Manual



Macario Garcia Elementary

Texas Education Agency Rating: Met Standard

Parent-Student Handbook 2018-2019

Our mission is educate pre-kindergarten - fifth grade scholars for college through rigorous instruction, demanding work and a culture of excellence in all we do.

Table of Contents

Leadership Team 1

Teacher Assignment 2

Student Schedule 3

Early dismissal, Holidays 3

Safe Arrival and departure 3 3

Student dress code 4

Enrollment information, Pre-K 4

Attendance, Tardiness 5 6

Absences 6 3

Withdrawals 6

Request to Leave School Early 6

Cancellation of school 6

Rainy days, cancellation of school,

Emergency information, change of

address and phone numbers 6 3

Doctor’s appointment 7

Nurse, Immunizations 7

Communication folder 7

Telephones, cell phones,

Electronic devices 8

Safety drills and bomb threats 8

Lost and found 8

Illness and injury 8

Medication 9

Speech Therapist 9

Visitors – VIPS 9

Traffic 9

Communications 10

Responsibilities and duties of

Teachers, records 10

Grading periods, progress reports 10

Promotion\ Retention Grade Placement 11

Explanation of Curriculum 11

Explanation of Assessments 12

STAAR (STARR) Testing Schedule 12-13

School Supplies 13

Study Skills 13

Grading 14

Homework, awards, honor rolls 14

Student contest 15

After-school programs 15

Food services, food and drinks 15

Field trips 15

Birthday parties, class parties 15

Fees, Textbook and Library Books 16

Physical Education 16

Recess Policy 16

Rules for General Behavior,

School rules 16-17

Transportation 17

Parent Organizations 18

Parent volunteers 18

Uniforms 18

Unauthorized articles, off limits areas 18

Bullying 20-21

Leadership Teams

Administrative Team

Linda Bellard, Principal

Martha Vanegas, Teacher Specialist (Math/Science/LPAC)

Sheryl Lewis, Teacher Specialist (Title I, ELA/Rdg., CTC)

Administrative Support Staff

Kimberly Steele, Math Interventionist/IAT/504

Blanca Bustos, Nurse

Tracy Booker, Special Education Chair

TBA, Diagnostican

TBA-, LSSP

TBA, Speech Therapist

TBA, Special Education Program Specialist

Content Lead Teachers

Debra Currier, Science

Kirby Moody, Mathematics

Joann Flowers-Madison, Reading

Frances Martinez, Writing

Office Staff

Margo Cook, Secretary/ Office Manager

Linda Reyes-Escobedo, LEP, Texts (Copies and materials, other duties)

Crystal Goss, SMS/Registration clerk (Attendance y discipline, student information)

Custodial Plant Operator

Sonia Bonilla

Cafeteria Manager

Patricia Flowers

Teacher Assignments

|Pre-Kindergarten |

|*Janie Leos - Regular /ESL |

|Laura Martinez - Bilingual |

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|Kindergarten |

|*Maria Sanchez – Bilingual |

|Meredith Mattern - Regular/ESL |

|Rochelle M. Parris – Regular/ ESL |

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|First Grade |

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|Adriana Caballero - Bilingual |

|Claudia Bunting – Bilingual |

|*Shawna Goldberg – Regular/ESL |

|Seyda Zohra – Regular/ESL |

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|Second Grade |

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|Griselda Maya – Bilingual |

|*Marisha Randall – Regular/ESL |

|Elsa Villarreal – Regular/ESL |

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|Third Grade |

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|*John Bolt – ELA/Science |

|Roberto Moratilla Farinas – Bilingual Math/Science |

|LaShonda Herbert– Reading/ESL.SS |

|Claudia Velasco - Bilingual SLA/Reading/SS |

|Haseo Jung Logan – Math Regular/ESL |

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|Fourth Grade |

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|Irma Chairez – Pre-Exit Bilingual Math/Science |

|Shonda Randall – Math/Science |

|Dawnell Rush – ELA/Reading/SS |

|Paula Martinez Fernandez - Pre-Exit Bilingüe |

|ELA/Rdg/SS |

Fifth Grade

Debbra Currier –Science/SS

Elena Hooper – Reading/SS ESL Pre-Exit)

Joann Flowers-Madison – Reading/ELA

*Kirby Moody - Mathematics

Special Education

*Tracey Booker – Resource/Sp. Ed.Chair

Patriece Hodges – PALS/PPD

Delaine Carter – SLC/TREK

Enrichment

Tammy Laubinger – Librarian

Jennifer Popielarski-Hoover – Music

Houston Posey – Physical Education

*Rashan Robison – Computer Lab

Wanda Springfield – Science Lab

Administrative support

Blanca Bustos, Nurse

Cynthia German, Counselor

Kimberly Steele, Interventionist

Teaching assistant

Antonia Camarillo – SLC-TREK

Catalina Diaz –Reources/ Ed. Especial

Debra Diggs – PALS

*Donna James – Physical Education

Student Schedule

Students will arrive to school and be dismissed at the following times:

Monday- Friday 7:30 a.m. – 2:50 p.m.

Breakfast is served in the cafeteria 7:10 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.

Students are NOT to arrive on campus before 7:35 a.m. there is no adult supervision before this time. Students will be allowed to enter the building at 7:35 a.m. each morning. Students are not allowed to leave campus without parental supervision.

Student Holidays

|September 3, 2018 | |

|Labor Day | |

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|September 10, 2018 | |

|Fall break | |

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|November 19-23, 2018 | |

|Thanksgiving | |

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|December 24, 2018to Jan. 4, 2019 | |

|Winter break | |

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|January 21, 2019 | |

|Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | |

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|March 11-15, 2019 | |

|Spring Break | |

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|April 19, 2019 | |

|Spring Holiday | |

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|May 27, 2019 | |

|Memorial Day | |

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|Early Dismissal Days - 12:45 p.m. | |

|Viernes, Septiembre 21, 2018 | |

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|Viernes, Octubre 19, 2018 | |

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|Viernes, Noviembre 9, 2018 | |

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|Diciembre 24, 2018 a Enero 4, 2019 | |

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|Enero 21, 2019 | |

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|Marzo 11-15, 2019 | |

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|Abril 19, 2019 | |

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|Mayo 27, 2019 | |

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Safe Arrivals and Departures

The following behaviors help Garcia students to be safe before and after school:

1. On their way to and from school, students should use marked sidewalks and crosswalks, obey all traffic regulations, obey all crossing guards, and use caution at all times.

2. Students are to exit the school grounds immediately after dismissal. Students are to be picked up by 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. If students are NOT picked-up on time, the student must be signed out in the office and will ONLY be released to an authorized adult on the student enrollment information sheet with a picture ID.

3. If your child is a car rider, please use the designated drop-off and pick-up area on the Tidwell side of the school to facilitate traffic movement. Parents please stay in your car, students will be escorted to your car by the assigned staff. All car riders will be assigned a car rider number at the beginning of the school year, and parents will receive two car tags. Please place the car tag where it is visible to the staff, which will also expedite dismissal. Students will not be released from the car rider pick up zone to parents that are parked across the street.

Student Dress Code

Required student uniform Monday - Thursday:

1. Red, white or navy collared shirt or blouse (Garcia logos ONLY)

2. Navy or khaki pants, trousers, slacks, shirts, skirts, dresses, or jumpers. Spandex, oversized and baggy pants are not allowed.

