Parent-Student Handbook
Principal Doreen Herrick
Lowell Elementary
Mrs. Velazquezs
Classroom 920 East Broadway Road
aevelazquez@mpsaz.org
6th Grade Teacher (480)472-1400
Room 29
Principal Doreen Herrick
dlherrick@mpsaz.org
Lowell Elementary
920 East Broadway Road
480-472-1400
Page Mrs. Velazquez Be Punctual! Page
About Mrs. Velazquez Classroom Rules and Discipline
Welcome to Mrs. Velazquezs Class at Lowell Lowell is an AVID Elementary school this year. AVID stands for
Advancement Via Individual Determination. It is a program designed to be
Elementary! I am very excited to be part of the
embedded into the daily curriculum of all elementary classrooms across entire
Lowell Family. Our school has an outstanding grade levels to impact school-wide structures. Our systemic approach provides
group of teachers, faculty and parents. I have been different curricula for different levels and settings in order to support all students
on their path to college readiness. AVID Elementary is a foundational component
teaching at the primary level for 10 years. I really of college readiness skills.
am going to enjoy working with your 6th grade
Our Primary Focus:
students because they are so eager to learn new
Student Success Skills: communication skills and study skills
ideas and topics. My goal is to meet and help each Organization: mental and physical organization within agenda/planner,
student reach and exceed their learning goals! I organizational tools, time management, goal setting, note-taking strategies
would like to take this opportunity to share with you AVID is a college preparatory program that prepares students to attend a four-
the expectations for our classroom, as well as what year college upon high school graduation. The AVID binder is a requirement for
every AVID student. It becomes one of the tools for student academic success.
we will be studying.
AVID students learn the importance of keeping a neat, complete, and organized
binder. The AVID binder is one of the first ways that teachers will be able to
Contact Information identify AVID students. The AVID binder should be good quality, two-inch to
three-inch binder. The reason students need to carry a larger binder is so that
I welcome parent contact at any time, whether to
they always have their notes and assignments with them to make good use of
address questions/concerns or just to share a any free time during school requirement and what a large component of the AVID
success in your childs life. My email address is program it is. On-going communication will be necessary with teachers to
problem-solve how AVID students will be able to meet the binder requirement.
aevelazquez@mpsaz.org and my school phone
number is (480)472-1400. E-mail is the easiest way
for me to connect with parents, but I am happy to
conference over the phone or to schedule a Attendance
Reinforce the importance of school attendance with your child. At one time or
conference after 2:45 p.m. on Tuesdays and
another, your child will probably ask you, Do I have to go to school today? He
Thursdays. may be tired from staying up late, afraid of a big test, or may just want to stay
home to watch TV or play on the computer. Here are some ways you can make
sure your child gets to school every dayon timeand ready to learn.
Get your child to bed on time. A sleepy child cant get up. He dawdles over
breakfast. He misses the bus. Remember: Late nights lead to morning fights.
Stay in touch with the school. If you know theres a science test on
Tuesday, help your child studydont let him stay home.
Let your child see that you value education. Tell him that when he misses a day
of school, he is missing the opportunity to learn new things.
Page Norms Grades Page
Classroom Rules: Evaluation Methods:
Our classroom rules/ guidelines/ procedures are important key Tests/ Quizzes; Class work/ Homework; projects/ Activities; and
elements to a safe and positive learning environment and will be Class Participation.
