Welcome to 5 th Grade

1. Welcome to5th Grade Back to School Night

2. Meet Ms. Salome! • Lorrie Salome • Super energetic, very tech savvy, loves Austin

3. Meet Ms. Briles! • Rachel Briles • Loves her son and daughter, comes from a family of scientists, always smiles

4. Meet Mr. Wilder! • Thomas Wilder • Attended UT, received MBA from Baylor, trying to learn swing and two step despite having two left feet.

5. Meet Ms. Wirht! • Bess Wirht • Attended UT, married her high school sweetheart last summer, daughter of Mrs. Wirht in Kindergarden and just bought a house!

6. And the rest of the gang! • Mr. Mayer • Loves to eat free food and enjoys traveling • Mrs. Cotten • Just got married! Loves Science! Loves to travel; plays the harp; lived in Australia for a year (talks about it all the time)

7. 5th Grade Website HillTopDillos.weebly.com Go to this website for the 5th grade calendar, links to other 5th grade teacher websites and how to sign up for conferences

14. Field Trips • Dillo Quest- Oct 20-21 • Art Field Trip- Blanton Art Museum (Date TBD) • Westcave- April 18,19, or 20 (2 classes each day) • iFLY- May 16 or 17 (3 classes each day)

15. Dillo Quest • October 20-21 • A note will go home asking for Dillo Dads to volunteer. • You can pay online- link is on the 5th grade website • You will receive a packing list and all details you’ll need one week prior to Dillo Quest.

16. STAAR Dates • March 28- Math • March 29- Reading • May 10- Science

17. All About 5th Grade • Our goal is to get our 5th graders ready for middle school, so RESPONSIBILITY is the big word for this year. • Please check your student’s agenda daily. We do not require a signature, but signing it tells us that you’re getting the information about what the kids are doing in class. • The pacing is much faster. Don’t worry…the students get used to it quickly! • If you’d like to learn more about middle school options, you may join us for the magnet school presentations at a later date this fall

18. All About 5th Grade • We have three parties each year: The winter party, Valentine’s Day, and the end of the year party. Please let us know if you would like to help plan the parties! • Birthday policy: we are thrilled that your student is another year older, we do not celebrate with cakes or balloons. • If you are dropping off materials for your student, please leave them in the office. • All parents must get a badge in the office in order to enter the commons. Thanks so much!

19. Homework Policy • If homework is not completed, it is made up at recess following WOW time. • Homework is a completion grade. Our homework is practice for tests and quizzes which are graded.

20. Grading Policy • A grade of an “A” (90% - 100%)means that your student is exceeding expectations and going above and beyond what is asked of him/her. • A grade of a “B”(80% - 89%) means that your student is working at grade level and meeting expectations. • A grade of a “C” (70% - 79%)means that they are working below expectations. • If a student gets a failing score on a test or a quiz, they are able to retake the test or correct the test for a grade of 70%.

21. Discipline • We believe in natural consequences for student actions. • Consequences for disruptive behavior or forgetting materials involve extra laps at recess. • Consequences for forgetting homework involve completing the homework during recess.

22. Conferences • Conferences will be held on October 10th • First come first served for time slots • Each teacher will be meeting with the parents of their homeroom students only, unless an additional conference is requested by the parent. • Sign up for conferences online, at HillTopDillos.weebly.com • Tutoring will begin after conferences.

23. Math • Homework is given every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. • Quizzes are on Wednesday and/or Friday. • Comprehensive unit tests are given following each unit. • Math is journal based, not textbook based.

24. Science • Hands on learning and labs are a regular occurrence in Science • Quizzes are given occasionally • The students take notes in their Science Interactive Notebooks before, during, and after hands-on labs. • Little to no homework, but a few projects throughout the year. Rubrics will always be supplied and ample time to prepare: Projects in the future include: Weather and Climate Picture Book (due Nov.), Science Fair (due Jan), Generator Project (March), Alternative Energy Letter (due March)

25. Social Studies • American geography and early American history • Students will learn States and Capitals this year- Sheppard Software is a great way to study (need to study at home!) • Social Studies Alive program is very interactive. • Latin classes will be held during Social Studies every Monday.

