Mr. Ortolano and Mrs. Smith Open House 2016-2017

WELCOME TO OUR POD Mr. Ortolano Mrs. Smith Mrs. Crabtree Mrs. Snodgrass/Mrs. Cuevas Mrs. Symons Mrs. James Mrs. Escue Mrs. Wieczorek (ESE Support)

A Little About Mr.O I was born and raised in Buffalo, NY (GO BILLS!) Worked in child care with ages 4- 13 for 5 years for the North Pinellas YMCA. Summertime I am a real estate agent. Teaching experience: 1 year at Cypress Woods Elementary in Pinellas County 4 years at Sanders Memorial Elementary in Land O’ Lakes - I helped open Odessa Elementary and we are now in our 7th year! I was born and raised in Buffalo, NY (GO BILLS!) Moved to Florida in 1998 I have 2 dogs, Abby (boxer mix) and Frankie (pug) Went to St. Petersburg College where I graduated with my Bachelors degree in Elementary Education grades K-6.

A Little About Mrs. Smith I was born in Florida and lived here all my life. I attended Pasco County schools and graduated from Gulf High School. I have been married for 17 years and have a beautiful Siberian Husky. I received my teaching degree from University of Central Florida. I also earned a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Teaching Experience: 4 years in Seminole County and 27 years in Pasco. I helped open Odessa and we are now in our 7th year.

Attendance Matters Research shows attendance correlates to student success. Students that miss 2 or more days per quarter are at risk for not meeting grade level standards. Students miss out on important lessons, collaboration and hands-on practice that isn’t easy or practical to recreate. Contact your child’s teacher immediately when you know your child is going to miss school.

Wildcats ROAR ! ! ! Respect everyone Obey rules Act responsibly Remember safety

Behavior Management The use of conduct cards……. Conduct cards are a way to track student behavior and missing homework. Students will makes mistakes and the goal is to not repeat them but learn from them. Students can participate in our weekly ROAR rotations if they receive less than 3 checks per week.

ROAR ROTATIONS

Cat Cash

Math Curriculum Math Florida Standards Student Scales Daily routines Nightly Homework to practice or review the skills learned in class Math Journals Online Resources: Animated math models, textbook, and homework pages. “Snap-shots” by standard Assessments are by units

Science Curriculum Science Standards Periodic Homework Science Journals Online Resources :(textbook and virtual labs) Assessments: Lesson quizzes and Unit tests.

Humanities Block Our Humanities block includes: Reading, Writing, Grammar, Spelling and Social Studies Our writing this year will focus on opinion pieces and informative essays. Students will write essays using articles and provide text evidence. Our spelling program consists of 10 5th grade level words and 10 from Words their Way

ReadyGen… ReadyGen: will be used as a resource to our Humanities instruction Whole Group and Small Group Instruction Instruction through the use of trade books Vocabulary practice E-readers or tablets are encouraged

Panthers are “Wild About Reading” Each quarter the students will be given a reading goal. At the end of the quarter they are to record all of the books they have read on their Wild About Reading Sheet. Each child that meets the reading goal will be able to attend the Wild About Reading Celebration.

End of the Year Assessments Our assessments for the end of the year are Florida Standards Assessments. (Except science is FCAT) Students will be taking a reading, writing, math and science assessment. Reading and math assessments will be computer based, science and writing will be paper and pencil. In this generation it is very important that you encourage your child to practice keyboarding skills (on a desktop or laptop).

Communication Planners are for the students to stay organized. Please check to make sure they are using them properly and sign nightly. Communication (Tuesday) folders will be sent home on Tuesday and should be returned the following day. Take some time to visit our classroom websites. They will be updated regularly. This is where you can find information and reminders of what’s going on in the classroom as well as in the school. E-mail is the best form of communication for us between the hours of 8:45-3:00. (Please do not email change of transportation, as we may not receive it.) We will answer back in 24 hours or less.

Homework Mr.O: Math homework every night except Fridays and test days. Science homework will be periodic. Mrs. Smith: A spelling assignment will be given each night and your child should read their independent reading book nightly. Research says that reading for at least 30 minutes every night (including weekends) is one of the most powerful and effective ways to increase student achievement and future success.

Fifth grade teachers are not really mean, promise! Did You Know… Fifth grade teachers are not really mean, promise! We may sometimes seem that way because as a grade level it is important to help our students transition into middle school. We want them to become independent, responsible, and organized students. We want our students to take ownership of their learning.

What does that means… Due dates ARE due dates Rules ARE rules Above all, our expectations are HIGH!!

Did You Know… "In this complex world, it takes more than a good school to educate children, and it takes more than a good home. It takes these two major educational institutions working together.” -Dorothy Rich, Author of Megaskills.

How you can support your child? Monitor your child’s homework for completion and accuracy! Have access to the internet using a desktop, laptop, or tablet! Review and discuss with your child their graded and completed work as well as encourage conversations about and around what they are learning. Sign your child’s planner nightly. Encourage your child to explore and research what we are learning in school.

Thank you very much for coming in tonight!!! *Please remember to sign in by scanning the QR code before you leave tonight.