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.