Mrs. Catherine Smith's 4th Grade Classroom

Arrival: Students should arrive after 8:20 a.m. but before 8:40 a.m. unless they are eating breakfast.

School Attendance Philosophy: Students, parents, and educators recognize the importance of attendance and punctuality at school. Key reasons for regular and punctual attendance are employability, safety of students, educational benefits, and success that builds self-esteem.

Tardies: A student is tardy if he or she is not in the assigned classroom when the bell rings at 8:45 a.m. Tardies that are caused by late bus, either District or city, shall not be counted on the student's record. The principal or designee may also excuse student tardies because of inclimate weather or other extenuating circumstances. Students who arrive at school after 8:45 a.m. must check in at the office and get a tardy slip. We ask parents to help students take responsibility for getting to school on time. Students may have consequences for unexcused tardies. More than five (5) unexcused tardies per grading period will warrant disciplinary action. Parents will be notified if such action is necessary.

Notification of Absences: A maximum of nine (9) absences is allowed per semester. Students in first grade through sixth grade who exceed eighteen (18) absences in a year will be dealt with on an individual basis and may be denied promotion to the next grade level. The parent/guardian will be notified in writing prior to his/her student exceeding the limit. Notification will be given if the student has a total of five or more absences within the first nine-week grading period, a total of eight or more absences by the end of the second nine-week grading period, and a total of 13 or more absences by the third nine-week grading period. Parents will receive written notification from the Ada County Juvenile Court Services if their student has excessive absences on a continuous basis, has received written notification from the school, and has been given the opportunity to conference with the principal to explain the absences.

Notification of School for Student Illness:  If your child is absent please call the school to report the absence @ 854-6180. Notification can be left on the answering machine. Please provide the child's name, reason for absence, and date of absence.

Dismissal: Students who walk home or who are picked up by their parent(s) will be dismissed from their outside classroom doors. Bus students are sent to the gym to await the arrival of their bus. Your child's teacher should know the transportation arrangements for your child - any changes should be made in writing to the teacher prior to the dismissal time

Unless kept at school after normal dismissal time for a school activity, students are expected to go directly home. Playground supervision is not provided after school. We appreciate the fact that students are picked  up promptly!

Students who walk home should cross only at the crosswalk and use the sidewalks when possible. Select the safest route to school for your childe and insist that it be followed. Teach safety rules for walking and bicycle riding.

Self Managers are chosen by following the

Behavior Plan:

Our behavior plan is for redirection, not for punishment. It does not involve the principle or vice principle. This allows the students to grow and be responsible.

When the students enter the classroom they are given a green card they may keep the card until the end of the day. Mrs. Smith randomly gives out rewards based on keeping this card.

If they are off task they will need to get a yellow card, which is on the table in front Mrs. Smiths desk. This card is used as a visual reminder for the students to get back on task.

If they stay in our classroom for five minutes during their recess time and refocus, then they may exchange the yellow card for a green card.

If they continue to choose to be off task then they receive a red card and a red form. They will also lose their recesses for the rest of the day. The red form will be filled out and signed by the student, teacher, and then to be taken home for the parent to sign. The signed paper will then need to be returned the next day. If the form is not returned, then the student will need to stay in our classroom for three recesses.

Once the students have completed the process we then wash it away like it never happened.

If you don't make a good choice remember the classroom motto is "We All Make Mistakes!"