3. For safety, students must wear rubber sole shoes. Velcro straps are recommended for pre-kinder, kinder and first grade students. Shoes with laces MUST be appropriately laced at ALL times (Heels are not permitted and rubber sole sports/gym shoes are recommended.)

4. A belt is required if pants or skirt has belt loops.

Sprit Dress on Friday ONLY (Optional)

1. Plain Jeans (no designs) with Garcia spirit shirt or Principal approved club, activity, or program shirts.

2. Caps, hats, and hoods are not allowed inside the building at anytime.

3. Male students are not allowed to wear any type of ear jewelry.

Enrollment Information

It is imperative that we have accurate addresses, telephone numbers, and emergency numbers for all of our students. If you move or change the telephone number where you can be reached during the day, please send us this information so we can keep our files current and be able to reach you in the event of an emergency. Please fill out the enrollment form and send it back to your child’s homeroom teacher. Parents make sure you list ALL adults (18 years or older) who have your permission to pick up your child from school. The person must present a valid State issued ID card confirming their identity.

PRE-KINDERGARTEN

Children entering Pre-Kinder are required to be four years old on or before September 1 of the school year in which they are enrolling. Parents must bring birth certificate, immunization records, and proof of income, proof of residence in the school’s attendance zone in order to complete the enrollment process. Daily on time attendance is required to participate in the Pre-Kinder Program. Students who are excessively tardy and/or absence may be withdrawn from the Pre-Kinder Program. Students in the Pre-Kinder Program must be in attendance and on time daily.

ATTENDANCE

The importance of regular attendance cannot be over emphasized. A student should be in school every day except when ill or in case of emergency. Irregular attendance makes it extremely difficult to keep up with class work, be successful on assessments, and meet promotional standards. Compulsory School Attendance Laws to Parents or the Persons Standing in Parental Relation to Children:

Senate Bill 1432, passed by the Texas Legislature effective September 1, 2001, states that if a student is absent from school (3) days or parts of days in a four-week period without parental consent or is absent without an excuse for ten (10) or more days in a six month period:

• The students parent or legal guardian is subject to prosecution under Texas Education Code 25.093

• The student is subject to prosecution under Texas Education Code 25.094

It is your duty to monitor your child’s attendance, require your child to attend school and request a conference with a school official to discuss absences. Parents or legal guardians are subject to prosecution under Texas Education Code 25.093 (b) for failure to require their child to attend school.

1. Absences will be either excused or unexcused. Acceptable excuses for absences and tardies are personal illness, sickness, or death in family, medical or dental appointments, quarantine, weather or road conditions making travel dangerous, and emergencies or unusual circumstances recognized by the principal.

2. Students who have been absent must bring a written excuse from the parent\guardian within three school days after the date of the absence or tardy. Only three handwritten parent excuses will be approved per grading cycle. Parents MUST include the following information on notes regarding the absences:

a. Name of Student

b. Date of absence

c. Acceptable excuse (see #1)

d. Parent signature

3. If a student does not bring a written excuse for an absence or tardy, it is considered an unexcused “0” for the daily assignments.

4. The school shall attempt to notify the parent/guardian when a student has four (4) absences.

5. Parents are requested to contact the attendance clerk when a child is absent at

713-696-2900.

6. Any absence may be investigated by the attendance officer assigned to the school.

7. Attendance is taken each day at 9:30 am. Any student not present at 9:30 am is considered absent for the entire day. EXCEPTIONS: absences for medical and dental appointments will not be counted as absences if the student is present any time during the school day and brings a note from the doctor. Please inform your child’s teacher prior to medical appointments whenever possible.

TARDINESS

Prompt arrival at school is expected of all students. Late arrival disrupts class and causes loss of instruction time. Any child who arrives at school after 7:40 am is considered tardy and must bring a tardy note and get a tardy slip in the main office. After three (3) tardy arrivals in a grading cycle, the parents of pre-kinder and kinder students must meet with the attendance clerk and/or principal to develop an attendance plan for the students. After three (3) tardy arrivals in a grading cycle, students in grades 1 through 5 will be assigned after school detention. Additionally, students who are excessively tardy to school will lose privileges to participate in extracurricular activities such as fieldtrips, parties, field day, parties and celebrations, etc.

ABSENCES

If a student is absent from school or tardy to school, parents are asked to call the school @ 713-696-2900 between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Students who have been absent or tardy must present a written excuse to the teacher from the parent or guardian when they return to school. The only acceptable excuses for absences and tardiness are personal illness, sickness/death in the family, quarantine, inclement weather, or road conditions making travel dangerous. More than 3 written excuses within a 1 semester period will require a doctor’s excuse. Written excuses for absences should be in the school’s possession no later than three (3) school days after the date of the absence. The three-day period shall begin with the day the student returns to school. Additionally, students who are excessively absence from school will lose privileges to participate in extracurricular activities such as fieldtrips, parties, field day, parties and celebrations, etc. Students with excused absences participation will be evaluated based on their academic performance.

WITHDRAWALS

A student “check out” form must be completed by the parents of any student who is withdrawing during the school year. Teachers and staff will summarize the student’s progress and prepare the student’s file for forwarding to their next school of enrollment. Check-out cannot be completed until all textbooks, library books, and student lunch loans or fundraising debts are clear. Twenty four (24) hour notice is required.

CANCELLATION OF SCHOOL

Cancellation of school takes place only during extraordinary circumstances such as extreme weather, equipment failure, or public crisis. The school board and administrators are aware of the hardship which can be caused by an abrupt cancellation. Therefore, school will not be canceled unless a significant safety risk has been created by unusual circumstances.

If school is canceled, announcements will be made on radio, television, school website and/or by the automated telephone system. Please don’t call the school, tune into your local news channel. In the unusual circumstances where school must be canceled during the school day, teachers will determine if all students have satisfactory transportation and supervision before releasing them from school.

Rainy Days

Please give definite instructions for rainy days. Make sure your child understands how he/she is to get home on a rainy day. He/she will not be allowed to use the office phone to call each time it rains. On days when streets are in a flooded condition, we will hold students at school until parents can pick them up.

EMERGENCY INFORMATION

In case of an emergency each student is required by Texas State Law to have on file at the school office the following information:

1. Parent(s) or guardian(s) name(s)

2. Complete an up-to-date address

3. Home phone and parent(s)/guardian(s) work phone and cell phone, if applicable

4. Emergency daytime phone number or friend or relative

5. Physician(s) name and phone number

CHANGE OF ADRESS OR PHONE NUMBERS

It is very important, for emergency and administrative reasons, that each student maintains an up-to-date address record and phone number at the school office. Notify the school immediately if you have a change of address, home phone number, cell phone number or work phone number during the school year. The school must have working phone numbers where we can reach a parent during the school day in case of a medical emergency.

RELEASING OF STUDENTS BEFORE REGULAR DISMISSAL

If a student needs to leave school during the day, specific procedures must be followed. Only the parent who has signed the enrollment card or someone with written authorization from that person will be allowed to take the child from school during regular school hours. The parent signs the child out in the school office and the student will then be called to the office. Teachers and staff are not permitted to release students unless this procedure has been followed. When possible, the parent should send a note in the morning if the student is to leave before the regular time so that plans can be made accordingly. If a parent is out of the city and has left his child with another adult, a note should be written to the school authorizing the child’s release to this person in case such a release is needed. Early release of students is allowed only with the permission of the principal or designee and will not be allowed after 2:30 p.m. (Emergencies will be considered by the principal or designee).

