HELENA

INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

2011-2012

OUR NEW SCHOOL MOTTO:

“An expectation of excellence every day!”

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS YEAR AT HIS?

1. Character Catchers!2. “Paw Print Compliments!”3. AR Assemblies! (each nine weeks)4. HIS “Healthy Heart Fun Run” (Sept. 23)5. HIS Fall Festival (Oct. 28-29)6. HIS Family Fun Night (Feb. 3)7. 5th Grade Washington, DC trip (April 21-27)8. 4th Grade Montgomery trip (April or May)9. End of Year Talent Shows!

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS YEAR AT HIS?

* AR Star! (10+ points)

* AR Superstar! (20+ points)

* AR Megastar!

(30+ points)

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS YEAR AT HIS?

Publix Partners in Education receipt sheet:

• Please use your HIS Publix Partners card every time you shop.

• Cut off the bottom of the receipt, circle partner number, and list your receipt total

• Collect $500 in total receipts and participate in a special recognition event

Proceeds benefit the HIS technology program.

READING INFORMATION• Students should make time to read at home everyday.

• As part of our AR Star! Program, we will provide parents with information that will allow you to instantly receive an email reporting your child’s AR test results and points earned.

• Each student will have a minimum goal of five AR points for each grading period.

• We hope to recognize some AR Stars, Superstars, and Megastars in our classroom.

MATH INFORMATION• It is important that students work to develop mastery of basic math facts.

• Midterm and end of nine weeks timed fact tests will be given over these basic facts. • The timed fact tests each nine weeks will count 20% of the total math grade. (A grade of 90% or better indicates mastery.)

• Practice tests may be given in class throughout the nine weeks grading period.

• Please work with your child at home on the mastery of basic facts.

PARENT-STUDENT HANDBOOK

• Please read carefully and completely! (Most questions regarding our daily school operation are answered inside.)

• Please note: On the first day of school you are asked (if possible) to let your child come to school and go home from school his/her “regular way”.

• Parents are asked NOT to walk their children inside. Let your child develop responsibility and independence. Extra staff will be on hand to assist all students the first day.

ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL• Early morning care (EMC) is available from 6:30-7:00 A.M. at a cost of $2.00/day for early arrivers. Students may attend EMC daily or on an “as needed” basis. Register with EMC before sending your student. See the office for forms.

• If you are dropping off/picking up a child at HIS and another school (HES, HMS, PHS) in the morning or afternoon, you should come to HIS as your FIRST stop due to our early start time (7:45) and dismissal time (2:35).

• Students not enrolled in EMC may arrive as early as 7:00 A.M. and must be picked up by 2:50 each day. (Our car rider line moves very quickly and smoothly!)

ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL• Tardies will be monitored closely (Note: Excused tardies - doctor’s appointments, car breakdowns; Unexcused tardies - oversleeping, traffic…we all know traffic is bad in Helena!)

• Traffic will be accepted as an excused reason for a tardy only if we have a bus that is also late due to traffic, or if there is other administrative approval given.

• If a student collects three or more tardies during a calendar month, a student will be assigned to Early Morning Detention to make up for missed class time (7:00-7:30)

ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL• For the first few days of school, we will begin preparing early for dismissal.

• We will assist students in going to their designated areas prior to dismissal time.

• Please note that our car riders are NOT assigned numbers. Our students watch for their car rides under the supervision of staff.

• Parents of 3rd grade car riders (or other students new to our school) should use the RIGHT LANE (closest to the sidewalk) until students become familiar with pick up procedures.

ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL• Be sure your child knows afternoon transportation arrangements before coming to school each day. • Send a note of any changes in transportation to the teacher by your child. (Do NOT email a transportation change since it may not be seen prior to dismissal). • IMPORTANT NEW POLICY: Any changes in transportation during the school day must be made in writing (fax or hand delivered note). Due to concerns for student safety and to minimize disruptions to class time, phone calls will NOT be accepted. • Administrative approval will be required for any transportation changes.

CONDUCT• A conduct chart will be used to communicate with parents regarding behavior issues.

• If a student receives a conduct mark, the student will miss the next recess time and should have the parent initial the conduct chart.

• If a student receives three conduct marks in a week, or if a student has a major behavior issue, the student will receive an office discipline referral.

• Early morning detention, in school suspension, out of school suspension, or other consequences may result.

