1. Ms. Casey and Ms. Lewiss Open House Welcome Parents!

2. Our Goals To give your child the academic and social skills he/she needs to progress to sixth grade. To provide a supportive and fun classroom environment. To help your child make new friends and discover new interests.

3. Class Subjects The subjects we cover during fifth grade are: Reading and Writing (Lewis) Math (Casey) Science (Casey) Social Studies (Both) Music, Art, & P.E.

4. Class Schedule 7:30 – 8:05 Bellwork/Announcements 8:05 – 9:10 Math (AM Group) 9:10 - 10:10 Science (AM Group) 10:10 - 10:40 Math (PM Group) 10:40 – 11:10 Specials 11:10 – 11:40 Math (PM Group) 11:40 – 12:40 Science (PM Group) 12:40 – 1:10 Lunch 1:10 – 1:40 SS / TDPE (Teacher Directed PE) 1:40 – 2:10 RTI

5. Specials Schedule See Class News Board

6. Reading Students will be learning strategies and vocabulary to improve their reading fluency and comprehension. The reading block is divided into Read Aloud, Shared Reading in which the focus skill is introduced, Guided Reading in which the focus skill is practiced in a small group setting, and Independent Reading where students read and respond in their journals. Students need to be reading books on their level and when available, take an RP test when they finish reading a book.

7. Math Students will demonstrate mastery of skills and strategies required to solve mathematics problems appropriate for grade 5. Concepts covered will include graphing, decimals, fractions, division, and geometry. It is essential that your child know his/her multiplication facts. They will be using a new program at school to obtain mastery.

8. Science This year we will cover Life Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science. Students will be participating in the school science fair, as this is our year to participate in the district competition. Information about dates and requirements will come later.

9. Social Studies We are excited to learn about history from the time of exploration through the American Revolution.

10. Homework Your child will have to read for 20 minutes, complete the reading log, and do math homework every school night. Occasionally your child will have additional reading homework. Science and social studies homework will be given on an as needed basis.

11. FCAT Students in 5 th grade are tested in the areas of reading, math, and science in April. Students can practice for the FCAT at home using FCAT Explorer. The usernames and passwords have not been set up yet, but we will get that information to you when it is.

12. Classroom Community Our classrooms are a community. In our community, we have rules to help us get along with each other. Our class rules are: Listen and follow directions the first time they are given. Keep your hands and feet to yourself. Be polite and helpful. Keep the room clean. Have all materials ready to use when the bell rings.

13. Behavior Report Your child will receive a new behavior report each Friday in the agenda. All students begin the week with 20 points. Throughout the week, if your child does not meet an expected behavior, points will be deducted on the behavior report. Students need 15 points to participate in Fun Friday activities. Please do not sign the behavior report until the weekend. This will ensure that you have seen all point activity for the week.

14. Student Planners Please initial your childs planner each day after you have checked that his/her homework is completed. Please write any notes that you have for us in this planner. Tell your child to let us know if you have written a note. Remember to write a note if your childs transportation changes. Unless we have a note, your child will go home as usual.

15. Wednesday Folder Every Wednesday your child will be bringing home the white and green communication folder. This folder will contain and important notes from our school & community. Please sign both the folder and the graded papers in the folder and have your child turn it in on Thursday. We keep the graded papers to refer to during conferences. A newsletter will go home in each weeks Wednesday folder which will highlight topics covered in each class and any important dates, events and school/class news.

16. School Policies Attendance: Six or more absences/and or tardies will lead to a check on the report card. Missed work will have to be made up once the child returns to school. Lesson plans change from day to day based on accomplished tasks, so sending home anticipated work in advance may be difficult. Tardies: Students are tardy if they arrive to our rooms after 8:05. Breakfast is not served after 7:55, so arrive early! Per county guidelines, students must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school.

17. School Policies cont. Cell phones must be off during the day and in students backpacks. If they are seen, they will be confiscated and returned at the end of the day. Drop off: In the mornings, no students should be dropped off at school before 7:30 for safety reasons. Students should never be dropped off by the lunchroom. Please use the moving drop off line at the front of the school. **Parking in front of the school IS NOT ALLOWED. That is a No Parking zone.

18. Uniforms Sessums is a mandatory uniform school. Please be sure your child is dressed appropriately. Girls may wear khaki, black, or navy skorts, shorts, jumpers, skirts, or pants. Boys may wear khaki, black or navy pants or shorts. Both boys and girls may wear any color tops with collars. The shorts/skirts must be worn past their fingertips. Your child must have a uniform waiver on file if they are not wearing a uniform. Per administration, any student involved in an extra- curricular activity such as Drama, Chorus, Drums, or Safety Patrol must where a uniform daily.

19. Dismissal Procedures 5 th grade is not dismissed until 2:15. If you would like to sign your child out of school, please do so prior to 1:45. As a courtesy to the community & for the safety of our students, please do not park on the grass on Ramble Creek Dr. All car riders will be dismissed in front of the cafeteria. Please refer to the map sent home for details.

20. Great American Teach-In On November 21, 2013, parents will have the opportunity to come in and speak about their jobs. If you are interested in participating, please let us know.

21. REMIND 101 New this year, we are using an app called Remind 101 to send you notifications about upcoming school and class events, tests, and activities. If you are interested in receiving these text notifications, please text @caseyle to (954) 603-8560. You will be added to a class list and should receive a welcome text.

22. Our Contact Information Ms. Caseys Phone number: 672-5230, ext. 568 E-mail: elizabeth.casey@sdhc.k12.fl.us Ms. Lewiss Phone number: 672-5230, ext. 546 E-mail: denise.lewis@sdhc.k12.fl.us Website: sessums.mysdhc.org/teacher/3922casey

23. Lets Have a Great Year!