1. Procedures in Mrs. Mize’s class

2. Three ring binder (2”) Bring to and from school every day. KEEP THE PLANNER IN THE BINDER. * Keep the math journal in the binder. Keep the homework folder in the binder. Keep the Reading Journal in the bookbag. * There is a charge to replace lost planners, so please help your child stay organized by keeping the planner in the binder and the binder in the bookbag!

3. Rules and Procedures The bell rings at 7:40. The school system is very serious about tracking tardies. Homework is for time outside of school. If your child has too much difficulty or can’t finish for some reason, please write me a note. You must send a note when your child has been absent. I need a hard copy, not just an email. I will give your child time to make up the missed assignments.

4. Outside food: The cafeteria is funded based on sales. We are not allowed to bring a take-out meal into the cafeteria just as you would not take a meal into Olive Garden. Birthdays: We sing happy birthday and recognize the special day. We are not allowed to have parties. A special snack (cookies or cupcakes ) can be served after the cafeteria has closed for the day. Nothing may be served in the cafeteria. Feel free to distribute invitations at school if you intend to give everyone in the class an invitation.

5. Vacations If your child will be absent for any reason other than sickness, then you need to write a request for Mrs. Hancock to consider. She will decide whether to excuse the absence or not. NOTE: This must be done prior to the absence, not after!

6. Reading Journal Read 20 minutes every night (Mon.- Thurs.) Be sure your child reads a book he/she can understand. It is time to read chapter books. I also think it is important to read to your child. That counts as the twenty minutes of reading, too. Initial the journal daily. 2 nights of silent or shared reading, 1 night of fluency, 1 night responding to one of the listed options. Journals are collected on Fridays. This is a part of the reading grade.

7. Take Home Folder Once per week, usually Fridays (Review and sign) Due on the following school day (This is homework!) Your signature indicates that you know what was on those papers. If there is a grade, then it is part of your child’s recorded grade. You will use the enclosed papers as a way to work with your child on needed review. If you need to send me a note, please don’t put it in the Friday folder; I won’t see it until the next Thursday afternoon! Ask your child to put it in the note box by the door.

8. Discipline Intrinsic—strong work ethic Earn extra tickets Consequences Letter a day if no tickets were taken Marble can Note home: child writes a behavior map/note. Treat box

9. What happens when children make poor choices? Warning Loss of ticket (s) Loss of privileges Behavior map and parent signature Jail: Confiscated items go to jail. Only Mom or Dad can post bail (via note).

10. Some discipline problems must go to the office (fights, for example). This is very unusual in my class. I have found that out-of-the-ordinary problems can be solved on a case- by-case basis.

11. What can parents do to help children succeed? Support the teacher Sign reading journal nightly Look through work when the folder comes home Read to and with your child Limit screen time Have conversations What can parents do to help children be successful at school?

12. How do I access the website? 1.Go to Smith School homepage 2.Click on Teacher Webpages 3.Click on Elizabeth Mize under the “M” part of the staff directory

13. Math Groups (more information on Curriculum Night) Pre assessments Observations Performance (homework, classwork, and tests Benchmarks

14. Guided Reading Groups (more information on Curriculum Night) Groups based on a variety of assessments (benchmarks, EOG scale scores, informal running records, performance) Children taught in small group settings Regroup when needed

15. I’m looking forward to a super year. Thanks for sharing your children with me.