Announcements

November 12, 2007                                                                                                                                     picture of alarm clock             

Dear Parents:

    I wanted to inform you of my new policy for punctuality in my classroom, as it will affect your child's grade in Reading and the Responsibility grade every nine weeks. 

    5th Grade students are released from their Eagle Enrichment Time activities at or prior to 8:20 a.m.  I expect my homeroom students to come directly to class, sign in for lunch, do their morning jobs, put their bags away, and gather their materials right away.  I have made it clear to them that I expect them to be seated and ready for the day when announcements begin at 8:25 a.m.  I am careful to list the things they need for the morning on the board each day.  Many students have used this time inappropriately, and consequently, are not ready to begin the day when I start teaching.  Due to the seriousness of punctuality, I felt it was necessary to develop a new policy to address my students' work habits and preparedness. 

    Effective immediately, students are required to be ready for their day at 8:25.  They will need to have signed in for lunch, handled their business at their lockers, sharpened pencils, used the restroom, etc.  The reward for being ready each day will be 2 points accumulated and counted toward their Responsibility grade, which will be given on a weekly basis.  At the end of the nine weeks, I will average the points they've earned each week, and put one consolidated grade that will carry the value of a quiz. 

    My purpose in changing this policy and making their punctuality count for a grade is to teach them how important punctuality and responsibility for their own learning is.  I am confident this step will help prepare them for the middle school experience. 

You will be able to monitor the choices your child is making by viewing the responsibility grades on Parent Connect.  If you would like to have access to Parent Connect, please contact Sue Danz in our main office at (972) 968-2900.

Thanks for your continued support,

Mr. Newman