Temple ISD Announcement Spotlight
Celebrate a TISD Staff Member!
Jefferson Announcements
District Special Education Performance Meeting - Open to Public
Welcome Aboard!
We are on the A Train!
We are so very excited to start this new school year, and what an amazing start it has been. The building is filled with the energy of students who are eager to learn and teachers who are thrilled with their enthusiastic students!
We have much to look forward to as our district focuses on two major goals this year: instruction and construction.
As we begin preparing our students to meet ever growing expectations for academic achievement, including the new STAAR state test for grades 3-5, math will be a major instructional focus.
Construction is our second major focus as we prepare to break ground for our new school. Over the summer, a group of several staff members visited multiple locations across the state to both examine new building materials and their uses in the construction of energy efficient, stimulating learning environments and to develop “wish lists” for our new school.
A timeline for construction has been developed with ground to be broken in June 2012 and a new building ready to occupy in the fall of 2013.
You may have noticed our theme for the year, “All Aboard” is reflective of our community’s historical tie to the railroads. Our new building will reflect this tie as well, as architects intend to design an exterior resembling our Sante Fe train depot.
In addition, Thanks to retirees from the Santa Fe railroad, Jefferson will be able to incorporate many historical railroad artifacts in the interior décor of our new building. What a great way to learn and celebrate the history of Temple and its link to the railroads of the Old West!
TEXAS 90% ATTENDANCE LAW
90% ATTENDANCE LAWS AND TEXAS PROMOTION/CREDIT RULE
At Jefferson, we already have several students who are in danger of failing to meet the requirements of this state law.
Don’t "shoot the messenger;" IT'S THE LAW!
WHAT IS THE PROMOTION/CREDIT RULE?
In order to receive credit in a class, students must be in attendance for not fewer than 90% of the days the class is offered. (Texas Education Code Section 25.092) That means if your student misses 17 or more total days of school or 8 days per semester, WHETHER THE ABSENCEs ARE EXCUSED OR NOT, the child will lose credit for the school year and be retained. (Yikes!)
In order to receive credit in a class, students must be in attendance for not fewer than 90% of the days the class is offered. (Texas Education Code Section 25.092) That means if your student misses 17 or more total days of school or 8 days per semester, WHETHER THE ABSENCEs ARE EXCUSED OR NOT, the child will lose credit for the school year and be retained. (Yikes!)
HOW DO I PETITION FOR CREDIT?
Students who are not in compliance with the 90% attendance rule, as required by law, at the end of the current semester, may petition the school attendance committee to grant full credit. The student’s grade will be based upon their academic performance in the classroom as documented and determined by the individual classroom teacher. The attendance committee members will base their decision on the criteria established in FEC (LOCAL) and by the information in a parent petition.
Students who are not in compliance with the 90% attendance rule, as required by law, at the end of the current semester, may petition the school attendance committee to grant full credit. The student’s grade will be based upon their academic performance in the classroom as documented and determined by the individual classroom teacher. The attendance committee members will base their decision on the criteria established in FEC (LOCAL) and by the information in a parent petition.
HOW DO I APPEAL A DECISION?
A parent or student may appeal the decision of the attendance committee in accordance with FNG (LOCAL), beginning at Level Three.
A parent or student may appeal the decision of the attendance committee in accordance with FNG (LOCAL), beginning at Level Three.
WHAT OTHER WAYS COULD MY CHILD EARN CREDIT?
The District shall provide alternative ways for students to make up work or regain credit lost because of absences. This includes, but is not limited to:
The District shall provide alternative ways for students to make up work or regain credit lost because of absences. This includes, but is not limited to:
§ Completing additional assignments as specified by the attendance committee or the teacher.
§ Maintaining the attendance standards for the rest of the semester.
§ Taking an examination to earn credit.
COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE LAW
|
WHAT IS THE COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE LAW?
Any child at the age of 6 by Sept. (2012) must attend school until his or her 18th birthday.
Any child who is younger than 6 once enrolled is also subject to Compulsory Attendance Laws
|
|
WHEN IS A STUDENT IN VIOLATION OF THE COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE LAW?
