Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
- What time does school start?
- How is attendance handled?
- Can my child leave during the day for a doctor/dentist appointment?
- How do I get a message to my child during the school day?
- How do I deliver forgotten items (lunches, homework) to my child?
- Is it okay to send treats for my child's birthday?
- What is the Daily Folder?
- What is the Wednesday / Weekly Folder?
- What is the Data Folder?
- What's for Homework?
- What is the Home Reading Program?
- What is the Classroom Management Plan?
- How will I know how my child is doing?
- How do I contact my child's teacher?
- When is a good time to meet with my child's teacher?
- Can I visit my child's classroom?
- What does IB-PYP mean?
- How can I get more involved?
What time does school start?
Students need to be seated and ready for announcements by 7:45 a.m.
(Breakfast may be purchased in the cafeteria at 7:15 a.m. The classroom
opens at 7:30.) Each tardy is reported to the school registrar and recorded
on your student's report card along with absences. Late students have
already missed part of the morning routine and may also disrupt the class
when they arrive. Parents will be notified in writing if tardies/absences
start to become an issue.
How is attendance handled?
When at all possible, your child needs to attend class. State laws may keep
your child from being promoted to the next grade if absences are excessive
(17 or more). Attendance is taken at 9:00 a.m. every day. If your child is
absent, please send a note to school in order to "excuse" the absence.
Can my child leave during the day for a doctor/dentist appointment?
Yes, go directly to the office, and the office staff will assist you. Your
child CANNOT be released from class until you have officially signed
him/her out. You will be given a slip to present to the teacher showing
that you have signed your child out and may pick him/her up.
*As long as your child is present at 9:00, they will not be counted absent.
Otherwise, Dr's notes must be receive the SAME day as the appointment in
order to "erase" the absence.
How do I get a message to my child during the school day?
You may call your child's teacher directly and leave a voice mail message on
the classroom phone. If it is an emergency, and you need to speak to
someone in person, please call the office at 428-3700. The office staff
will deliver the message to your child's teacher at 2:30 p.m.
How do I deliver forgotten items (lunches, homework) to my child?
All items should be labeled with the student's and teacher's name and
delivered directly to the office. The office staff will then have the
student or teacher pick these items up in the office. *(Please go through
the office, not directly to your child's classroom.)
Is it okay to send treats for my child's birthday?
We are very sorry to announce that due to state law concerning foods of
minimal nutritional value, schools are no longer permitted to allow parents
to bring edible birthday treats and baked goods to school to celebrate a
child's birthday.
Also, please handle private party invitations OUTSIDE of school. If these
are sent to school, they will be sent back home. We do this for two
reasons: to be fair to any students who may be excluded, but also to
minimize disruption.
*(Anderson Mill Student Handbook Supplement, p. 3)
What is the Daily Folder?
It is the student's responsibility to bring this folder back and forth from
school to home EVERYDAY. *Completed assignment paper(s) in the folder must
be reviewed by a parent/guardian nightly. Your child's "Home Reading Chart"
and weekly "Spelling Words" can also be found in the "Daily Folder".
What is the Wednesday / Weekly Folder?
The "Wednesday Folder" is sent home once per week. It contains student
work, classroom newsletters, and information from the office. It may also
contain important information about the progress of your child.
*It must be reviewed by a parent/guardian, signed, and returned the next
day. You may keep your child's papers once they are sent home in this
folder.
What is the Data Folder?
Each child will have reading, writing, spelling, math, and behavior goals
that they will keep track of on various charts. This folder will be sent
home 2-3 times throughout the school year for you and your child to review
together. This record-keeping system is a great source of information on
your child's academic progress and success.
*Please return it within one week of receiving it.
What's for Homework?
Each day your child will bring home a "Daily Folder" that includes any
assignments for that day. We are aware of the busy lives you and your
children live. *However, homework is NOT optional.
In 2nd grade, we require about 20 minutes of homework per weekday.
(Weekends are generally homework free!)
Completed assignments are due by 7:45 a.m. If your child was not able to
complete their assignments ON TIME, they will have to make up their work
during the school day, usually at recess.
