reach me is via e-mail at lindsey.phillips@cobbk12.org • East Side’s phone number is 770-578-7200 ext. 311 but please note that I will respond quicker to e-mails • Class website (newsflash) is at http://teacherweb.com/GA/eastsideelementary/Phillips/gallery1.aspx • I cannot take dismissal changes during the day, only the office can accept telephone changes to send your child to ASP – these calls must be received by 1:45 pm (they cannot accept faxes or e-mails). Other changes must be brought to the office by the parent. Remediated afterwards- please do quiz corrections)

25. Handouts • Stapled together: specials’ calendar, class schedule, class list, quiz corrections, main points from today (keep this packet in a safe spot) • T-shirt form & envelope • PTA directory for our class • Synergy authorization & codes • Receipt of Parent Information

26. Volunteer Options • Please join PTA – our membershipis only at 40% for parents so far. You can join at http://eastsideelementary.com/getting-involved/membership2/ • I will create a Shutterfly website where you all need to create an account so we can keep updated on the volunteering schedule and share pictures there.  We will need Science Lab volunteers (8 – 8:50am) and Math Lab volunteers (12:12 – 1:00pm)