1. Mrs. Lundeen, Mrs. Mitchem, Mrs. O’Neal, Mrs. Hurst, and Mrs. McCoy welcome you to Fifth Grade! Mrs. Lundeen, Mrs. Mitchem, Mrs. O’Neal, Mrs. Hurst, and Mrs. McCoy welcome you to Fifth Grade!

2. Curriculum We follow the Blue Valley District curriculum guidelines for academics in fifth grade. Within each unit, students will answer “Essential Questions” and complete “Learning Targets” for successful learning experiences. Please visit the Blue Valley School District website for an in-depth look at the 5 th grade curriculum. Log on to http://www.bluevalleyk12.org, and click on the curriculum tab.http://www.bluevalleyk12.org You may also find this information on the Blue River School Center Website under 5 th Grade.

3. Discipline Students, with teachers, establish expectations, guidelines, rights, and responsibilities for our learning environment. These are built upon our foundation of Blue River Virtues. If a student does not demonstrate our classroom expectations, he or she will confer with the teacher for support and direction with the “Give Em Five” strategy. More detailed information is provided on the School Center website.

4. We will be using the “Effective Discipline” approach to classroom management. A component of this program is a five-step guided conversation, called “Give ‘Em Five”, which will be conducted privately between the student and teacher when undesirable behaviors do occur. The five steps to the conversation are as follows: 1. Statement of Support (Something positive to start out) 2.Expectation breakdown (To ensure student knows what was not acceptable) 3.Expectation (To ensure student knows what is expected) 4.How this benefits the student (Explains why it is important for the student to choose the more desirable behavior) 5.Closure (Provides closure so that the teacher/student relationship is left in-tact) Another component of the Effective Discipline program is an area designated for “Refocus”. In each classroom, there is an area for the child to refocus their behavior. If a child’s not ready to accept feedback, the child may need an opportunity to cool down or think. If the child is very upset or even angry, he/she may choose to sit in the refocus area. When the child is calm and ready, he/she may give the signal (i.e. moving a magnet up on the bookshelf) to show the teacher, “I’m calm and cool! I’m ready to talk!” When the child has given us the refocused signal, we will then complete our “Give ‘Em Five” conversation. A consequence may be earned at this time if the teacher feels it is necessary. Using this program allows us to build relationships with kids while we model respect and promote responsibility. We look forward to a wonderful year building strong, positive relationship with your child!

5. Planners Will be completed together after each class session Will be reviewed in homeroom at the end of the day A sticker, star, or stamp indicates that planners have been checked by the teacher for parent signatures and notes from home.

6. L.E.A.P. Binders (Linking Education and Parents) L.E.A.P. binders contain your students’ daily planners, folders for important papers and homework. Also included are sections for teachers and parents to communicate in writing. PTO info, monthly calendars, and miscellaneous brochures will be sent home on Fridays in the “Important Papers” section of the LEAP binder. Graded work will be sent home on Mondays in the “Important Papers” section of the LEAP binder. Please check for graded work each Monday with your child. We would greatly appreciate emptying the Important Papers section on Friday and Monday each week. Please check and sign your child’s assignment planner each day.

7. Home/School Communication Weekly newsletters and calendars will be posted on the BRE School Center website by Friday after school. Letters of information about field trips and activities will be posted as well. Hard copies of permission slips will be sent as needed. Contact us by phone, voicemail, or e-mail. E-mail is preferred by the 5 th grade team of teachers. This information is in your Back to School packet. If you have a specific concern about a subject, please call the teacher of that subject. If you need to reach us immediately, please call the BRE office at 239-6000. Birthday treats are welcome. If the treats are food, we must have labels for our students with health concerns. Store- bought baked goods without nut products, ice cream treats, or fun school supply items are great. We will serve them and celebrate at the end of the day. We have included the list of “safe” foods on our website.

8. Homework Homework is almost always a continuation of assignments that were begun in class. * There should not be more that 50 minutes of homework per night. (10 minutes per grade level is recommended) *Homework is due at the beginning of the following day unless specified differently in the student’s planner *A Late Assignment Note will be sent home for your signature if your child has a late assignment, and he/she will complete late work in study hall during recess. The note and the work should be turned in the next day. *Each child will be allowed one homework pass per subject for the first semester and a new one for second semester. *If a child is absent they have 2 days for everyday absent to complete their work. *Parents will be notified if a serious pattern of late work emerges.

9. School Center Website Much of our communication with parents will be accessed through our new on-line tool, “School Center”. To find School Center, type in http://www.bluevalleyk12.org/BRE Click on “Classrooms” Click on BRE 5 th grade to access weekly newsletters, reminders, field trips and general information about all of 5 th grade. Once we have subscribed everyone to the website you will receive an e-mail every time we update the site.

10. Let’s adjourn to the 5 th grade home rooms located in the Purple Pod and Red Pod for volunteer sign-ups, wishing stars and a chance to write your child a note!