DOCTOR AND DENTIST APPOINTMENTS

Parents are expected to make every effort to schedule their child’s doctor and dentist appointments outside of school hours. However, when this is not possible, students will be excused for these special appointments. Students should return to school with a note from their parent, doctor, or dentist. Please come by the school office to sign your child out of school.

NURSE

The school nurse’s office is located in the main office. The nurse is responsible for the maintenance of health records, routine health checks, vision and hearing screening, parental contact concerning health problems, care of minor injuries, and assistance in teaching health. Please call the school nurse if your child is absent from school due to a communicable disease, we must submit a report to the city weekly.

The nurse’s office is open five days a week. Students should not come to school when ill, please keep students at home until free of symptoms or fever for a period of 24 hours. If the nurse determines that a student is ill, parents must pick the student up within one hour of parent contact.

IMMUNIZATIONS

All immunizations must be current and complete. Please checks with your child’s doctor if you are not sure if your child’s immunizations are complete.

COMMUNICATION FOLDERS

Tuesday is communication day. The office and teachers will send home the majority of the written communication- flyers, graded papers, conduct information, etc. on Tuesday each week. Please take time to review this important information. Sign any needed items and return to your child’s teacher on Wednesday. You may want to develop the habit of asking, “Where is your Tuesday folder”?

TELEPHONE

The office phone is a business phone and is not to be used by students, except in an emergency. Students are not allowed to use the phone to make personal arrangements, (such as requesting permission to go to another child’s home after school). Parent and child should have a clear understanding how the child is to get home from school before the child leaves home. Students will not be allowed to use office phones to call home for a ride. Also, except for rare emergencies, we cannot interrupt instructional time to give students a message from a parent.

CELL PHONES and ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Cell phones and personal electronic devices are not permitted for use by students during the school day. The electronics include but are not limited to cell phones, walkman, iPods, game systems, PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), etc…If a child has a cell phone or electronic devices, it must be kept turned off in the backpack during the day.

Unauthorized usage of these devices will result in confiscation, a fee of $15.00 and a parent must pick up the phone. This will require a mandatory conference with parents and principal. Neither Garcia Elementary nor HISD is responsible for lost or stolen cell phones or other electronic devices. If items are taken from the student, parents must pick the item up within 30 days otherwise it will be discarded.

Safety

The challenge of traffic safety is greater than ever. Our best hope for control of the traffic accident problem is to provide adequate safety instruction for the students attending our school.

We urge you to instruct your children to observe all safety rules and to obey the directions of the crossing guard and Garcia Staff at all times. Students are to walk to corners where there are crossing guards to assist them with crossing the street safely. Parents please do not send children across the middle of the street. We further urge adults to set good examples for our children by respecting safety rules.

Safety Drill Information

In the event of an emergency, the safety of students and staff is of great importance.

The following emergency procedures will be implemented:

1. Fire and safety drills will occur once a month.

2. Evacuation from the school site will be implemented upon direction and orders from the HISD Administration.

3. Teachers will give instruction and directions for your child on drills on all aspects of emergency plans, including fire and disaster drills.

4. The school safety plan will be available for your information in the school office.

BOMB THREATS

A bomb threat is an extremely rare occurrence. Nevertheless, the school is prepared for this type of emergency. Immediate evacuation of the building and notification of authorities are the standard procedures. The school staff, teachers, and administrators are well prepared for a variety of emergency situations, including bomb threats. Parents should feel confident concerning all emergency procedures at the school, and we welcome inquiries about any aspects of our emergency preparedness.

Lost and Found

A lost and found box is maintained on campus. Please have your children check in the lost and found for their missing items. Many items are not labeled and remain unclaimed. Unclaimed items will be donated to the Goodwill if not claimed by the last day of each month.

Important: Please write your child’s name on coats, sweaters, raincoats, lunch kits, and other belongings.

ILLNESS OR INJURY

In case of illness or injury a child will be cared for temporarily by the school nurse or a member of the school staff. School personnel will render first aid treatment only. If emergency medical treatment is necessary, the parents will be contacted. If parents are not available, the child will be taken to the emergency room by ambulance. Remember, an emergency telephone number where parents or a family member can be reached and the name and phone number of the student’s family doctor MUST be on file at the school.

MEDICATIONS

If your child must bring prescribed medication to school, the following requirements must be met.

Prescription Medication –

1. An HISD “Permission to Dispense Medication” form filled in and signed by the student’s physician and the student’s parent/guardian must be on file in the school clinic.

2. Medicine must be in the original container.

3. Must carry a prescription label with the child’s name, drug identification dosage instructions, doctor’s name, and prescription date.

4. The prescription must be current.

5. Refrigeration is available.

6. Medication will be stored in the clinic and given by authorized school personnel.

Students who have not followed the above guidelines cannot receive medications at school. Students are not permitted to bring any “over-the-counter” medications to school: this includes aspirin and cough drops. Possession of any unauthorized medications is grounds for suspension.

SPEECH THERAPIST

Students who are referred by their teachers and found to need speech therapy will work with the therapist on a regular schedule. If any parent feels their child may need help in the area of speech development, they should contact the classroom teacher.

Visitors (Must be VIPS Approved)

We welcome visitors, especially the parents of our students. Houston Independent School District policy requires all visitors to VIPS approved, sign-in in the school office and obtain a visitor’s permit. This process is required for the protection of our students and staff. Any non-staff person coming into the building for any reason is considered to be a visitor. Teachers are not permitted to leave his/her class unattended to have a conference or visit in the halls/breezeways to conference with parents or visitors. The instructional time belongs to the students. The teacher is responsible for the instruction and the safety of students.

To ensure a great start of the school year and to help the students quickly adjust to school routines and procedures, parents are not allowed to eat lunch with the students during the first grading cycle. After the first grading cycle, parents may eat lunch with students once per week. Parents who bring lunch to their child are asked to place the student and teacher names on the item and leave it in the school office.

TRAFFIC REGULATION ON CAMPUS

Administration has adopted parking and driving policies. Only staff members may use the faculty parking lot. Parents and other visitors must park in the front parking lot or on the street. Curbside parking is not allowed at the front entrance that is a drop-off and pick-up zone.

Your child’s safety is important to us – please do not allow your child to cross the street anywhere but at the corner with the crossing guard. Never call a child across the street through traffic. Please circle the block and pick up or drop off at curbside on the same side of the street as the school. Parents are asked not to pull into the entrance to the parking lot or block the parking lot entry when you drop off students. Students are never to enter or be dropped off in the parking lot.

COMMUNICATIONS (NEWSLETTER)

A newsletter containing items of interest to students and parents will be distributed the first of each month. The newsletter will include the monthly calendar and other information to keep you informed regarding the happenings at Garcia.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF TEACHERS

The primary responsibility of our teachers is to guide learning experiences within the capabilities of each student. We hope to develop the skill, knowledge, appreciation and ideas necessary to create productive members of society.

There are five areas of specific responsibility for each teacher.

➢ Continued acquisition of subject matter, knowledge, and effective techniques of instruction.

➢ Daily professional preparation, including lesson plans for substitutes.

➢ Providing a favorable learning environment through effective classroom management.

➢ Continuous pupil evaluation and periodic reporting based on subjective and objective observation.

➢ Outside classroom duties such as attendance at professional meetings, hall duty, playground supervision, and extracurricular sponsorships.

TEACHER RECORDS

Each teacher is responsible for a variety of administrative and student related records. There are three different records which parents may need to refer to at some time during the year. To see the records, parents should call the school to schedule an appointment with the teacher. The records include the student’s permanent academic record, report cards, and daily attendance record.

