Mrs. Roddy’s 5 th Grade

1. Welcome Parents! Mrs. Roddy’s 5th Grade

2. Welcome to 5th Grade! • We see your child’s educational experience as a partnership between student, teacher, and parent. Communication between all parties is essential to making this partnership successful. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you might have at any point.

3. OMIS MissionStatement UniquePurpose The unique purpose of OMIS is to provide a successful transition from early childhood to early adolescence by encouraging responsibility, independence, and character development. • The mission of OMIS, serving 4th and 5th grade students, is to advance student achievement through a comprehensive curriculum.

4. Contact Information • The best way to reach us during the day is through e-mail. mroddy@shelbyed.k12.al.us , mtindal@shelbyed.k12.al.us • Phone calls will be returned as soon as possible. • Conferences can be scheduled by sending an e-mail or phone call. Our conference days are Tues. –Thurs. from 8:20-8:55. • Your child will also have a space on my desk to place notes you might send. • Correspondence through planners is also possible. • Monthly Blog for announcement and events-link is available on the school’s webpage

5. All About Me • My background • Home town is Athens, Tennessee. • I attended Tennessee Tech University and received my masters degree from Tusculum University. • I have lived in Alabama for 6 years now. • My experience • I’ve been teaching for 21 years. • I have also taught 4th grade, 3rd grade, and 1st but the majority have been in the intermediate grades

6. MY FAMILY Husband –Scott Children –Nathan and Nicole

7. Our Class Goals • Create a community of learners that include students, teachers, and parents • Create life-long learner, readers, and writers • Grow students toward becoming responsible, independent and cooperative learners who are accountable for their actions • Relate subject areas to real-life experiences

8. Items For Discussion: • Forms to be signed • Handbook: You can also find the handbook on the Shelby County website. • Cell Phones: cannot be audible or visible • -First Violation: phone confiscated and in-school detention • -Second Violation: phone confiscated and out –of school detention. Bullying Form: Can be found on the county web-site. Parents must complete with their child.

9. Homework Policy • Assignments that are late by 1 day receive ½ credit. • Homework that is 2 days late received no credit. The Code of Conduct indicates that for assignments that were due on the day in which the student was absent, provided that the due date was previously communicated prior to the students’ absence, the student should be prepared to turn in the assignment upon returning to school. Homework/Planner: Please review nightly

10. Discussion: • You may drop off your children no earlier than 7:05. There is no supervision available until after that time. • Please don’t let your children out in the parking lot. If you are not in carpool, please walk them to the door. • Limos cannot come to the parking lot to pick up students for any occasion unless they will be picking up the entire class. No deliveries form the florist are allowed. • Students are not permitted to bring rolling backpacks to school. • No carbonated drinks or food from restaurants in the lunchroom.

11. Attendance Policy • Excuses should be turned in within 3 days of absence • The Shelby County Board of Education recommends a minimum attendance standard of 168 days per year. Therefore, a student who accumulates more than 12 absences during a school year is subject to loss of credit and /or retention. Absences beyond 12 must be accompanied with a doctor's or court excuse or permission of the principal to be excused.

12. Planned Absences • Shelby County system form can be found in the back of your handbook or requested from the office. • If a request is denied and ruled an unexcused absence, the student is permitted to make up their work-providing the parent has submitted the request form for prior principal permission. The student has 10 days to complete the work once returning to class. • Even thought the student is permitted to make to make up the work, when the absence is ruled unexcused, those days count toward a potential referral for Early Warning.

