ABC's of 5th Grade

The ABC’s of Mrs. Waldrop’s 5th Grade!



Absence:

Regular school attendance is critical to the learning process. When your student is absent, he or she misses valuable instructional time. With that said, I understand that things do come up that keep your student from attending. Please call our office the morning that your student will be absent from school. When you notify our office staff, they let me know that your student will be absent. I am able to then gather make-up work throughout the day and have it available for pick up in the office by the end of the day. When your student returns to school, please send a written note or doctor’s excuse, and have your student give that to me first thing in the morning. An absence without an excuse will be marked as an unexcused absence.

Acceptance:

Fifth Grade Students will treat classmates and others with respect at all times. All members of our class will feel special because we will accept each other regardless of our differences.

Arrival:

Families should drop off students in the back parking lot by the board walk. My room is the 3rd room on the right. Students may begin entering my classroom at 7:45. If your student is dropped off before 7:45, please have them wait in front of my room on the benches or on the benches just inside the main building. We begin each day at 8:00am. Any students arriving after this time should check in at the office before reporting to the classroom. Please make every effort to arrive to school on time.

Backpacks:

Your student will need his or her backpack everyday. Your student will be bringing home library books, homework, announcements, and progress reports. Please check your child’s backpack daily.

Birthdays:

Students are permitted to bring cupcakes or special snacks to school to share with classmates on their special day. Any celebrations must be scheduled with me at least 3 days in advance. I recommend cupcakes or special snacks at lunch. Those children with summer birthdays may either celebrate their half birthday (6 months into the year), or during the last week of school. Students are not permitted to pass out party invitations at school unless each student in the class is invited. Any invitations that qualify to be passed out at school must be done before or after school. It must not be done during class.

Communication:

Communication between home and school is very important. Be sure to check the 5th grade blog often for updated information. Please call any time of the day to leave a message with our office staff. You may also send an email. I will respond as soon as possible.

Cell Phones:

Cell phones will be turned in every day into the lime green cell phone basket. Phones must be turned off. If you need to reach your student for any reason, please call and leave a message with our office staff. They will give your student the message.

Conferences:

Conferences are scheduled after the first 4 weeks of school. I will send home a sign-up sheet at some point during each semester asking to meet with you. This keeps the line of communication open between home and school. You may schedule a conference at any time during the school year if you have questions or concerns. To schedule a conference, simply call our office staff. They will take down your request, and I will call you back with a few different available times that we could conference.

Discipline:

Establishing good classroom discipline is essential to each child’s success, confidence, and well being. Every child should feel that the classroom environment is safe and secure, as well as free from all threats of physical and emotional harm. In addition, it is important each child learn to develop self-discipline and good work habits, resolve conflicts peacefully, and think independently.

Dismissal:

Dismissal begins at 2:45pm. If you need to pick up your child early, please send a note or call the office. For your child’s safety, we cannot dismiss children from the classroom early without a parent/guardian first signing the student out in the office. For any unusual dismissal arrangements, such as going home with a friend, please send a note with your child in the morning.

Effort:

I hold high expectation for each and every fifth grade student. I expect and encourage all students to do their best in everything they do.

Field Trips:

Fifth grade will take field trips this year. I am in the process of planning those now. You will be notified when everything is finalized.

Groups:

At various times the children will work in groups. Cooperation skills are essential to learning and working in the 21st century.

Homework:

Fifth grade students are expected to have homework Monday-Friday. Agendas have been provided to help students organize their information. Math, Spelling, and Language homework will be assigned most nights, and Science and Social Studies homework will be assigned as needed. It is your student’s responsibility to turn in homework each morning. Typically, homework is worth 50 points. Any homework that has not been turned in by 9:00am will be considered late. Late work will receive half credit. If homework is not turned in at all, it will receive no credit.

Just Encourage:

Please help me encourage your student everyday. Everyone has good and bad days, even your student. Please help me by encouraging your student each and every day. Your student is smart and capable of doing any task put before them. I know, you know it, and sometimes they need to hear that WE BELIEVE IT!

Kindness:

Students in my classroom are encouraged and expected to treat all members of our class, as well as all others, with kindness and respect.

Lost and Found:

If your student has lost something, please contact me!

Lunch Money:

Lunch money should be turned in at the beginning of the day! Please provide your child with a change purse or wallet to hold lunch money. Money stored in pockets is often lost.

Monday:

We will have a spelling test every Monday, unless you hear otherwise! I give 5 spelling words each day. The spelling words are already listed on the blog. Our first spelling test will be August 15th!

News:

You will receive 5th grade news each week. This will contain your student’s progress report, upcoming events, or information about 5th grade happenings! Please look for it each Friday!

Open House:

Open House is a terrific opportunity for us to meet! During this time you will also have the opportunity to learn about 5th grade expectations and explore the 5th grade classroom!

Progress Reports:

Fifth grade students will receive a letter grade A, B, C, D, F on their Progress Reports! I aim to see all A’s and B’s on progress reports! A good progress report leads to a great report card!

Questions:

Please feel free to contact me anytime you have a question or concern. My email address is bwaldrop@bessemeracademy.com.

Restroom Privileges:

Students should go to the restroom before school starts. This will be apart of their “Morning Business” responsibilities. Students will go to the restroom at designated times as a group. Additionally, students are permitted to use the facilities during independent work periods. Students are permitted to use the facilities during instructional time in emergencies only.

School Supplies:

Students will be provided with school supplies on the first day of school. A $65.00 classroom donation should be made to the 5th grade account in Ms. Liz’s office.

Snacks:

Students are not permitted to bring snacks to my classroom unless they are medically necessary. Ants and other critters are able to get into the room when they are hungry and smell leftover food! If your student has to have a snack, please send me a note or email me ahead of time. We can definitely work something out! 

Tardy:

Please make every effort to have your student arrive to school on time. In the event that your student is late, please sign them in at the front office window before sending them to class.

Tests:

Please check your student’s agenda for upcoming tests and quizzes. Test is Social Studies, Science, Math, and Language will be announced in advance.

Toys:

Students are not permitted to bring toys to class.
Unexcused Absences:

Any absence that is not accompanied by a written explanation will be marked unexcused.
Visitors:

Please enter the building through the front doors and sign in at the office. For the safety of your student, any visitor that does not sign in at the office will not be permitted to enter the room.

Water:

Students are permitted to bring a water bottle to school. Please be sure that all bottles are labeled with the student name and take home EACH night! The bottles should be cleaned regularly. Only water will be permitted.
Websites:

Please check out the following websites:

www.bessemeracademy.com

www.ba5thgrade.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com Brittany Waldrop
eXtra Practice:

Anytime you feel your student needs extra practice with a particular skill, please contact me!
You:

YOU are your child’s first teacher and play an extremely important role in his/her education! You know and understand your child better than anyone else. I value your insights and input. Please feel free to contact me with a note, phone call, or email any time you have a question, concern, or information you feel I should know in order to best help your student!

Zzzzz’s:

Please make sure your student gets plenty of rest. It will help your student be alert and ready to learn each day!