Welcome to Parent Orientation Night

1. Welcome to Parent Orientation Night Fifth-Grade Class 2013-2014

2. General Information School Address: South Buffalo Elem. 562 Freeport Road Freeport, PA 16229 School Phone Number: 724-295-9510 Mrs. Bogan’s Email: bogan@freeport.k12.pa.us Mrs. Berberich’s Email: berberich@freeport.k12.pa.us Miss Catanese’s Email: catanese@freeport.k12.pa.us Mrs. Bogan’s Ext.: X3008 Mrs. Berberich’s Ext.: X3006 Miss Catanese’s Ext.: X3002

3. Student Supplies Each Student Needs the Following: • 3-Ring Binder • 3-Ring Notebook(s) • Glue Stick(s) • Pencils/Pens • Highlighters Folders will be provided for each subject, but you may want to have extra on hand in case they rip or become damaged.

4. Teacher Expectations • I want each student to have a great fifth-grade experience. • I am planning several hands-on and performance types of assessments to engage all learning styles. • I want to meet Pennsylvania’s fifth-grade assessment standards to ensure learning and mastery.

5. Fifth-Grade Curriculum • WRITING: Students will write every week following the writing process. • READING: DRA & DIBELS will determine each child’s reading level. Students will try to read throughout the year to meet their AR goals. • MATH: Students will complete a graded math study guide as homework the day before the assessment.

6. Grading Scale • The grading scale follows the criteria set forth by the school district. 100-91 A 90-81 B 80-70 C 69-60 D 59-00 F • Students are expected to complete their assignments and study for their assessments. Advance notice is given for all assessments. • NO make-up tests will be given. • Extra-credit assignments are at the discretion of the teacher.

7. Interim Progress Reports & Report Cards Interim Progress Reports: • Every child will get an interim report. • Parents may keep the interim reports. • Parents are required to sign and return the envelope. Report Cards: • Report cards are issued a week after the end of the nine-week grading period. • Parents are given their child’s grade percentages, performance and behavior assessments, and information on the curriculum covered.

8. Homework Policy • Homework is given every Monday-Thursday. • Homework should take an average of 30-50 minutes a night. • Students are required to write their assignments in their journals every night. • Homework should be completed to the best of each child’s ability. It is independent practice on what is learned during the school day.

9. Classroom & School Discipline Classroom Discipline: • The students will create the rules and consequences for the classroom. • A contract will be sent home for you to sign to make you aware of the rules and consequences. School Discipline: • The students are expected to follow rules in the halls, cafeteria, recess fields, and bus. • South Buffalo Elementary has a no bullying policy.

10. Responsibility of Child Academics: • Students are expected to complete all assignments on-time and to the best of their ability. • Students must prepare and study for their assessments. • Students need to be organized. Behavior/Socialization: • Students are to treat others with respect at all times. • Students should follow the rules of the classroom and school. • Students should make everyone a part of the group.

11. Absences & Tardiness Absences: • An excuse is needed upon the child’s return to school. • School work must come back completed equivalent to the days missed. • Missed assessments will be given upon return. Tardiness: • Students are required to be at school by 8:50 am. • If a child is tardy due to a doctor’s appointment, please provide the doctor’s excuse to the office.

12. Lunch & Milk Money • Lunches cost $2.75 and milk costs $0.50. • Lunch and milk money is collected the first day of every week. Please make checks payable to FASD. • If you are paying with cash, write your child’s name, the amount, and teacher’s name on the envelope. • If your child has no money in his/her account, a notice is sent home from the cafeteria weekly on how much you owe.

13. Recess • Recess is 20 minutes everyday. • If your child is absent from school and misses an assessment, it is made up during recess. • If an excuse is not presented in a timely fashion after an absence, minutes may be withheld from recess. • Recess can be withheld if it is a child’s second or higher consequence. The child will be given an independent recess where they must “play” on their own.

14. My Email Policy • The demands of the students during the school day are very time consuming because fifth-grade is a very academic year. Also, I have to make sure I am giving personal attention to every student during the day. • I ask that you DO NOT use email as a main source of communication if you require a discussion from me (i.e. grades). Please call me between 8:20-8:35am instead so we can address your issue. • If you only need to inform me of something (i.e. change of dismissal or absence) feel free to email me.

15. Parent Conferences Fall Conferences: • Thursday, November 7 from 4:30-8:30 • Friday, November 8 from 8:00-11:00 Spring Conferences: • Thursday, February 27 from 4:30-8:30 • Friday, February 28 from 8:00-11:00

16. Any Questions?