Fifth Grade is SUPER!

1. Fifth Grade is SUPER! Parent Orientation September 4, 2014

2. Dear Parents, • Welcome to Fifth Grade at Memorial Parkway Elementary. We are looking forward to a SUPER and productive school year. Our goal this year is to continue to provide your child with an excellent educational environment KISD has to offer. • It is an honor to have your children in our classrooms. • Let’s have a heroic year together!!

3. Fifth Grade Team

4. Homework Schedule • The following is a guideline for homework, Monday through Thursday, and may vary depending on the subject matter being covered: Math approx. 30 minutes (Monday/Wednesday) along with 5 minutes of fact practice daily. Reading/Language approx. 20 minutes a day with additional practice to compliment skills taught in class (Tuesday/Thursday). Science approx. 15 minutes (Monday/ Wednesday) Social Studies approx. 15 minutes (Tuesday/Thursday) **Maximum of 60 minutes daily. Homework that is late will be marked on the Panther Card. Homework that is more than 4 days late will be given a 0.

5. 5th Grade Tests and Major Grades • Students will be notified in advance of tests in Math, Science and Reading. • Project grades and written assignments count as the major grades in Social Studies and Writing. • Progress Reports-Each student will receive a progress report midway through each grading period.

6. Grading Systems Class work: Class work is done during class time. After adequate time has been given, class work will be collected and graded. Make up work: Missed assignments will be provided to students who have been absent. Students have one day for each day of absence to make up work after they return to school. Late Work will receive a conduct mark on the Panther card and per KISD policy will receive a 0 if it is missing for more than 4 days. R.A.I.S.E.- A student missing assignments can be assigned to RAISE to make up work. This year, RAISE will be held by grade level teachers on Wednesdays from 3:45-4:45. Prior notification will be given to parents before a student is held for this program. Grading Scale; +=100, √+= 90, √=80, √-=70

7. MPE Retest/Redo Procedure • The belief of Katy ISD is that a student should have the benefit of continuous opportunities to learn and that a student’s mastery level shall be a major factor in determining the grade for a subject.  • Teachers are required to post the actual score earned by a student in TAC. Grade manager will NO longer automatically default a 50 on the report card for averages less than 50. • Refer to handout for specific guidelines.

8. Time Trackers“THE PANTHER PLANNER” • Students will keep a time tracker. • Every morning they will enter the room and unpack. • The assignments will be written on the board. • Students are responsible for writing due dates and assignments. • Parents are encouraged to sign the planner nightly. It is a great way to see what your child has for homework and upcoming tests. • Either a class helper or the teacher will stamp planners.

9. Wednesday Folder • Teachers will return graded work on Wednesday in the students’ take home folders. • Important information regarding PTA, the school, and upcoming events will be placed in the folder. • Please review your child’s folder and return it the following day. • Contact the teacher if there are any concerns via email, written note, or a phone call. • Students are required to get a parent signature on their Panther Card on Wednesday nights as well.

10. Reading • Fountas and Pinnell Testing will start soon. Your children will be tested and their reading levels will be determined. • Students will be reading leveled readers and various types of literature throughout the year. • Word Work, Everyday Editing, and Focus Poetry will be taught daily. Assessments will be given for Word Work every 5-6 weeks and will count as a minor grade. • Read-Alouds, targeted reading instruction, and independent reading are also part of our Balanced Literacy Program. • Reading STAAR is on March 31, 2015. Students must meet standard to be promoted to 6th grade.

11. Math • Daily Math Warm-ups • Math Assessments will be given throughout the year. • Manipulatives will be used in the classroom • Math Journal –a student notebook used to take notes and work out math problems • Math and Technology will be incorporated • Practice FASTT Math on a weekly basis • Fact Fluency grade is taken once every grading period. • Math STAAR will be administered on March 30, 2015.

12. Writing • Writing Workshop-Students will have a Writer’s Notebook. Students will be engaged in targeted writing lessons and participate in daily writing across many genres. Writers will confer with other writers and with the teacher. Each kind of writing will end with a celebration. • Each week, students will be given a writing prompt or exercise for homework.

