T.H. Rogers School New Vanguard Elementary Orientation Kindergarten August 15, 2015

T.H. Rogers SchoolNew Vanguard Elementary Orientation

KindergartenAugust 15, 2015

Welcome to T.H. Rogers!

Building on Our CultureThis Year’s Theme: “Growing Beyond!”

Growing Beyond...with new students and families!

Growing Beyond...our previous success!

Growing Beyond...all limitations!

Building on Our CultureThis Year’s Theme: “Growing Beyond!”

Culture of Communication

Teacher websites Grade Speed weekly communication folders

Culture of Thinking

Cross-curricular learning Writing emphasized in all contents

visible thinking

Culture of Respect

Character education program bullying awareness

Peer Mediation Program


Administration, Mid-Management, Office Staff Dave Muzyka, Principal Christian Winn, Assistant Principal/Elementary Donald Lam, Assistant Principal/Secondary Jessica Willie, Dean of Instruction Kristen Trey Chen, Vanguard Coordinator Ashley Pringle, Elementary Counselor

Mari Valdez, School Secretary

Ileana Cortes, Ms. Winn’s Asst.

Bertha Roodi, Attendance Clerk

Yaneth Montes, Front Office Clerk

Libby Calkins, Receptionist

Maria Hernandez, Finance Clerk

Sheila Foster, Student Information

Janice Jackson, VG Office Clerk

Linda Turpin, VG Office Clerk


Vanguard FacultyKindergarten Team

Marcy Reed-Team Leader, Science/Social Studies

Shannon Rambert-English, Language Arts & Reading

Katherine Lindow-Math

Core Enrichment TeamJennifer Thelander-Art Desmond Combs-PEDaniel Fernandez -Computer Norman Thomas-MusicStaci Situ-Chinese Stephanie Hatley-Library Paula Godinich-ASL Coach John-Chess


SchoolPolicies

andProcedures


Arrival to the Campus

Arrival: 7:00 a.m. to 7:35 a.m.

All students report to the

Cafeteria upon arrival.

Arrival and Dismissal

Parents may eat breakfast with students on the first day of school.

Beginning August 25th, parents must drop student off in the L-

shape carpool lane or park nearby and walk them to the front

entrance. Parents are asked to refrain from walking students to the classroom

after the first day of school.

Arrival and Dismissal

Carpool Drop-Off/Pick-Up for Students

Use the L-shape loading zone located in front of the school.

Turn in traveling south on Bering Drive.

Parents are asked to refrain from “conferencing” with teacher while they are on duty as they are trying to supervise all their

students.***Refer to Parent Drop-Off/Pick-Up Map***

AttendancePolicy and Procedures

Students are encouraged to attend school daily!

Students must attend at least

72 days of school the first semester and

77 days the second semester according to the Texas Education Code 25.092.


Call the school and e-mail your child’s homeroom teacher by 8:00 a.m. on the day of an absence.

Phone: 713-917-3595

Within 3 days of an absence, a written excuse must be submitted to Ms. Roodi in the main office. Excuses may be submitted via e-mail to [email protected]


Tardy Students

Promptness to school is an expectation.

If a student is not in class by 7:45 a.m., he or she will be considered tardy. Students will receive a lunch detention after the 3rd tardy.

The official daily attendance time is 9:30.


Excused Absences Illness of student Death in the family Quarantine Weather or road conditions making

travel dangerous Participation in school activities,

approved by the Principal Religious holidays (24 hours prior to day) Emergencies or unusual circumstances,

approved by the Principal

Leaving Campus During the School Day

Parents must report to the main office to check out their child.

An appropriate form of identification must be presented.

A note from the parent(s) of a student must be sent to Ms. Roodi stating the time and reason for the early departure along with a phone number.

The latest a student may be released early is 2:15 p.m.

Dress Code Students should be neat and clean in

appearance. Clothing must not be too tight, too loose, or

torn. A belt must be worn with loose-fit shorts or

pants. Skirts and dresses are to be no shorter than

two inches, front and back, from the top of the knee in a standing position.

Label jackets/coats. Bring an extra layer! See the Parent-Student Handbook for the full

dress code policy.

Birthdays

• Students will be given the opportunity to celebrate birthdays during the school year by parents sending store-bought cookies (no cupcakes, please) for the homeroom class. The teacher will pass out to the students during their snack time. Please, no treat bags.

• If you plan to send cookies, please notify the teacher for planning purposes. Deliver the treats to the school by 8:00 a.m.

Field TripsField trips are planned throughout the year to enhance the

curriculum, and dedicated parent volunteers help make it possible. Here are a few important reminders:

· Students and chaperones are to wear the school tie-dye field trip shirt.

· All school rules apply on the field trip.

· Actively supervise students.

· Notify the teacher(s) immediately of any medical emergency, lost child, or serious breach of school rule.

· Follow the directions of docent/guide.

· Siblings and family members may not participate in a school-sponsored field trip.

· Have fun!

Communication System

Communication Folders“Ram News” is available on our website and will be sent home every Thursday .

