Welcome to 5th grade! I am glad to be your child's teacher! I will use this web site to communicate with weekly newsletters, schedule changes, activities and student writing. Please see my class supply list since it is a little different from the standard 5th grade list. I look forward to meeting you and your children and to a terrific 5th grade year!! Please read the "Welcome to 5th Grade Letter":
WELCOME TO 5TH GRADE 2016-2017
Dear Parent/Guardian,
I am very excited to begin this new school year with you and your child! I look forward to working together to make this year successful! My goal is to create a classroom in which each child feels safe, loved, and accepted for who they are. I will strive to build your child’s knowledge, confidence, independence, and desire to learn. The following information may help answer some of your questions as we go into a new year. Please feel free to ask if you have any other questions.
Schedule
All students should arrive at school between 8:50 and 9:20. I will use the mornings as time to review, go over homework questions, and offer help to students who may need it. Please make every effort to have your child at school on time so they will not miss any instructional time. We will dismiss at 3:50. Our daily schedule can be found on my website.
Specials
We will have six specials that occur on a rotating schedule. Our specials will be held the last period of the day. In Art, a cover shirt is required. During P.E, tennis shoes are required.
Transportation Changes
You must send a note about any transportation changes for your child. If you forget to send a note, please call the school to let them know of transportation changes.
Classroom Rules
My goal as a teacher is to provide a safe, enjoyable learning environment for your child, as well as, other children. I expect the children to be prepared, listen carefully, follow directions, and work quietly while not disturbing others.
Classroom Management
Our school is a Positive Behavior School. Our class may earn Cheetah spots and receive special rewards for good behavior. These spots will be given in specials, the hallway, and by other staff members.
In the classroom, students can earn points that can be used to bid on items during our End-of-Quarter Auctions. Points are awarded for many positive behaviors, such as: homework completion, neat work, cooperative teams, quiet lines, kind acts, etc. The Auction is a very special event, and the children really look forward to participating. Small items will be needed for the auctions, and I will be asking for donations towards the end of each quarter.
We will also use a Responsibility Notebook to monitor behavior and work habits. Students will be asked to make note of missing homework and/or behavior that does not meet expectations, so that I can record the information on the Friday Report. Many students will never use the Responsibility Notebook and my goal is to not need it by the second half of the year.
Agendas & Homework
It is very important for your child to get used to using an agenda. It will be used to record website information, due dates and homework. Homework will be given Monday – Thursday. Please look in the agenda daily for the homework. Please go over the homework with your child. For the first 9 weeks, please sign the agenda. Your signature in the agenda represents that you have gone over the homework with your child, pointed out errors, and discussed their work. After the first 9 weeks, I will not sign the agenda and I will not expect you to sign it. If your student is having difficulty completing homework assignments, we will both need to begin signing the agenda again. It is your child’s responsibility to bring their homework to school with him/her everyday. If homework is not completed during the week it will appear on the Friday Report and it is expected to be turned in on the next school day. Please assist your child in this endeavor.
Friday Reports
Friday Reports are used to communicate your child’s work and behavior habits. I will record any missing assignments, or disciplinary issues. Please check this report early in the weekend, so that unfinished assignments can be completed over the weekend. Sign the report and return it in the folder on Monday. You may also find a smiley face which will let you know your child is meeting expectations for behavior and work habits.
Late or Missing work
Any late or missing work will be noted on the Friday Report. Please help me by reinforcing a consequence for these missing assignments. (The consequence can be as simple as having your child complete the work over the weekend to turn in on Monday.) If your child is continually missing assignments, we will work together to create a plan for your child.
Friday Folders
Friday Folders will be sent home every Friday. The folder will contain: class work, assessments, school information, class information, and your child’s Friday Report. Please review all this information with your child, sign the Friday Report and return it on the next school day. Please check all assessments for a Sign and Return stamp. Most work that has been assessed will need to be signed and returned to school to keep in your child’s data binder. It is very important to return these items.
Newsletters:
Each Friday a newsletter will be sent home by email. The newsletter is my primary method of letting you know what is going on in our classroom and at school. Please take time to read the newsletter, as I might mention upcoming projects, or writing assignments. I try very hard to keep parents informed or what is happening in our classroom.
Volunteers/Classroom Visits
I value volunteers. If you indicate that you are interested in volunteering, you will receive a SignUpGenius which will list the volunteer positions. The sign up will come out after the first 2-3 weeks of school. I will want to get our routines established first. Remember, volunteers must register in the computer lab on the Wake County System each year. All volunteers must be processed and it takes several weeks for approval. Please consider registering as soon as possible. It is best to register even if you do not plan to volunteer in the classroom, but may want to help with field trips.
Field Trips
We will take an overnight field trip to Blue Jay Point Park, which is north of Raleigh. Our trip is scheduled in April and more information will come later. Please register with WCPSS as soon as possible if you want to help with this trip. We will also have an on campus field trip with POE Health Center to begin our Human Growth and Development Unit.
Snack
Students may choose to have a snack each morning. Please send a healthy snack and water with your child each day.
Lunch
Our lunch is scheduled from 12:05-12:35. If your child is eating lunch at school, please see that there is money in their account. If not, your child will eat unlimited fruit, vegetables, and drink water until money is brought to the cafeteria. The easiest way to keep money in their account is to send a check and have your child take it to the cafeteria to deposit in their account. The cost of a school breakfast is $1.25 and lunch is $2.25. Menus will be posted on the Holly Springs Elementary School website. If your child brings lunch from home, it needs to be in an insulated lunch bag. Feel free to join your child for lunch. When coming to meet your child for lunch, please meet the class outside the cafeteria.
Birthdays
You are welcome to send in a small treat for the whole class on your child’s birthday. Reminder: All treats MUST BE STORE BOUGHT and will be given out only at lunch. Please check with me before you send a treat, so I can let you know how many students we have and alert you to any allergies.
Google Classroom
We are excited to be using Google Classroom for assignments, posted information, and collaborative learning. Each child will have a Google Account and be expected to use it appropriately.
Labels
Please put your child’s name on jackets, lunch boxes, or other items brought to school.
Contact
If you need to contact me with any questions, concerns, or information, please feel free to call the school (919) 557-2660, write a note in the agenda or on the Friday Report, or email me. I check email in the morning and after school. I will get back to you within 24 - 48 hours. If it is an emergency, please notify the office and let them know that it is an emergency. Communication is very important to me and I am always available to you.
I look forward to a fantastic year with your child!
Rachel Gillespie
[email protected]