OPEN HOUSE

1. OPEN HOUSE PVPV/ RAWLINGS ELEMENTARY September 15, 2009 Ms. Steven’s Fifth Grade Classroom

2. Goal for the Year Students will be organized, responsible, lifelong learners, who make good choices and are, one day, productive members of this great society.

3. Expectations for the Year • Students will be prepared to learn daily. • Paper, Pencils, Homework, Planner • Charged Laptops, if applicable • Students will practice Character Counts! • Students will use creative, problem solving thinking skills.

4. Class Rules • Work hard/be on task. • Do what’s right. • Treat others the way you want to be treated. • Follow all directions. • Principles of Character Counts. * BE PREPARED * BE RESPONSIBLE * BE HONEST * BE RESPECTFUL

5. Homework Policy • Homework should be practice of class lessons and should not take more than 50 minutes each day. If your child is steadily working on homework and consistently spending more than this, please contact me so we can investigate the reasons. • Seventy (70) Accelerated Reader points are required per semester. Reading before bed is an excellent opportunity to achieve this goal, while developing and nurturing this wonderful habit.

6. AR and Math Facts • Math Facts in a Flash is available to you via the internet until 6:00 PM. • AR testing opportunities are available in the classroom during the day.

7. Communication • Visit our Class’s web page to keep up-to-date. • http://www-pvmkr.stjohns.k12.fl.us/teachers/TheresaStevens%27_Website/ • (username: pvmkr, password: eagles1) • Your child’s graded papers are sent home in a teal blue folder on Thursdays. Please sign the sheet, keep the papers, and send the folder back as soon as possible, with any returnable papers.

8. Absences/Tardies • When your child is absent, please send in a note or an e-mail so I can mark him/her excused. • Students are responsible for getting, doing, and turning in any missed assignments in as timely a manner as possible. • Your child can enter the classroom beginning at 8:15 each day. The tardy bell rings at 8:30. Science starts promptly at 8:35.

9. Assignment Due Dates • Students are responsible for turning in all assignments on the date they are due. If an assignment is late, full credit is not possible. • For daily homework assignments turned in the next day, 50% credit is earned. • Long-range projects and overdue class work will lose 10% per day for lateness. Students who are absent from class with an excused absence will have a reasonable amount of time to make up any work for full credit. • Missed tests should be taken as soon as he/she is ready.

10. What is Parent Assistant? St. Johns County Schools’ Parent Assistant is a web-based application allowing parents to view their son or daughter’s education information. PVPV/Rawlings’ Grades 3-5 are part of an elementary pilot program for this useful parent-teacher communication tool. All middle and high schools in St. Johns County currently offer Parent Assistant. Features include: students’ schedule of classes; homework assignments, tests, grades; current progress in each class; detailed attendance information; and much more.

11. Obtaining Parent Assistant Information: If you are in need of your Parent Assistant Username and Password after Open House, you will need to EITHER: 1. Visit PVPV/Rawlings’ Front Desk in the Rawlings’ building in person. We will distribute usernames and passwords on Mondays and Fridays from 9-11 and Wednesdays from 12-1:30. A current photo ID must be provided. OR 2. The county has also provided a way for students to bring home a form to authorize the Parent Assistant account: http://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/pa/ (Link for general Parent Assistant information and Waiver.) http://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/pa/PA_Waiver_v1.pdf (Link for Parent Assistant Waiver Form only.) You must provide a copy of current photo ID with the waiver form to receive the authorization to be sent home with your child.

12. Language Arts • Students are evaluated weekly on • Vocabulary, • Grammar/writing, and • Reading. • However, these three are not equal: • Reading......50%, • Grammar/writing......40%, and • Vocabulary & spelling......10%.

13. Analyze words/text Synonyms Chronological order Details/Facts Main Idea Author’s Point of View Author’s Purpose Plot Development Conflict/Conflict Resolution Comparison/Contrast Similarities/Differences (with or among characters) Cause/Effect Interpret Graphical Information Reference Information (synthesize multiple sources) Reference Information (within text) FCAT Reading 2009 Content Focus

14. Mathematics • Five 5th grade teachers are math specialists: Ms. Wondrow, Ms. Brubaker, Mrs. DiVito, Mrs. Ross, and Mrs. Meihofer. They meet every two weeks and plan collegially to ensure maximum content coverage. • Tests and projects are worth 50%, class work is worth 30%, timed math fact assessments are worth 10%, and homework is worth 10%. • Online textbook access at www.eharcourtschool.com

15. FCAT Math 2009Content Focus • Math Content is clustered into five areas. • Number Sense • Measurement • Geometry and Spatial Sense • Algebraic Thinking • Data Analysis and Probability • Students are expected to write to explain in Math this year.

16. Decimal Size Equivalent Fractions Fractions/Decimals Place-value Decimals Distributive Property Mixed Operation Expression Whole Number Subtraction Whole Number Combination of Operations Number Estimate Identifying Multiples Decimal Combination of Operations Number Sense

17. Area Angle Measures Perimeter Weight Time Volume Calculating Time Calculating Length Converting Weight Metric Length Metric Mass Measurement

18. Angles Congruency Symmetry Rotations Reflections Area Perimeter Plotting Points Geometry and Spatial Sense

19. Graphic Patterns Numerical Patterns Patterns Two-variable Expressions One-variable Expressions Solving Equations Solving Inequalities Algebraic Thinking

20. Bar Graphs Circle Graphs Venn Diagrams Mean Median Combinations Likelihood of Outcome Interpretation of Data Data Analysis and Probability

21. Science • Five 5th grade teachers are science specialists: Ms. Sinclair, Ms. Priest, Ms. Ellis, Mrs. Bogard, and myself. We also meet every two weeks and plan collegially to ensure maximum content coverage. • Tests and projects are worth 50%, class work is worth 40%, and homework is worth 10%. • Online textbook access atwww.pearsonsuccessnet.com

22. FCAT Science 2009Content Focus • Science Content is clustered into four areas. • Physical and Chemical Sciences • Earth and Space Sciences • Life and Environmental Sciences • Scientific Thinking • Students are expected to write to explain in Science this year.

