ABSENCES: Please send a note to school when your child returns
from an absence.
ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES: School starts at 8:00 and ends at 3:10.
ACCELERATED READER (AR): Students will be able to check out books from the
Armstrong library. They are able to check out two books at a time. They
are also able to check out books from our classroom library. In addition to
their nightly reading, my class has a 20-30 minute DEAR (Drop Everything And
Read) time daily. Once they finish their book, they are to take the AR
test. It consists of 5-10 questions that test for comprehension. Each book
has a point value, and students collect points to be part of "Point Clubs".
They can earn prizes for reaching different point levels. Books start at
1/2 point and go up from there. The point value depends on the length of
the book and the reading level. Students are expected to check out a book
on their independent reading level. I will set this each six weeks. Point
goals are set each six weeks too. AR is part of their 6 week reading grade.
AVIATOR CLUB: This is a club for students who are interested in
achieving "above and beyond" the normal expectations. They pick a listed
topic, research it to become an expert in that subject, and then orally give
their answers to me. No notes can be used. After becoming an expert in 15
topics, they are placed into the HALL OF FAME, and their name will remain
there until I retire! Topics are under "Aviator Club".
AVIATOR NOTEBOOKS: An Aviator notebook is a 3-ring binder that holds
everything the students and parents need to keep updated on classroom and
school events. Details are under "Aviator Notebook".
BEHAVIOR CHARTS: Your child will bring home a behavior chart each day.
Please sign it daily. It is in the Aviator Notebook.
BIRTHDAY GOODIES: Store bought goodies may be brought to school on your
child's birthday. They must be eaten during lunch. Cookies or "Little
Debbie" snacks are easier for the students to eat than cupcakes. If a
student brings invitations to school to pass out, they must bring one for
each student in the class. If only select students are invited, you must
pass out the invitations outside of school.
BOOK ORDERS: Every month, I will be sending home book order forms for you
and your child to look over. These clubs offer wonderful books at a reduced
price. If you choose to order, please send a check payable to Scholastic
Books or exact cash amounts in an envelope with the order form.
CHANGE IN TRANSPORTATION: Please send a note if your child will be going
home a different way.
CLOTHING: Students need to wear appropriate, comfortable clothing to
school. Flip-flops are not permitted. Shorts should be fingertip length.
Shirts must have a strap of at least three fingers wide. Please check the
district dress code. Please put names on coats, sweaters, backpacks and
lunch boxes.
COMMUNICATION: If you have any questions or concerns, please do not
hesitate to write me a note or call. I also check my email periodically
throughout the day. Email is probably the best way to reach me during the
day. My email address is mawilban@garlandisd.net. This website is also a
great way to get information. I update it weekly.
GRADED WORK: Graded work will be sent home every Tuesday in the Tuesday
envelope. Please look over the work, sign the tests, and have your child
correct any work that is below a 70%. Students may correct homework and
daily work to bring up their grades. All corrections must be done in red
pen or on another sheet of paper, stapled to the original. Also, a parent
signature is required for me to change the grade. If the corrections are
satisfacory, I may change the grade to a 70. This corrected work needs to
be turned in to me by that Friday. Work corrected and turned in later than
Friday will not be graded.
HOMEWORK: Weekly homework assignments are listed under "Homework". Any
work not completed during the day will be considered homework as well. All
homework will be placed in the Aviator Notebook daily. When the homework is
completed, it should be returned to the Aviator Notebook to return to
school. If homework is not completed on the day it is due, the child will
miss recess to finish it. Points will also be deducted daily on late work.
Students are expected to read 30 minutes every night. They are also
required to write a reading response on the pages they read during their
assigned reading. A question will be assigned nightly.
LATE WORK: It is GISD policy to take 10 points off of an assignment for
each day it is late. If an assignment is received after 3 days past the due
date, it cannot be given a grade higher than a 70. Also, it is up to the
teacher and/or administration to decide if the work can still be accepted.
This does not apply to make-up work that follows an absence. Special
circumstances may be taken into consideration.
LEARNING LAB: Students that have not completed their homework will be sent
to learning lab during recess. Students that were absent on test day may
also be sent to complete the missing tests.
LIBRARY: We will be going to the library once a week. Your child will be
required to check out 2 books at that time. Occasionally they will be
assigned a certain genre of book, but the majority of time, it will be a
free choice.
LUNCH: Parents/guardians are welcome to come eat lunch with their child.
There is a table located along the wall of windows where you may sit.
Students may invite ONE friend to join them at this table with their guest.
If you choose to sit at the picnic tables outside, a friend may not sit with
you.
MYSTERY READERS: We welcome you to be our Mystery Reader throughout the
year. I will provide a sign-up sheet at Back to School night, and I will
call you to schedule a time to read to the class. Remember you are a
mystery to your child and the rest of the class, so don't tell them you are
coming! Please bring a short book (that takes about 15 minutes to read)
with you. Be sure to sign in at the office, and ask them to call me to let
me know you are heading our way. That way, everyone is ready for the
surprise.
POSITIVE AWARDS: There will be many times for your child to be rewarded
throughout the year. Here are two ongoing chances:
Marble Jar - When the class is doing a great job, or they get a
compliment, they receive a marble in the jar. When the jar is full, the
class will receive a class party of their choice.
Caught Being Good tickets - Each time a child is "caught being good",
they are awarded a ticket. These can be exchanged for homework passes,
prizes from the box, stickers, etc.
PTA: Your involvement in our room and at school helps tremendously! Take
time to join our PTA! Your support is greatly appreciated.
READING: During the year, your child will be reading stories from
textbooks and library books. Each student is responsible for reading 30
minutes a night. They will be assigned a reading response question nightly.
They also have a reading log to fill out and get signed.
SPELLING: Each week your child will be given a list of spelling words to
study. They will be tested on these words every Friday. Please practice
the words each night with your child. This spelling list is listed
under "Spelling List".
SUPPLIES: If your child runs out of one or more of his supplies, please
replace them as soon as possible. They are listed on the website.
TARDIES: If your child is late for school, please sign them in at the
office before sending them to class. Students arriving after 8:10, or
leaving before 3:00, will be given a partial absence.
TESTS: All tests will be sent home to be signed and be returned the next
day. Please look for them.
TOYS: Toys are not to be brought to school. We are not responsible for a
child's toy, if they choose to bring them.
VISITORS: Armstrong has a policy that ALL GUESTS (even familiar faces) are
required to check in at the school office.
VOLUNTEERS: I feel that it is a very important for a child to know that
his/her parents support their education. As such, we will try to provide
many opportunities for parents to volunteer and visit our classroom. These
include helping with parties, assisting with special projects, sending in
treats or party goods, chaperoning field trips, reading to the class, and
preparing materials at home.
The third grade teachers have provided a blue bucket in the workroom that
will include things that we need help in preparing. If you would like to
volunteer during the day, please check that bucket to see what help is
needed. Mrs. Wheatley can show you where it is located.
In order to volunteer with the students, district policy requires a
background check. Please fill one out early and return it to the school
office.
ZZZZZ: Please make sure your child gets plenty of rest each night. Setting
and keeping a bedtime is a wonderful gift you can give to your child. It
will help them to be their best at school.
