Dear Parents/Guardians,
Fifth grade is an exciting year, and it is going to be filled with many new and interesting learning opportunities. This packet contains some information that may be helpful to you as we work together throughout the year.
OUR SCHEDULE:
School begins 8:00 a.m.
Lunch 12:00 p.m.
Dismissal 3:05 p.m.
SPECIALS:
Students will attend art, music, physical education, computers, library and Spanish. They will need tennis shoes for gym and need to return checked-out books on library day. Our schedule is as follows:
Monday: Music
Tuesday: Gym
Wednesday:Gym
Thursday: Art and Library Check Out
Friday: Spanish
FIFTH GRADE “EXTRAS”:
Fifth grade at Chesterfield is very unique. Your child will have the chance to attend two field trips – Lansing in April and C.J. Barrymore’s in June (information will begin going home just before Christmas break). As fifth graders, the students will participate in the D.A.R.E. program, choir, mad money auctions, health classes, transition classes for middle school, classroom parties, graduation, fifth grade dance, etc. It is definitely an enjoyable experience!
I will be sending home a letter regarding a fundraiser that we do to help pay for the fifth grade “extras” like our class picture, t-shirt, field trips, etc. There are other additional fundraisers for the school. Our fifth grade fundraiser is through the Frankenmuth Fundraising Company. If you do not choose to do the fundraiser, we will accept cash or checks made payable to Chesterfield Elementary. Last year the cost was around $65.00 for everything. I will keep you informed.
SUPPLIES:
Many families ask what supplies their child will need. I have several items for your child, but if he/she wishes, they may bring in additional supplies. I only ask that their supplies be appropriate for our learning environment. Sometimes students can get carried away with bringing in unnecessary items!
If possible, students should always have a backpack for their books and work. Please DO NOT send in TRAPPER KEEPERS or LARGE BINDERS because our desk space is very limited. A small pencil case, bag or box would be helpful to keep their desks more organized. Also, please remember to label all personal items that are brought to school.
**Most important school supply to get if possible (but not required): 1 durable pocket folder for homework and school notes (we supply all subject area folders)
AGENDA:
Your child will have an agenda. This is THEIR responsibility. Every morning they will write the day’s lessons for each subject. As the students complete their work, they will check it off if finished. If they do not finish their work in class, it becomes homework. They will take the agenda home and have it signed, or initialed, every night. Anything that is circled or highlighted is homework!
PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOUR CHILD BRINGS THE AGENDA BOOK BACK TO CLASS EACH MORNING. THEY WILL LOSE MAD MONEY IF THEY DON’T HAVE THEIR AGENDA, OR IF IT IS NOT SIGNED. AFTER THREE WARNINGS, I WILL BE CONTACTING YOU. IF THE AGENDA IS LOST, THE COST IS $5.95.
HOMEWORK:
Your child will be assigned homework and at-home projects throughout the year. HOMEWORK IS DUE THE FOLLOWING MORNING (unless otherwise stated). IF YOUR CHILD FORGETS, OR DOES NOT COMPLETE THEIR HOMEWORK, THEY WILL RECEIVE A LOWER SCORE FOR THAT ASSIGNMENT. MISSING ASSIGNMENTS CAN LOWER A GRADE QUICKLY! Please understand that I am getting your child ready for middle school – missing assignments are not tolerated!
Please be advised that if your child’s homework is not turned in on time, they still must do it and turn it in! They will also lose mad dollars along with receiving a lower score. If your child is irresponsible on a continual basis, they will not be eligible for fifth grade activities.
HOMEWORK FOLDER:
All homework and parent notes/information will be brought home each day in the homework folder. Please review the graded assignments and check for parent notes. It should be emptied each night and returned to school the next day with any assignments or notes that are due. Also, look for newsletters to keep you up-to-date on the progress in our classroom. Open communication is very important to ensure success for your child!
ABSENCES:
If your child is absent, I will have a buddy student record any assignments or projects that we completed for the day. This will be available when they return. It is their responsibility to complete the work and turn it in as soon as possible. Generally, if they are absent one day, they have one day to complete the work.