*Remember, 3rd grade requirements become even more rigorous than 2nd grade
and responsibilities are increased. Please help to ensure your child's
continued success with the preparation needed this year!
What is the Home Reading Program?
Second grade is a critical year for reinforcing and continuing to develop
and refine reading skills. Your child will be expected to read 50 pages
and/or minutes each week. (You may choose which one to go by, depending on
what you feel is most appropriate for your child's level.)
Please fill out and sign your child's "Home Reading Chart" completely, as we
will be checking it daily and recording grades on Fridays.
*Pages/minutes recorded will NOT COUNT until a parent has signed it.
What is the Classroom Management Plan?
Anderson Mill's school-wide behavioral management system is designed to
acknowledge appropriate behavior, as well as to redirect inappropriate
behavior. Students are expected to be safe, respectful, responsible,
cooperative, tolerant, and show integrity.
Inappropriate behavior will result in the following consequences:
1st Time/Green: warning & sign the "Reflection Book"
2nd Time/Yellow: Reflection letter, sign the "Reflection Book", and
possible loss of privileges
3rd Time/Orange: Time-Out letter sent home to parents, sign the "Reflection
Book", and loss of privileges
4th Time/Red: sent to office with Conduct Violation Form
*Appropriate behavior will be rewarded with daily praise, random positive
notes home, and/or the "I.B. Ambassador Award."
~Both student and parent will be asked to read, discuss, and sign the school-
wide classroom management plan pledging to support and honor the plan
throughout the year.
How will I know how my child is doing?
Each day you can check inside your child's "Daily Folder". A comment will
be made each time your child has to sign the "Reflection Book." This way
you will know exactly how many times and reasons why your child had to
change their color (to green/yellow/orange/red).
Comments and notes sent home requesting a parent signature are meant to keep
you informed so that you can also speak with your child about what is
happening at school. Please discuss the issue and reinforce how he/she can
take batter action. In extreme cases you may also wish to enforce a
consequence at home. *We definitely encourage you to praise your child for
their "good days" too!
How do I contact my child's teacher?
You may leave a message on voice mail, e-mail, or write a note. Your
child's teacher will respond as quickly as possible. For emergencies, call
the office directly at 428-3700.
To contact:
Ms. Fleetwood: 428-3755 cheryl_fleetwood@roundrockisd.org
Mrs. Ionnotti: 428-3752 leah_ionnotti@roundrockisd.org
Ms. Pittman: 428-3754 lisa_pittman@roundrockisd.org
Ms. Salazar: 428-3753 nora_salazar@roundrockisd.org
When is a good time to meet with my child's teacher?
Conferences may be scheduled most days between 9:45-10:30 a.m., or after
school from 3:00-3:30 p.m. Please make sure that you schedule your
conference ahead of time to avoid conflicts.
Also, Fall Conferences are scheduled in September, and Spring Conferences
are held in May. At least one parent is required to attend together WITH
THEIR CHILD.
Can I visit my child's classroom?
If you visit our school between 7:45 and 2:45, you must sign-in with the
office and wear a visitor's badge. This is a procedure required by state
law and is in place for the protection of our students. We also ask that
parents do not interrupt the classroom learning time during the day. As
teachers we devote 100% of this time to our students. If you would like to
observe or volunteer in the classroom, please make arrangements with the
teacher in advance.
What does IB-PYP mean?
Anderson Mill Elementary is an IB-PYP (International Baccalaureate-
Primary Years Programme) applicant/candidate school.
Grisham Middle School is applying to be an IB-MYP (Middle Years
Programme) school, and Westwood High School is already an IB authorized
DP (Diploma Programme) school.
*For more detailed information about the IB program, please visit
our 'IB-PYP' page and our 'Curriculum' page...
How can I get more involved?
We encourage you to join AME's PTA. Even if you are busy, PTA has a place
for you! Your membership shows support in our school--even if you don't
have the time to volunteer. PTA's main goal is to make our school a better
place. PTA funds resources/materials for our school and pays for student
field trips. PTA also sponsors special events for families. Please visit
their website for more information...