Open communication is an important element to a child's success in school.  Contact information for each teacher can be found by clicking the phone icon on the general information page.  The quickest way to contact us is through the assignment notebook or by dropping us an e-mail. 

Grades will be determined by homework, quizzes, tests, class work and participation, book reports and special projects or assignments. Students' final grades are based on the NYS Common Core Standards and a range from a 1 to 4. Performance tasks and “on demand” writing prompts are also expected to be completed by each student as per the ECC and “Curriculum Guide for Parents.”

Absent Days:

When your child is absent, we can arrange to have the work he or she missed ready by the end of the day for you to pick up, or to go home with another student. Please contact the office before noon so arrangements can be made.  Please remember to call the office in the event of an absence. 

Students are expected to complete daily homework assignments.  The purpose of homework is to provide extra practice at home in addition to reinforcing concepts taught in school.  Please let us know if your child has difficulty with any part of their assignments. Students are expected to record all homework assignments in their assignment notebook. 

Fun Friday:

Fun Friday is a team building time, the half hour following lunch of every Friday.  Activities are done as a grade level.  Weather pending, most activities will take place outside.  The students really look forward to Fun Friday! We find Fun Friday to be a wonderful motivator which encourages team building skills and cooperative learning.

Occasionally volunteers may be needed in the classroom for special events.  We will contact parents should we need extra help.

Birthday Parties:

Students are welcome to celebrate birthdays!  Small treats that can be easily distributed are encouraged. Please be respectful of other students that may have allergies.  Check with the classroom teacher if you are unsure of any allergies in your child's class. 

Fifth graders take state tests in English Language Arts (Mid April) and Mathematics (late April). The specific test dates are listed on the New York State Department of Education web site along with our calendar.

Students are responsible for any missed class work that occurs while they are out of the room for music lessons and rehearsals such as: activities, assignments, quizzes, tests, notes etc.

Students must keep track of their own band/orchestra lesson times.  A schedule is posted in each classroom and 5th grade calendar posted in the hallway.  Instruments and books should be stowed in the hallway.  Students are asked to quietly leave the room to avoid disrupting the class. 

Students need to be prepared for their lessons and weekly rehearsal times. If an instrument is brought to the office, homeroom teachers will allow students to pick up their items at a convenient time based on our schedule in the classroom.

Most times, all band and orchestra members will be required to attend lessons and/or rehearsals even if they do not have their instruments. Please work to be ready to participate fully!

Chorus

Chorus practice will be held each Tuesday from 1:00-1:30 pm.  During this time no academic instruction will take place.  Students not attending Chorus may work quietly in the classroom on any unfinished assignments.     

Literacy Program:

Students will receive thirty minutes of instruction per week in a specialized language arts curriculum from a program instructor. This program will help students to improve their language arts skills aligned with the state assessments, standards and the ECC curriculum.

We are fortunate enough to have a wonderful website and links to the Orenda library. Please take advantage of this opportunity to practice reading and answering fifth grade curriculum questions with your child. Additional information is provided on the library/computer lab websites.

The Young Scholars Program will be on Thursdays.  Students will need to meet with their homeroom teacher Thursday morning before leaving and Thursday afternoon upon returning to receive assignments. 

Back to Fifth Grade Home Page

This page is maintained in accordance with Shenendehowa's web publishing guidelines by B. Skinner,  J. Beyer, M. Corrigan,  K. Craig. and R. Jess.