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

Texas State Law prohibits interruption of the instructional day for parent conferences. Parent-Teacher conferences may be scheduled during the teachers 45 minute daily planning period. These conference times, if spent wisely, can be very valuable to the overall educational program. Communication among parents, teachers and school personnel is essential to a successful educational program. The processes employed in our school district include a number of communication levels, both direct and indirect. The parent-teacher conference is of prime importance in communicating information about your child’s progress during the school year, as it provides a unique vehicle for exchange of information between you and your child’s teacher on his academic and emotional growth.

Some parents are hesitant about participating in conferences, but our teachers can do a much better job with students if they can share their understanding of the student directly with the parent. Parent conferences are encouraged and can be arranged at any time during the school year.

Grading Periods/ Progress Reports

Your child will receive a progress report 5 weeks into each 9 weeks. Parents, please sign and return your child’s progress report to their homeroom teacher. If your child is failing, in jeopardy of failing, has below a 70 in any subject, or has dropped one grade below their previous report card grade, the parents WILL be notified. An intervention meeting (parent conference) will be scheduled with the principal, parent, and teacher for any student who has failed a subject after the grade report cycle.

Gafing Periods

|Grading Periods |

|Pre-Kínder to 5th grade |

|9 weeksperiods |

|Gradin period |Report day |

|August 27 – October 26 |November 2, 2018 |

|Octuber 27– December 20 |January 11, 2019 |

|January 7– March 8 |March 22, 2019 |

|March 18 – May 31 |May 31, 2019 |

PROMOTION AND RETENTION

HISD has established a set of promotion standards for each grade level. In order to be promoted to the next grade, a student must meet the standard for each of the criteria. Students who do not meet the promotion policies at the end of the school year may attend summer school. At the end of the summer school year, if a child has met the promotion standards, they will be promoted. Attending summer school does not guarantee promotion. The school district has adopted a policy that requires students to demonstrate that they have learned what the State of Texas requires public-school children to learn before they are promoted to the next grade level. H.I.S.D. has set guidelines for measuring each student’s level of achievement. Assistance will be provided to the student to improve his or her performance, as needed.

Our goal is to help all students move forward with the skills and knowledge needed to be successful at the next grade level. School personnel will work with students and parents to achieve this goal.

Explanation of Curriculum

The State Board of Education adopted the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills as the curriculum for ALL Texas schools. These learning standards will help ensure that all students can meet the challenges they will face in the 21st Century.

□ Each student will become a more effective reader via language and vocabulary development.

□ Each student will have to know and apply more complex mathematics.

□ Each student will need to develop a stronger understanding of science concepts.

□ Each student will master social studies skills and content necessary to be a responsible adult citizen.

□ Each student will master a wider range of technology.

The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills TEKS identify what Texas students should know and be able to do at every grade level and in every course in the foundation and enrichment areas as they move successfully through Texas public schools.

The Houston Independent School District is dedicated to “Every Student, Every Day” having a plan that will challenge and address the needs of ALL students to meet the high academic standards as outlined in the TEKS. The HISD curriculum is an instructional planning tool for teachers. It clarifies what is to be taught and assessed. The curriculum includes all of the TEKS requirements and it provides clearly defined objectives so “Every Student, Every Day” has consistent access to a world-class curriculum to help ALL students in the District succeed. If you have further questions or concerns, please contact the Title I Coordinator, during school hours at 713-696-2900.

Explanation of Assessments

State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) – As mandated by the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) was administered beginning in the 2011-2012 school year. The STAAR measures the statewide curriculum (TEKS) in reading at Grades 3-9; in writing at Grades 4 and 7; in English Language Arts at Grades 10 and 11; in mathematics at Grades 3-11; in science at Grades 5, 8, and 11; and social studies at Grades 8, 10, and 11. The Spanish STAAR is administered at Grades 3 through 6. Satisfactory performance on the STAAR at each grade level is a State and HISD promotion standard, and satisfactory performance in Grade 11 is prerequisite to obtain a high school diploma.

Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) – These tests are designed to measure annual growth in the English reading proficiency of second language learners, and are used along with English and Spanish STAAR (STARR) to provide a comprehensive assessment system for Limited English proficient (LEP) students. LEP students in Grades 3-12 are required to take the TELPAS until they achieve a rating of advanced.

State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR & STAAR-Alt) – This assessment is for students in special education, Grades 3-8 who are receiving instruction in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), but for whom STAAR is an inappropriate measure of their academic progress. This test assesses the areas of 3rd- 5th Reading, 4th Writing, and 3rd – 5th Mathematics. Students will be assessed at their appropriate instructional levels, as determined by their admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committees, rather than at their assigned grade level. The STAAR-Alt is administered on the same schedule as STAAR and will be designed to measure annual growth based on appropriate expectations for each student as decided by the student’s ARD committee. The alternative assessment will be designed in such a way as to bridge into STAAR.

To find out more about study guides and released test that the public may view go to the Texas Education Agency website at tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment.

High Frequency Word Test – This is a district-wide test administered in grades 1-2. This test measures the student’s ability to read identified words from a list as well as in sentences. The High Frequency Words have been selected from the Most Frequent Words in Books for Beginning Readers and the Dolch Word List. The student is responsible for all the words listed.

Campus Report Card- By law, schools must provide a Campus Report Card each year to parents. Each report card contains the following information:

• academic excellence indicators (AEIS, including TAKS/STAAR results and dropout rates),

• student/teacher ratios,

• administrative and instructional costs per students

• disaggregated data on student academic achievement,

• the school’s performance.

If you have further questions or comments, please contact the Sheryl Lewis, Title I Coordinator during school hours at 713-696-2900.

State Testing Schedule

STAAR Testing Calendar STAAR (includes STAAR-ALT)

|STAAR |Writing |Mathematics |Reading |Science |

|Gr. 3o | Not required |May 13, 2019 |May 14, 2019 (Tuesday) |Not required |

| | |(lunes) | | |

|Gr. 4o |abril 9, 2019 (martes)|May 13, 2019 |May 14, 2019 (Tuesday) |Not required |

| | |(lunes) | | |

|Gr. 5o | Not required |April 10, 2019 |Abril 10, 2019 (Wednesday) |May 15, 2019 (Wednesday) |

| | |(Wednesday) |May 14, 2019 (Wednesday) | |

| | |May 13, 2019 |re-test | |

| | |(Monday) re-test | | |

|STAAR-Alt |April 1 to 19, 2019 |

|Gr. 3-5 | |

Specific dates will be announced via monthly school calendar and flyers when made available by the Texas Education Agency.

TELPAS – Fechas de Examen

|Kinder to 5º grade |February 25 to April 5, 2019 |

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Each teacher will furnish his/her students with an exact list of supplies needed for the semester. These supplies are modestly priced and easy to obtain at local stores. A basic list contains the following items: pencils, ruled paper, crayons, ruler, scissors, pens, construction paper and washable glue.

STUDY SKILLS

A parent can help his/her child be aware of skills and techniques which make learning easier and more enjoyable. The following are student guidelines for achieving good study habits:

➢ Come to class daily on time and prepared with pencil, paper, and other necessary materials.

➢ Be an active participant in class. Listen well and take part in class.

➢ Ask questions to clarify problems.

➢ Plan your day and schedule time for homework.

➢ Use what is leaned and apply it to new situations.

➢ Strive to do the very best work possible. Just “getting by” is not a worthwhile goal.

