Fall Creek

Our mission: In partnership with families and community, Fall Creek Elementary provides quality learning experiences challenging students to meet their full potential while becoming responsible well-rounded citizens prepared to contribute in a global society.

Married for 36 years to my HS sweetheart We have one son, Nick. Bachelor of Arts in Education, SHSU 1989 Masters in Education, SHSU Years Teaching Experience in Humble ISD in Grades 3-5

Our mission: In partnership with families and community, Fall Creek Elementary provides quality learning experiences challenging students to meet their full potential while becoming responsible well-rounded citizens prepared to contribute in a global society.

Children are released to the classroom beginning at 7:50. There is a lot to do in the morning to get ready for our day, so please make sure your child arrives on time. Upon arrival, they make their lunch choice and copy the day’s assignment and homework into their planner. If your child arrives after 8:05, they should report to the office to obtain a tardy slip.

Our class gets together to foster team building and to establish positive classroom community. This may be done by playing game, sharing our feelings, or collaboratively problem solving issues that may have arisen. It is also a time for our weekly social skills lessons.

Problem solving and critical thinking are emphasized in all areas of mathematics: measurement, probability & statistics, geometry, patterns, fractions, and all operations. When possible, all concepts will first introduced using manipulatives before moving the more abstract applications. District assessments will be given throughout the year to assess mastery of curriculum taught to that point. Data gleaned from this assessment is used to guide reteaching and targeted instruction for individuals.

Most of our time will be spent developing good reading strategies to use before, during and after reading that support comprehension. Each day, I will select a text to read to model these strategies for the children. We will use a variety of texts, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, magazines and newspapers.

We have a 6-day rotation, so you will need to check the monthly calendar to see where your child goes each day. Athletic shoes should be worn for PE which is every other day.

Students will have opportunities to practice new skills and strategies while reading independently (JRR), working with me in a guided group, and/or working with their classmates in literacy centers.

Please be sure to send in cash or pay online to insure adequate funds are in your child’s lunch account. Lunch cost: $2.20 Milk: $0.60 Make a Lunch Date to come in and eat with your child. (You may purchase a meal or bring in something for you both.) We have reserved tables for you to enjoy lunch with your child. Your child will not be allowed to invite a friend to join you at lunch.

Students have 20 minutes of free play outside weather- permitting. Recess equipment has been provided by our PTO. Birthday treats will be served either at lunch or at recess. Please make sure they are ready-to-serve.

While there will be writing in all subject areas, students will have time to write creatively and develop effective revising and editing skills during Writer’s Workshop. Our three units of writing this year will be Personal Narratives, Expository and Poetry. Unit studies begin with a lesson to introduce the writing genre, a writer’s craft, or revision strategy. Within the unit, students have an opportunity to write and develop multiple drafts, edit & revise and publish their work. During Everyday Editing, we will focus on grammar, capitalization, and punctuation rules. We also we practice editing skills regularly.

Most units will be introduced and practiced for 2 weeks. The units will emphasize patterns or common rules for adding suffixes. Each new word list comes home on a Monday with a written homework assignment on Thursdays. If a spelling test is to be given, it will be recorded on the list that comes home on the Monday. Tests will be given on Friday at the end of the two-week period. There will be some units which emphasize word meaning rather than spelling. If so, a traditional spelling test will not be given.

Units of Study include: Matter Earth’s Changes Solar System Biomes & Animal Adaptations Scientific Measurement

Units of Study include: Map Skills Natural Resources: Landforms Famous Figures in History Economics

Students will be dismissed based on their mode of transportation home. Car Riders will be dismissed from the Main Entrance at 3:15. Bus riders and daycare riders are released through the cafeteria at 3:20. Walkers/Bikers are released through the rear of the building at 3:25. Please be sure to let me know if your child’s dismissal method changes. You can notify me by prior to 1:00, call the front office prior to 2:30, or send a note.

The green homework folder should be brought home and returned to school daily. Math homework will be assigned Mon. – Thurs. Students should show their work or strategies for solving math problems. Students should read for 20 minutes at least 4 times per week and have you sign their Reading Log. Word Study homework will be assigned on Thursdays when there is a spelling unit.

At Fall Creek, we follow the Cardinal Creed: Be Safe, Respectful & Responsible. A weekly conduct card will come home in the Cardinal Folder each week. A conduct grade of an E, S, N, or U will be recorded. In addition, behaviors that needed to addressed will be circled. E=Excellent S-Satisfactory N-Needs Improvement U-Unsatisfactory

I will communicate with you in several ways: Quick notes will be written in the daily planner regarding homework assignments or anything quick. You may also write a note to me in the planner. I sign it daily. Please sign the planner nightly. I may or call you to communicate longer messages. I will occasionally send out a group message via or Remind 101. To sign up for Remind 101, to Cardinal Folders will come home every Tuesday with your child’s conduct card and completed work. Please feel free to me at or call me In case of an emergency, you may call my cell:

We will not request tutoring for any child unless we see a real need. If you feel your child would benefit from tutoring, they are free to join us. Schedule: 7:25-7:55 am Wednesday (math) Thursday (reading)

Your time and talent are appreciated. Clerical -Word Processing, Copying, Filing, Laminating, Prepping materials for class projects Technological - Take & archive pictures. Create slide shows. ***Many tasks can be done from home. Volunteer in our Classroom!

SAFETY The safety of students and staff is our highest priority. Some of the safety measures we implement are: All visitors are required to show I.D. and wear identification in the building. Check-out and dismissal procedures are strictly followed. Monthly emergency drills are held. Any suspicious activity is immediately investigated. Anti-bullying lessons are presented to students. Walkers/bikers are not released during severe weather. Security cameras monitor the front office, cafeteria, entrances, and playgrounds at all times.

OTHER THINGS TO NOTE: FRIDAY IS SPIRIT DAY!!! Show your school spirit by wearing red or an FCE spirit shirt. Wear your favorite college shirt on the fourth Thursday of each month. FCE students are college bound! LABEL ALL JACKETS, LUNCH KITS, ETC. with student name. Helpful Hint: Keep a jacket or sweater in your backpack. Sometimes it is chilly in the classrooms. Lost and Found is located in the back of the main hallway (although small items such as glasses are kept in the office). Please check in at the office if you’d like to check the lost and found. Items will be sent to charity if not claimed.

for taking the time to attend Open House! I look forward to working with you and your child this year. It is going to be a wonderful year filled with exciting learning activities!