1. Welcome Families!

2. Meet the Kindergarten Team Kristin Martin kmartin@nisdtx.org 817-698-7241 Alyssa Bates abates@nisdtx.org 817-698-7236 Kristen Drennan kdrennan@nisdtx.org 817-698-7235

3. Meet the SpecialsTeam Visit their Websites Sarah Ascher, Art Teacher sascher@nisdtx.org Stacie Breckley, PE Teacher sbreckley@nisdtx.org Kayla Gentry, Music Teacher kgentry@nisdtx.org

4. Cox Elementary Mission Statement Cox Elementary is committed to creating a culture of high achievement and performance for all learners, both students and staff, while fostering positive relationships within our school community.

5. What is Love and Logic? Love allows children to grow through their mistakes. Logic allows children to live with the consequences of their choices. The Love and Logic process is as follows: Shared control: Gain control by giving away the control you don’t need. Shared thinking and decision-making: Provide opportunities for the child to do the greatest amount of thinking and decision-making. Equal shares of consequences with empathy: An absence of anger causes a child to think and learn from his/her mistakes. Maintain the child’s self-concept: Increased self-concept leads to improved behavior and improved achievement. To learn more about Love and Logic, please visit their website at: www.loveandlogic.com.

6. Wayne A. Cox Elementary Cougars’ Plan for Success We will treat each other with respect. If you have or create a problem, you will be asked to solve it. If you have trouble solving the problem, or choose not to, we will do something. What we do will depend on each person and the unique situation.

7. Elementary Student Dress Code According to the NISD 2013-14 Student Handbook and Code of Conduct, students are required to have safe shoes for physical education and recess every day. Sandals must have a strap on the heel; flip flops do not meet dress code. (Page 36) Flip flops, open-toed shoes, platform shoes, crocs, and boots are unsafe for PE and recess. Elementary dress and grooming guidelines can be found on pages 35-36 of the NISD Student Handbook and Code of Conduct.

8. Grades Online Grades 1-5 will have grades posted online, but Kindergarten students will receive a paper copy of their report card beginning the second six weeks. In lieu of first six weeks report cards, we will have individual parent/teacher conferences to discuss your child’s beginning of the year assessments. Watch for further information.

9. District Goals & Expectations Goals and expectations are aligned with the state learning standards for Kindergarten TEKS – Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills http://www.tea.state.tx.us/teks/index.html

10. Guided Reading Readers Workshop Curriculum Leve l 1 Level 6-8 Leve l 3 Leve l 4 Leve l 2 Kinder reading goals

11. Curriculum Writer workshop Beginning of the Year Middle of the Year End of the Year

12. Math workshop

13. Science and Social Studies

14. Daily Folders Behavioral calendars Nightly Reading Log Helpful Resources Lunch Money/Notes Guided Readers Papers

15. Student Homework Read daily – at least 15 minutes with a family member. Guided Readers and activities Occasional family project

16. Parents are able to provide birthday treats for the class on their child’s birthday. Please drop them off in the office or send with your child in the morning. The district specifies that birthday invitations are not to be passed during the school day. However, the students may pass them out at the end of the day as students are leaving. Birthday Treats

17. Any changes in your child’s afternoon transportation must be communicated to the school in writing prior to 2:00p.m. You may provide a handwritten note or you may send your request via email to coxelem@nisdtx.org and to your child’s teacher. coxelem@nisdtx.org Ride Changes

18. Getting Involved at Cox Elementary Join the PTA –Email: weathers_stephanie@yahoo.com Dads…Become a Watch DOGS Dad –Program kicks-off in October. Information will be forthcoming. Volunteer in the Library –Contact Ms. Savage at csavage@nisdtx.org Assist in the lunchroom –Email: coxelem@nisdtx.org Assist the Room Parents To check the status of your background check, please email coxelem@nisdtx.org.

19. Room Parents for Kindergarten Mrs. Bates Kara Harrison texaskarat@yahoo.com Mrs. Drennan Becky Cantrell cantrell.rebecca@ymail.com Mrs. Martin Sandi Ness sandi.ness@gmail.com

20. Boosterthon Boosterthon is Cox Elementary’s only school fundraiser for the year. The money raised goes directly to the grade level teams to purchase items that they need for their classrooms. This is a great way for you to support our school.

21. Thank You for Your Partnership! Remember to check district, school, and teacher website for current information. Be sure to keep your email, phone, and address information updated with the front office at Cox Elementary. It will be an extraordinary year at Cox Elementary!

22. Questions?