GRADING

Students will receive report cards at the end of each grading period. The academic grades will reflect the classroom, homework, projects and test done for that period.

In grades 1-5, grade will be numerical rather than letter grades. Kindergarten students will receive letter grades. Please use the following scale for interpretation of grades.

➢ 90-100 - Excellent quality of work-through mastery of subject matter.

➢ 80-90 - Good quality of work-above average with consistent effort.

➢ 75-79 - Satisfactory quality of work, average achievement.

➢ 70-74 - Below quality of work expected-below average.

➢ Below 70 - Unsatisfactory quality of work-poor work, failing.

Conduct will be marked with one of four letter grades to be interpreted as follows:

➢ E - Excellent quality of behavior-totally self-disciplined.

➢ S - Satisfactory quality of behavior-cooperates readily.

➢ P - Poor quality of behavior-below average.

➢ U - Unsatisfactory quality of behavior-needs drastic improvement.

HOMEWORK

Homework practice is an important step in the accomplishment of a skill and is an outgrowth of what is introduced and taught in the classroom. Homework is assigned to reinforce, enrich, and extend learning by providing a variety of educational opportunities outside the classroom. In addition, homework provides an additional opportunity for family involvement in your child’s education.

Your child’s teacher will send home a letter at the beginning of the school year explaining what homework will be expected of your child. Home assignments should be clearly understood by the pupils. It should be possible to complete the assignments within a reasonable period of time. Assignments should be an outgrowth of the work done in the classroom. Homework may be given each day based on teacher discretion and student needs.

Suggested Minimum Time

Pre-K and Kindergarten……………….10-15 minutes

1st and 2nd grades………………………30-45 minutes

3rd and 4th grades………………………45-60 minutes

5th grade………………………………..60-75 minutes

Projects will be assigned by individual teachers, and will be given a window of time for completion.

Each family is asked by HISD and Garcia to read together and engage in discuss about the story or article for at least twenty (20) minutes every day. This enjoyable time together is not considered homework and builds better readers.

AWARDS

Students receive special recognition at the school through a variety of awards programs. These awards are intended to promote and recognize academic skills, athletic achievement, and various aspects of good citizenship. Teachers and parents are expected to promote these awards as an encouragement and an incentive towards special effort and achievement by the students. Recognition is given for academics, sports, student government, clubs, attendance, and cultural achievements, to name just a few.

HONOR ROLL

The Honor Roll is a very special recognition for academic achievement. To qualify for Honor Roll the student must have 3 or 4 A’s no more than 2 B’s and an E or S in conduct and Good attendance.

STUDENT CONTESTS

Each year our students are presented the opportunity to participate in various school-wide, district-wide, or city-wide fairs or contests. We encourage all students to participate. Parents are encouraged to support these activities and to promote the interests of their children in the various projects.

After School Programs and Activities

Students participating in after school activities must maintain passing grades, regular on time attendance at school, and exhibit good behavior. Grades and behavior will be monitored by the teacher every two weeks. Students who are not academically passing, exhibiting poor behavior or who are not picked up on time may be excluded from the program or activity. Transportation must be arranged by the parent for students to be picked up at the designated time.

FOOD SERVICES

Each student at Garcia must present a breakfast and lunch cards and have it scanned by the cashier to be served. Students may go to the cafeteria on Mondays before 9:00 a.m. to add funds to their lunch account in advance. Breakfast is served from 7:15 a.m. daily. If a child arrives after 7:45 a.m., he/she will not be able to eat breakfast. Lunches are served starting 10:10 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. daily as scheduled by grade levels. A basic meal is prepared each day along with several optional menu choices. School lunches are prepared by professional cooks working in cooperation with a registered dietitian. Students are encouraged to take advantage of this service.

Students may purchase snacks when going through the cafeteria line. Students may not use the soda machines. Students are not permitted to remove food or drinks from the cafeteria. Students must make all purchases when their class goes through the line. Each month, school menus are distributed to all students.

FOOD AND DRINKS

Students are not allowed to share food and drinks or remove food items from the cafeteria. Students are not allowed to bring carbonated beverages to school. Beverages in glass containers are not allowed on campus. Students are not allowed to have candy or gum at school.

FIELD TRIPS

Field trips within our city and to nearby points of interest, are scheduled by classroom teachers throughout the school year. These trips are designed to supplement the classroom curriculum and to introduce students to the resources of the community. Parents will receive notices of field trips well in advance of the scheduled trip date and will be asked to sign field trip permission forms. Signed field trip permission forms must be returned by the due date. No phone or fax permission forms are allowed. Fees may be requested from each student to help defray transportation or facility use costs. Every field trip will require one chaperone for every 10 students. Field trips will have to be canceled if there are not enough chaperones to fulfill the 1:10 ratio. We will not be able to refund fees for field trips canceled due to lack of chaperones since we must pay for any buses scheduled. Younger brothers and sisters are not allowed to attend field trips. All chaperones must ride on buses with students. Parents are encouraged to attend field trip outings with their children, however they must go through the district required back – ground check. The background process can take up to 6 weeks. No exceptions. Registration in VIPS is required each year.

Birthday Parties and Class Parties

Birthday parties for individual students are permitted the last 20 minutes of the school day. Parents must make arrangements with the classroom teacher at least one week in advance of the birthday celebration. Class parties and celebrations will be communicated by the teacher and/or principal. Parents and other visitors must be VIPS approved to attend parties. Younger brothers, sisters and other children not enrolled in the class are not allowed to attend birthday and class parties and celebrations.

FEES

On some occasions, the school may charge fees for field trips, student pictures, activities or products. Fees must be paid promptly – in cash or money order. The school does not accept personal checks.

Textbooks and Library Books

According to HISD Board of Administrative Procedures—No. 313.224; each pupil, as well as his parent or guardian, is responsible for textbooks, library books, and workbooks issued to him/her. If books are lost or damaged, the parent or guardian is financially obligated. Please encourage your child(ren) to take care of the books and to keep them covered. State Law requires that books be covered.

LIBRARY Policy

The library is open on a regularly scheduled basis and is supervised by the librarian. Class visits to the library are scheduled to check out books, return books, do reference work or work on special projects. Each student may check out a book for a period of up to two weeks. Lost or damaged books must be paid for before the student can check out another book.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The staff at Garcia Elementary believes that physical education is an important part of the educational experience. The development and maintenance of a healthy body is essential for physical well being and good mental health. We also believe that attitude development is an important part of education. All students are to participate in physical education activities unless a note from a doctor or parent is sent indicating an illness or injury. Students should have proper shoes, not sandals or high heels, to wear when playing.

RECESS POLICY

Weather permitting; students will have structured supervised outdoor recess as scheduled. Students will have supervised free time in the classroom on days when bad weather prevents outside recess. Only students with medical excuses will be allowed to remain in the building during recess in another teacher’s classroom.

RULES FOR GENERAL BEHAVIOR

The behavior expected from students at school is a combination of common courtesy and safety considerations. There are only a few special areas which require the application of very specific rules. (See the HISD Code of Student Conduct.)

School Rules

Please discuss the following behavioral expectations with your child(ren). Our staff has high expectations for students and we need your support.

1. Follow directions the first time given.

2. Bring all materials and assignments to class.

3. Stay in your seat unless given permission to move.

4. Talk only when given permission.

5. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.

6. No teasing, name calling or talking back.

The following types of conduct are never permitted at school.

