Team Information, Policies, and Expectations
6th Grade Sandpipers Team
West Rowan Middle School 

Teacher Contact Information
School Phone: (704) 633-4775
Homework Hotline: (704) 633-9561 ext. 6200 (after 4:30 p.m.) Homework for math, science, social studies, and language arts will be recorded daily.
SchoolNotes Web Pages: To view, go to www.rss.k12.nc.us and open the drop-down menu at the top of the page. Then select “Edgate Sites.” Next, click on the “Find Your School” box (the one with the magnifying glass) on the left side of the page which will take you to West Rowan Middle School’s page. Once there, click on “Find Your Class.” Finally, select your child’s teacher and that will take you to their individual web page. You can click the “Notify me” link on each teacher’s page and you will receive an e-mail each time the page is updated.

Mrs. Elizabeth Henley - Mathematics and Reading 
Phone extension: 215	Email: henleye@rss.k12.c.us

Ms. Candace Kennington – Science, Social Studies, and Reading
Phone extension: 205	Email: kenningtonca@rss.k12.nc.us

Ms. Juliah Smith - Language Arts and Reading
Phone extension: 239	Email: smithj@rss.k12.nc.us

To Parents:   We would like to thank you for the opportunity to teach your child  Our goal is to provide maximum learning for every student in an enjoyable, enriching and safe environment. In order to reach this goal, everyone (students, parents, teachers, counselors and administrators) needs to work together.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us immediately, so that we may cooperate for the benefit of your child.  You may reach us through the contact information above and we will respond as quickly as possible.  We check voicemail and e-mail at least twice a day. If you would like a conference, please call so that we may schedule a time to meet. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate parents who arrive for unscheduled conferences, as it directly interferes with our instructional and supervisory duties.

Class Preparedness:  Students are expected to come prepared to class with all materials and be in their seat working when class begins.  Our strenuous Standard Course of Study requires that we maximize our instructional time, which requires students to be organized and ready to work.  Every day, students should enter the classroom with their agenda, as well as plenty of notebook paper and 2-3 pencils.  Teachers will post any additional needed materials (textbooks, etc.) outside the door each morning.
Student Academic Agenda/Planner- Each student receives an agenda provided by the school. Agendas are required to be carried to all classes, core and exploratory.  If lost, a replacement must be purchased from the office. The agenda is an important tool for teacher/parent/student communication and for learning organization skills and responsibility which are crucial to student academic success. Homework assignments are posted in our classrooms and students are to copy them in the agenda daily. Parents may correspond with teachers through the agenda, as well.

Student Agendas
Students must have their agendas with them at all times. Agendas must be replaced if lost. Replacements may be purchased in the school office for a fee. Pages must remain flat and intact. Our team requires that agendas be signed on Thursday night by a parent or guardian, as it contains important information and correspondence. Parent/guardian signatures will be checked by the homeroom teacher each Friday. Failure to get the agenda signed will result in the students serving silent lunch on Friday.

Grading Scale:					Grade Determination:
93-100	A					Tests/Projects – 25%
85-92		B					Class work– 65%
77-84		C					Homework – 10%
70-76		D
0-69		F

Graded Work Folders: Graded work from each class will be sent home in folders for a parent signature at regular intervals, at least twice per grading period. Parents will be notified on Homework Hotline when folders are being sent home. 

Homework:  Homework will be assigned as deemed necessary for practice of skills and information learned in class.  Although homework is not a large percentage of a student’s grade, tests and quiz grades may be negatively impacted if students neglect their homework.  Homework assignments can be heard daily on the Homework Hotline after 4:00 p.m. The Sandpipers’ Hotline number is (704) 633-9561 Ext. 6200.  

Team Snack Time:  In an attempt to enhance student attention and energy levels, our team will make every effort to provide a mid-morning snack time for students. The only snacks allowed during this time are fruit (dried or fresh) or vegetables, and plain water to drink (no vitamin, flavored, or sweetened waters). Students are to clean up their own area after having snack. We will only be able to enjoy this privilege if students consistently abide by the snack guidelines. 

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Field Trips: Our team is currently planning some educational team field trips to occur throughout the school year. More information will be sent home as trips are approved by the administration. Field trips are great opportunities to learn, but they are a privilege and good behavior is a must for the safety of all involved. No student who receives ISS, OSS, or After School Detention (due to behavior) within 30 days of a field trip may attend. Permission slips must be signed and returned (verbal permission is not sufficient) or a student cannot attend, even if paid. When paying for field trips please send a check made to West Rowan Middle School or cash in the exact amount in an envelope with the student's name on it. Money can not be refunded if a student pays and then cannot attend due to absence or behavior, as most destinations require reservations and payment in advance.

Team Rules:
1.	Follow all directions the first time given.
2.	Respect the rights and property of others (includes keeping 	hands, feet, and objects to oneself).
3.	Be on time and prepared for class each day.
4.	Raise your hand to be recognized.
5.	Keep a positive attitude and give your best effort every day.

Team Discipline Plan: Positive behavior will be rewarded and failure to follow classroom, team, and school rules will result in discipline as outlined in the school’s behavior intervention plan. Basically, the plan provides for positive rewards for desired behaviors and interventions for continued undesirable behaviors. 

Classroom Interventions: Our team teachers strive to provide as much consistency and positive reinforcement as possible when addressing student behaviors in our respective classes. The following is our team policy for action when undesirable behaviors occur under our supervision.
1st Offense- Verbal warning
2nd Offense- Silent lunch and forfeiture of one team point.
3rd Offense- Bounce (WRMS policy). When bounced, the student will be asked to immediately leave the class with their work and go to another classroom within the team for the remainder of the period. The first time a student is bounced is “free.” Upon the second bounce from the same class, parents will be called, and each subsequent bounce from a class (3, 6, 9, etc.) will result in a written office referral. Recurrent minor behavior problems will be documented and can result in a bounce. Students who are disruptive when bounced will be immediately referred to the office. Students who severely disrupt the classroom may be bounced or referred to the office without benefit of a warning as necessary to preserve the learning environment. 
***Severe and inappropriate behavior will result in immediate office referral**
Thank you for all of your efforts in helping to make this an exciting and successful school year! We look forward to working with you and your child.

Please detach and keep the previous pages for your reference.

Please sign and return this portion to your child's homeroom teacher by Wednesday, August 31, 2011.

I have read and understand the Sandpiper's Team information, policies, and expectations for the 2011-2012  school year.

Student Signature: ________________________Date: _________

Parent/Guardian Signature:  ________________Date:  _________