1. Welcome to 4th Grade Parent Orientation Friday, August 24, 2012

2. 7:50-8:20Announcements/ Pledge/Study Skills/Community Circle 8:25-10:40BLOCK 1 10:45-11:35SPECIALS 11:35-11:50 HOMEROOM 11:50-12:50LUNCH/RECESS/IRT 12:50-3:00BLOCK # 2 3:00-3:10Pack and Stack

3. PLANNER  Filled out by the students each day.  Needs to be signed by a parent and returned to school daily.  Daily communication between parent/teacher.

4. PLANNER Graded Papers Information Homework

5. SUPPLIES If you did not purchase EPI supplies, please be sure your child has: RED folder BLUE binder (flexible) YELLOW binder (flexible)

6. HOMEWORK POLICY Homework reinforces what we are teaching, so it is purposeful It is checked in class, but is not a grade in the grade book (district policy) If your child struggles with an assignment, complete what he / she can do and write a note in planner stating his difficulties

7. HOMEWORK POLICY If homework is frequently missing or incomplete, parents will be notified.

8. HOMEWORK  MATH :  Thinker Math - passed out on Monday, due Friday  Daily worksheet due the following day  VOCABULARY : Packet - passed out on Monday, due Friday  LANGUAGE : Revise/Edit worksheet - passed out on Monday, due Thursday  SOCIAL STUDIES : Newspaper worksheet – passed out on Wednesday, due the following Wednesday  SPELLING : To be announced

9. AT HOME READING Fourth graders will be encouraged to turn in a signed READING LOG 80+ minutes a week = Free Choice Coupon It promotes: a love of reading reading books on appropriate reading level reading for a purpose starting and finishing a book

10. Dress Code Hats/bandanas may be worn only on specified days No spaghetti straps Purses must remain in backpack Tennis shoes needed for P.E. days (no wheeled shoes or flip flops) Please refer to the handbook for other items

12. 1. Verbal warnings 2. Sign Conduct Book and write reason 3. Sit out or walk the track for 10 minutes during recess time

13. Classroom Incentives “BUG” tickets “Being Unusually Good” Redeem for coupons and prizes

14. Additional Items Temperature -- Bring a lightweight jacket or sweater for cafeteria or classroom variations Field Trips -- There are usually two trips, one in each semester. Parties -- Winter and Friendship CELL PHONES -- Must remain off in backpack during school hours

15. BIRTHDAY TREATS The only option is to purchase frozen treats from the cafeteria. Please see the cafeteria manager for information. –More than 2 weeks in advance = 50 cents each –After that = 75 cents each If your child’s has an end-of-year or summer birthday, watch for announcements regarding the deadline for ordering.

16. NUTRITION Please send your child with a HEALTHY fruit break. Students are allowed to have a lunch brought to them by their own parent, but are not allowed to bring lunches to other children. This is a Texas law. Visit the following site for info. www.squaremeals.orgwww.squaremeals.org It is helpful if your child has money in his/ her account, just in case a lunch is forgotten one day. Please keep your child’s teacher informed about any special dietary needs.

17. Nutrition Guideline Change A student must take ½ cup of vegetables or fruit on their tray in order for it to be considered a full lunch ($2.00) If they don’t, they will be charged a la carte pricing for all items on the tray ($3.00+) Please make sure your child is aware of this change. We can remind but not require students to add items to their tray.

18. Bug Repellent If you want your child to use bug repellent at school: –Send wipes or clip-on repellent to school with a written note signed by parent (e-mails and phone calls will not be accepted) –NO AEROSAL SPRAYS –Wipes/clip-ons will be kept in classroom and applied by student prior to outdoor activities

20. Absences - NEW Upon return to school, provide Ms. Tynan with a dated, written note (or e-mail) explaining absence If your child goes to the doctor, please bring a doctor’s excuse. This note is due within 48 hours of the child’s return to school. (Handbook, p.12) After 48 hours without a note, absence becomes a TRUANCY.

21. DISMISSAL - NEW Provide your child’s teacher(s) with a written note first thing in the morning when changes occur. Parents must request in writing the release of their child to anyone not on their emergency list. This request must be received first thing in the morning. Teachers are not always able to check e-mail during the day. For this reason, written dismissal changes are preferred over e-mail so that we can be sure the message is received. Thank you!

22. TRAFFIC PATTERN Please follow the traffic pattern which is on the DWE website. We want to keep our students safe, so if you park your car and pick up your child, your child is considered a walker. They will be at the back of the school on the pavilion waiting for you. Also, please do not turn right into the faculty parking lot between 3:00 and 3:30.

23. Important Student Handbook Pages for Your Child’s Safety cont. Students should exit the building and report to their pick-up area immediately upon dismissal. They will not be allowed back in the building. No loitering or waiting on friends in the hallways. For safety reasons, students not picked up by 3:30 will be escorted to their homeroom. Parents will need to come to the room and sign them out. It’s important to provide updated contact information (including new phone numbers).

24. APPLE TREE Please help us by choosing an apple off of our apple trees located in the hallway. These are items we will be using throughout the year, and we would greatly appreciate your help!

25. We will be collecting $5.00 for the planner and $5.50 for the newspaper. If writing checks, please write 2 separate checks. Please make checks payable to Deerwood Elementary. THANK YOU!!!

26. Reminders for Next Week Come to school on Monday! Please have your rainy day plan in place on Monday – just in case! Friday is early release (11:30). Lunch will be served at school. Monday, September 3, is a HOLIDAY. (Don’t come to school.)

27. Thank you for coming! We are looking forward to a fun-filled year of learning.