Mrs. Velazquez’s Class
2013-2014
6th Grade
Room 29
Parent-Student Handbook
Mrs. Velazquez’s
Classroom
[email protected]
th
6 Grade Teacher
Room 29
Principal Doreen Herrick
[email protected]
Lowell Elementary
920 East Broadway Road
480-472-1400
Principal Doreen Herrick
Lowell Elementary
920 East Broadway Road
(480)472-1400
Mrs. Velazquez
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About Mrs. Velazquez
Welcome to Mrs. Velazquez’s Class at Lowell
Elementary! I am very excited to be part of the
Lowell Family. Our school has an outstanding
group of teachers, faculty and parents. I have been
teaching at the primary level for 6 years. However, I
really am going to enjoy working your 6th grade
students because they are so eager to learn new
ideas and topics. My goal is to meet and help each
student reach and exceed their learning goals! I
would like to take this opportunity to share with you
the expectations for our classroom, as well as what
we will be studying.
Contact Information
I welcome parent contact at any time, whether to
address questions/concerns or just to share a
success in your child’s life. My email address is
[email protected] and my school phone
number is (480)472-1400. E-mail is the easiest way
for me to connect with parents, but I am happy to
conference over the phone or to schedule a
conference after 2:45 p.m. on Tuesdays and
Thursdays.
Be Punctual!
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Classroom Rules and Discipline
In order for our class to run as smoothly as possible, I simply ask all students to
be polite, organized, and punctual. (POP).
• Be polite: This rule includes respect of all school rules, school/individual
property and, most importantly, respect for others. Students will be working in
collaborative groups on math projects and problems, so this rule is of particular
importance. Every student should expect respect in our classroom and be willing
to give respect in return.
• Be organized: Students are responsible for coming to class prepared.
Required
daily materials as follows:
√ Student Planner
√ Math Notebook
√Completed homework assignments
√ Textbook
√Notebook paper
√ Pencil (Sharpened pencils before the bell rings)
Be punctual: In order to make the most out of every class period, students are
expected to be in their assigned seats and ready to start class when the bell
rings, Students will be given several minutes at the start of every class period to
update their student planner with the evening’s homework assignment.
These, and other school rules, will be monitored according to Lowell’s Policy
and Six Pillars of character:
• Trustworthiness
• Respect
• Responsibility
• Fairness
• Caring
• Citizenship
Important: Please review the Student/Parent Handbook for School-Wide
Discipline procedures.
Attendance
Reinforce the importance of school attendance with your child. At one time or
another, your child will probably ask you, “Do I have to go to school today?” He
may be tired from staying up late, afraid of a big test, or may just want to stay
home to watch TV or play on the computer. Here are some ways you can make
sure your child gets to school every day—on time—and ready to learn.
• Get your child to bed on time. A sleepy child can’t get up. He dawdles over
breakfast. He misses the bus. Remember: Late nights lead to morning fights.
• Stay in touch with the school. If you know there’s a science test on
Tuesday, help your child study—don’t let him stay home.
• Let your child see that you value education. Tell him that when he misses a day
of school, he is missing the opportunity to learn new things.
Make sure your child attends school every school day!
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Norms
Grades
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Classroom Rules:
Evaluation Methods:
Our classroom rules/ guidelines/ procedures are important key
elements to a safe and positive learning environment and will be
referred to often! I strongly encourage all rules/ guidelines/
policies/ procedures as well as those outlined in the Lowell
handbook, be read and discussed carefully to avoid any
negative situations. We all want to experience a cooperative and
successful school year! An orderly and safe classroom leads to
a productive and positive learning environment.
Classroom Rules:
1. Follow directions the first time they are given.
2. Respect others.
3. Raise your hand to be called on.
4. Be prepared for class every day.
5. Be in uniform and wear it properly.
6. Observe all handbook rules (no running, no fighting, no toys,
no eating, ect,)
Tests/ Quizzes; Class work/ Homework; projects/ Activities; and
Class Participation.
Discipline Policy
Failure to follow the classroom rules/ guidelines/ procedures will
result in:
First Offense- Student will be given a verbal warning and
redirected.
