Parents

Arrival/Dismissal

• Our school day begins at9:05. Dismissal will be at 3:40. On 5 hour days your child will be dismissed at 2:05. If your child’s transportation will change at any time for any reason, a written note must be sent to school.

Transportation Home

• If your child is not to go home in their usual way on a particular day, please send a note explaining the situation. Without a note, I am obligated to send your child home by his or her usual way. This is for your child’s protection.

Lunch

• The cost of hot lunch is $2.05 (this includes milk).  The cost of purchasing milk separately is $.50.  Please put your child’s lunch money in a marked envelope that includes: child’s name, grade, teacher’s name, and words “Lunch Money” on it. This is necessary for the lunch room staff to be able to credit you correctly.  You can also pay for lunch on-line with your child’s ID number.

STRIPE Book

• Your child’s STRIPE Book will contain homework that needs to be completed and returned the next day (unless otherwise noted), graded work, and school or community notes.  Please be sure to review Dot Books every day and return it the following day in your child’s backpack.  It is their responsibility to place homework, lunch money, and notes for me in the Turn in Trays each morning.

Specials

• Specials will rotate on an ABC schedule.  This way, no one special is missed regularly with days off.  A copy of this schedule will be provided.  Please watch the calendar closely so that your child is prepared for each day.

          A Day = P.E. – Ms. Beinhauer          B Day = Music – Ms. Spielman

          C Day = P.E. – Ms. Beinhauer

          D Day = Art – Ms. Brooks

          E Day = Health – Ms. Beinhauer

• Be sure you child is dressed appropriately for P.E. and Health. Gym shoes are required. It is suggested that girls wear pants, shorts, or shorts under skirts.

Hilliard Herald

• I will be sending a weekly newsletter home at the end of each week. It will keep you informed of upcoming activities and events and also let you know what kinds of things your child has done in class. Liberty will also be sending a regular newsletter. I will e-mail copies of the newsletter to any families that request it. Please just send me an e-mail requesting an online copy as well as the paper copy.

Snack

• There will be time in the morning for a snack (peanut free). Please send one, small snack that is nutritious and healthy. If you wish to send a drink, please send water only in a sport top bottle.

Homework

• There will be nightly homework which will include a math sheet and reading log.
• There will be a weekly reading comprehension sheet which should be completed with parent assistance.
• Homework may also include work that is unfinished during class time.
• In addition, please spend time regularly reviewing math facts and studying spelling words.

Sending Money

• Any time that you need to send in money, please include the following information on the envelope or baggie: child’s name, grade, teacher’s name, and what the money is for (field trip, lunch money, etc.).

Student Absences

• Please call the office at (815) 609-3037. Please keep in mind at this grade level much of what we do is difficult to make up at home. The majority of the things we do are learned through experiences in the classroom. However, if your child will be absent three or more days, you may want to contact the office and upon return make arrangements to pick up missed work.

Medication

• All medications are handled through the school nurse. Please contact the nurse if you need to send any medications in for your child. 

Conferences

• Will be will having conferences at the end of 1st quarter and again at the end of 3rd quarter.  Additional conferences can be scheduled at the request of the teacher or parent.

Book Club Orders

• Book orders will be coming home on a monthly basis. They offer great children’s literature at a very reasonable price. If you choose to take advantage of this opportunity please make checks payable to me, Christie Hilliard. I pay for the books on-line with my credit card in order for the books to be rush ordered.

Parties

• We will have three parties per school year...Fall Festival Winter Festival, and Valentine’s Day. Volunteers will be needed to plan for and provide treats and supervision for these parties.

Birthday Treats/Invitations

• Due to food allergies and health concerns, only non-food items can be passed out at school for birthdays.  Pencils, stickers, notepads, etc. would be good options.  Please do not send in treats!
• Birthday party invitations may be passed out at school, if all students in class are receiving an invitation.

Intervention Time

• Third grade will have a daily intervention time from 1:15-1:45 daily. During this time, many students will be moving to other third grade classrooms, the reading specialist’s room and the media center where they will work in weak academic areas to gain confidence and skills. 

Discovery Testing

• Students participate in Discovery Testing three times per year.  The topics covered are math and reading.
• Your child’s scores will be shared at parent teacher conferences.  Printouts of the scores are available if requested by a parent. 
• Results from these tests are considered when making decisions regarding placement in accelerated classes.  

Accelerated Classes

• Grades 3-5 have accelerated classes available in Language Arts and Math for students who qualify
• Decisions about qualifications are made using the following: two Discovery scores, Naglieri, and ISAT scores if applicable.

Behavior Plan

• See behavior chart handout for specifics on our Clip Chart
• Please note that depending on the severity of the situation, a child may move immediately to red or even be sent to the principal’s office.
• Your child may also miss recess if missing assignments become a pattern.  
• Your child will also have the opportunity to earn participation in a monthly responsibility club by not moving to red and by having their behavior charts signed.

Student of the Week

• In addition to nightly and weekly homework, your child will be selected as student of the week once throughout the school year.
• A note will be sent home on your child’s week, along with an explanation of how to fill out our Student of the week Poster. 
• Parents are invited to read to the class on the week that their child is star student.

Bullying Hotline and Tiplines

• Look on the Liberty website for additional information regarding the hotline and tipline. The number and e-mail are posted.
• Schoolwide Character Ed Program is in place.
• Several assemblies have been scheduled to address bullying within the school. 

Parent Volunteers

• Throughout the year, I may find it necessary to ask parents to volunteer for some of the following items:

          Photocopying
          Room Parent for class parties
          Working with small groups to reinforce skills
          Chaperoning field trips

• If you are interested, please take a volunteer form as you leave the classroom today and return it as soon as possible.

Classroom Wishlist

• You will notice that on our white board, I have some polka dots posted.  Each polka dot includes an item for the classroom that helps our students’ days to run more smoothly.
• Most items cost a few dollars. If you would like to purchase a gift for the classroom, please pick a polka dot. Participation is optional.