Mrs. Meunier & Mrs.

Brutschers Classroom Handbook

We would like to take the time to introduce ourselves. We feel it is important to know about the
teachers you are entrusting your child to so that we can begin to build a relationship for the upcoming
school year.

This will be Lauren Meuniers 8th year teaching. She graduated from Indiana State University
where she received her Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education and completed her Masters Degree
in Elementary Education at Indiana University Southeast. Lauren spent her first five years teaching fifth
grade at a primary school in Kentucky. This will be her third year at HHMS. She grew up in Georgetown,
Indiana and currently lives in Floyds Knobs with her husband and son Liam.

This will be Mrs. Brutschers 7th year teaching. She graduated from Indiana University Southeast
where she received her Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education. She grew up in New Albany, Indiana
where she currently lives. She and her husband also welcomed a baby boy, Cole Isaiah, this past May.

Together we will help your child grow as a person. We feel it is not only our job to teach your
child academically but to also help develop emotional and social skills. We look forward to working with
your child this year and helping him/her achieve their highest potential. We do set high goals and
expectations for each of our students. Your child will gain confidence in mastering goals and we will
make sure they all have a feeling of success.

Throughout the year we will communicate with you through the student planner, notes, phone
calls, e-mail and parent-teacher conferences. We will also use a text messaging service called
Remind101. When you sign up for Remind101 you will receive text messages from us which will provide
assignment reminders, school updates and any important information that you need to know. An
instruction page for Remind101 is attached to this handbook. We will use one sign up for BOTH classes.
We believe that a good parent teacher relationship is the key for maximum education success. Please
feel free to call us here at school during planning time 9:55-10:30, if you call at other times we will have
students in the classroom but you can leave a message and we will return your call.

We also have a website that contains information that is updated weekly. On the website you
will be able to find information on homework, important dates, study tools, etc. This is a great resource
for both parents and students. Please be sure to check it out! Just go to: mrsmeunierhhms.weebly.com

E-mail will be the best way to contact us, we check it every day and will respond as soon as possible.

lmeunier@nafcs.k12.in.us cbrutscher@nafcs.k12.in.us

What to expect at HHMS

As a fifth grader, your child will have several different teachers at HHMS. They will be assigned a
homeroom; however, it is important to communicate with us both about your childs needs. Mrs.
Brutscher teaches math and science and Mrs. Meunier teaches ELA and social studies. We both teach
writing to our homeroom. Although they spend time in each of our classrooms, we work together as a
team to help meet your childs needs. We also help keep things consistent for your child by having the
same rules, homework/assignment policys, expectations, etc.

Discipline
Classroom discipline is essential to each students success, confidence, and well being. Each child should
be able to come into the classroom and feel safe and secure. It is important that each student learn to
develop self-discipline and good work habits to resolve conflicts peacefully and think independently.

We will develop classroom rules and learn the purpose of classroom rules. We will build a community
where learning takes place and friendships are built. We will also be discussing and reinforcing these
rules on a daily basis until the students have gained a complete understanding of them.

Procedures for Correcting Irresponsible and Inappropriate Behaviors:

1. Warning

2. LTD (Lunch Time Detention)

3. Student-Principal Conference

**If repeated inappropriate behavior, some of the steps above may be skipped and a more severe
consequence may be given. Parents will be notified if this occurs.

Please see the student planner for more details on how discipline is handled at HHMS.

Planner
Students will be provided with daily planners and yellow communication folders that they will be
required to bring home and back to school EVERY DAY. Students will be responsible for filling out their
planner every Monday which will include nightly practice and assignments.

The planner must be signed by a parent/guardian EACH NIGHT. This will be an excellent
communication tool.

Attendance
Regular attendance and promptness is expected! When your child is absent they miss the hands-on
lessons that can not be made up at home. Parents are to notify the office of a students absence by
8:30. When reporting the absence please use the attendance line (812) 542-3101 and provide complete
information as to the students name and the reason for the absence.

PLEASE attempt to schedule physician, dental or any other appointments after school. I know this can
sometimes be challenging but students can miss vital lessons when absent only a few short hours. If
your student will be leaving school early for an appointment please try and let us know in advance so we
can provide your student with any necessary information during their absence. Your child will need to
place their parent note in the gym before school that states: students name, reason for early dismissal,
time of dismissal, parent signature and date.

Students who arrive at school after 9:00 are considered tardy. Those who arrive after 9:00 are to report
to the office to obtain a pass that will permit them into the classroom.

Nightly Practice/Homework

As teachers and parents we realize that spending time with your family is important each night.
Students also work very hard during the day and we understand they require a much needed break in
the evening. When you see assignments meant to be completed at home remember that we feel that it
is important enough for your child to take some time to practice that particular skill outside of the
classroom. Its also important to know that your student will receive many opportunities every day to
complete independent work. Using their time wisely in the classroom can almost eliminate work having
to be completed at home!

The most important practice to do with your child is to READ! Reading at home 30 minutes each
night will HIGHLY increase their skills. It is also a time to practice reading strategies taught during the
school day.

There will be other practice assignments students are expected to complete during the week,
please remember to try and have students complete this work independently. If practice work is turned
in late, 10% is deducted from the assignment. Students are responsible for asking about any missed
work. An LTD will be given when a student reaches three late and/or missing assignments.

If there is every anything that your child comes home with and you are not able to help them,
we would like for you to write a note and sign it. This will be acceptable to not have the 10% deducted.

General Info
Electronic Devices- We live in a technology rich environment and I believe this should be included in the
classroom! Students are allowed to bring iPads, Kindles, or any other tablets for reading an e-books.
However, these will only be allowed to be used for educational purposes. Students may read books
using their tablet, and we will occasionally use them during classroom activities. If students abuse this
resource during school hours their device will no longer be allowed for a period of time. I will also notify
you in this instance. *Students are responsible for their device they bring in; this includes keeping it in a
safe place when not being used, and transporting it to and from school.
Progress Reports- Each child will receive a progress report halfway through each nine weeks. If you have
any questions regarding your childs grades, dont hesitate to call or email.*Information on obtaining
grades from INOW will be coming home in a few weeks from the administration. This will allow you to
access the grades via a computer.

Book Orders- Periodically your child will bring home a Scholastic book order. If you would like to make
an order please use the online code that will be sent home, we only accept online orders. You will see
this come home in a few weeks.

Snack- Fifth grade has the latest lunch time here at HHMS. For that reason, students are allowed to
bring in a snack to eat in the morning. There will be a designated time when students will be able to
have their snack and it will be included during our instructional time. They may also bring in a bottle of
water to keep at their desks. Only water (or flavored water) is allowed; no Gatorade, juices, etc.

Supplies- Although students bring in classroom supplies at the beginning of the year, there will be
occasions when supplies need to be replenished. Students will be responsible for making sure to have
the necessary supplies when they come to school each day. As teachers we spend a lot of our own
money in our classrooms and would be very grateful for donations of the following items.

-Tissues (this has been cut from our list and we desperately need to have tissues to survive the school
year!)
-Sharpie markers-black
-Clorox wipes
-Highlighters

We are looking forward to a great year!