Welcome to Fort Sam Houston Elementary 5th Grade Parent Orientation

1. Welcome to Fort Sam Houston Elementary 5th Grade Parent Orientation “Promoting Achievement Without Limits” August 28, 2014 Paw Power

2. Teacher Emails and Phone Numbers TrisstinJones tdaniels@fshisd.net 368-8800 ext. 8031 JuliWessies jwessies@fshisd.net 368-8800 ext. 8032 Betsy Menck bmenck@fshisd.net 368-8800 ext. 8033 Terri Bills tbills@fshisd.net 368-8800 ext. 8034 Vanessa Kennedy vkennedy@fshisd.net 368-8800 ext. 8035 Vickie David (Special Education Coordinator) vdavid@fshisd.net 368-8800 ext. 8032 Surf’in on the Web Important information will be posted on teacher websites throughout the year. To access our websites you must first type in our school website: http://fshelem.fshisd.net. 5th grade policies and procedures will also be posted on the 5th grade page. YOU CAN ACCESS YOUR CHILD’S GRADES ONLINE Conference Time 12:00 – 12:45 - Monday - Friday

3. FSHISD Belief Statements We exist to serve the military child. We are a family of lifelong learners who respect and honor individual differences, diversity and talents. We believe a safe and caring environment fosters the emotional and social well-being of students. We believe that every teacher is a leader; every leader is a teacher We inspire our students to their highest level of learning. We, the school community, provide engaging, challenging, and meaningful work for learners. We prepare students to be leaders by instilling character, competence, and creativity.

4. Campus Administration Tonya Hyde, Principal (210) 368-8800 thyde@fshisd.net Scott Stuller, Asst. Principal (3-5) (210) 368-8806 cdouglas@fshisd.net Rebecca Herrera, Asst. Principal (PK-2) (210) 368-8805 rherrera@fshisd.net Linda Reed, Counselor (3-5) (210) 368-8817 lreed@fshisd.net Laura Boon, Counselor (Pre-K - 2) (210) 368-8808 aroden@fshisd.net

5. Ms. Menck’s Professional Information • 22th year in education, 19th year at Fort Sam Houston Elem • 3 years in Kinder, 4 years in 3rd and 4th grade, 15 years in 5th grade. • B.S. in Multidisciplinary Studies from Texas Tech University. • M. Sc. In Educational Leadership from Texas A&M – Kingsville. Getting to Know Ms. Menck I was born in Germany. My father was in the army and was stationed here at Fort Sam from 1974 to 1980 when he medically retired. I graduated from Cole High School in 1989. I love working with the military child because I understand their many challenges and struggles. My sons and daughter attend Fort Sam Houston Elementary. Parker is in the 5th grade and Harrison is in 2ndgrade and Marin is in Kindergarten. I work hard everyday to make Fort Sam Houston Elementary the best school it can be. I love to run, play golf, and spend time with my family. I look forward to celebrating my 21th year in education and working with your child.

6. 5th Grade Schedule Monday - Friday 7:30 – 7:45 – Morning with a Purpose 7:45 – 8:00 – Morning Program 8:00 – 8:45- Morning Specials (PE, Library, PE, PE, Library, PE) 8:45– 9:30 – Social Studies (45 min) 9:30 – 11:00 – ELAR (90 min) 11:00 – 12:00 – Math (60 min) 12:00 – 12:45 –Afternoon Specials (computer, computer, art, music, drama) 12:45 - 1:00 –Math (15 min) 1:00 – 1:30 - Lunch (30 min) 1:30 – 2:15 – Science (45 min) 2:15 – 2:55 – Intervention and Enrichment (40 min) 2:55 – 3:00 – Get Ready for Dismissal

7. Agendas The student agenda/planner will be used each and every day. The students will write their homework in it daily, the teachers will use it for discipline records, and the teachers and parents can use it as a means for communication. We ask that the students have their parents initial the agenda every day of the week. It is the student’s responsibility to get the parent to sign the agenda daily. It is the student’s responsibility to show the parent any comments from the teacher and vice versa. Since the agenda is our most significant means of communication, please check and initial it everyday.

