Policies and Procedures

Please refer to the Procedures Manual you received at the beginning of the 
school year for a complete listing of the fifth grade policies and 
procedures.  Here are a few general things to remember:

•	Snacks: 
I do not allow daily snacks in my classroom.  Special events and privileges 
will be exceptions to this rule.  

•	Birthday Parties: 
District policy says that students cannot hand out party invitations of any 
kind at school.  If a child wishes to have cookies/cupcakes, ect. at school 
for their birthday, please check with me first.  Typically around 2:00 pm is 
best.

•	Playground: 
District policy prohibits parents on the playground at any time for any 
reason.  Thank you for your cooperation.  

•	Email: 
I am not allowed to use a student’s name in an email, as it is a direct 
violation of the Family Educational Rights to Privacy Act.  If we email, I 
will say “your son,” or “your daughter,” or “your child.”  Email is my 
preferred means of communication.  I will only discuss a specific child or 
situation after I am sure that I am corresponding with the parent.  

•	Renaissance: 
Renaissance is a special privilege for students who earn straight A’s in a 
nine week period.  They will be allowed a special lunch and a goody bag 
filled with treats as a reward for their hard work.    

•	Attendance: 
District policy states that a student can be considered for retention if 
there are absences in excess of 12 per semester.  If a student continues to 
have excessive absences or tardies, a referral will be made to the Canadian 
County Juvenile Truancy Office.  Doctor’s notes will not be accepted.  If 
your child is going to be absent, please call the office.  

•	Tardies:
Students should be in their seats at 8:00 am.  Please plan ahead for the 
heavy traffic in front of our building.  We suggest that students ride the 
bus to avoid being late.  Three tardies will result in one hour of after 
school detention. ***In the fifth grade, it is especially important that 
students are on time to class.  Our specials block begins at 8:10.  If a 
student is tardy, they will miss part of their specials time.

•	Field Trips: 
Students are required to wear a Mustang Valley t-shirt on field trips.  It 
does not need to be current, any year's shirt will do.  District policy 
prevents preschoolers and school-age-siblings from attending field trips.  

 
•	Spelling: 
Spelling tests are every Thursday in weeks with four or five days.  I do not 
provide a spelling list for my students.  They are responsible to bring home 
their books, or make a list of their own from the book.  They are also 
permitted to use a graded and returned spelling assignment from which to 
study. 

•	Homework: 
I typically do not assign homework.  However, fifth grade is very fast 
paced, and it is likely that your child will bring work home frequently.  If 
a student does not finish an assignment during the time allotted, then he or 
she may take it home for homework.  

•	Make Up Work: 
If a student is absent, then all make up work will be sent home with a cover 
letter explaining each assignment.  The student will have the same number of 
days to return the work that they were absent.  For example, if a student is 
absent for two days, he will have two days to make up all missed work.  It 
is the student's responsibility to make up the work in a timely 
manner.