Communication I want to welcome parent communication and feedback. The best way to contact me is via email at mrawls@atlanta.k12.ga.us. I am usually available to meet with you before school (from 7:00 to 7:30) and after school (from 2:30 to 3:00). It is difficult for me to return your phone calls during the school day, however I will try to return them within 24 hours. Our Classroom Essential Agreements (Rules) * Be respectful to everyone and everything. * Don't interrupt others; raise your hand if necessary. * Come to class organized and prepared. * Keep hands, feet, objects and unkind words to yourself. * Use the appropriate voice level for the activity assigned. Consequences There will be consequences for those who are not able to adhere to our classroom essential agreements. Students will be given a verbal warning for the first offense. A seoond offense will result in a visual reminder to modify behavior. A third offense will result in a note being sent home to the parent explaining which of the agreements was not fulfilled by the student. The note must be signed by the teacher, student, and parent, and then returned to the teacher for record keeping. These notes will also help determine conduct grades. Students may also lose recess time or classroom privileges if he/she does not adhere to our essential agreements. Any major offense such as physical fighting or verbal threats will be referred directly to an administrator. On the other hand, positive consequences will result for those who exhibit exemplary behavior, including extended recess, special classroom privileges, and small treats. Absences/Tardies School begins each day at 8:00 AM. Students who arrive after 8:00 AM should stop by the office for a tardy slip before reporting to class. Please make every effort to be present and on time every day. Students having perfect attendance (this includes not being tardy) will be recognized by the school at the end of every twenty-day period. If a student is absent he or she is responsible for checking with the teacher to learn what work needs to be completed. You will have one day for every day absent to complete the missed assignments. Transportation Changes Please remember that a transportation change must be made with a written note from the parent or legal guardian. This written documentation helps to ensure the safety of your child. When I receive the written notification, it will be sent to the office to be documented. Extra Credit/Tutoring Extra credit will not be given with exception to bonus questions worth a minimal amount of points on certain exams or quizzes. Tutoring will be available each Wednesday afternoon. Late Work Students should be conscious of turning in assignments on the assigned due date. If an assignment is turned in late, 10 points will be deducted from the grade for each day past the due date. For example, if a student turns in an assignment one day late and received an 88 on the assignment, his/her grade would result in a 78. Staying Seated Each student is reminded that moving around the classroom during lessons is not appropriate. If a student needs to leave his/her seat, the best policy is to raise your hand and ask permission to move throughout the room. Students getting out of their seat can be a disruption to others and one of our essential agreements is to be respectful to everyone. There will be times when students are free to move through the room to do things necessary to complete a task (research at the computers, sharpen pencils, turn in work, go to the reading center, etc.). Talking Talking within the classroom is permitted and encouraged at appropriate times. It is important to remember to speak one at a time and to use the appropriate level of voice within the room/school for specific activities. Restroom/Water Breaks Restroom breaks will be scheduled throughout the day. Students may use the restroom before coming to class or during the morning work time from 7:30 to 8:00. The next scheduled break will be before lunch. A third scheduled restroom break will be after recess. Unless there is an emergency, students should not ask to use the restroom during lessons. If a student needs to use the restroom during an unscheduled time, he/she should try to wait until he/she is working independently and there is no direct instruction taking place. Hallway Conduct Hallways are silent zones. We must remember our essential agreement to be respectful to everyone (which includes students in other classrooms who are learning as well). When walking as a class through the hallways, students should walk single file, not side-by-side. Students should also walk with their hands at their sides (not touching the walls) facing forward. Neatness Our classroom should be found neat every morning when students arrive and therefore it should be left neat and organized every afternoon when you leave. The classroom environment is the responsibility of all students and the teacher, and it is up to us to keep it clean so that all of us may enjoy it. Writing All formal written assignments should be completed in cursive handwriting. A maximum of five points will be deducted from a student’s grade if an assignment is not completed in cursive. Print may be used when taking notes or informal writing assignments such as rough drafts. Also, students should complete all assignments in pencil. In some situations, pen may be required in which case only blue or black ink may be used. Sharpening Pencils/Throwing Away Trash Students need to be courteous to other students as well as the teacher. Sharpening a pencil or throwing away trash during a lesson is not appropriate and can be a distraction to others. Please wait for an appropriate time before leaving your seat to either sharpen a pencil or throw away trash. All students have a hand-held pencil sharpener at his/her desk to avoid having to leave one's seat to sharpen a pencil. Seating Arrangement Seating arrangements may change from time to time throughout the year. There will be many times when students are sitting in close quarters with other students. Students should remember to be courteous to those around them by remembering our essential agreement that we should keep all hands, feet, objects, and unkind words to ourselves. It is important to give everyone ample workspace in which to complete their assignments. Heading Papers Papers should be headed with the student’s name (first and last), date of the assignment in the upper right hand corner on the top line. The class voted, and the majority decided a five-point deduction will be made from graded papers without a name. Book Checkout from the Classroom Library If a student wishes to borrow a book from our classroom library, he/she may borrow the book without having to ask. Books should be respected, cared for, and returned promptly. Students who abuse books will not be allowed to borrow them in the future. Snacks Your child is allowed to bring a snack (preferably healthy) to eat during the school day (usually during our reading/language arts block). This is a working snack, so please do not send in any messy foods! Water bottles are permitted during the day.