Welcome to Fifth Grade!

Communication: 

I feel very strongly that communication between parents and teachers is one of the most imperative parts of a child’s success in school.  When parents and teachers work together to assist children in meeting his or her goals, the learning process is a fun and positive experience.  I like to keep the lines of communication open with parents by using the daily planner for notes, newsletters, Friday Folders, phone calls, and conferences.  If you ever have any questions or concerns, please contact me at school.  My door is always open.

Absent Days:    

When your child is absent, I 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 fill out the Send Work To form so I know which students to send the work home with.  If a student has any questions or trouble comprehending the material that they missed, I am always available to make arrangements for additional review. 

Grading:    

Grades will be determined by homework, quizzes, tests, in class work/participation, book reports and special projects or assignments.  Students final grades are based on the NYS Learning 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.”

Homework:                  

Students are expected to complete each homework assignment every day.  I feel that students need that extra review at home in addition to learning the material during the school day.  Please let me know if your child has any problems with any part of the assignments.  If a student does not complete the assignment by the date it is due it is counted as a missed homework. Assignments that are not returned or fully completed on the due date will be handed in the following morning.  If a student is more than one day late, or any other problem occurs, the work will be made up at a designated time.

This is not a form of punishment; it is used so that the student remains on task with the curriculum and their education.  There will be no time during the day for missed homework completion due to the amount of time needed for instruction.  There are times when even the most organized student forgets an assignment at home.  I do allow one missed homework assignment per marking period.  All homework is checked in at the door first thing during “Morning Central” and documented each day. 

Management:     

I use a point system with the whole class that allows them to accumulate points throughout the course of the school day.  They may receive class points for listening, walking in the hallways, being prompt, as well as other situations.  When the class has achieved the goal that is set, they may choose their reward. 

I also use Morcone Money.  Each student can earn fake dollar bills for exceptional behavior/work.  At the end of every month the students will write their names on the back of their Morcone Money and I will draw five names in which these students may select any prize in the prize box.  This random selection is the only way to keep this situation fair for all students.

          If a student is acting in any way inappropriate, he or she will receive a verbal warning.  If the behavior continues, it will result in a missed recess.  (A phone call, note or email is at the decision of the teacher at anytime).  Any situation in which a student acts inappropriately or disrespectful will result in appropriate action.  A follow up letter will follow.

Volunteers:  

Any parent/guardian that is willing to donate any time to volunteer in the classroom for class “special events” is more than welcome to as long as there is a set schedule and agreement between the teacher, school and parent/guardian.

Birthday Parties: 

The student may bring in a small pass out snack for each student in the class and we will celebrate this great event at the end of the day.  (This is optional by the decision of the parent/guardian’s)

New York State Testing:    

Fifth graders take a state test in Social Studies, Mathematics and Language Arts.  The test dates are included on the school calendar.

Friday Folders:   

At the end of each week, which may not be a Friday, students will receive a folder with all test grades in them.  Parents/guardians will sign the log sheet in the folder and date it.  In addition, there is a place to write any comments or feedback to the student or teacher when necessary.  This needs to be handed in the following school day.

Music Lessons, Band, Orchestra and Chorus:

          Students are responsible for any missed class work that occurs during private lessons such as: activities, assignments, quizzes, tests, notes etc. 

During Chorus, Band and Orchestra class, the teacher will not introduce new material that students will be responsible for in the classroom.  However, extensions of lessons will continue to enrich pupils ability.  Music here at Shatekon is a great opportunity.

Literacy Program:

          Students will be receiving thirty minutes of instruction per week of 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.     

Media Sources:

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

Reading logs:      

          On the first day of each week, students will be expected to have a reading log completed and filled out correctly.  This will contain the fifty (50) minutes of reading from the previous week that will be logged onto a specific sheet.  This will be monitored and checked as a homework assignment.  Fifth minutes in not a large amount of time, however this is designed to keep students on task with proper reading habits.

Young Scholars Program:

          If you have a student in this program, your child is responsible to make up all class work and assignments that was instructed on that day. 

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