Dear Fifth Grade Parent,

I am your child's 5th grade teacher, and I am delighted to have your child in my class this year. I'm looking forward to a very successful year, and I know you are, too. I have high expectations for your child, and I will be doing all that I can to help your child achieve those expectations.

My ultimate goal this school year is to prepare students to take ownership for themselves and their own learning so that they will become lifelong learners.  Although we may want to hand children all the knowledge they will possibly need to succeed, that is impossible and not as helpful to growing learners.  We need to help students learn self-motivation so that they will continue to acquire the skills necessary throughout their education and life. 

Your child’s education is of the utmost importance to me, as I know it is to you.  In order to insure that your child understands the concepts presented in class, he/she will have homework in math three to four times a week as a means to practice the skills taught at school.  Completion of homework is essential for evaluation of skill mastery. 

Homework is your child’s responsibility.  Help them develop a responsible attitude toward homework by providing a set time, quiet place, and some assistance.  Homework can increase your child’s school achievement, teach good study skills, and teach the students responsibility and self-discipline.  Please monitor your child’s homework assignments.  See that they are done neatly and turned in on time.

This year, again, each child has been provided an assignment notebook/agenda.  Assignments will be posted on the assignment chart daily and it is your child’s responsibility to copy his/her assignments.  It is then your child’s responsibility to take home the agenda and necessary work and complete the assignment.  Homework must be brought to class the day it is due. If it is done and not brought to class, it is unfortunately counted as late. Late work will be accepted the following day with a 15 point deduction.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.  It is only with students, parents, and teachers working together that we can provide your child with the best possible education.  I am looking forward to working with you and your child this school year.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Pope