WELCOME TO FIFTH GRADE

Isabel Anaya and Michelle WestfallKaren ConnerJoe GagliardoOlivia HeroCyndi RodriguezEllen Schmidt

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

Everything a person does or says speaks volumes about his/her character.

All instructional decisions keep the latest brain research in mind. Everything is on purpose.

We build life-long learners We strive to create horizontal connections, as

well as vertical learning to create well rounded thinkers.

Students are encouraged to see beyond themselves and connect their learning with the world around them

SCHOOL HOURS 7:45-2:45 No student drop off before 7:00-there are no adults on duty.

Students will wait in the cafeteria until 7:15, when they will be released to the hallways

All exterior doors will be locked at 7:30 with the exception of the front doors.

Students will be counted tardy if they arrive in the building after 7:45

Students are absent if not in class by 9:00. An excuse note is needed no later than 5 days after the

absence. Per NISD policy, notes received after the 5 days will remain unexcused

2 or more tardies/early departures will result in a child not being eligible for Perfect Attendance

HOW/WHEN TO REACH US Conference time 10:10-10:55 Email is a convenient form of

communication used frequently. Please make sure to get your child’s

teacher’s email address if this is an option for you.

Teachers have voice mail on which you may leave a message. We will do our best to check messages regularly and get back to you in a timely manner.

VISITORS Parents are always welcome to come and

observe their child in the classroom. Please call the morning of the day you are planning to come in to make sure we are not at specials, assembly, library, etc. Observations should be limited to 30-45 min per day.

Parents who are on-campus to volunteer or go on field trips must have completed the background check form.

Feel free to come and have lunch with your child –But YOU MUST sign in, receive, and WEAR a visitor badge! This must be worn by any person on campus after 7:45 am.

IMPORTANT INFOTeachers will use the following means to communicate important events/info to parents:

Discipline Folder Weekly Newsletter Web page Friday Folder (includes graded work) Parent Connection Progress Reports/Report Cards Parent Conferences

GRADE-LEVEL NEWSLETTER

You will receive a weekly newsletter on the last day of each week via email/webpage. Information is for the next week. This will provide vital information for you on what your child is doing in the classroom. Please save a copy in your inbox or be familiar with how to retrieve it online.

REPORT CARD/PROGRESS REPORT

• Our Report Cards and Progress Reports are aligned with NISD Standards.

• Report cards will be issued after each nine week grading period.

• Progress Reports will be issued midway throughout each nine weeks.

5TH GRADE PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS Reading at an ending 5th grade level Pass 3 math promotion standards Receive a 3 or 4 on a Writing Prompt Pass the Reading and Math STAAR Master most of the NISD standards Have an average of 70 or higher in

subject areas.

HOMEWORK

Homework is assigned to reinforce skills that help create a firm foundation on which to build vertically. It will also guide students to think outside of the school walls, making the curriculum more relevant to real life.

Homework consists of:

Math Fact FamiliesSpelling Get to 30Bi-Weekly Current Event Nightly Reading

Students received instructions for each of these.

GRADING POLICY• Assignments below 70 can be re-done and re-

submitted for a 70. This does NOT apply to assessments/tests.

• Late Work-Work is due the day assigned unless otherwise noted. Ten (10) points will be deducted from the grade for each day it is late. Students will receive a folder mark for missing work (for not Fulfilling Responsibilities). Late work WILL NOT be accepted two weeks after the assignment was due and will change from Missing (MSG) to 0 (zero) in the gradebook.

• Late projects are NOT accepted.

TEST TAKING POLICY All tests require corrections to be

made and returned in a timely manner. This is to help students rethink/relearn misunderstandings of the content. A higher grade will NOT be given.

Students must make corrections on a separate sheet of paper and staple it to the assessment. It is due the following school day.

This does not alter the grade on the assessment!

TOYS AT SCHOOL Toys may not be brought to school

unless the teacher sends home a note No one may bring a weapon or any

item associated with a weapon for an reason

Trading cards are not allowed on campus

Toys brought to school will be taken by the teacher for a parent to retrieve.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES We understand that electronics provide a

unique and valuable resource to the world of education.

Students are encouraged to bring devices such as iPods, iPads, tablets, laptops to school for use as instructional tools.

