This Week's Update

Dear Parents and Students,

We have a busy week this week in fifth grade!  We will continue our testing, along with third and seventh grade, as we conquer the COGAT (cognitive abilities standardized test).

Two major items this week are the Awards Assembly on Thursday, Sept. 29 at 8:00am.  Congratulations to Jordan Archie, Tayte Williams and Chloe Peters who have all been selected for the "Responsibility Award" and will be receiving their certificates at the assembly.

Also, the fifth grade will host our class mass this Friday and all parents and families are welcome to attend.  It is the Feast day of our school's patron saint, Saint Jerome.  Students from fifth grade will be reading from the scriptures, offering the gifts of bread and wine and singing in the choir!  Please come and celebrate with us!

See below for a "day by day" of the week:

Monday:
Science experiment/lab report due.

Tuesday:
Religion: Saint Jerome short report due.

Wednesday:
Math Test - Ch. 1
Science Test

Thursday:
Social Studies Test - Ch. 1

Friday:
Math - Simple Solutions quiz - Lessons 5-12
Language Arts: Journals due

Red Folder Info

Thank you to all the parents who returned student papers with an initial or signature.  Being the first time this year, some students were confused about the process.  To clarify, here is a list of information.

• Red folders contain tests and collected classwork that has been corrected.
• Red folders will go home with the students periodically.  Usually once every two weeks.
• Parents initial or sign the tests to note you have seen them and/or gone over them with your child.
• Place tests/papers back into the red folder and return it to class the next day with your child.

Thank you for all your support!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Lennon

St. Jerome Short Report

OUR PATRON SAINT REPORT

St. Jerome

Due: Tuesday, September 27

You are required to write, in your own words a report about St. Jerome.

Your Report is be:

·         A list and one paragraph.

·         No more than one page… must fit on a single piece of paper (no report folders please).

·         Typed and double spaced

·         Size 12 font

·         Either: Times New Roman, Arial or Georgia font.

Your report is to include:

• A picture of your saint.

• List one:
• Saint’s name (St. Jerome)
• Feast Day
• Patron Saint of what?
• When he/she lived
• Where he/she lived
• Paragraph one:
• Important facts about the saint’s life (what they are most known for)
• What you admire about him/her

SAMPLE:

Student Name #2  Saint Basic Info: Saint Name: John the Baptist Feast Day: June24 Patron Saint of…..        John the Baptist is the cousin of Jesus.  Also John baptized Jesus.  Jesus once said that John was THE greatest that had preceded him.  I admire John the Baptist because he followed Jesus and helped others to know Him.

Scholastic Book Order

Online Ordering Information
Web address: scholastic.com/bookclubs
Class Activation Code: J6LTW
September order due: This Friday 9/23

Dear Parents,

Please take some time to explore the flyer with your child. Make your selections and return the order form to me, along with your payment.

Or, give online ordering a try!

It’s fast, easy, and you get instant access to thousands of additional titles plus online-only specials and discounts. Best of all, we earn a FREE book for the classroom library every time a parent places an order online.*

Go to www.scholastic.com/bookclubs and log in using your user name and password.

If it’s your first time ordering online, use the Class Activation Code shown above to get started.

Online ordering offers you several advantages:

• Larger selection: Choose from thousands of titles, and more detailed product information than in the printed flyer.
• Exclusive online-only offers: Enjoy discounts available only on our Web site.
• Easy payment: Use your credit card! No need to worry about printed forms or sending checks to school.

Go to www.scholastic.com/bookclubs now to get started.

Thank you,

Mrs. Lennon

*Excludes eBooks.

Standardized Testing

Dear Parents,

Please be aware this week and next week are standardized testing weeks.

We ask that you pay special attention that your child:

1. Gets to bed early, so each he/she is well rested.
2. Eats breakfast, so each student has the physical and metal fuel for the exams.
3. Please arrive at school early (on time).
4. Has a healthy snack for recess. Even if you have ordered the Choice Lunch, students do not get their food until lunch, so please provide a snack.

**Attendance at school is vital these next two weeks.  Try not to schedule doctor’s appointments.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Lennon

Week of September 19

Upcoming Tests & Quizzes

Math:
Quiz - Ch. 1 (Lessons 1-6), Tuesday 9/20

Religion
Test - Ch. 2, Wednesday 9/21

Science
Test - Ch.1, Wednesday

Social Studies

Quiz - Ch. 1 (Lessons 1-2), Thursday 9/22

Changed to: Test – Ch. 1, Friday 9/30

English
Test - Ch. 1, Friday 9/23

Irish Blessing - To all the heroes and victims of 9/11

Upcoming Tests & Quizzes

Math:
Wednesday - Quiz - Simple Solutions, Lessons 1-4
Friday - Quiz - Place value to the billions as well as decimal place value to the thousandths place.

Vocabulary
Tuesday, Sept. 13 - Test Unit 1 (along with additional words given to students on Tuesday 9/6)

Back to School Info!

Welcome Parents!