13. Items For Discussion • Phone Calls: sick, transportation, lunch money • Reward System/Discipline • Birthdays: snack are welcome during lunch • Students may not return to the classroom for forgotten items after leaving for the day. • Weekly Progress Folders • Dress Code: skirts, shirts, and dresses must be mid-thigh or longer in front and back. • Lunch: School policy states that we are not permitted to bring fast food into the lunchroom for students or as a guest

14. Reading –Mrs. Roddy Our reading block: • Daily SSR time • Vocabulary Study • Specific Skill Weekly • Small Groups • Fluency Building • Nonfiction Comprehension • Lit. Studies (Chapter Books) • Harcourt Reading Series

15. Writing –Mrs. Roddy We will cover three modes of writing this year along with journal and writing across the curriculum activities: Three Modes of Focus: • Descriptive • Narrative • Expository

16. Language –Mrs. Roddy • Our language and writing program will allow us to integrate the two subjects. • Along with the writing objectives we will also cover: • Parts of Speech • Building Effective Sentences • Writing Organized Paragraphs

17. Science –Mrs. Tindal • Your child will visit the science lab twice a month for hands-on experiences and reinforcement of objectives. • Topics to cover: Cells , Human Body Systems, Plants, Ecosystems, Water Cycle, Weather Patterns, Earth’s Surface, Natural Resources, Matter, Motion, Forms of Energy, and Space

18. Math –Mrs. Tindal OMIS is beginning an exciting transition in our math curriculum. We are joining the other Shelby County K-5 schools in teaching math investigations. It is designed to support students to make sense of mathematics and become mathematical thinkers. The investigations give students time to develop a strong conceptual foundation before moving into the more abstract. We realize that it is a transition for our student, parents, and for teachers. We are working diligently to be sure that our students understand their homework assignments before coming home each day. If you find that homework is confusing, please make an attempt with your child. If you are unsuccessful, make a note on the homework page. We know that you want the best for your child. We strongly believe that math investigations invite all students into the world of mathematics!

19. Social Studies –Mrs. Roddy 5th Grade focus is Early American History: • Native Americans of North America • Eastern Hemisphere • Explorers • Colonies • Revolutionary War • Forming of our government • Westward Expansion • Civil War

20. Homework • We will assign about 45-60 minutes of homework every night. This includes 120 minutes of recommended reading each week . It is recommended to read 4 nights for 30 minutes in order to achieve this. Each child has a goal to read 40 books from various genres before year end. • Your child will have math homework nightly along with vocabulary / word study and periodic tests in other subject areas. Test will always be announced ahead of time in order to give you ample time to study.

21. Tardiness/Absence • School starts at 7:50 a.m.-your child will be tardy if not in the classroom when the bell rings. • When your child is absent, they will have a list of missed work on their desk when they return. It is their responsibility to complete that work and ask questions or for help if needed. • Again, please be sure to send an excuse from home or doctor upon returning to school.

22. Reminders: • Please write legibly when sending in a parent excuse for your child’s absence. It also needs to have the child’s first and last name along with my name on the excuse. • Call and request homework early in the a.m. if it is going to be picked up in the afternoon. Another child may not bring home those assignments.

23. Field Trips • We have lots of fun field trips planned for this year! • Huntsville Space and Rocket Center (Fall) • American Village (Spring) • OMHS musical (Spring) • OMMS 6th grade tour (End of Year) Chaperones will be required for off campus trips. Requests will go home prior to each trip. Only legal guardians can chaperone field trips.

24. Our Daily Schedule will look be located on the board each day. These are the things that happen during the week. P.E. - 8:20-8:55 every day Lunch -10:36-11:02 Music –12:30-1:15 on Wednesday Art – 12:30-1:15 on Thursday GRC – 11:45-12:45 on Monday 11:45-2:45 on Tuesday Guidance -Monthly Computer Lab/Science Lab –Alternating Weeks

25. Class Involvement • Our room mom this year is Sandy Tipton with Erin Ellerbusch and Susan Stewart as her assistants. These ladies will be asking for volunteers to assist with parties, etc.. • Parties: Christmas, Valentine, and End of Year 8 parents are permitted at each party • OMIS Career Day –To Be Announced • Field Trip Chaperones -5 chaperones for each field trip

26. Your Homework • Complete Parent Goal Sheet • “Who AM I?” (please send in a sealed envelope with your child’s name clearly marked on the outside) • Please sign all forms in stapled packet before leaving and leave on your child’s desk.

27. Looking forward to a wonderful year!!