Welcome to Parent Night 2012-2013

1. Welcome to Parent Night 2012-2013

2. OMIS Mission Statement The mission of Oak Mountain Intermediate School is to transition fourth and fifth grade students from early childhood to early adolescence by promoting responsibility, independence, character development, and academic growth

3. Vision Statement The vision of Oak Mountain Intermediate School is to become an exemplary model amongst nationally recognized schools of excellence.

4. Classroom Goals for the Year • Build a community of learners in the classroom involving parents, students, and teachers. • Create life-long learners, readers, and writers among students. • Relate all subject areas to real-life experiences. • Help students to become responsible, independent, and cooperative learners.

5. Classroom Expectations The following is a list of the Classroom Expectations. We have already discussed these with the classes and they know our expectations and responsibilities in our classroom. We exercise courtesy and respect towards all students and expect the same from them. Your child should be able to explain this policy to you as well. • Follow all directions • Respect all property, teachers, students, and staff • Listen when the teacher or another student has the floor • Use the correct volume • Use self-control in the classroom, hallway, restroom, lunchroom, and outdoors • Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself

6. Consequences If a student chooses to act irresponsibly, he/she must record their behavior in the behavior book. Each child has their own sheet. These sheets will be pulled out for conferences. First reminder (Official Warning) – discussion with teacher about making good choices Second reminder (Silent Lunch or Sit out at Recess) Third reminder (student will write a note home to parent to be signed, or be sent to the office) *Severe or chronic behavior may result in an office referral and the parents will be called (or note home).* *The above steps can be skipped if deemed necessary by teacher and/or administration.*

7. Conduct Grade Disciplinary action starts fresh at the beginning of each new day; however, conduct marks accumulated over the nine weeks will determine the final report card conduct grade. 0-3 entries in the behavior book= Satisfactory (S) 4-6 entries in the behavior book= Progressing (P) 7+ entries in the behavior book = Not Progressing(N)

8. Anti-Harassment Policy • If you or your child feel as though your child has been harassed or bullied, it should be reported via a specific form located on our website.

9. Anti-Harassment Form Step One:  Go to Shelby County Schools Website Step Two:  At the top left corner of the screen there are two options that will link you to the form 1)    Click on Parent Links then under Assistance click on Bully/Harassment Reporting or 2)    Click on Student Links, scroll down to Safety and click on Bullying/Harassment Reporting

10. Behavior Sheet & Graded Paper Packets Red folders will be sent home every other Friday to keep you informed of your child’s progress academically. Please sign and return the folder WITH THE PAPERS by Monday. If you need verification of grades or current averages, please let us know.

11. Birthdays We love to celebrate birthdays. You are welcome to send a healthy snack to school to celebrate your child’s birthday. The snack will be served at the end of lunch as a dessert. Please note that we do not allow floral deliveries, balloons, or limo rides.

12. Conferences We encourage parents to schedule conferences with us whenever they feel we need to discuss their child’s progress either academically or behaviorally. Please leave us a message with Julie Brane in the office at 682-5220, and we will contact you to set up a conference. You may also contact us via email to schedule a conference. Our conference time this year is 1:20 – 1:55 on Tuesday and Thursday.

13. Absences Please send a written excuse of illness or verification of doctor/dentist visits for each absence. Please write your child’s full name on the excuse and sign with your full name. This helps the office tremendously. We must turn these in to the office so the absence can be counted as excused. It will be considered unexcused after THREE DAYS with no verification. Please refer to the Code of Conduct for specific details on make up work policies. Please give special attention to prior permission for family trips/travel and the emergency clause. **Make sure to read the Attendance Policy!

14. Absences For assignments that were due on the day in which the student was absent, provided that the due date was previously communicated prior to the students’ absence, the student should be prepared to turn in the assignment upon returning to school.

15. Cell Phone Use Cell phones brought to school must be stored in a backpack. Cell phones cannot be audible or visible during the school day. Please do not turn your child’s cell phone on and place it in the backpack before school. The phone may be turned on when the child gets off the bus in the afternoon. The school is not responsible for attempting to recover lost or stolen cell phones. 1st Violation (Warning Given) Student will be given a warning and asked to turn their phone off. 2nd Violation - Cell phone held in office for parent to pick up 3rd Violation (In-School Detention) Student will not be allowed to bring cell phone to school for the remainder of the year.

16. Field Trips Field trips are planned during the year. A permission slip will be sent home before each trip. Please send back the permission slip and money due as soon as possible.

17. Meal Charges Please make sure your child has money for meals daily. Funds are not allotted for “charges”. Please remember to WRITE YOUR CHILD’S NAME AND ACCOUNT NUMBER ON ALL CHECKS AND INCLUDE ALL MONEY IN AN ENVELOPE WITH THE CHILD’S NAME AND LUNCH NUMBER. Please do not bring in any outside food (such as McDonald’s) into the lunch room for your child to eat. You are invited to eat lunch with us any time during the school year.

18. Homework We assign homework in order to reinforce concepts that are discussed and practiced in class. We also want students to practice responsibility and time management when working at home. We do not feel like we give a lot of homework; however, there may be nights in which it is heavier than others. Please know that if your child does not finish his/her class work, it is also included in their homework load. Therefore, homework will essentially be doubled. “OMIS Late Work Grading Policy” will be enforced with homework assignments we collect.