T.H. Rogers School
New Vanguard Elementary Orientation
Kindergarten
August 15, 2015
Welcome to T.H. Rogers!
Building on Our Culture
This Year’s Theme: “Growing Beyond!”
Growing Beyond...with new students and families!
Growing Beyond...our previous success!
Growing Beyond...all limitations!
Welcome to T.H. Rogers!
Building on Our Culture
This Year’s Theme: “Growing Beyond!”
Culture of Communication
Teacher websites  Grade Speed  weekly communication folders
Culture of Thinking
Cross-curricular learning  Writing emphasized in all contents 
visible thinking
Culture of Respect
Character education program  bullying awareness 
Peer Mediation Program
Welcome to T.H. Rogers!
Administration, Mid-Management, Office Staff
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Dave Muzyka, Principal
Christian Winn, Assistant Principal/Elementary
Donald Lam, Assistant Principal/Secondary
Jessica Willie, Dean of Instruction
Kristen Trey Chen, Vanguard Coordinator
Ashley Pringle, Elementary Counselor
Mari Valdez, School Secretary
Libby Calkins, Receptionist
Ileana Cortes, Ms. Winn’s Asst.
Maria Hernandez, Finance Clerk
Bertha Roodi, Attendance Clerk
Sheila Foster, Student Information
Yaneth Montes, Front Office Clerk
Janice Jackson, VG Office Clerk
Linda Turpin, VG Office Clerk
Welcome to T.H. Rogers!
Vanguard Faculty
Kindergarten Team
Marcy Reed-Team Leader, Science/Social Studies
Shannon Rambert-English, Language Arts & Reading
Katherine Lindow-Math
Core Enrichment Team
Jennifer Thelander-Art
Desmond Combs-PE
Daniel Fernandez -Computer
Norman Thomas-Music
Staci Situ-Chinese
Stephanie Hatley-Library
Paula Godinich-ASL
Coach John-Chess
Welcome to T.H. Rogers!
School
Policies
and
Procedures
Arrival to the Campus
Arrival: 7:00 a.m. to 7:35 a.m.
All students report to the
Cafeteria
upon arrival.
Arrival and Dismissal
Parents may eat breakfast with
students on the first day of school.
Beginning August 25th, parents must
drop student off in the L-shape
carpool lane or park nearby and
walk them to the front entrance.
Parents are asked to refrain from
walking students to the classroom
after the first day of school.
Arrival and Dismissal
Carpool Drop-Off/Pick-Up
for Students
Use the L-shape loading zone located in front of the
school.
Turn in traveling south on Bering Drive.
Parents are asked to refrain from “conferencing” with
teacher while they are on duty as they are trying to
supervise all their students.
***Refer to Parent Drop-Off/Pick-Up Map***
Attendance
Policy and Procedures
Students are encouraged to
attend school daily!
Students must attend at least
72 days of school the first semester and
77 days the second semester according to
the Texas Education Code 25.092.
Attendance
Policy and Procedures
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Call the school and e-mail your child’s
homeroom teacher by 8:00 a.m. on the
day of an absence.
Phone: 713-917-3595
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Within 3 days of an absence, a written
excuse must be submitted to Ms. Roodi in
the main office. Excuses may be
submitted via e-mail to broodi@houstonisd.org
Attendance
Policy and Procedures
Tardy Students
Promptness to school is an expectation.
If a student is not in class by 7:45 a.m., he
or she will be considered tardy. Students
will receive a lunch detention after the
3rd tardy.
The official daily attendance time is 9:30.
Attendance
Policy and Procedures
Excused Absences
Illness of student
 Death in the family
 Quarantine
 Weather or road conditions making travel
dangerous
 Participation in school activities,
approved by the Principal
 Religious holidays (24 hours prior to day)
 Emergencies or unusual circumstances,
approved by the Principal
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Leaving Campus During
the School Day
Parents must report to the main office to
check out their child.
 An appropriate form of identification must
be presented.
 A note from the parent(s) of a student
must be sent to Ms. Roodi stating the time
and reason for the early departure along
with a phone number.
 The latest a student may be released
early is 2:15 p.m.
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Dress Code
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Students should be neat and clean in
appearance.
Clothing must not be too tight, too loose, or
torn.
A belt must be worn with loose-fit shorts or
pants.
Skirts and dresses are to be no shorter than
two inches, front and back, from the top of
the knee in a standing position.
Label jackets/coats. Bring an extra layer!
See the Parent-Student Handbook for the full
dress code policy.
Birthdays
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Students will be given the opportunity to
celebrate birthdays during the school year
by parents sending store-bought cookies
(no cupcakes, please) for the homeroom
class. The teacher will pass out to the
students during their snack time. Please,
no treat bags.
If you plan to send cookies, please notify
the teacher for planning purposes. Deliver
the treats to the school by 8:00 a.m.
Field Trips
Field trips are planned throughout the year to enhance the curriculum,
and dedicated parent volunteers help make it possible.
Here are a few important reminders:
· Students and chaperones are to wear the school tie-dye field trip shirt.
· All school rules apply on the field trip.
· Actively supervise students.
· Notify the teacher(s) immediately of any medical emergency, lost
child, or serious breach of school rule.
· Follow the directions of docent/guide.
