1. Welcome to 4th Grade Rules / Procedures

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 Please remove graded papers regularly!

4. 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

5. AT HOME READING Fourth graders will be encouraged to turn in a signed READING LOG (It is optional but strongly advised!) 80+ minutes a week = Free Choice Coupon It promotes: a love of reading reading books on appropriate reading level reading for a purpose starting and finishing a book

6. 1. Verbal warnings 2.Sign the Conduct Book and sit out for 10 minutes at recess 3.Note in planner or phone call home Behavior Plan

7. Conduct Grades We have high expectations for student behavior in fourth grade. It is not uncommon for students to receive an “S” grade in conduct. It means your child’s behavior is satisfactory (on par with peers). To earn an “E”, students must demonstrate truly excellent behavior that exceeds expectations on a consistent basis.

8. CLASSROOM INCENTIVES “BUG” tickets “Being Unusually Good” Redeem for coupons and prizes

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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 8. Thank you for understanding!

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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

16. 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!

17. 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.

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

19. ABSENCES Upon a student’s return to school, you have 48 hours to 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.

20. 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.

21. DISMISSAL Provide your child’s teacher(s) with a written note first thing in the morning when changes occur. Parents must request in writing the release of their child to anyone not on their emergency list. This request must be received first 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!

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

23. 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. All walkers will be dismissed to the back of the building by the bike racks. Please meet your child there.

24. 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). Please be aware that we cannot dial long distance numbers from classroom phones!

25. We are collecting $5.00 for the planner and $7.00 for the newspaper. If writing checks, please write 2 separate checks payable to Deerwood Elementary. THANK YOU!!!

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