A student who has three unverified absences in a 4-week time period or 10 unexcused
absences in a 6-month time period is determined to be in violation of the Compulsory Attendance Law. WHAT HAPPENS IF A STUDENT IS IN VIOLATION OF THE COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE
LAW? A court of law may impose penalties against both the student and his or her parents if
a school-aged student is deliberately not attending school. A complaint against the parent may be filed in court if the student:
1. Is absent from school on ten or more days or parts of days within a six-month period
in the same school year or; 2. Is absent on three or more days or parts of days within a four-week period.
WHAT IS AN UNVERIFIED OR 'UNEXCUSED' ABSENCE?
An unverified absence is an absence that does not fall within the state or district guidelines (excused absences). An unverified absence also occurs when the parent cannot produce any document that explains the absence or they present documentation that doesn't meet district criteria. WHAT IS A VERIFIED OR 'EXCUSED' ABSENCE?
The following are approved district absences (if documented):
All of the above criteria must have adequate documentation. If the documentation is not
presented to the campus within two school days after the student returns to school, then the absences become unverified (unexcused). If you have questions about documentation, please contact Betsy Howell, Assistant Principal at 215-5500. If there is a situation that does not meet the above Criteria, contact your principal who will review individual situations. |
Help your child master math! Please take some time to visit www.xtramath.org!
A 5th grade teacher shared this with us today. In one class she only had 2 not pass the fluency test It is so cool.
The website can be used at home. They recommend 10 minutes daily. Some very short videos demonstrate how it works. Easy and Fun!
The website can be used at home. They recommend 10 minutes daily. Some very short videos demonstrate how it works. Easy and Fun!
NBA
Never Be Absent or Tardy!
Teachers have been busy developing a campaign to improve our campus attendance. Did you know that improving attendance just .1% can generate more that _______ for our school district?
For this reason, teachers will be sponsoring “Perfect Attendance Celebrations” monthly to inspire our young charges to be here every day. In order to attend these wonderful celebrations, the following criteria must be met: 1. No absences; 2. No office referrals; 3. No (or very few) tardies . The number of acceptable tardies was decided upon by grade levels as will be as follows:
- Kinder-3 tardies per month,
- 1st & 2nd-2 tardies per month,
- 3rd -1 tardy per month, and
- 4th & 5th—no tardies.
Monthly celebrations will include a Popcorn Party, Halloween cupcakes, Christmas Cookies, etc.
In addition, for students with no absences, no office referrals, and 4 or fewer tardies, we will have 2 end of semester big bashes!
Parents, if your child does happen to be tardy, please park your car and come into the office to sign them in. Thank you for your help in building the character trait of punctuality!
Jefferson Guidlines for Success Promote Responsibility
What a great beginning to a new school year! Our students are doing an amazing job learning and applying rules and procedures and expected behaviors at Jefferson through CHAMPS classroom lessons and procedures.
Our goal is that staff, parents, and students at Jefferson Elementary will work together to help each other reach their fullest potential.
Students are expected to follow these guidelines and demonstrate responsibility in their behavior. Everyone, students, staff and parents, will treat one another with dignity and respect.
Guidelines for Success
· Be Prepared
· Be Respectful
· Be of Good Character
· Be and Do Your Best
Please help us to maintain a focus on our "GUIDELINES FOR SUCCESS" by reinforcing them at home.
Regards,
Betsy Howell
Assistant Principal
HELP YOUR CHILD MASTER MATH
We all have one goal for our children: to be successful in all areas of their lives. We share their world in teaching them which road to choose and the best way to get to the “finish line.” Here are some “signs” along that road to help them become the winners we know they are.
- Positive Motivation- We all have different strengths in different areas. Some of us love to read while others love the world of logic and numbers. Regardless of your strength, encourage your child to not be afraid of math but view it as a basic tool to solve problems in everyday life both great and small.
- Fact Mastery- No matter what grade your child is in, mastery of the addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts will reduce the fear and build up their self confidence.
Whether a trip to the grocery store or to the mall, those few minutes in the car are great opportunities to work together to practice these.
Setting a goal of learning 5 to 10 facts each night would help to break up this job into achievable steps.
- Measurement Made Easy- When cooking, allow your child to measure the ingredients. Allow measuring the amount of laundry detergent for the wash.
- Counting Money- When you come home and empty your change out of your pockets, allow your child to count the money and keep it for their piggy bank. Most of our kids know about how to count with “hairy” money. Allow them to teach you this quick little tip.
Above all, the most important thing you can give to your children is to take an interest in their learning. Time is a precious gift that can not be taken back—only given.
…..to finish and become a winner!