8. Dress Code Our dress code policy is in the Student/Parent Handbook on district website and is set forth by the district. Please take the time to read it thoroughly. We want to emphasize the section describing appropriate LENGTH of shirts, shorts, skorts, and dresses. Also, SAGGY pants or shorts are prohibited. Students who are not in compliance with the dress code will be asked to call their parents to bring alternative clothing. If alternative clothing is not provided by the parent, alternative clothing will be provided here at school. Warnings were given the first week, and now the agendas will be signed for noncompliance. If you have questions or concerns about the district dress code, please call the administration at 368-8800.

9. Attendance Regular school attendance is essential for the student to make the most of his or her education. Attendance is taken at 9:15 a.m. Students not at school at 9:15 are counted absent for the entire day. If a student is absent part of the day as a result of a medical appointment, the student will not be counted absent if a note from the doctor documents the appointment. If a student will be absent from school three or more days, the parents need to call the teacher to make arrangements to pick up schoolwork. Parents should call at least one day in advance to give the teachers adequate time to gather the assignments and books. The completed assignments should be brought to school when the child returns or when the work is completed within the time frame allowed. Generally speaking, students are allowed one day to complete work for each day absent. Students will be considered tardy if they are not in their class when the tardy bell rings. Students tardy to school must be checked in by their parent. Tardies count and will impact Attendance Awards.

10. Friday Detention/Study Hall/Recess Detention: If a student will attend detention if any of these three infractions occur: 1. has three or more discipline signatures from faculty/staff for the week; 2. has two or less parent signatures for the week; and 3. has no agenda on Friday. Friday Recess: When a student chooses to follow all classroom rules, he/she will receive extra social time with other students for a 15 minute Friday Recess. Friday Study Hall: If a student has any “MISSING” stamps in the agenda for the week that are not signed off by a teacher, they must attend Friday Tutorial and complete the assignments that were not turned in. Morning with a Purpose Instead of an unstructured recess from 7:30 – 7:50, students will be engaged in meaningful activities inside the classroom. Instructional Recovery Please refer the Student/Parent Handbook. After school detention may result after a student has been tardy three times in a four-week period. Instructional Recovery may also be used for completion of missing assignments. Parents must provide transportation home for after school detention.

11. Discipline Each fifth grade teacher has the classroom rules posted in her classroom. The rules are: “BEE” SAFE be safe by keeping hands, feet, and objects to yourself “BEE” RESPONSIBLE be responsible for your own behavior be in your seat and ready to work when the bell rings have all needed supplies each day follow directions at all times “BEE” RESPECTFUL no rude gestures, cruel teasing, bad language, or put-downs When a student chooses not to follow classroom rules, he/she will receive a discipline signature in the agenda.

12. Student Conduct Daily conduct will be reflected on the report card. At the end of each nine weeks, the number of discipline signatures will be totaled for each student. 0 - 3 discipline marks = Excellent 4 - 7 discipline marks = Satisfactory 8 - 10 discipline marks = Needs Improvement 11 or more discipline marks = Unsatisfactory If a student is sent to Mr. Stuller for severe offences such as fighting, they will receive an automatic N for the nine weeks. Any student who is suspended will receive an automatic U for the nine weeks. Conduct grades can effect the participation of your child at the end of the year festivities. Also, as stated in the handbook, citizenship grades of N or U can prevent a student from achieving Honor Roll. Your child will receive ONE CONDUCT GRADE for all subjects including specials classes.

13. Grading Policy Our grading policy is stated in the Student/Parent Handbook. It is as follows: 69 or below - F 70 - 74 - D 75 - 79 - C 80 - 89 – B 90 - 100 - A Reports Cards go home four times a year at the end of each quarter. Progress Reports go home mid quarter and additional reports may go home as needed. Our goal is to send out a progress report if your child drops below a 70. Please also be an advocate for your child and check their grades as often as possible online. You can set the program up to receive an email every time your child’s average drops below a certain percentage. Please sign all progress reports and return them to the teacher the next school day.

