Dear Parents & Guardians,
Welcome to fifth grade, the final year of elementary school. I am very happy teaching fifth grade---it is my favorite grade by far. I can't wait to get to know your kiddos and begin the BEST year of elementary school! I hope the information you find here will help the year begin smoothly for everyone.
Attendance
One of the most important parts of success this year is regular attendance. We work very hard in class, and I don't use a lot of worksheets that are easy to send home. Our classroom discussions and assignments are impossible to make up 100% so your child’s presence each day is crucial for optimal learning.
Homework
Homework will be assigned weekly from Thursday to Thursday due to the busy schedules of my students. This way they have from Thursday night one week, the weekend, and then its due the next Thursday morning. Each week the assignments will vary, but students can expect spelling and math practice every week.
Weekly Papers/Teacher-Parent Communication Folders
Since I will be assigning a good bit of on line homework there won't be corrected papers to send home each week. Also, in class we do a lot of practice work in journals and on notebook paper. My goal is to not bombard families with a lot of practice papers coming home each week. I will, however, send home papers and assignments that I feel show growth and progress towards 5th grade goals. You should expect to see a folder coming home every other week. If it appears your child isn't where he/she should be I will contact you as soon as possible.
Communication
The best way to keep informed is to check the website daily. Here you will find important announcements, homework assignments, spelling words, and many other interesting and fun things. When in doubt---check here first!
Daily Planner - this will be an important tool for you to keep abreast of our learning goals this year. Each day students will be recording "Today We Are Learning......." in their planner. There may be two or even three days with similar learning goals written in the planner. You may also see other notes or assignments as well. Please initial the planner each day to indicate you have read the goals for the day.
Classroom Rules and Management
I use Love and Logic in my classroom. There are lots of opportunities for your child to learn from CHOICES this year. I believe in using natural consequences whenever possible, and I will be putting a lot of thought into them as well. As long as behaviors don't cause me, the student, or anyone else in the world a problem then we are great.
In-Class Snacking
I encourage my students to snack whenever they want all day as long as it doesn't become a full blown meal or a distraction. Ideally, snacks will adhere to the districts policy of healthy foods in school. Foods that are colorful like reds, oranges, yellows, greens, or brown like nuts are encouraged. Examples are carrots, brocolli, oranges, apples, peppers, peanuts, almonds, cucumber slices, celery w/peanut butter, grapes, peaches, and the list continues. Dried fruits/veggies work well too! It is best to have the snack already peeled, sliced, cut, etc. and sealed in a bag or container when you bring it to school. Granola bars, yogurt, cheese sticks, and trail mix are great snacks too. Please, no cookies, cakes, cupcakes, candy, soda, etc. Most students bring their snacks out with their daily planner at the start of the day and put it on or in their desk so it's ready when they are. Healthy snacks lead to awake, full, and happy kids who are ready to learn.
Water Bottles/Cough Drops/Chap Stick
I do allow water bottles in the classroom, and in fact, I strongly recommend it. I have found that having water at the desks saves valuable classroom time standing in line waiting for a quick drink. Make sure it's water though----not juices or sports drinks unless I have spoken to you for special arrangements.
Cough drops are not given out at the nurses room any longer. If your child needs a cough drop please have him/her bring them to school. If you'd like I can keep them at my desk and give them out as needed. We do ask, however, that students not share them with their friends.
Chap stick (not lipstick or gloss) is allowed and encouraged! We have a severe problem with chapped lips during the winter and our nurse is overwhelmed with requests for Vaseline. If possible, please allow your child to have one of these most valuable items at school. As always, please NO sharing! We like to keep the germ transfer to a minimum.
Birthdays
Birthdays are a special treat for all of us. There is a district policy on class parties limited to once per month. For this reason, we do classroom birthday treats only once a month. The normal day for this is the last Friday of each month. Remember, it is not required so don't feel pressured to supply the entire class with a cupcake or healthy snack. I will be sure to let you know of any food allergies if we have them. The treats will be given out during the last 15 minutes of class. We are limited to one “sweet treat” per month, so if there is more than one student bringing treats we will have to work it out that only one brings the sweet and the other(s) bring something more healthful. It's usually not a problem and all is well.
Classroom Volunteers
Yes, please! I love my parent volunteers. You may click on the button below to register your preference for helping out in the classroom or in other various ways.
Box Tops
I collect and appreciate all box tops you can send in. This money goes straight back to students by helping cover costs of supplies, curriculum or field trips.
Your child’s education is a team effort, and I thank you, in advance, for your involvement!
