Tonya Morris

Mustang Valley Creed
 

I am proud to be a special and unique student at Mustang Valley Elementary.

I will take great pride in my school and myself.

I choose to be responsible for my learning, my actions, and my behavior.

I will do what is right. 

I will seize every opportunity to learn.

I will do my best to do my part.

I will respect and celebrate the differences in others. 

I will determine my future. 

Expectations for Living
 

We will value one another as unique and special individuals.

We will not laugh at or make fun of a person's mistakes nor use sarcasms or putdowns.

We will use good manners, saying "please", "thank you", and "excuse me" and allow others to go first.

We will cheer each other to success.

We will help one another whenever possible.

We will recognize every effort and applaud it.

We will encourage each other to do our best.

We will practice virtuous living using the Life Principles.

“Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anyone else expects of you.” –Henry Ward Beecher

Morning Procedures

1. The student will sit quietly and read in the gym.  The students are required to have a book to read in their backpack at all times.    
2. The student will demonstrate responsibility by returning homework to the appropriate baskets, placing finished library books in the book box, completing lunch count, and turning in signed notes and money.   
3. The student will demonstrate commitment to excellence by completing morning work and reading silently when work is complete.

“Be satisfied with nothing but your best.” – Edward Rowland Sill

Hallway Procedures

1. The student will walk silently through the hall in a single file line.
2. The student will demonstrate self-discipline by keeping his/her hands to him/her self.

Direct Instruction Procedures

1. The student will have work materials ready.
2. The student will be an active listener.
3. The student will begin working only after all of the instructions are given.
4. The student will look directly at the teacher when he/she is being given directions.
5. If the student needs any clarification of directions, he/she will raise his/her hand and ask the teacher.

“I will study and get ready and maybe my chance will come.” – Abraham Lincoln

Work Procedures

1.  The student will treat the classroom desks and materials with respect, not touching or taking objects from other students’ desks.

2  The student will show organization by keeping materials straight and easy to    

     find and returning items when borrowed from the teacher or classmates.

Procedures for Turning in Assignments

1. The student will place finished work in its appropriate folder. 
2. The student will check assignments for appropriate heading: name, number, and page numbers.
3. If a student is absent, he/she will pick up any missed work upon return.  He/she will ask any questions he/she may have about the assignments before taking them home.  The student will have the same amount of days to return the work as they were absent.  For example, if a student is absent one day, then they have one day to return the work. 
4. The student will take unfinished daily work home, complete it, and return the work in the appropriate basket the following day.
5. Students will miss recess to complete late work.
6. If late work is a chronic problem, parents will be notified, students may be assigned additional consequences, and may receive a citizenship report.  Students will also miss Fun Friday recess.  Good study habits are an important skill and I will work diligently to ensure that students develop this vital skill. 

Procedures for Low Grades

         The student may redo any daily work that is below 70%.  
         The former grade and the new grade will be averaged together for a final grade.    

Bathroom Procedures

1. The student will take restroom breaks as designated by the teacher. 
2. The student will remain silent and calm while in the restroom.  Horseplay is not permitted. 

Collecting Money Procedures

1. The student will bring money in the zippered pouch of their binder.  Money should be in a sealed envelope or bag with his/her name written on the outside.
2. All checks should be made to Mustang Valley.

Cell Phone Procedures

1. As stated in the Mustang Public Schools Handbook, cell phones must remain unseen and unheard all day. 
2. The student will keep his/her cell phone powered off in their backpack until he/she exits the school bus in the afternoon. 

Daily Planner Procedures

1. The student will be responsible for copying the daily assignment from the board into their planner.
2. The student will mark completed assignments.  Assignments not yet marked will need to be completed as homework.
3. The student will be responsible for having his/her parent check and initial his/her agenda each evening.
4. Required nightly reading time will be recorded on the reading log and initialed by a parent each evening.  Each student will be required to read a total of 100 minutes per week and record the minutes on the reading log.  Pages read should also be recorded. 
5. Reading Logs will be checked on Friday of each week. 
6. Students that have not read 100 min. verified by a parent by Friday will miss recess on Friday.  They will also miss Fun Friday recess for not completing all assignments for the week.   

Discipline Procedures

Receiving Checkmarks

1. If a student receives 3 checks in one day, he/she will miss 15 minutes of recess the next day.
2. If a student receives 4 or more checks in one day, he/she will miss 15 minutes of recess the next day and a phone call to the parents will be made.
3. If a student receives repetitive or excessive checks, a student-parent-teacher conference will be scheduled and/or a student-teacher-principal conference.
4. Due to the severity of some behaviors, steps may be skipped at the teacher’s discretion.

Excellent Behavior

How to earn STICKERS:

Each day a student has no checks = 1 STICKER

STICKERS will be given on Monday for the previous week. 

Extra STICKERS may be given for positive/responsible choices.

25 STICKERS = ROLL THE DICE

Rolling the dice will result in various privileges/prizes!

How to earn the Fun Friday Recess

5 or less checks total during the week

Weekly reading log total of 100 or more minutes and it has parent signature.
All of the assignments for the week are complete.