13. Science and Social Studies In Science, we will start the school year with physical properties of matter. We will cover physical science, life science and earth science in order to prepare students for their first Science STAAR test which will be on April 22. Students will conduct hands on Science experiments in a safe manner. In Social Studies, we will focus on U.S. Geography and History starting from Colonization to present day.

14. Library and Computer Times • We visit the library every week! Please remember to pack library books the evening before. • Students will visit the library during their Social Studies/Writing Block. • We encourage students to pick books on their reading level and from different genres. • Students will have time to research and work on projects with different software programs and across subject areas.

15. Important Information • Way Home-a student must have a note from a parent to make any changes in the way they go home. • A Rainy Day plan will take effect as the campus designates. • Car Riders are required to have a tag. • Absences-Students need to bring a signed and dated note including an explanation of the absence upon return to school. • Birthdays-Students may bring birthday treats for members of their homeroom class to enjoy at recess. They should either be sent with the student in the morning or dropped off at the office by 10 a.m. • Please inform the nurse of any allergies. • Lunch money-Please hand in all money in an envelope with student name, teacher name, grade level, and amount written on the outside.

16. Restroom Breaks/Snacks/Water Bottles/ Lunch • Restroom Breaks-At this time, students are allowed to use the restroom during individual work time or transitions. Emergencies are taken into consideration during lesson times. • Snack-Please send a healthy snack daily with your child. Snack time is during instruction at 10:00 am. • Water Bottles- Clear water bottles with tops to prevent spills can be brought by the students to keep them hydrated during the day. It may only contain water (flavored water is not permitted). • Lunch visits: Parents are welcome to eat lunch with their children at the special parent tables located on the side of the cafeteria. Parents will need their identification at the front office to receive a visitor’s name tag to attend lunches.

17. Discipline and Conduct • Our classroom is a small community where working as a team and forming respectful relationships is encouraged. • Panther Principles can be found in a manila folder. The student will bring their behavior card home everyday for parents to check. • Students Panther Cards will be used to determine conduct grades for each grading period using the scores below: 0-7 in the same category = S 8-12 in the same category= N 13 + in the same category =U 13-15 scattered checks = N in disciplines self 16+ scattered checks = U in disciplines self

18. Panther Principles • Students are expected to follow the Panther Principles. The three main rules are posted in every classroom: • I will keep my hands, feet, and objects to myself and speak respectfully to others. • I will come to class prepared and ready to learn. • I will follow directions the first time given.

19. Consequences and Rewards Consequences: • 1. First Offense-Warning (verbal or written) • 2. Second Offense Check Mark and Time Out (5 minutes) • 3. Third Offense-Check Mark and Time Out (10 minutes) • 4. Fourth Offense-Check Mark and phone call home • 5. Fifth Offense- Check Mark and Office Referral • 5. Severe Behavior –Automatic Office Referral Rewards: • Grade level incentives • Tickets, stickers, certificates and positive classroom reward system.

20. Safety in school and playground • All visitors need to have an ID. • Students aren’t allowed to open the doors to any adult. • Proper shoes should be worn for P.E. days. • Playground rules need to be respected and followed. • Walk in the hallways and classrooms.

21. Fifth Grade Upcoming Events for this year/ EventosporvenirMark your Calendars/Marcatucalendario • September 4th- 20th Fundraiser • September 8th-12th Grandparents Lunch Week • September 16th MPE Skate Night, 6-8 • September 24th– Progress Reports sent home • October 3rd- Early Dismissal @ 12:40 • October 8th -Picture Day • October 9thMath Night, 6:30-7:30 • October 13th Student Holiday for Columbus Day • October 14th Spirit Night @ Chuck E. Cheese,5-9 • October 17th-MPE Field Day • October 22nd 1st Period Report Cards sent home

22. Communicating Together! • It is in your child’s best interest that we work together with regard to his/ her education. • We will keep you informed of your child’s progress through the use of the Panther Card, homework planner, and posting of grades to the Home Access Center. • Once teachers have finished beginning of the year assessments and have had a chance to know your child, we will look forward to meeting with you for an annual conference. • Fifth grade conference time is from 8:40-9:35. Please feel free to contact us via phone or email with questions or concerns.

23. Questions and ConcernsPreguntas o dudas

24. Thank you for coming to our Fifth Grade Presentation. Fifth Grade is SUPER!