Parent-Staff CommunicationsContact the teacher via e-mail or phone. Check the calendar of events each week .

WE NEED YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS! Parent-Teacher Conferences

Contact your child’s teacher with the preferred day and time for the conference.

First Day of SchoolMonday, August 24, 2015

Please complete and return ALL forms included in the First Day Packet to your child’s teacher.

Follow all procedures for arrival. Please say “goodbye” to your child and wish them well on their first day.

Traffic will be heavy. Be patient! Join other THR parents for coffee

sponsored by PTO in the orchestra room.

A Few Important Dates...

• Open House September 8th, 6:30PM

• Parents Are Partners September 15th, 7:45AM

• Early Dismissal September 22nd, 12:45PM

• PTO Kindergarten Coffee September 26th, 9AM

• Fall Conferences week of October 11th, times TBA

You will receive a school calendar in the 2015-2016 Parent-Student Handbook!

The Kindergarten Learning Journey

HISD’s Kindergarten Vanguard Program

serves students who have been identified as potentially gifted or

talented in intellectual ability, creativity, or leadership.

Our Kindergarten programs consists of reading, language arts, math, science, social studies, health, PE, music, art,

foreign language, ASL, and technology.


English/Lang Arts/Reading–Ms. Rambert

•Language Arts will consist of whole group and small group instruction. Components include a read aloud, shared reading, independent reading, guided reading,

writing, independent practice & workstations. Istation will be used for the BOY, MOY, and EOY assessments.

Students will be receiving a username and password to login at home.

•Take-home readers will be sent home on a weekly basis

to practice different reading skills as well as reading homework.

•Please read 20 minutes nightly with your child.

The Kindergarten Learning JourneyMath–Ms. Lindow

Math instruction will include whole group & small group instruction. A variety of manipulatives are

used in instruction as methods for students to discover or invent a method of understanding. •Moby Max will be used as a math resource

throughout the school year. Login information will be provided to use at home.

•Go Math and Star Math will be used as resources as well as others.


Science & Social Studies–Ms. Reed

•For Social Studies students will be Scholastic News and Time for Kids as well as district

resources. •Social Studies will be taught using the HISD

curriculum guide. •We will have a Scientist of the Week for all

classes. Students are responsible for putting together an experiment and bringing it to class to

present.•Science Fusion is another resource that will be

used to teach science objectives.

Kinder Report Card The report card will be given 4 times throughout the year on the

following dates: October 30th, January 8th, March 24th, & May 25th.

The grading system on the report card is as follows 1 Discovery Steps, 2 Exploring Showing Progress, and 3 Connecting Ready to apply.

Teachers will be giving these marks on daily assignments, quizzes, and or tests.

is considered a 3 on the report card. Excellent work!!! is considered a 2 on the report card. May need

more practice.

is considered a 1 on the report card. Improvement is needed.

Rest & Snack Please send a towel with your child the first day of school. Each teacher will have a time in

their classroom for students to rest in the afternoon.

Please send a non-perishable, healthy snack in your child’s backpack daily. No water bottles,

please. We will allow your child to visit the water fountain throughout the day.

Also, please keep a change of clothes, including undergarments, in a Ziploc bag in

your child’s backpack.

Kindergarten Community Norms

• Kindergarteners are expected to be kind and courteous to others, and engaged in learning.

• This year Kindergarten will be using the planner on a daily basis. All homework assignments will be written in the planner for that day. Please send the homework back to school the following day in the homework folder or homework spiral.

• Teacher websites will be updated weekly.

Communications

Along with the other school supplies for Kindergarten please purchase 1 character folder with pockets no brads (ex. Disney, cartoon, animal,)

We will be using the character folder to communicate weekly progress in the areas of following directions, using time wisely, being prepared for class, etc. This folder will be sent home Fridays.

Any daily communications will be communicated in the planner. Any notes from the teacher will be written in the child’s planner on the specific day. Please write any transportation changes in the planner.

Home Learning Monday- Reading/Writing Tuesday-Reading/Writing Wednesday-Math Thursday-Science/Social Studies/Math

*Please remember I-Station, Moby Max, the HUB, and Think Central websites may be used at home for additional resources.

Parents-to-Parents

Tips for Success...•In the beginning of the year, it may feel like things are very scattered: communication, deadlines, activities , etc.•If you don't know an answer to something, i.e., project due date, you can always ask a teacher or Room Parent.•Arrange your carpool plans before school starts.•Communicate pick-up plans with your child.•Explain what to do if you get lost or need help.•Write your phone number(s) in the child’s backpack.•Remind your child that every teacher has a unique style.•Consider everything that’s told through the mind of a 5 or 6 year old.•For families with multiple children:

*Have designated areas for your children to work at home.*Develop a family calendar with color codes or icons.*Remember that each child learns differently and is a unique individual.

WELCOME

to the

T.H. Rogers

Family!

Documents

T.H. Rogers School New Vanguard Elementary Orientation Kindergarten August 15, 2015