“If we were supposed to talk more than we listen, we would have two mouths and one ear.” – Mark Twain

Cooperative Group Procedures

When we work in groups, we will:

1. Help each other so everyone understands what to do.
2. Make sure everyone shares ideas.
3. Speak politely to one another.
4. Be active listeners.
5. Ask each other questions before asking the teacher.
6. Compliment one another for a good effort.
7. Stay on task!

“Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.” –Oprah Winfrey

Cafeteria Procedures

1. The student will demonstrate respect by walking silently to the cafeteria. 
2. The student will enter the cafeteria quietly.
3. The student will remain seated at all times.  They will raise their hand for assistance or to ask a hostess to use the restroom. 
4. The students will talk quietly to other students at their table during lunch, and will eat silently for the last 5 minutes of the lunch period. 
5. The student will drop off tray and trash when the hostess gives instructions to do so.
6. The students will quietly and orderly exit the cafeteria and walk to the playground for recess.

Recess Procedures

1. During outdoor recess, the student will ask the duty teachers for permission to leave the playground for any reason.
2. The student will demonstrate respect for the duty teachers by promptly lining up at the assigned area after the whistle is blown.
3. They will enter the building silently under the direction of their classroom teacher.    
4. During indoor recess, the student may choose a game and be seated somewhere inside the classroom. 
5. The student will demonstrate propriety by using an inside voice.
6. The student will demonstrate citizenship by cleaning the area and returning materials to its appropriate place when recess is over. 
7. Parents are not permitted on the MVE playground. 

Take Home Folder Procedures

1. The student will place all papers to be returned to school on the Bring RIGHT Back to School side of their folder, and all papers to be left at home on the LEFT At Home side. 
2. The student will demonstrate responsibility by showing his/her binder to parents each evening. 
3.  The students will return binder to school each day with all necessary materials, and give any notes from parents to the teacher.  

“Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.” – William Jennings Bryan

Mustang Valley Media Center

Checkout Procedures

1. Enter and leave the library quietly.
2. Always return unwanted books to their spot on the shelf, using a shelf marker.
3. When choosing a book, browsing time is approximately 5 minutes.
4. When it is time to checkout, walk to the counter and wait quietly in line.
5. Books are due back in 2 weeks unless they are renewed.

AR Tests Procedures

1.  Your child’s reading level will be determined by the STAR reading test.  This test will be administered in the computer lab.  It will be given at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year.

2.  The student may take an AR test in class during independent work time.

 3. Only one student at a computer at a time.

 4.The student will demonstrate integrity by answering all questions honestly.

 5.The student will be required to read 5 books on his/her reading level.  Reading

     from a variety of genres will also be required.     

6.  Students will write on their reading log after each test.   
7.  A reading grade is taken on the nine weeks average AR test score. 

“Form good habits.  They’re as hard to break as the bad ones.” – Unknown

End of the Day Procedures

1. The student will demonstrate responsibility by gathering agenda, homework, and materials needed to complete any assignments at home.
2. The student will pick up any trash and return classroom materials to the appropriate spot.
3. The student will wait quietly at his/her desk until the teacher instructs him/her to line up for dismissal.
4. The student will stack his/her chair and make sure nothing is left out on his/her desk before lining up.
5. The student will walk silently, with hands to his/her self, to the outside door and then to the bus.
6. Please make sure your child knows how they will get home each day.  Always send a note if they are going home an alternate way.

Miscellaneous Policies & Procedures

Students should eat a healthy breakfast each morning. 

Lunch is at 12:45 pm to 1:20pm

We will have a mid-morning snack.  Please send a healthy snack each day.
Students may also have a bottle of water.    

District policy prohibits students distributing party invitations of any kind at school. 

We will have a birthday bash one time per month.  If child wishes to bring a birthday treat, they may bring it on the scheduled day.

The homeroom parent’s will organize Christmas and Valentine’s parties.   

Teachers are not allowed to use a student’s name in an email, as it is a direct violation of the Family Educational Rights to Privacy Act.  If a teacher and a parent email, I will say “your son,” “your daughter,” or “your child.”  Teachers will only discuss a specific child or situation after they are sure that they are corresponding with the parent.   

District policy states that a student can be considered for retention if there are absences in excess of 12 per semester.  If a student continues to have excessive absences or tardies, a referral will be made to the Canadian County Juvenile Truancy Office.  Doctor’s notes will not be accepted. 

If your child is going to be absent, please call the office.     The first bell rings at 7:45 am.  Class begins at 7:55 am. 

Please plan ahead for the heavy traffic in front of the building.  Students may ride the bus to avoid being late.  
 
District policy prevents preschoolers and school-age-siblings from attending field trips.  

Wakin’ and Shakin’ will be held each Monday morning in the gym.    

Toys and electronics should remain at home. 

“If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.” –Dr. Martian Luther King Jr.    

 
To contact me please e-mail me at morrist@mustangps.org
or the school phone at 324-2541.

 I know we will have a great year in fourth grade!