Class Website

I believe in providing excellent communication to parents and students in my class. You will find my classroom website filled with information for parents and children. I update our website quite often, so you can be sure what you are reading is up-to-date information. You will find announcements, a calendar of events, helpful websites to reinforce our grade level skills, Mastery Club challenges, our schedule, Daily Log, and much more! Be sure to bookmark our site or add it to your favorites list for quick access.

Contacting Mrs. Brittan

I check my email throughout the day. It is a great way to get instant feedback to your questions or comments and I encourage you to contact me this way. Our school phone is 587-2290.

**Please note that I cannot accept change of destination notes via email.

Due Dates for Classroom Assignments

Classroom assignments are generally due the next school day after they are assigned. Class time is always given to complete assignments. Students will need to finish an assignment at home if it is not completed during the work time given during class.

Thursday Folders

Completed assignments from the week will come home to parents every week in our "Thursday Folder." Their grade log will be attached to the graded papers. Please sign the grade log. Students need to correct assignments that have received scores below 80% as soon as possible and turn them back in. The grade will be raised 10 points or to a 75%, whichever is higher. You can check our website calendar to see when Thursday Folders will come home.

Progress Reports

Ask your child to see his or her computerized progress report each six weeks in their Thursday Folder. Please sign the progress report so I know you have seen it and return it in the folder the next school day. I will return the update to your child after I have checked off your signature.

Absences

When your child is absent, he or she is responsible for making up the work. Students will have a paper-clipped group of papers on their desk when they return. Students have the number of days they missed, plus one to make up the work. For example, if the student misses 2 days of school, they would have 3 days after they return to school to make up the work. Many of our class activities cannot be done at home (group work, experiments, in-class activities, etc.) so regular attendance is encouraged.

Grading

Grade Scale -

A = 93 - 100

B= 85 - 92

C = 75 - 84

D = 70 - 74

F = 0 - 69

Remember any grade below 80% can be corrected and turned back in for a grade change. The score will be changed to either a 75% or it will be raised 10 points for successful completion.

Students can lose 10 points on papers if there is no name, they are turned in after 7:45 a.m., and if they have the incorrect heading.

Spelling Words and Tests

Our class will use spelling words that go along with our stories in our reading book. Students will receive 2 COPIES of our spelling words, 1 to keep at home and 1 to keep in their notebook. They will be responsible for keeping up with the lists. On Monday there will be a spelling pre-test, Tuesday and Wednesday will consist of spelling activities. Thursday we will grade our spelling activities together and Friday will be our final test. If a student makes a 100 on Monday - they are exempt from the test Friday!

Projects and Book Reports

We will complete several projects throughout the school year, including: The Million Dollar Project, a Civil War project and a poetry notebook.

Book reports will be completed and presented using books from our WONDERFUL school library! Students will complete 3 reports before Christmas break and 3 after the break.

Art in the Classroom

I am a big believer in expanding students' minds! Throughout the year we will study various artists and their works. We will incorporate their famous techniques into our 5th grade curriculum, Michelangelo in social studies and MC Escher in math. Hopefully we have several budding artists among us!

Snack

Students will have approximately 10 minutes each morning for snack. I encourage you to send healthy foods; candy will not be allowed to be eaten as a snack. Students may also bring a drink for snack, but NO SOFT DRINKS!

Discipline

Students are expected to follow our classroom rules, no matter where they are in the building. Great behavior is rewarded with praise, a visit to Mrs. Teresa's office, extra recess, etc. Improper behavior is followed-up with a silent lunch, loss of recess, or possibly a detention slip.

Class Rules

1. Raise hand to speak.

2. Follow directions the first time they are given.

3. Be responsible for all work when it is due.

4. Respect and treat others as you wish to be treated.

5. Keep feet hands and negative comments to self.

Classroom Incentives

When students follow the rules and do the right thing they are rewarded in a variety of ways. The class is rewarded daily on our "Paperclip Chain." It starts at the top of our whiteboard and once it touches the tray the class is rewarded! Students are also rewarded for turning in all homework each day with a "Hot Ticket." They may trade in 7 hot tickets for a homework pass, this may be used or kept and traded in for an extra credit ticket, worth 10 points in any subject.

Birthday and Holiday Parties

Parents, you are more than welcome to send a treat to school for your child's birthday. I will need your help for our Halloween and Valentine's Day party!

STAR Student and SuperSTAR

STAR stands for "Student That Acts Responsibly" and one student is chosen from our classroom each month. They are recognized at a school-wide assembly and reception. If a child is chosen as STAR student in 5th grade they can become a SuperSTAR. This is done by completing 15 hours of community service. Even if a student hasn't been chosen as a STAR student, and think they might, they can work on their hours. All hours have to be completed and turned in the first wek of May.

Mastery Club Challenges

I believe students should be challenged to learn as many new things as they can. Saying "I'm bored" is not going to happen in my classroom! Students may become a member of my classroom Mastery Club. Students who achieve 20 or more accomplishments become members of the "Hall of Fame" and will have their name added to the Hall of Fame wall and to our website (forever!).

Accelerated Reader

This will be up and running in our classroom again this year! We will participate in the Pizza Hut Book It program. Each student that earns 8 AR points for the month will receive a coupon for a free personal pan pizza.

Illness

If your child is running a fever or throwing up, please do not send them to school. If they are running a fever at school or they get sick, parent/guardian will be called immediately.

Conferences

A note will be sent home with your child as the date gets closer and you will need to sign up for a time in order to guarantee a thorough conference.

September 29th 12:00-6:00 p.m.

A second conference will be scheduled after Christmas break. I will post it here as soon as I know when it is.

Lunch

If you or a relative comes to eat lunch with your child the school asks that you wait at the cafeteria door for the class.

Visitors

Please make sure you check in at the front desk before entering the hallways. If someone is seen without a visitor's tag they will be stopped and sent back to the office.

School Supplies

Please make sure supplies are replenished throughout the year. Students will not be allowed to use personal pencil sharpeners in our classroom, they seem to make a mess!