GRADING:
Please look over your child’s work with him/her. It is a good way to see strengths as well as areas in need of extra help or practice. Your child will be graded on participation, homework, written tests and class projects. A report card is sent home in November, January and June. Fifth grade students will receive letter grades on the report card for SCIENCE and SOCIAL STUDIES. These grades are according to the chart below:
100% = A+
99% - 95% = A
94% - 90% = A-
89% - 87% = B+
86% - 84% = B
83% - 80% = B-
79% - 77% = C+
76% - 74% = C
73% - 70% = C-
69% - 67% = D+
66% - 64% = D
63% - 60% = D-
59% and below = E
In math and language arts, your child will receive an “S” for secure, “P” for progressing and a “B” for beginning. If they receive an “S”, they have mastered the concept and are secure in that particular area. If they receive a “P”, they are still working on the concept and are progressing in their learning. If they receive a “B”, then they are just beginning to understand and need support both at home and in school.
MAD MONEY AUCTION:
Your child will have the opportunity to earn “money” for positive behavior and successful learning. In December and in June, I will have an auction where your child can bid for items of their choosing. I have already begun to collect and purchase items they would be interested in. However, this is quite costly so I am also seeking donations. I will send home a reminder note before our auctions. These items do not have to be expensive. We would truly appreciate any donation. Some ideas for auction items are:
Gift certificates (bowling, McDonald’s, videos, movies, etc., colored markers, pencils, pens, etc., books, puzzles, games, one-use cameras, posters, toys, etc.)
This reward system is extremely popular with both parents and students. Last year there were over 150 items for the December auction and 180 items for the June auction. The auctions were quite a success! It is amazing how much “mad money” the students earned due to good behavior and successful learning. However, the money can also be taken away for missing assignments, negative behavior, lack of responsibility, etc.
DISCIPLINE PLAN:
I have instituted a discipline plan in our classroom that supports our school plan. If your child has broken a rule, they will receive a warning, have their clip changed to yellow, and lose mad money. If the inappropriate behavior continues, they will receive a second warning and, again, move their clip and lose class money. A parent note will also be sent home if there is a second warning to inform you of any issues. I ask that this sheet be signed and returned the following day. After two warnings, their clip is changed to red, and a caution card will be issued.
For extreme behavior issues, their clip will be changed immediately to red, and they will receive a caution card. This must be signed by a parent/guardian and returned the next day. Good behavior and responsibility is a must in order to enjoy the fifth grade activities.
BOOK ORDERS:
Book orders will be sent home throughout the year. Children are under no obligation to purchase books. However, for those who do order, it is a very exciting day when our new books arrive! This is a wonderful opportunity to buy books for low prices. (*Checks should be made out to: Scholastic Book Clubs Please do not send cash!)
BIRTHDAYS:
Students may bring in treats for birthdays. All that I ask is that you provide the necessary paper products and treats for 35 students. If your child’s birthday is in the summer, they may pick a day near their “half” birthday to bring in treats.
SNACKS / WATER BOTTLES:
If your child would like, he/she may bring in a nutritional snack to eat. Each morning we will have a 15-minute snack period first thing. During this time, the students will write the day’s agenda, turn in homework and complete any morning work. Please pack the snack separately from their lunches so they can find it more easily. Also, make sure it is healthy! (Examples: Nutri-grain bars, fruit, yogurt, applesauce, etc.)
I do allow students to bring in water bottles with a spill-proof lid to keep at their desk. However, they may not fill it up throughout the day.
PARTY MONEY:
Our class will have an occasional party, and they can get quite costly. Therefore, I would appreciate it if each child could bring in $5.00 to help with the purchase of food, juice, plates, napkins, etc. Your child can bring in the money at any time before Sept. 29th.
I look forward to another successful school year. If at any time you would like to speak with me, please call 493-5240 ext.2402, and leave a message. I am available before and after school to schedule a conference.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Finkbeiner