**As promised, here is the "Back to School Night" information, as well as the subject area information we were not able to cover because of time constraints.  Also, see the following post with upcoming tests and quizzes for next week.
Thank you,
Mrs. Lennon

            Welcome back to the start of another school year!  My name is Mrs. Christine Lennon and I have been chosen to be your child’s teacher this year.  After a first week filled with mounds of new school supplies and loads of energy and excitement, we are all settling into the routine of school.

            Knowing the fifth grade classroom routine and procedures will allow you to better assist your child at home.  Also, being aware of school policy and expectations shows your children how important their education is to both of you.  Together, working as a team (student, parent, teacher and school), we can support and challenge your child to become a success!

Teachers:

Mrs. Lennon 5^th Homeroom

Mr. Del Toro 5^th Science

Mr. Joseph    5^th Music

Mrs. Klasila   5^th P.E

Mrs. Childs   5^th P.E.

Late/Absent Work:

Late work will be accepted the following day at a reduced grade.  It will count as a “Homework Missing,” which builds towards mandatory attendance at the “Homework Room.” 

Absent work may be obtained by: calling ahead to pick up by a parent or sibling or on the day of the student’s return, check the homework book and check with teacher to confirm assignments.  Absent work is due the following the student’s return to school, (unless other arrangements are made).

Grading:

Grading will follow the school grading scale in the School Policy Manual (can be found online).

Daily Work Habits Grading:

Work Habits grades can be found in the student planner each day and are based on the student’s productivity in the classroom.  Grades are represented by:

O = Outstanding

G = Good

S = Satisfactory

NI = Needs Improvement

Teacher Conferences:

I am available by appointment only.  Please schedule by email LennonSJS@me.com  or If urgent, please call the office to leave a message.

Extra:

Also, as a consequence of good behavior, I hold a class raffles on occasion.  We are always in need of items to add to the raffle box.  Any donations would be greatly appreciated…. Simple erasers and fun knick-knacks from the 99¢ Store or Big Lots

Thank you in advance for your support of St. Jerome and the fifth grade.    Sincerely,  Mrs. Lennon                  

Schedule:

Monday/Wednesday: 

1:10 – 2:00      Science

2:15 – 3:00      Computer Lab

Tuesday/Thursday:               

1:10 – 2:00      P.E.

2:15 – 3:00      Spanish

TIME	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
7:55-8:00	Opening Exercises				8:00- 9:00 MASS
8:00 – 8:15	Religion	Religion	Religion	Religion
8:15 – 9:45	Language Arts	Language Arts	Language Arts	Language Arts	9:00-9:45 Language Arts
9:45 – 10:35	Math	Math	Math	Math	Social Studies
10:35-10:50	Recess	Recess	Recess	Recess	Recess
10:50–11:30	Religion	Math	Religion	Math	Math
11:30–12:30	Social Studies	Social Studies	Social Studies	11:45-12:30 Music	Language Arts
12:30-1:10	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Dismissal
1:10 – 2:00	Science	PE	Science	PE
2:00 – 2:50	Language Arts/C. Lab	Spanish	Language Arts/C. Lab	Spanish
2:50-3:00	Closing Exercises

Communication

1. Planner (Agenda)
1. Daily work habits grade
2. Positive reinforcements
3. Missing assignments
4. Parent and teacher notes
2. Phone calls or email – LennonSJS@me.com
3. “Office Hours”

Attendance

1. Important part of school success.
1. Being on time allows students to prepare for the day and get collected before the school day begins.
2. Absences are a part of the school year, but eliminating unnecessary absences insures school success.

Homework

1. Daily homework is written on the board.  Students copy the assignments into their planners.
2. Homework is completed at home in a specified location (or after school care).
3. Parents sign the planner each night (or morning).
4. Missing homework affects work habits grade.  Three missing assignments equal “homework room.”  Please see homework room and detention policies in the School Policy Manual.

How you can help at home

1. Provide a quiet place for homework and set an ending time for daily homework.
2. Have students read for pleasure every night (10-20 minutes)… or read to them!
3. Check that homework is neat and complete.
4. Sign planner!
5. Ask them about school!

Curriculum:

•         Please see me for any comments of concerns regarding the curriculum.  Below is a skeleton of the year.  There is a lot more “meat” to cover as well..

–         Thank You!

•         Math

–         Foundation for pre-algebra and algebra

–         Solidifying knowledge for junior high

–         Number sense

–         Fractions, decimals, percents

–         Geometry formulas

–         Simple Solutions and Math Text

•         Religion

–         Main focus: Sacraments

•         Also focuses on the liturgy

–         Projects:

•         Sacrament Group Project

•         Saint Report

•         Social Studies

–         Go from early explorers through the Civil War

–         Three main projects this year

–         One per trimester

•         1. State Project

•         2. President Project

•         3. Civil War Project

•         Language Arts - Includes:

–         Reading, English, Vocabulary

•         Reading

–         Novels, (spread out throughout the year):

•         Sign of the Beaver

•         Caddie Woodlawn

•         Assorted plays

•         Reading Anthology

•         English

–         Grammar development and sentence structure.

–         Developing their thoughts, supporting ideas and creating the “perfect paragraph,”

•         …which translates into learning how to structure the three and five paragraph essays.