Second Offense- Student will lose a privilege and contact
will be made with parent/ guardian via telephone regarding the
incident. Parental support and reinforcement of positive behavior
is expected.
Third Offense- Student will receive a formal written referral
documenting misconduct. The referral will be sent to the office
and parents/ guardians notified. Depending on the offense a
conference may be required.
Homework Policy:
Your student’s homework will be given daily in Spelling,
Reading/ ELA, and Math when necessary. Homework will be
passed out to students or copied from the board daily and
should be returned daily to the assigned homework tray at the
beginning of each morning. 30 minutes of reading is required
daily to enhance reading fluency. It is expected that parents will
assist student with their homework in a quiet environment.
All assignments are due on the assigned date. No late work will
be accepted- except in the case of student’s absence or written
explanation from the parent/ guardian. Missing work count as
0% and late assignment, if accepted, are subject to a decrease
in grade.
Grading Scale:
A+ Excellent 95%-100%
A- Excellent 90%-94%
B+ Very Good 86%-89%
B Good 85%
B- Good 80%-84%
C+ Average 76%-79%
C Average 75%
C- Average 70%-74%
D+ Poor 66%-69%
D Poor 65%
D- Poor 60%-64%
F Failing 5%-0%
Conduct Codes:
Conduct Codes can be found in your child’s agendas. Your child will be
given a number based on their behavior for the day. Please check and
sign the agendas nightly to check on your child’s progress. Thank you!
1= Excellent Behavior
2= Fair behavior
3= Poor Behavior
Teacher Comments
1= A pleasure to have in class
2= Demonstrates leadership skills
3= Sets good examples for others
4= Quality of work has shown improvement
5= Cooperative well with others
6= Poor test scores
7= Disruptive Behavior
8= Working below potential
9= Parent conference requested
10= Not completing class work
11= Not completing homework
12= Working below potential
13= Assignment are incomplete or of poor quality
14= Talkative at inappropriate times
15= Easily distracted
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The life of a 6th Grader
Daily Procedures
1. Students are to enter the classroom in an orderly
manner with the necessary supplies each day.
(Necessary supplies include: assigned books,
completed homework tray, notebooks, paper, pencil/
pen, ect.)
2. Students are to sit in assigned seats and quietly
begin daily/ bell work.
3. Students are to listen carefully and actively
participate in the daily lesson of each subject.
4. Students are to raise their hands and politely wait
to be acknowledged by teacher.
Lesson- related questions and comments are always
encouraged!
5. Students are not allowed to walk around classroom
during guided instruction time.
No inappropriate interruptions will be tolerated!
6. Students are to respect themselves and other at all
times. No touching other students or other student’s
property at any time. Teacher’s desk and personal
property are OFF limits to students.
7. At no time is inappropriate language to be used!
8. Students will be given homework daily in the
subjects of Spelling, Reading/ ELA, and Social
Studies when necessary). Homework should be
returned daily inside homework trays first thing I the
morning. Students should study for all tests, which will
be given on Fridays.
9. No late work will be accepted- except in case of a
student’s absence. Missing work will count as 0%.
10. Students are to leave the classroom in an orderly
manner! Our classroom is to remain neat and clean
as possible- no food is allowed during guided class
time!
We are a team!
Helpful Tips
Ways to Help Your Child Succeed in Sixth Grade
• Take the time to read with your child daily.
• Provide enrichment materials, including children’s books
and magazines, and educational toys.
• Provide a quiet, private work space where your child
can study undisturbed.
• Keep your child’s work space well stocked with all the
supplies he or she needs to complete assignments.
• Take time to sit down with your child and help him
schedule homework into his daily routine.
• Reward good grades with recognition and praise, and
avoid the temptation to use money or food as a bribe for
good performance.
• Take advantage of educational events in your
community as often as possible.
• Value your child’s uniqueness and avoid comparing him
or her to others.
• Limit the amount of television/computer/video games
your child participates in to one hour on school days and
two hours on weekend days.
• Encourage creative thinking by asking your child to help
solve problems.
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