Valley Intermediate School Vision: To mold the learners of today into the leaders of tomorrow. Mission: To establish a supportive environment in which we can nurture, guide, and challenge all students to become lifelong learners who are respectful of cultural differences. Beliefs: Student learning is the chief priority of the school. Students learn in different ways and should be provided with a variety of instructional approaches to support their learning. Each student is a valued individual with unique physical, social, emotional and intellectual needs. Teachers, administrators, parents, and the community share the responsibility for advancing the school’s mission. A safe and comfortable environment promotes student learning.

Welcome to Orientation!

Field Trips Montgomery: Other Field Trip TBA at a later date Wednesday, November 7, 2012 $38.00 per student (DUE OCTOBER 1ST!) $42.00 per chaperone (DUE OCTOBER 1ST!) 5 Chaperone/Class Limit Other Field Trip TBA at a later date

Math Study Multiplication Facts! AMSTI Hands-On Learning Journaling Daily Math Review Quizzes (Weekly)

Science/History Science-AMSTI Alabama History Journaling Tests (Closed-Book) Immediate Needs: 2-Liter Diet Cokes, Mentos (Needed ASAP) Paper Towel Rolls Shoeboxes Alabama History Tests (Open-Book) Projects

Language Arts Writing Reading Independent Reading (AR, etc.) Descriptive, Expository, Narrative Reading Independent Reading (AR, etc.) Reading Log (2 hours minimum/week) Rubric Grading System S = Satisfactory P = Progressing N = Needs Improvement

Staying Connected Assignment Book/Agenda VIS Website Agendas are available in Science/Learning Lab for $7. Green Communication Folders are available in Science/Learning Lab for $3. VIS Website Class Blog http://podcasts.shelbyed.k12.al.us/sgenschmer/ Email: sgenschmer@shelbyed.k12.al.us VIS Parent Handbook Available on VIS Website under “Parents” Section Lunch Account Information Available on www.mylunchmoney.com

Student Performance Independence Behavior Expectations Attitude (Positive Attitudes Win Success)

Inclement Weather School Closing Procedures Listen to local TV stations for announcements of school closings. Listserv will send out an email with weather information for our school. Check the Valley Intermediate website for announcements of school closings. Please discuss with your child what he/she should do in the event of an early dismissal. If you know that your child will follow a plan other than his/her normal dismissal, please send a note to the teacher. No After School Care Program is available when schools close. Please do not call the school office unless you have an emergency.

Parent Guidelines Please allow your children to walk in the building and to their classrooms without parent assistance from the first day of school. Unannounced classroom visits will not be allowed. If you need to talk to your child’s teacher, schedule a conference 2 days in advance. Please pick up and drop off your child at the front of the school. Wait in cars outside the building to lessen congestion in the front entry and to help with safety. Students are not allowed to be dropped off or picked up in the parking lot. As a safety precaution, do not bring young children to parties, field trips, or volunteer activities.

Cell Phone Policy The Shelby County Board of Education has adopted a policy regarding student cell phone use. The Shelby County Board of Education respects the wishes for their child to bring a cell phone to school. However, cell phones brought to school should be stored appropriately in the student’s book bag. Cell phones cannot be audible during the instructional day or on the school bus. Should a cell phone be heard or used, the phone will be taken from the student and given to a school administrator. Per school system policy, once a cell phone is taken, the phone will be inspected and any illegal or inappropriate material found on the phone may lead to further legal implications. When a student violates the school system’s guidelines for cell phones, consequences may be applied as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct and Attendance Booklet.

School Day Schedule The school day begins at 7:50am and concludes at 2:45pm this year. Class begins promptly at 7:50. and it is important that your child is on time. If, on rare occasions, your child arrives after 7:50am, the person transporting the student should sign the proper form in the office to assure that the student is marked present for the day. Students who arrive after 11:30am will be counted absent. If a student checks in or out for any reason, they will not be eligible for the Perfect Attendance award at the end of the year.

Attendance Students who are absent should bring a written explanation of their absence from the parent or guardian within 3 days after returning to school. A parent note stating the student was ill is acceptable for the sole purpose of make-up work. Once a student has accumulated 12 days of absences (excused and unexcused combined), s/he will be required to have either a doctor’s note, court documentation, or administrative approval for future absences to be excused. Family trips and vacations will not be excused. Please refer to the Student Code of Conduct and Attendance Booklet regarding any changes made concerning regulations governing attendance.

Early Morning Supervision Early Bird care will be provided each day in the Media Center from 6:45am-7:15am for the cost of $2 per day. Any student arriving to school prior to 7:15am must be dropped off at the front door and go directly to the Media Center. When bus/car riders arrive at the school, they are to go directly to bus room in the gym or to the cafeteria for breakfast, where they will be supervised by staff members until they are dismissed to their homerooms.

Breakfast and Lunch Program Fast food is not allowed in the cafeteria during meal times. However, extras are available for an additional charge. Please see the cafeteria manager, Diane Hipp, for more information about cost for extras. The Child Nutrition Program is once again proud to offer myLunchMoney.com for the 2010-2011 school year. This service allows parents to go online and view and/or fund their child’s lunch account. You can also have an email sent to you to let you know when your child has reached their minimum balance. This is a free service even if you don’t fund their account online.

Extra Curricular Activities at Valley Intermediate Student Council Valley Voices (chorus) Band Field Day Valley Today Safety Patrol (5th Graders)

Thank You For Coming! Please remember to give all donations to me before leaving today.