➢ Fighting

➢ Defiance of school staff

➢ The use of profanity

➢ Refusal to complete assignments or to participate in class

➢ Possession of weapons or other dangerous objects

FIGHTING

Fighting is strictly forbidden in the school or on campus. Breaking this rule will result in an immediate and automatic suspension from school and a conference with the student’s parents. Hitting back is not an acceptable reason for fighting.

LOITERING

Students should leave the school and school grounds promptly after classes or activities are dismissed. There is to be no unnecessary “hanging around” before school, between classes, or after school. Non-students are not permitted on campus. Middle school students are not allowed to “return and visit” during the school days.

LITTER POLICY

Our school campus is one of the most attractive in our area. Keep it clean! We have provided trash receptacles throughout the campus. We have campus clean-up days on a regular basis, and parents are encouraged to join us in our beautification efforts.

VANDALISM

Our school and school equipment is public property. Damaging or destroying school property is cause for immediate suspension and possible expulsion from school. The school requires damage or repairs be paid before a student is allowed to return to class.

SUSPENSIONS

Suspensions from school are given by the principal, or designee for the very worst infractions of school rules and policy. Suspensions cannot be given by teachers. If your child is suspended, you are required to meet with the principal or designee before reinstatement can take place.

BUS CONDUCT

The following rules have been established in order to insure the safety of all students who ride bus:

1. Use only the bus and bus stop assigned.

2. Orderly behavior is required at the bus stop – no fool language is permitted.

3. Remain seated, facing front, when the bus is in motion.

4. Talk quietly and make no unnecessary noise.

5. Do not talk to the driver unless it is necessary.

6. Keep head and arms inside the bus.

7. Do not litter the inside of the bus or throw anything out the window.

Infraction of the above rules will be brought to the attention of parents. Continual abuse of bus privileges will result in the denial of transportation.

TRANSPORTATION

Bus routes, stops, and times are planned and established by HISD Transportation Department.

Students and parents are encouraged to notify the school immediately of any safety hazards which they have observed during bus operations.

1. Magnet students who live outside the Garcia attendance zone are eligible for HISD bus transportation if they live more than two miles from Garcia.

2. Disabled students are eligible for HISD bus transportation upon recommendation of the ARD Committee.

3. No other students are permitted to ride these HISD buses, e.g., students visiting bus students are not permitted to ride HISD buses.

4. Identified bus riders are required to ride their bus unless the school is notified in writing that the student is not to ride the bus.

5. Parents may call the appropriate motor pool to locate student’s property left on a school bus. Parents need to know the route number of the bus their student rides.

• Barnett Motor Pool – 713-845-5022

• Central Motor Pool – 713-676-9295

• Butler Motor Pool – 713-726-2100

• Delmar Motor Pool – 713-957-7711

Parent Organizations

The Parent-Teacher Organization is a special and vital part of the improvement of our school. All parents are invited and encouraged to become active members and to become involved in school activities. Meetings are scheduled periodically throughout the year and are announced in advance. Each year the PTO sponsors one or more fundraising events. With the help of all parents, these projects can be very successful. They allow the PTO to fund many important activities at our school.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS

Garcia Elementary considers its parent volunteers as a very special resource. Parents are encouraged to help in all classrooms, programs and extra-curricular activities. Please call our office if you have time or skills you can share to make our school a better place for students to learn and grow.

All visitors and volunteers working with our children must be registered with the Houston Independent School District Volunteer Program (must be renewed each year). There are several areas in our school that need volunteers to help. Volunteers at Garcia have always played a vital role in helping our school run smoothly. If you are interested, please contact the school. A valid ID must be provided in order to register in our Volunteers in Public Schools Program (VIPS).

PAC (Parent Advisory Committee)

The Parent Advisory meets on campus at various times during the year as part of the Title I program.

INSURANCE

School insurance will be offered at the beginning of each school year. The cost is small compared to the potential cost of medical care and parents are encouraged to take advantage of this service.

Uniforms

Required uniform from Monday to Thursday:

1. Blue, white, or red polo shirt

2. Kakhi or dark blue pants or skirts

3. For safety reasons, students must use rubber sole shoes. Tennis or jogging shoes with Velcro straps are recommended especially for Pre-K and Kindergarten students. If the shoes have laces, they must be tied all the time; heels are not allowed. Sport shoes are recommended for the gym.

4. It is required to use a belt for pants and skirts with belt loops.

On Friday, the students can wear the School Spirit t-shirts (optional) with jeans.

Jeans must be plain, without designs. T-shirts must be those with the approved designs by the principal.

Hats, hoods, or head bandanas are not approved inside the building.

Male students are not allowed to wear any type of jewelery or ear piercings.

UNAUTHORIZED ARTICLES

Common sense and consideration is the best guide in determining whether or not to bring personal possessions to school. In general, student should not bring toys or unusual items to school unless they are intended for a specific purpose in the classroom and the teacher has given permission. Any object that could be considered a weapon has no place at school. Students are not allowed to bring electronics to school.

OFF-LIMIT AREAS

Our school is maintained and operated for the benefit of our students. However, common sense and safety considerations dictate the designation of a few off-limit areas where students are not allowed. These areas include the boiler room, storage areas, inner office, teacher’s lounges, teacher mailboxes, kitchen maintenance area, trash collection compound, and the faculty parking lot. Students are expected to cooperate and refrain from playing or visiting in these areas.

SMOKING

Garcia is a smoke free campus; therefore, students, faculty nor visitors may smoke on school property.

BICYCLES

Please remember that our city ordinance requires the registration of all bicycles. In addition, we suggest that students record their bicycle serial numbers. When traveling to and from school students must obey all traffic regulations. Once on school property the bicycles must be “walked”. Bicycles are never to be ridden on school grounds. Students who ride their bike to school should wear a helmet. The school assumes no responsibility for bicycles. Bicycles should be properly parked and locked on bike racks that have been provided.

Field Experiences

Field experiences are geared towards the instructional program. Students exhibiting poor conduct in the classroom and school may be excluded from field experiences.

Library Policy

Students are urged to check out books from the school library at their assigned library period. Books must be returned or renewed each week. Overdue Library Books Policy: If books are overdue, the student may not be able to check out new books. The student is responsible to see that his record is cleared with the librarian or designee at the check out desk. One week prior to the issuing of report cards, the librarian will give each teacher and the principal a list of students who have overdue books. When the student returns or pays for the book, the parent will be issued the final report card.

PETS

Pets, of any kind, are not allowed at school.

Bullying

What is Bullying?

Bullying involves repeated acts of physical, emotional, or social behavior that are intentional, controlling, and hurtful. Bullying is a learned behavior, evident as early as two years of age. Bullying can be either direct or indirect. Direct bullying usually is seen and felt readily. Indirect bullying (deliberate exclusion, name calling, etc.) is much more difficult to identify, often is more difficult to remedy, and should be clearly seen as different from direct bullying. Boys are more typically engaged in direct bullying and girls in indirect bullying, but this is not always the case. Just be alert and consider the following:

• Bullying is defined by a power imbalance between the bully and the target.

• A bully’s power can be derived from physical size, strength, verbal skill, popularity, or gender.

• Bullying can include hitting, name-calling, threatening, intimidating, kicking, spreading rumors, teasing, pushing, tripping, excluding someone from a group, or destroying someone’s things.

Is Your Student Being Bullied?

If your child exhibits one or more of these warning signs, he/she may be a victim of bullying. Talk with your child to explore further whether or not he/she is being bullied.

