1. Phone 650-5304 Ext. # 6425 E-Mail ttaylor@mvsc.k12.in.us

2.  Merrillville High School graduate  Indiana University alumni (Undergrad)  Indiana Wesleyan University alumni (Masters and Administrator License)  Purdue University (High Ability License)  9th year of teaching

3.  All students can learn  Set high expectations  Students are to be held accountable for their choices  Students, parents, and teachers must work together in order to achieve success

4.  Stalk Stash $  Verbal praise  Stickers  Treasure box  Special privileges

5.  Homework due everyday  Homework is listed on the weekly newsletter in the pouch of the students’ purple folders  Each homework is worth 1 homework point  No homework, no point!  Study for tests  Read to Succeed Required Reading Program (SRI Tests)  5 points per grading period  20 total points for the year

6.  Reading Skill Test & Cold Read Tests will alternate every other week  Weekly spelling assessments  Math Assessments- Mini Math Assessments given every Friday  Math Standards Tests

7.  Please look through and empty take home section nightly  All non-graded work and school information will come home in this folder  Call or write if you have questions

8.  90 minute reading block  New reading series this year- Benchmark Literacy  3 week units- tests given on the 2 nd and 3 rd weeks  This time may not be interrupted  This block includes: Whole group instruction Small group instruction Silent, Independent reading Responding to reading SRC Tests Reading groups

9.  Science- 1 st and 3 rd quarter  Social Studies – 2 nd and 4 th quarter  GRADES ONLY GIVEN on the 2 nd and 4 th quarter  Pass/Fail Grades

10.  Call school to report student absences  Call or send a note to request that homework be sent home or picked up  For each absent day, your child will receive an additional day to complete work  Work not turned in = 0  Forms in office for vacations

11.  State Attendance Law:  We turn in names of parents whose children miss 10 or more unexcused days of school

12.  Progress Reports  Mid-term  Come home in the Purple Folder  Call for conference  Report Cards  Sent every 9-10 weeks  Keep card, return signed envelope  Call for conference

13. All parents must sign up  You can sign up here or at home  Allows you to access:  Grades  Attendance  Discipline  Lunch account

14.  http://merrillville.schoolwires.net/Doma in/973 http://merrillville.schoolwires.net/Doma in/973  Newsletters  Fridge Facts  Email

15.  ONLY INDIVIDUAL PACKAGED TREATS WILL BE ALLOWED  Bakery cupcakes will no longer be distributed due to allergies  Students will pass out their treats and will take them home to eat  Students are no longer allowed to eat the treats here at school  Pencils, erasers, markers, or other school items are a good alternative

16.  Open ended portion March Multiple Choice Portion End of April –Beginning of May

17. Monday- Music 8:45-9:15 Wednesday- PE 10:30-11:00; Art 1:15-2:15 Thursday- Music/PE 9:15-10:15 Friday- Library 9:45-10:15 Computers: Tuesday- 8:15-9:00 Wednesday- 8:15-9:00 Thursday- 8:15-9:00 Friday- 8:15-9:00

18.  Be sure to send a note with your child if you wish to pick him/her up from school  Be advised, we are required to send students home on the bus if they do not have a note specifying otherwise  If calling to pick up, please call office before 2:00

19.  Free and reduced lunches  Must fill out new form online  Office has paper copy  Consumable fee  Important to pay this small amount in order to get paper and consumable items

20.  All parents must fill out to participate in any school activity  Field trips  Class parties  Volunteering

21.  There are many opportunities for you to become involved at Salk Elementary. We are creating committees and looking for volunteers to participate in organizing and running various events throughout the year.  Market Day  Fundraiser Committee  Book Fairs  Family Nights  Classroom Parties  Winter Festival  Special Person Dance  Teacher Appreciation Week and Luncheon  YOU CAN SIGN UP TONIGHT!

22.  No cell phones-must stay at home  Lunches need names on outside of containers  Recess before lunch  Snack is optional everyday and is usually eaten around 10:45

23.  Kleenex  Dry- erase markers  Composition Notebook necessary for Reading

24.  We explore concepts deeper than the general education classes  5 th grade Reading/Language Arts  4 th /5 th grade Mathematics  Fewer repetitions  Additional classroom opportunities

25.  Pictures will be September 12 th  Please fill out picture forms and send them back to school  1:30 dismissals each Thursday (started today)