26. Language Arts • Following standards to prepare the students for the STAAR test and beyond. • We use a combination of Texas Treasures textbook, novels, and reader’s theater. • We use interactive reading and writing journals for classwork.

27. Dillo Quest atHighland Lakes Camp • Established in 1954, has been offering training in Outdoor Education for sixteen years. • Located on 240 beautiful acres on Lake Travis. • 30 minutes from Austin.

28. Highland Lakes Camp • Facilities constantly upgraded and checked for safety and appearance. • Licensed by State of Texas • Follow Texas Youth Camp Safety and Health Act.

30. Highland Lakes Outdoor Learning Center • Highland Lakes Outdoor Learning Center (OLC) exists to help create a stronger community of learners and teachers and result in a greater sense of accomplishment, motivation, and learning for students. As students have fun learning about and experiencing nature they will also be challenged to develop teamwork, trust, leadership, responsibility, self esteem, positive attitudes, and social skills.

31. The Outdoor Learning Center experiences are realistic: • Physically active, • cognitively meaningful, and • affectively engaging. Through these experiences students will • accept responsibility for their own actions and • learn from guided reflection on their experiences.

32. Brings aspects of science, history, mathematics, reading & writing, and physical education outdoors. • Students will gain a sense of trust,respect, and cohesion within their classes.

33. Academic CoursesThese courses are intended to be academic while allowing the student to experience and enjoy nature with a hands on opportunity in a fun and comfortable outdoor atmosphere.

34. Nature of Energy Students will gain a basic understanding of the origin of energy. They will explore different types of energy through the hands on use of items like a solar oven, a potato clock, a hydrogen car, and a Van de Graff generator.

35. Adventure CoursesThese courses take place on our challenge course. They help students further develop socially, physically, emotionally, as well as develop interpersonal skills, teamwork, motivation, self-confidence, and a sense of accomplishment and cohesion within the group.

36. Climbing Wall Students will work to reach the top by climbing a forty foot tower! They will be held by harnesses and a belay line. Safety first!

37. Students will be challenged to work together as a team, cooperatively, respect others ideas, & keep it balanced! Whale Watch

38. Very challenging and rewarding for the students. Requires students to communicate, cooperate, problem solve, demonstrate leadership, make good decisions, and follow specific directions. Upon completing the challenge, students will have a heightened sense of self worth and achievement in themselves and others. Mountain Tops

39. Students will achieve a higher level of trust and support from the group. Through accomplishing the goal there will also be a heightened sense of accomplishment, excitement, and motivation. Porthole

40. What to bring • Clothing Appropriate for Outside Activities (caps, sunglasses, tennis shoes) • Personal toiletries / sunscreen • Sleeping Bag / Bed Clothes • Rain gear • Towel for showers and washing hands in dorm • Water bottle • Pen/Pencil • Great Attitude!!!

41. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS • Medical Needs • Provide medicine for your child- give to nurse or homeroom teacher. The homeroom teacher will administer medication. Please leave instructions with medication, and must be in the bottle. • In the event of an emergency, the first responders are the Pedernales Fire Department and Pace Bend Park Rangers.

42. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS • Lodging • Separate cabins for boys and girls. • Teachers, school administrators, and parents provide supervision in dorms. (1 adult per 8 students is required) • All cabins are air conditioned and have private toilet and shower areas.

43. Most cabins consist of two sleeping areas separated by a meeting room. Dorm style cabins with bunk beds.

44. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS • Supervision • Throughout the day students are never left unattended. • They travel to and from all activities led by Highland Lakes Camp Staff or teachers.

45. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS • Meals • All meals are freshly prepared and meet the daily nutritional standards. • Dietary restrictions can be accommodated with advance notice.

46. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS • Staff • Hold current certifications in First Aid, CPR, Water Safety, and/or as a Challenge Course Facilitator. • On record with Highland Lakes Camp • Criminal Background check • Sex Offender Background check • Certificate of completion of Child Protection Training

47. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS • Safety • Highland Lakes takes the safety of your child seriously. • The rules and guidelines are clearly communicated to students before they begin all activities. • All activities are age appropriate. • Students are required to wear a lifejacket for all lakefront activities.

48. Highland Lakes Outdoor Learning Center Hill Elementary