14. Opportunities for Parent Involvement Volunteer Background Check Form Parent Teacher Organization Parent Involvement Room/ PTO (rm. 51) Field Trips & Special Events Class Parties (Christmas, Valentines, End of Year) Parent Classes to update you (e.g. how to access e-Chalk webpage, your child’s grades, parenting skills, available services on post regarding your child) Checking Grades Online Checking Teacher Web Page

15. Fort Sam Houston Testing Calendar for 5th Graders 2014-2015 March 16-April 8 - TELSPAS window for ESL students March 30th - 5th Grade STAAR MATH March 31st - 5th Grade STAAR READING April 22 - 5th Grade STAAR Science May 12 - RETEST for 5th Grade STAAR READING June 23 - RETEST for 5th Grade STAAR READING *Due to the new Math TEKS, 5th grade math scores will be released at a later date and therefore for this school year ONLY, math will NOT be retested.

16. 5th Grade Curriculum Math: Major Focus: We will focus on the application of skills and strategies in problem solving. Students will learn how to analyze a problem, determine appropriate strategies for solving it, apply computational skills, use thinking skills with problem solving strategies, and justify their use of a particular strategy. Skills Covered: Place value through the billions; multiplication up to 2 digits x 3 digits; division with up to 2 digit divisors; fractions, decimals through the thousandths; measurement skills in both standard and metric; graphs/grids; probability/statistics; and geometry. Critical thinking will also be emphasized. Assessments are administered at the end of each unit to identify areas of weaknesses for reteach opportunities. There will be a minimum of 10 grades per nine weeks. Science:Major Focus: 5th Grade Science encompasses three major components: Life Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science. As soon as the students finish the unit on lab safety, we will begin experiments and demonstration to help us explore the world of science. The fifth grade year is the first year the students are tested in Science. There will be a minimum of 10 grades per nine weeks. The students will be receiving Science instruction from all teachers in the 5th grade. In order to better prepare them for the upcoming middle school challenges they will face, we believe it’s important for the children to experience different teachers and different teaching styles. Social Studies:Major Focus: Students will learn about the history of the United States, including the colonial and revolutionary period, the establishment of the United States and issues leading up to the Civil War, the industrialization period, and the modern United States. There will be a minimum of 10 grades per nine weeks.

17. English/Language Arts Spelling:Students will engage in word study throughout the year. Words will go home Monday and tests will be given either Thursday or Friday, depending on your child’s teacher. Students will be encouraged to identify spelling patterns to gain an understanding of why we spell words the way we do, so they can better apply good spelling habits to their daily writing. Grammar: The grammar skills we will cover are nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, types of sentences, recognizing sentence fragments, and all forms of punctuation and capitalization. Attention will be given to combining sentences, nouns, verbs, and clauses. Writing: Fifth graders will address the traits of writing including planning, organizing, presentation, word choice, correct technical details, focus, editing and point of view. We will write persuasive, expository, personal narrative (including letters), descriptive, imaginary, propaganda, journal, instructional, and poetic passages. We will use simile, metaphor, alliteration, and hyperbole. All students use available technology to publish their work. Reading: Reading will emphasize the study of different literature genres, from a wide range of selections throughout the year. Students will engage in independent reading as well as shared reading with the entire class. Students will work on reading fluency and comprehension, using context clues to assist with unknown words, setting, details, fact & non-fact, drawing conclusions, making generalizations, making inferences, identifying main idea & summary, prediction and outcomes, cause and effect, and taking notes using graphic sources to organize information. We will also try to gain an understanding of the author’s main purpose and the organization of the reading selections. Each unit will have an end of the unit assessment which will help us to identify strengths and weaknesses throughout the year. *There will be a minimum of 20 grades per nine weeks. Spelling tests will be weighted as one grade while all other grades will be weighted as two grades.