A CHILD BEING BULLIED OFTEN:

• Withdraws socially, has few or no friends.

• Feels isolated, alone and sad.

• Feels picked on or persecuted.

• Frequently complains of illness.

• Doesn’t want to go to school, avoids some classes or skips school.

• Brings home damaged possessions or reports them “lost.”

• Cries easily; displays mood swings and talks about hopelessness.

• Has poor social skills.

• Talks about running away; talks of suicide.

• Threatens violence to self and others.

• Changes in eating or sleeping patterns.

• Takes or attempts to take, “protection” to school (a stick, knife, gun, etc.)

• Displays “victim” body language—hangs head, hunches shoulders, avoids eye contact.

*Children being bullied may show some of these signs, or may show few.

IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR CHILD IS BEING BULLIED

DO:

• Make sure your child knows being bullied is not his or her fault.

• Let your child know that he or she does not have to face being bullied alone.

• Discuss ways of responding to bullies.

• Teach your child to be assertive.

• Tell your child not to react, but to walk away and get help if pursued.

• Tell your child to report bullying immediately to a trusted adult (teacher, counselor or administrator [principal]).

• Contact the school/teacher/counselor/principal

DON’T:

• Ask children to solve a bullying problem between themselves—because of the differences in power, the child who has been bullied will suffer further. Bullying problems require adult intervention.

• Try to mediate a bullying situation. Bringing together children who are bullied and those who do the bullying, to “work out” the problems between them, generally is not a good idea. It may further victimize a child who is being bullied and it sends the wrong message to both parties.

• Blame either the victim or the bully; instead, gather as much information as possible. Look at your own child’s behavior and style of interaction and consider how you might help him/her to handle these types of situations in the future. Contact the school (principal/administrator) for assistance.

WARING SIGNS INDICATING A BULLY

A BULLY OFTEN:

• Seeks to dominate and/or manipulate others.

• Enjoys feeling powerful and in control (whether real or not).

• Is both a poor winner (boastful and arrogant) and a poor loser.

• Seems to derive satisfaction from other’s fears, discomfort, or pain.

• Is good at hiding behaviors or doing them where adults can’t notice.

• Is excited by conflicts between others.

• Blames others for his/her problems.

• Displays uncontrolled anger.

• Has a history of discipline problems.

• Displays a pattern of impulsive and chronic hitting, intimidating, and aggressive behaviors.

• Has a history of violent and aggressive behaviors.

• Displays intolerance and prejudice towards others.

• May use drugs, alcohol or be a member of a gang.

• Lacks empathy towards others.

IF YOU THINK YOUR CHILD IS A BULLY

• Be sure that your child knows that bullying is NOT acceptable behavior.

• Tell your child the penalties for bullying and be sure that you enforce them fairly and consistently.

• Help your child learn alternative ways to deal with anger and frustration.

• Teach and reward more appropriate behavior.

• Work out a way for your child to make amends for the bullying.

• Help your child develop an understanding of the impact of their bullying on the target.

• Seek help or counseling if the behavior continues.

• If contacted by the school, STAY CALM-TRY NOT TO BECOME ANGRY AND DEFENSIVE! Make yourself really listen. Remember this ultimately about the well-being of your child!

For more information



modelprograms.

1-800-789-2647

Parent Letters

And Title I

Notifications

Macario Garcia Elementary School

9550 Aldine Westfield Road * Houston, Texas 77093 * (713) 696-2900 School * (713) 696-2904 Fax

Linda Bellard, Principal

Dress Code Infraction Letter

Date: ________________________

To the Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of _____________________________________:

On ___________________________ your child was out of dress code.

(Date)

Infraction: ______________________________

Macario Garcia Elementary School dress code policy is as followed:

1. Required student uniform Monday - Thursday:

a. Red, navy or white collared shirt or blouse (Garcia logos ONLY)

b. Navy, black or khaki pants, trousers, slacks, shirts, skirts, dresses, or jumpers. Spandex, oversized and baggy pants are not allowed.

c. For safety, students must wear rubber sole shoes. Velcro straps are recommended for pre-kinder, kinder and first grade students. If shoes have laces, the laces MUST be tied at all times. (Heels are not permitted and rubber sole sports/gym shoes are recommended.)

d. Belts required if pants or skirt has belt loops.

2. Spirit Dress on Friday ONLY (is optional):

a. Plain blue jeans (no designs) with Garcia spirit shirt or Principal approved club, activity, or program shirts.

3. Caps, hats, and hoods are not allowed inside the building at anytime.

4. Male students are not allowed to wear any type of ear jewelry.

Please see that your child adheres to the dress code policy. We thank you in advance for your cooperation regarding this matter.

_____________________________________ _____________

Linda Bellard, Principal Date

_____________________________________ _____________

Homeroom Teacher Date

Macario Garcia Elementary School

9550 Aldine Westfield Road * Houston, Texas 77093 * (713) 696-2900 School * (713) 696-2904 Fax

Linda Bellard, Principal

Date: ____________

To the Parents/Guardian of: _______________________________________

On the morning of __________________, your child

(Date)

□ walked

□ was dropped off by car

□ was dropped off by daycare bus at ________ a.m.

For the safety of your child, please make sure he/she is does not arrive to school before 7:30 a.m. when there is adult supervision for students. We will allow students to enter the building at 7:30 a.m. when the assigned staff arrives.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact any school administrator at 713-696-2900. On behalf of the Garcia Elementary faculty and staff, we would like to thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Linda Bellard, Principal

--------------------------------------------Detach Here-----------------------------------------------------------

Date: ____________

To the Parents/Guardian of: _______________________________________

On the morning of __________________, your child

(Date)

□ walked

□ was dropped off by car

□ was dropped off by daycare bus at ________ a.m.

For the safety of your child, please make sure he/she is does not arrive to school before 7:00 a.m. when there is adult supervision for students. We will allow students to enter the building at 7:00 a.m. when the assigned staff arrives.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact any school administrator at 713-696-2900. On behalf of the Garcia Elementary faculty and staff, we would like to thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Linda Bellard, Principal

Parent Signature: _______________________________________________

Macario Garcia Elementary School

9550 Aldine Westfield Road * Houston, Texas 77093 * (713) 696-2900 School * (713) 696-2904 Fax

Linda Bellard, Principal

EXPLANATION OF CURRICULUM

The State board of Education adopted the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills as the curriculum for ALL Texas schools. These learning standards will help ensure that all students can meet the challenges they will face in the 21st Century.

□ Each student must become a more effective reader via language and vocabulary development.

□ Each student will have to know and apply more complex mathematics.

□ Each student needs to develop a stronger understanding of science concepts.

□ Each student must master social studies skills and content necessary to be a responsible adult citizen.

□ Each student must master a wider range of technology.

The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) identify what Texas students should know and be able to do at every grade level and in every course in the foundation and enrichment areas as they move successfully through Texas public schools.

The Houston Independent School District is dedicated to “Every Student, Every Day” having a plan that will challenge and address the needs of ALL students to meet the high academic standards as outlined in the TEKS. The HISD curriculum is an instructional planning tool for teachers. It clarifies what is to be taught and assessed. The HISD curriculum includes all of the TEKS requirements and it provides clearly defined objectives so “Every Student, Every Day” has consistent access to a world-class curriculum to help ALL students in the District succeed.

If you have further questions or concerns, please contact the Title I Coordinator, Sheryl Lewis, via e-mail at Slewis18@ or during school hours at 713-696-2900.