We must have a permission form on file. Privileges may be lost if students are using

devices outside of the parameters of the Acceptable Use Policy

Teachers cannot be held responsible for loss or damage—consider an app (Find My Phone) and/or insurance!

PARENT CONNECTION**AN INVALUABLE RESOURCE**

Parents are now able to log on to Parent Connection

(via the NISD home page) to check their child’s grades and

attendance. You must create a new account each year!

You need never be surprised by your child’s grades—they are literally

at your fingertips!

DRESS CODEPlease consult your NISD parent handbook for any questions you might have regarding what your child should wear to school.Specifically, shorts should be fingertip length and short straps should be the width of 2 fingers

FAMILY FIELD TRIPS Each month or so, you

and your family will have the opportunity to gather with other grade level families for a Family Field Trip

This is an educational opportunity for you and your child(ren) to learn and grow together!

LAW CONCERNING FOOD GIVEN OUT IN CLASS

The Texas Department of Agriculture initiated a policy calling for certain foods and beverages to not be given away on the school premises. These foods include but are not limited to any candy, sodas, and popsicles that don’t contain fruit juices. This policy will be strictly enforced at Kuentz, meaning that our thinking will have to accommodate this policy when planning parties.

You may bring in cupcakes or non-food items for birthday’s. They will be distributed at recess. The treats may be store bought or home made.

The only times that we are exempt from the law are for the Winter, Rodeo, and Graduation parties.

(This policy does not affect what you send for only your child, although snacks to be eaten in class should be HEALTHY.)

DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

Students are dismissed at 2:45 pm daily (with the exception of Early Release days)

If your child needs to be released early for any appointment or emergency, sign them out in the office.

If the way a student goes home is changing, written permission must be given to the teacher. Each time it changes documentation is necessary. This must be received by

2:00.

THIS IS A TRANSITION YEAR!

Not a child anymore

Not yet a young adult

In addition to curriculum, your child will learn life lessons and acceptable social norms.

YIKES! THAT SOUNDS HARSH!

Let us take a moment to address some policies that may raise your eyebrows.

MORNING HALLWAY WORK Some students arrive as early as

7:00am. That is 35 minutes that could be utilized for brain building activities.

35 min x 5 days x 4 weeks = 700 min Almost 12 hours a month! For this reason, students are required to WORK while they wait for school to begin.This is an excellent opportunity to work on homework.

SILENT HALLWAY Respect and safety are of the utmost

importance.

Students walk in a straight line to facilitate movement throughout the school.Students walk silently to respect the other learners in the building.

COMMUNICATION/DISCIPLINE FOLDER

This folder is used to let you know how your child is doing on a weekly basis.

If YOU don’t sign it, half of its purpose disappears!

If your child’s folder has been signed, it indicates that:1- repeated redirections were not sufficient to fix the behavior OR2-the behavior was very disruptive to other learners

COMMUNICATION/DISCIPLINE FOLDER (CONT’D)

As per NISD standards, work habits and responsibility are wrapped up with citizenship.

Folder marks are given for missing homework and forms.This provides a method of communicating with you AND a source of accountability for the students.

STUDENTS MAY GO TO THE NURSE WHEN SOMETHING IS COMING OUT OF THEIR BODIES.

Our campus implements a buddy system that requires THREE to go to the nurse. This takes valuable instruction time from all three.

Upset tummies, headaches and boo-boos will be handled in the classroom. Emergencies happen! We promise to be proactive and judicious when deciding if an injury warrants a nurse visit.

HOWL AT THE MOON FAMILY NIGHT Friday, November 1, 5:30-8:30 pm Food, fun and games PTA Fundraiser Each class is responsible for putting together

a basket for the silent auction. Your child’s teacher will notify you of your basket theme.

If you have any questions, please contact the Kuentz PTA at kuentzpta@yahoo.com

Have you joined PTA????

Together, we will

MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Fifth grade teachers

YOUR LAST TASK TONIGHT!Use your cell phone to sign up for your teacher’s Remind 101. This is a free way to receive timely information regarding your child’s learning.

Anaya ConnerText “@4388ef” to(469) 203-8114

GagliardoText “@mrgagl” to(469)518-3615

HeroText “@77cb9” to(210) 706-0953

Rodriguez Schmidt