referred to often! I strongly encourage all rules/ guidelines/ Grading Scale:
policies/ procedures as well as those outlined in the Lowell
A+ Excellent 95%-100%
handbook, be read and discussed carefully to avoid any
negative situations. We all want to experience a cooperative and
A- Excellent 90%-94%
successful school year! An orderly and safe classroom leads to a B+ Very Good 86%-89%
productive and positive learning environment. B Good 85%
Classroom Rules: B- Good 80%-84%
1. Show Respect
C+ Average 76%-79%
2. Solve Problems
3. Make Positive Choices
C Average 75%
4. Do your best C- Average 70%-74%
5. Be a role model to ALL students D+ Poor 66%-69%
Discipline Policy D Poor 65%
Adjustments Behavior Plan D- Poor 60%-64%
To monitor student behavior I implement an adjustment behavior F Failing 5%-0%
plan. This plan is a positive outlook on adjusting students
behavior. It is modeled and monitored by the teacher until
Class Policies:
Participation: Participation is mandatory. You will have a difficult time
students are able to self-monitor and make their own
passing this class if you do not participate. Participation includes
adjustments. Each day the teacher tracks adjustments.
complete in and out of class work, adding to class discussions, and
At the end of day, students who do not have to make any answering questions.
adjustments receive a sticker on a chart.
Students who make 5 or more adjustments, get a red note home Instructors Expectations: This is a 6th grade AVID course. As such I
which needs to be signed by a parent and brought back the next expect that you will take the course seriously and behave in a mature
day. Those who do not bring back their red note will be required manner. This means you are expected to:
to call their parent. Students with 1-4 adjustments receive no
1. Be Responsible: You must complete the readings and assignments. If
incentive or consequence. After 20 stickers, student receives
you are unprepared to participate your grade will be negatively impacted.
incentive (candy, soda, homework pass, etc)
2. Be Safe: You must ask questions, participate in activities, and practice
in order to be successful.
3. Be Respectful: At times our discussions may find people disagreeing
Homework Policy: over views. This is a healthy part of discourse. Please make sure to
Homework is assigned Monday through Thursday. maintain a respectful tone.
Students are required to read 20 minutes every night. 4. Use proper English: Different environments call for different forms of
language. The way you speak in class should be more formal than the
Homework is written daily in planners. Please check your
way you speak when hanging out with your friends. This is good practice
childs planner each night.
for when you are in the workforce.
Assignments received late will be reflected in the overall grade
Page The life of a 6th Grader We are a team! Page
Daily Procedures
Helpful Tips
1. Students are to enter the classroom in an orderly
Ways to Help Your Child Succeed in Sixth Grade
manner with the necessary supplies each day.
(Necessary supplies include: assigned books, Take the time to read with your child daily.
completed homework tray, notebooks, paper, pencil/
Provide enrichment materials, including childrens books
pen, ect.)
2. Students are to sit in assigned seats and quietly and magazines, and educational toys.
begin daily/ bell work. Provide a quiet, private work space where your child
3. Students are to listen carefully and actively
can study undisturbed.
participate in the daily lesson of each subject.
4. Students are to raise their hands and politely wait Keep your childs work space well stocked with all the
to be acknowledged by teacher. supplies he or she needs to complete assignments.
Lesson- related questions and comments are always
Take time to sit down with your child and help him
encouraged!
5. Students are not allowed to walk around classroom schedule homework into his daily routine.
during guided instruction time. Reward good grades with recognition and praise, and
No inappropriate interruptions will be tolerated!
avoid the temptation to use money or food as a bribe for
6. Students are to respect themselves and other at all
good performance.
times. No touching other students or other students
property at any time. Teachers desk and personal Take advantage of educational events in your
property are OFF limits to students. community as often as possible.
7. At no time is inappropriate language to be used!
8. Students will be given homework daily in the Value your childs uniqueness and avoid comparing him
subjects of Spelling, Reading/ ELA, and Social or her to others.
Studies when necessary). Homework should be
Limit the amount of television/computer/video games
returned daily inside homework trays first thing in the
your child participates in to one hour on school days and
morning. Students should study for all tests, which will
be given on Fridays. two hours on weekend days.
9. No late work will be accepted- except in case of a Encourage creative thinking by asking your child to help
students absence. Missing work will count as 0%. solve problems.
10. Students are to leave the classroom in an orderly
manner! Our classroom is to remain neat and clean
