Fifth Grade
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Dear Families,
Beginning fifth-grade is one of the most exciting times in your child’s elementary years. We are sure this transition came with much excitement, and maybe even a bit of apprehension. We assure you we will do our best to make this a smooth transition year for you and your child, as they grow and head to middle school. Our goal is to provide your child with an education that is both academically and socially appropriate. Please familiarize yourself with items below. This should answer most of your questions about the daily routines and procedures in our classrooms.
Family/Teacher Relationship–Communication
We believe that a good family–teacher relationship is essential to your child's school success. Throughout the year we will communicate with you through our school website, class website, notes, telephone call, teacher-parent conferences, and school newsletter. Please check our school website weekly for important information and announcements. We encourage you to contact us if you have any questions or concerns at any time. You may call the school, email your teacher, or send in a note. Emails and notes are generally easiest since there is no direct line to our classroom.
Recess
As you know, this is the fifth graders' favorite part of the day! We will go outside every day, weather permitting, for 30 minutes. Please send in a light jacket or sweater on cool days. Please have your child wear appropriate footwear for outdoor play.
Backpacks
All of your child's personal belongings must be inside his/her backpack during dismissal and arrival times. Please check your child's backpack daily, and empty out unnecessary items.
Medicine
All medicine including over-the-counter drugs (cough drops) must be administered through the office. Please do NOT let your child bring medicine in his/her lunch box or backpack. Parents need to bring the medicine to school. Only the office staff can give medicine. Forms will be filled out in the office in order to administer medications.
Transportation
At the beginning of the year, you'll need to let us know your child usual mode of transportation from school to home. Anytime that the transportation plan changes, you must notify us as to how your child is getting home, and a contact number in case there are any questions. We cannot send a child home by a different mode of transportation without prior notification. A verbal change in the transportation from your child will not be accepted. Last-minute phone calls to the office for a change of transportation should only be use for emergencies. Please try to plan ahead. It is difficult for the office to communicate transportation changes at the end of the day.
Toys and other special things
Please do not allow your child to bring toys or other personal items to school. Items tend to go missing, and we are unable to investigate to find out where the items have gone.
Homework
Homework should take no more than 30 minutes per subject. If your child is working longer than that, please let us know so that we may arrange to help your child with any homework difficulties and review the skills that gave him/her trouble.
Morning arrival
Please help your child ease in to his/her day by making every effort to get him/her here on time! If your child is tardy, an adult must check him/her in. Tardy students must present a tardy slip to the teacher to be admitted to the classroom.
Absences
If your child is absent, please let us know the reason for the absence. All absences must be marked unexcused unless we receive notification from home validating an excusable absence.
Volunteering in the classroom
We would LOVE your participation during the year. We know that many people work and are not able to come in during the school day, but we still invite your involvement. If you would like to be an in-school volunteer, you must register and he cleared as a volunteer. You can register in the front office. This needs to be done as soon as possible because it may take some time to be approved.
Birthdays
All activities that take place within the school during the school day should be based on learning experiences for the students and cannot be approved if they are purely for entertainment or for birthday recognition. Food (cupcakes, cookies, cake, popsicles, candy, etc.) and balloons should not be sent in to recognize birthdays. You may send in non-food items to recognize your child’s birthday. These items could include a book donation to the classroom library, pencils, stickers, etc. Any food items sent to school for birthday celebrations will not be distributed and sent back home with the student.
Student Code of Conduct
Please take time to familiarize yourself with the Student Code of Conduct which has been revised this year. The handbook may be accessed here.
Thank you for your support. We look forward to working with you and your child this year!
Sincerely,
The Fifth Grade Team