Macario Garcia Elementary School

9550 Aldine Westfield Road * Houston, Texas 77093 * (713) 696-2900 School * (713) 696-2904 Fax

Linda Bellard, Principal

Title I Notification

Garcia Elementary School has a school-wide Title I program. Title I is a federal funded program that provides supplemental resources to local education agencies to help schools with high concentrations of students from low-income families provide high-quality education that will enable all children to meet the state student performance standards. In essence, it is to ensure that all students have a fair and equal opportunity to obtain a high-quality education based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and reach, at minimum, proficiency on the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR).

Under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Title I funds enable Garcia Elementary School to employ and train highly qualified teachers and paraprofessionals; to purchase instructional materials; and sponsor parental involvement activities. To increase student academic achievement, Title I funds supplement the following programs offered at Garcia:

□ After School Tutorials

□ Extended School Year

□ Field Lessons

□ ESL/Literacy Training for Parents

□ Family Math/Science Nights

□ Family Literacy Nights

□ School/Community Partnerships

If you have any further questions or comments concerning the Title I Program, please contact the Title I Coordinator, Sheryl Lewis at 713-696-2900 during school hours or via e-mail at slewis18@.

Macario Garcia Elementary School

9550 Aldine Westfield Road * Houston, Texas 77093 * (713) 696-2900 School * (713) 696-2904 Fax

Linda Bellard, Principal

Title I School Parental Involvement Policy

Garcia Elementary School believes that parental involvement is a crucial step in reaching the instructional objectives of our students. The home/school cooperative system will help each student arrive at his/her academic potential as well as develop responsibility and self-discipline. This combined effort of home and school assists the student in extending learning beyond the classroom and in improving classroom achievement.

Garcia Elementary has established such programs as the following to encourage strong parental involvement at a school wide level:

Open House

Resource Parents/Volunteers

Newsletters

School/Community Projects

Field Lessons

Monthly Parent Advisory Committee Meetings (PAC)

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

Seasonal Celebrations

Parent/Teacher Organization

Title I School Policy

Title I Compact

Garcia Elementary will implement these and other activities that will encourage parental involvement through the Title I Program. Individual staff personnel will assist in carrying out these activities as well as participate in workshops and meetings.

All activities will be in compliance according to the Houston Independent School District Parental Involvement component, and the Texas State Department of Education. Parents will have an adequate opportunity to participate in all segments of parent involvement activities.

Macario Garcia Elementary School

9550 Aldine Westfield Road * Houston, Texas 77093 * (713) 696-2900 School * (713) 696-2904 Fax

Linda Bellard, Principal

Explanation of Assessments

State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) – the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) will be administered beginning in the 2011-2012 school year. The STAAR measures the statewide curriculum (TEKS) in reading at Grades 3-9; in writing at Grades 4 and 7; in English Language Arts at Grades 10 and 11; in mathematics at Grades 3-11; in science at Grades 5, 8, and 11; and social studies at Grades 8, 10, and 11. The Spanish STAAR is administered at Grades 3 through 6. Satisfactory performance on the STAAR End of Year Assessment at Grade 11 is prerequisite to obtain a high school diploma.

Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) – These tests are designed to measure annual growth in the English reading proficiency of second language learners, and are used along with English and Spanish STAAR to provide a comprehensive assessment system for limited English proficient (LEP) students. LEP students in Grades 3-12 are required to take the (TELPAS) until they achieve a rating of advanced.

State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness ( STAAR and STAAR-Alt) – This assessment is for students in special education, Grades 3-8 who are receiving instruction in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), but for whom STAAR is an inappropriate measure of their academic progress. This test assesses the areas of 3rd- 5th Reading, 4th Writing, and 3rd – 5th Mathematics. Students will be assessed at their appropriate instructional levels, as determined by their admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committees, rather than at their assigned grade level. The STAAR-Alt is administered on the same schedule as STAAR and will be designed to measure annual growth based on appropriate expectations for each student as decided by the student’s ARD committee. The alternative assessment will be designed in such a way as to bridge into STAAR.

To find out more about study guides and released test that the public may view go to the Texas Education Agency website at tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment.

High Frequency Word Test – This is a district-wide test administered in grades 1-2. This test measures the student’s ability to read identified words from a list as well as in sentences. The High Frequency Words have been selected from the Most Frequent Words in Books for Beginning Readers and the Dolch Word List. The student is responsible for all the words listed. Performance on the High Frequency Word Evaluation is a measure for promotion in 1st and 2nd grades.

Macario Garcia Elementary School

9550 Aldine Westfield Road * Houston, Texas 77093 * (713) 696-2900 School * (713) 696-2904 Fax

Linda Bellard, Principal

Student-Teacher-Parent Compact

It is the mission of Garcia Elementary School, in partnership with parents, to foster life-long learners within a college-bound culture. A student’s success depends on a strong committed partnership between school and home.

PARENT/GUARDIAN AGREEMENT:

_________________________________ (Parent Name – Print)

□ I will encourage my child to achieve academically by:

□ Ensuring that my child is punctual and attends school regularly

□ Supporting the school in its efforts to maintain proper discipline

□ Showing respect and support for my child, the staff, and the school

□ Establishing a time for homework and reviewing it regularly

□ Attending parent-teacher conferences and staying abreast of what he/she is learning

STUDENT AGREEMENT:

___________________________________________ (Student Name – Print)

I will strive to be a successful student by:

□ Believing that I can learn

□ Coming to school each day, prepared, with the necessary learning tools

□ Showing respect for myself, my school, and my community

□ Completing and returning all homework assignments

SCHOOL AGREEMENT: Macario Garcia Elementary

It is imperative that our students achieve academic success. The faculty and staff at Garcia will commit to do the following to ensure the student’s success:

□ Provide an environment that is conducive to learning

□ Provide homework assignments that are extensions of the classroom

□ Provide necessary training to parents to assist with student assignments

□ Provide timely information regarding student progress

□ Demonstrate professional behavior and a positive attitude

Parent Signature: _____________________________ Date: ____________

Your signature acknowledges receipt of the Parent-Student Handbook and Student-Teacher-Parent Compact. Please Sign and Return to Student’s Homeroom Teacher.

Index

Absences 6

After School Programs and Activities 9

Attendance 4 3

Birthday Parties 15

Bullying 16-18

Classroom Visitations 4

Conduct 8

Dress Code Infraction Letter 20

Early Drop Off Infraction Letter 21

Early Release of Students 5 6

Employee Assignment 2

Enrollment Information 3

Explanation of Assessments 10-11

Explanation Of Assessments 25

Explanation Of Curriculum 22

Explanation of Curriculum 9

Field Experience 14

Grades 8

Grading Periods 7

Homework 7

Honor Roll 9

Index 27

Leadership Team 1

Library Policy 14

Lost and Found 13

Parent Conferences and Reports 8

Parent Letters & Title I Notifications 19

Parent Organizations 15

Personal Property 14

Progress Reports 7

Promotion\ Retention Grade Placement 9

Rainy Days 13

Report Cards 7

Report on Students’ Progress 8

Request to Leave School Early 6 3

Safe Arrivals and Departures 5

Safety Drill Information 13

Safety 14

School Rule 3

School Schedule for Students 4

Structured Physical Education or Recess 15

Student Dress Code 15

Student Holiday 3

Student/Teacher/Parent Compact 26

STAAR Testing Schedule 12

Tardiness 5

Telephone 13

Textbook and Library Book 14

Title I Notification 23

Title I School Parental Involvement Policy 24

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