23. Density Conservation of Mass Solutions Microscopic Samples Energy Transfer Potential Energy Sources of Energy Friction Motion Forces Net Force Physical & Chemical Sciences

24. Effects of Weathering/Erosion Process of Erosion Nonrenewable Resources Recycling Earth’s Tilt Moon Phases Solar Energy Planet Characteristics Planetary Orbits Properties of Stars Earth & Space Sciences

25. Nervous System Mammal Characteristics Plant Characteristics Plant Cell Functions Learned Behavior Structural Adaptations Plant Growth Plant Structures Adapting to Conditions Competition for Resources Predator/Prey Relationships Habitat Changes Life & Environmental Sciences

26. Record keeping Scientific process Analyzing results Data collection Drawing conclusions Understanding models Predictable events Applications of science Experimental design Scientific Thinking

27. The Social Studies content focus provided by the Florida Sunshine State Standards (SSS) is clustered into four major areas: Civics and Government, Geography, Economics, and The History of the United States. The first three are woven into the sequential progression of our history up to the Civil War. Social Studies

28. Technology • Students must learn to use technology effectively to be prepared to live and work in our complex, information-rich world. • By the end of 5th grade, students should be able to: • Demonstrate correct keyboarding; • Find/Open, save, and print a file; • Perform basic troubleshooting; • Create word-processing and multimedia documents using the skills of formatting text, cutting, pasting, and inserting graphics and tables; • Create documents using word processing, databases, spreadsheet, and presentation software;

29. Technology • Use electronic resources to find and choose information; • Send and receive e-mail; • Import/use graphics from multiple sources (internet, camera, scanner, etc) • Use a graphic organizer or concept mapping program, such as Inspiration; • Know how to navigate the Internet; and • Create and present projects that include video, digital photographs, and/or music.

30. School’s Web Page • Our school’s web page is a virtual gold mine! • www-pvmkr.stjohns.k12.fl.us Username: pvmkr Password: eagles1

31. Orientation • There will be a special parent and student orientation of the school’s web page from 6:00-7:00 PM on Tuesday, September 22nd and Thursday, September 24th. • Please RSVP to Linda Reed at reedl@stjohns.k12.fl.us

32. Mini-Camps • Will be offered on Tuesdays from 3:00-3:50: • Fall (September 22 through November 10) • Winter (January 12 through March 2) • Spring (April 13 through May 25) • Make sure to pick up a Fall brochure before you leave tonight. • Registration forms and more detailed information are available on the school’s web page.

33. Staying HealthyFor more information please visit the PVPV/Rawlings’ website and click on the links under Health and Nutrition What are the symptoms of the H1N1 flu virus? The new strain of flu has the same symptoms as the “seasonal” flu that has been circulating in the country over the past years. You or your child will experience a sudden onset of fever (100 or higher), cough, runny nose, sore throat, and allover body aches. Many people have reported experiencing diarrhea as well. If you or your child has these symptoms, you can assume you have the flu. The symptoms will usually last 4-5 days, but you can spread the virus for up to seven days after the onset of symptoms. How can parents help reduce the number of flu cases in our schools and communities? Keep sick children at home. If your child exhibits flu-like symptoms, keep them home from all activities such as after school programs, dances, movies, and other events where people gather. Contact your primary care health provider or county health department for further instructions. Stay home when you are sick. Limit your contact with other people. Again, contact your primary care health provider or county health department for instructions. Cover coughs and sneezes. Teach your child to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into the inside of the elbow. Dispose of used tissues properly, and then wash hands thoroughly. Practice these steps and use them every time you cough or sneeze.

34. Wash hands with soap and water. Teach your child to wash their hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds (singing the "Happy Birthday" song twice). Set a good example by doing this yourself. Teach your child the proper use of hand sanitizer. Gels, rubs, and hand wipes work well, as long as they contain at least 60% alcohol. Dispose of hand wipes properly. Always read and follow label instructions when using hand sanitizer. To avoid allergic reactions, our District will use only fragrance and color-free sanitizers. Get a seasonal flu shot. Regular seasonal flu vaccine should be available in September, and although it will not protect against the H1N1 Swine Flu, it will help minimize the chance that your child, classmates, school faculty and staff may take the flu home to their families. At this time we will not be rewarding perfect attendance and we will not be allowing visitors into our cafeterias during lunch time. Another Resourceful Link- www.floridashealth.com

35. Lastly..... • Contacting me by email is the quickest way to reach me. • stevent@stjohns.k12.fl.us • Conference Schedule for October is on the blue table by the SMARTBoard - Please sign up. • First quarter Interim Reports are issued Monday, Sept. 21st.

36. Thank you for coming! • Enjoy the rest of your evening! • Thanks to Karim Crowley for refreshments!