· Siblings and family members may not participate in a school-sponsored
field trip.
· Have fun!
Communication System
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Communication Folders
“Ram News” is available on our website and
will be sent home every Thursday .
Parent-Staff Communications
Contact the teacher via e-mail or phone.
Check the calendar of events each week .
WE NEED YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS!
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Contact your child’s teacher with the
preferred day and time for the conference.
First Day of School
Monday, August 24, 2015
 Please complete and return ALL forms
included in the First Day Packet to your
child’s teacher.
 Follow all procedures for arrival. Please say
“goodbye” to your child and wish them
well on their first day.
 Traffic will be heavy. Be patient!
 Join other THR parents for coffee sponsored
by PTO in the orchestra room.
A Few Important
Dates...
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Open House September 8th, 6:30PM
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Parents Are Partners September 15th, 7:45AM
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Early Dismissal September 22nd, 12:45PM
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PTO Kindergarten Coffee September 26th, 9AM
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Fall Conferences week of October 11th, times TBA
You will receive a school calendar
in the 2015-2016 Parent-Student Handbook!
The Kindergarten
Learning Journey
HISD’s Kindergarten Vanguard Program
serves students who have been
identified as potentially gifted or
talented in intellectual ability, creativity,
or leadership.
Our Kindergarten programs consists of
reading, language arts, math, science,
social studies, health, PE, music, art,
foreign language, ASL, and technology.
The Kindergarten
Learning Journey
English/Lang Arts/Reading–Ms. Rambert
• Language Arts will consist of whole group and small group
instruction. Components include a read aloud, shared
reading, independent reading, guided reading, writing,
independent practice & workstations. Istation will be used
for the BOY, MOY, and EOY assessments. Students will be
receiving a username and password to login at home.
• Take-home readers will be sent home on a weekly basis to
practice different reading skills as well as
reading homework.
• Please read 20 minutes nightly with your child.
The Kindergarten
Learning Journey
Math–Ms. Lindow
Math instruction will include whole group & small
group instruction. A variety of manipulatives are
used in instruction as methods for students to
discover or invent a method of understanding.
• Moby Max will be used as a math resource
throughout the school year. Login information will
be provided to use at home.
• Go Math and Star Math will be used as resources
as well as others.
The Kindergarten
Learning Journey
Science & Social Studies–Ms. Reed
For Social Studies students will be Scholastic
News and Time for Kids as well as district
resources.
• Social Studies will be taught using the HISD
curriculum guide.
• We will have a Scientist of the Week for all classes.
Students are responsible for putting together an
experiment and bringing it to class to present.
• Science Fusion is another resource that will be
used to teach science objectives.
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Kinder Report Card
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The report card will be given 4 times throughout the year on the
following dates: October 30th, January 8th, March 24th, & May 25th.
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The grading system on the report card is as follows 1 Discovery Steps,
2 Exploring Showing Progress, and 3 Connecting Ready to apply.
Teachers will be giving these marks on daily assignments, quizzes, and
or tests.
is considered a 3 on the report card.
Excellent work!!!
is considered a 2 on the report card. May need
more practice.
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is needed.
is considered a 1 on the report card. Improvement
Rest & Snack
Please send a towel with your child the first day
of school. Each teacher will have a time in their
classroom for students to rest in the afternoon.
 Please send a non-perishable, healthy snack in
your child’s backpack daily. No water bottles,
please. We will allow your child to visit the water
fountain throughout the day.
 Also, please keep a change of clothes, including
undergarments, in a Ziploc bag in your child’s
backpack.
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Kindergarten
Community Norms
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Kindergarteners are expected to be kind
and courteous to others, and engaged in
learning.
This year Kindergarten will be using the
planner on a daily basis. All homework
assignments will be written in the planner
for that day. Please send the homework
back to school the following day in the
homework folder or homework spiral.
Teacher websites will be updated weekly.
Communications
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Along with the other school supplies for Kindergarten
please purchase 1 character folder with pockets no
brads (ex. Disney, cartoon, animal,)
We will be using the character folder to communicate
weekly progress in the areas of following directions,
using time wisely, being prepared for class, etc. This
folder will be sent home Fridays.
Any daily communications will be communicated in the
planner. Any notes from the teacher will be written in
the child’s planner on the specific day. Please write any
transportation changes in the planner.
Home Learning
Monday- Reading/Writing
 Tuesday-Reading/Writing
 Wednesday-Math
 Thursday-Science/Social Studies/Math
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*Please remember I-Station, Moby Max,
the HUB, and Think Central websites may
be used at home for additional resources.
Parents-to-Parents
Tips for Success...
• In the beginning of the year, it may feel like things are very scattered:
communication, deadlines, activities , etc.
• If you don't know an answer to something, i.e., project due date, you
can always ask a teacher or Room Parent.
• Arrange your carpool plans before school starts.
• Communicate pick-up plans with your child.
• Explain what to do if you get lost or need help.
• Write your phone number(s) in the child’s backpack.
• Remind your child that every teacher has a unique style.
• Consider everything that’s told through the mind of a 5 or 6 year old.
• For families with multiple children:
*Have designated areas for your children to work at home.
*Develop a family calendar with color codes or icons.
*Remember that each child learns differently and is a unique
individual.
WELCOME
to the
T.H. Rogers
Family!