ATTENDANCE• A note for any excused absence(s) must be

turned in within three days of the child’s return to school. A doctor’s note must be provided for any absences beyond 12 days (not counting absences previously documented with a doctor’s excuse or court excuse).

• Children who show a fever must stay home and remain fever-free for at least 24 hours (without the aid of a fever reducing medicine). A child running a fever at school MUST BE PICKED UP IMMEDIATELY for the health of other students and staff.

Dress Code• Students are not allowed to wear

clothing, jewelry, or hairstyles that are disruptive to the educational process. Only natural hair colors are permitted.

• Clothing should be neat, clean, and not in “noticeable disrepair” (no rips, tears).

• Shorts should be “mid-thigh or longer.”

• No sandals or flip flops may be worn to school. Tennis shoes are REQUIRED for participation in PE.

Emergency Early Dismissal Days• In the event of an UNEXPECTED early dismissal day (due to

weather, etc.), please indicate on the yellow Transportation and Inclement Weather form the way you would like for your child to go home.

• IF POSSIBLE, please let your child go home their “regular way.” This will minimize phone calls to the office. (However, the After School Care Program will be closed; daycare vans may or may not be running.)

• A classroom calling tree plan will be implemented to notify you of the early dismissal. (Sign up today if you would like to participate.)

• PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE SCHOOL OFFICE IN THE EVENT

OF AN EARLY DISMISSAL UNLESS IT IS AN EMERGENCY!

Mark your calendar for these important dates…

• August 18thMath Workshop for 5th Grade Parents (6:30-7:30 PM)

• August 30th3rd Grade Parent Academy Night (6:00-7:00 PM)

• September 1st

4th Grade Parent Academy Night (6:00-7:00 PM)5th Grade Parent Academy Night (7:15-8:15 PM)

PTO• PTO positions are available for the coming year.

Please see Dr. Williams or Mrs. Holcomb if you would be willing to serve as a PTO officer/board member.

• Our PTO supports our school in many ways and enables us to do many EXTRA things for our students.

• Please consider joining PTO ($15 membership) before leaving today.

• The PTO Membership Table is in the front lobby. (Receive a free HIS Calendar with each membership.)

IMPORTANT ITEMS YOU WILL RECEIVE AND KEEP TODAY:

• HIS Parent-Student Handbook• Shelby County Schools Code of Conduct• Medication Procedures Summary

(Note: Students may NOT transport medicine to/from school)

• Publix Partners in Education receipt sheet

IMPORTANT ITEMS YOU WILL RECEIVE AND RETURN* TODAY:

1. Transportation/Inclement Weather form2. Acknowledgement form for Code of Conduct3. Media Release/Web Publishing form (prechecked)4. Bus Rules and Emergency Information Sheet5. HIS Planner and Folder Payment Form ($5.00)6. Textbook form7. School Listserv email form (not needed if completed online*)8. HIS Volunteer Form *9. Classroom Donation Form *10. HIS Directory Information form*11. PTO Membership Form * (Table at main entrance)

(*optional but greatly appreciated!)

If you need to contact me….

• You may email or call the office and leave a message.

• Emails and phone calls will ordinarily be returned within at least 24 hours.

• If circumstances are an emergency, call

the school office and leave a message.

• The primary means of communication with parents will be the Weekly Class Newsletter (email or hard copy) and graded papers.

One other note regarding how to contact me…

If you are a student or parent requesting to be my “friend” on Facebook, please do not be surprised or offended if I ignore your request. As an employee of Shelby County Schools , the System’s guidelines discourage me from “friending” students or parents on my personal Facebook page.

(Statement from the SCBOE)

Thank you for coming tonight!

We look forward to a great year together!

IMPORTANT ITEMS YOU WILL RECEIVE AND RETURN* TODAY:

1. Transportation/Inclement Weather form2. Acknowledgement form for Code of Conduct3. Media Release/Web Publishing form (prechecked)4. Bus Rules and Emergency Information Sheet5. HIS Planner and Folder Payment Form ($5.00)6. Textbook form7. School Listserv email form (not needed if completed online*)8. HIS Volunteer Form *9. Classroom Donation Form *10. HIS Directory Information form*11. PTO Membership Form * (Table at main entrance)

(*optional but greatly appreciated!)