Sincerely,
Ms. Kolbrecki
Welcome to fifth grade, the final year of elementary school. I am very happy teaching fifth grade---it is my favorite grade by far. I can't wait to get to know your kiddos and begin the BEST year of elementary school! I hope the information you find here will help the year begin smoothly for everyone.
Attendance
One of the most important parts of success this year is regular attendance. We work very hard in class, and I don't use a lot of worksheets that are easy to send home. Our classroom discussions and assignments are impossible to make up 100% so your child’s presence each day is crucial for optimal learning.
Homework
Homework will be assigned weekly from Thursday to Thursday due to the busy schedules of my students. This way they have from Thursday night one week, the weekend, and then its due the next Thursday morning. Each week the assignments will vary, but students can expect spelling and math practice every week.
Weekly Papers/Teacher-Parent Communication Folders
Since I will be assigning a good bit of on line homework there won't be corrected papers to send home each week. Also, in class we do a lot of practice work in journals and on notebook paper. My goal is to not bombard families with a lot of practice papers coming home each week. I will, however, send home papers and assignments that I feel show growth and progress towards 5th grade goals. You should expect to see a folder coming home every other week. If it appears your child isn't where he/she should be I will contact you as soon as possible.
Communication
The best way to keep informed is to check the website daily. Here you will find important announcements, homework assignments, spelling words, and many other interesting and fun things. When in doubt---check here first!
Daily Planner - this will be an important tool for you to keep abreast of our learning goals this year. Each day students will be recording "Today We Are Learning......." in their planner. There may be two or even three days with similar learning goals written in the planner. You may also see other notes or assignments as well. Please initial the planner each day to indicate you have read the goals for the day.
Classroom Rules and Management
I use Love and Logic in my classroom. There are lots of opportunities for your child to learn from CHOICES this year. I believe in using natural consequences whenever possible, and I will be putting a lot of thought into them as well. As long as behaviors don't cause me, the student, or anyone else in the world a problem then we are great.
In-Class Snacking
I encourage my students to snack whenever they want all day as long as it doesn't become a full blown meal or a distraction. Ideally, snacks will adhere to the districts policy of healthy foods in school. Foods that are colorful like reds, oranges, yellows, greens, or brown like nuts are encouraged. Examples are carrots, brocolli, oranges, apples, peppers, peanuts, almonds, cucumber slices, celery w/peanut butter, grapes, peaches, and the list continues. Dried fruits/veggies work well too! It is best to have the snack already peeled, sliced, cut, etc. and sealed in a bag or container when you bring it to school. Granola bars, yogurt, cheese sticks, and trail mix are great snacks too. Please, no cookies, cakes, cupcakes, candy, soda, etc. Most students bring their snacks out with their daily planner at the start of the day and put it on or in their desk so it's ready when they are. Healthy snacks lead to awake, full, and happy kids who are ready to learn.
Water Bottles/Cough Drops/Chap Stick
I do allow water bottles in the classroom, and in fact, I strongly recommend it. I have found that having water at the desks saves valuable classroom time standing in line waiting for a quick drink. Make sure it's water though----not juices or sports drinks unless I have spoken to you for special arrangements.
Cough drops are not given out at the nurses room any longer. If your child needs a cough drop please have him/her bring them to school. If you'd like I can keep them at my desk and give them out as needed. We do ask, however, that students not share them with their friends.
Chap stick (not lipstick or gloss) is allowed and encouraged! We have a severe problem with chapped lips during the winter and our nurse is overwhelmed with requests for Vaseline. If possible, please allow your child to have one of these most valuable items at school. As always, please NO sharing! We like to keep the germ transfer to a minimum.
Birthdays
Birthdays are a special treat for all of us. There is a district policy on class parties limited to once per month. For this reason, we do classroom birthday treats only once a month. The normal day for this is the last Friday of each month. Remember, it is not required so don't feel pressured to supply the entire class with a cupcake or healthy snack. I will be sure to let you know of any food allergies if we have them. The treats will be given out during the last 15 minutes of class. We are limited to one “sweet treat” per month, so if there is more than one student bringing treats we will have to work it out that only one brings the sweet and the other(s) bring something more healthful. It's usually not a problem and all is well.
Classroom Volunteers
Yes, please! I love my parent volunteers. You may click on the button below to register your preference for helping out in the classroom or in other various ways.
Box Tops
I collect and appreciate all box tops you can send in. This money goes straight back to students by helping cover costs of supplies, curriculum or field trips.
Your child’s education is a team effort, and I thank you, in advance, for your involvement!
Sincerely,
Ms. Kolbrecki