Alyson Ferguson Conference time 12:30 - 1:15 Phone extension: 1499 email: alysonferguson@tomballisd.net

About Mrs. Ferguson... Graduated from Sam Houston State 17 years teaching in Klein ISD - 2nd & 3rd (all levels), 5th (Math, Science, and Social Studies). Wife of a coach/teacher and mother of 2.

For updates throughout the year you can join my remind101 class. Download the Remind app - Text: @nismr to 81010 or Email: nismr@mail.remind.com

NIS School Rules Show Respect to Everyone Keep hand, feet, objects and comment to yourself Follow directions the first time Allow teaching and learning to take place at all times Maintain NIS as a safe and clean school

NIS Behavior Expectations Respect Organized Accountable Reliable

Dress Code (from student handbook) The district’s dress code is established to teach grooming and hygiene, prevent disruption, and minimize safety hazards. Please note: Boys’ hair - when combed, hair length should not extend below the bottom of a dress collar or the top of a t-shirt. No sleeveless/muscle type shirts or baggy or oversized pants hanging at hipbone. Girls’ walking shorts or skirts shall be mid-thigh or longer in length. Also no thin straps should be worn to school. Parents will be contacted if a student’s dress or grooming is not in accordance with district policy.

Absences and Tardies State law requires that students be in attendance at school 90% of instructional time which includes tardies and early departures. If your child is absent, please send a signed note with them when they return explaining the reason for the absence. If a child is absent more than 5 consecutive days, a note from the doctor or health clinic to verify the illness or condition will be required. Tardies are issued for any student arriving after 7:45 or leaving early from school. Each student is allowed two tardy excuses each nine weeks, starting on the third tardy a consequence will be given. A detailed explanation of this policy was sent in the Wednesday Folder.

Transportation All changes to transportation must be in writing. Please do not email the teacher requesting the teacher to make the change, your child must come with a signed note, or you must fax the request to the office. (A picture of your driver’s license must be included) All changes must be made by 2:30

Communication with Parents Planners Wednesday folders Progress reports - 3 times a nine weeks including grades and conduct. Home Access will be available for parents after the 3rd week of school. * Letters containing information (including your personal password) will allow you access to your child’s grades online. Please keep this information in a secure spot. Students will be receiving individual conduct grades for each content area. Conduct scale for each week based on marks received: 0-1 E 2 - S 3 - N 4 or more - U

Grading Guidelines A 100% - 90% B 89% - 80% C 79% - 75% D 74% - 70% F less than 69%

Technology : BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Student will be allowed to use a variety of electronic devices in class when instructed to by the teacher. When not in use, devices MUST be OFF or silent and put away (in a backpack or locker) Electronic Devices may not be used in the mornings after arriving, between class periods, during lunch or after school dismissal. *Violations of the user agreement may result in withdrawal of privileges of using electronic devices at school or other disciplinary action including confiscating the device.

AI (Accelerated Instruction) - 3rd Period Accelerated Instruction Time was created district wide in 5th grade to address the SSI requirements without interrupting regular classroom instructions. Below are the key purposes for the AI time that addresses all students’ needs: • Students in need of interventions in Math or Reading will receive additional instruction by teachers and instructional specialists in a smaller group setting. • Gifted and Talented students will be serviced by the GT Specialist for in-depth research and exploring the affective needs of the gifted. • For the students who do not fall into either of the above categories, they will be taught important 5th grade science readiness standards based on the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills).

SSI - Student Success Initiative •This is an SSI year. State law requires that all 5th graders must pass the STAAR exam in Reading and Math to be promoted to 6th grade. (Students will have 3 attempts to do this.) In addition, students will be taking the Science STAAR test for the first time.

Textbooks & Resources Pearson (online textbook) https://goo.gl/cxBo6T Username: TISD + [student id #] +[First and last initial capitalized], i.e. TISD110705JA Password: Tomball + [student id#] i.e. Tomball110705 There are two volumes. These books are consumable and can be written in. However, if a student loses one or both they will have to pay for a replacement.

Textbooks & Resources (cont.) Motivation Math - NIS has purchased an additional math resource to promote critical thinking and application. Although we want the students to show how they solved the problems by writing directly in the workbook, we only have a class set so students are not allowed to write in them.

Technology in the Classroom We will be using many different types of technology this year for many different educational purposes. IPads Chromebooks Personal devices

Google Classroom Math Classroom Chrome: log in: id#@elem.tomballschools.net password: tisd+ full birthday (ex: tisd11121970) November 12, 1970

Flipped Classroom FAQ What kind of time commitment will be required? What level of notes are students required to take? What do we do in the event of a power or internet outage? How will students be held accountable? What about students that do not understand the concept from the video? What kind of differentiation opportunities will there be for all levels of students?

Students will be given opportunities to: Math Students will be given opportunities to: Participate in UIL and TMSCS competitions

Thank You for Coming!!!