Dear Families,
I'd like to welcome you and your children to Fifth Grade! I'm looking forward to working with all of you. I have to express my excitement for starting this new adventure at Cambridge Elementary. I am joining this "family" from a small school in East Moline. I taught at Our Lady of Grace for six years. I had the opportunity to work many different grade levels. I have to thank many of you in advance for making me feel so welcome during the beginning part of this school year.
I'd like to give you a little bit of information about myself and about the upcoming fifth grade year. I've always known that I wanted to become a teacher…around seven is when I felt the "call!" Having the chance to teach different grade levels has allowed me to truly understand how children learn. I feel it has aided me into the teacher I am today. I taught kindergarten for three year and then moved with my students to first grade. I then accepted the challenge of teaching middle school science for the past two years. My main duty beside teaching science was teaching sixth grade the core subjects of literature, English and writing. I just finished my master's degree from Saint Xavier University.
The following is information that might answer a few of your questions, as well as a few requests:
1. Supplies - If your child hasn't brought all items on the supply list, please send them to school as soon as possible. Be sure that your child has 5 folders with pockets. We will be color coding these folders to help organize your student. It also ensures that papers won't (hopefully) get misplaced.
2. Sending money to school - Whenever you send any money to school, please put the money in an envelope, put your child's name and class number (5S) on the envelope. Also write what the money is for on the outside of the envelope. This takes care of any confusion in the office.
3. Breakfast - If your children will be eating breakfast in the cafeteria, please get them to school in plenty of time.
4. Extra milk - If your child brings a sack lunch and needs milk, or if he or she wants an extra carton of milk with their hot lunch, you will need to send money to cover this. Even if your child is on free or reduced lunches, you will still need to pay 30 cents a carton for this extra milk. This money is to be paid at a table in the cafeteria.
5. Visiting school - I encourage you to visit our class whenever you like. I want you to be comfortable with what your child is doing in school, so you are welcome anytime! The only thing you need to remember - every visitor needs to sign in and out at the Office whenever you come in the building. This requirement actually protects your children because the office staff will know who is in the school building.
6. Signing out - If your child needs to leave school during the day, he or she will need to sign out in the Office. There is a notebook on the counter in the Office for this purpose.
7. Notes - If your child will need to be leaving school before the end of the day for an occasional appointment, be sure to send me a note telling me this. Since we are using assignment notebooks, it is sometimes difficult for a student to copy down any assignments that aren't already written in the notebook and get organized to leave on a moment's notice. Parents must wait for the child to do this if we do not have advance warning. Please help us to plan ahead and save yourself some time, too.
Another VERY IMPORTANT note that you will need to send is to let me know where your child will be going after school. If I don't have a note from you, the child will be encouraged to follow their normal routine. This really becomes important when sports practices begin after school. At that time, just send me a note saying your child will be staying for practice on_______ (list the dates).
8. Birthdays - May be celebrated in the classroom on or near the child's birthday. For children with summer birthdays, maybe we could celebrate on the 1/2 year date - 6 months from their birthday. If you send treats, any type of treat is fine. If I find out that we have students with food allergies, I will let you know. If cutting or serving utensils are needed, please send them, because we do not have access to the kitchen. Even if you don't send treats, we will celebrate with your child.
9. Assignment Notebooks - We will be using the Assignment Notebook you purchased for your child at Registration. The assignments for the day will be written in the book, and those that are complete will be marked DONE. There is a diamond shape at the beginning of the line for each subject. If this is filled, the work is done. Any work not done should be in your child's book bag to complete that evening. Please check to see that all work is done, and write your initials at the bottom of the box for that day. Please don't initial the box until you are sure that everything is done. Adults should check this work and initial it, not older brothers and sisters. This process should help you know what assignments your child is working on so we can eliminate late or lost assignments. The assignment notebook and all homework is to be returned each day. Please do not put these items in your child's bag for them. This needs to be their responsibility. This should make them think about the process and hopefully begin to do this on their own.
10. Late papers - Homework is expected to be turned in first thing in the morning when the child arrives in the classroom. For each day that a paper is late, 10 points will be taken off the grade. With parents checking the assignment books, this should be a rare occurrence. When a student is absent, she/he will have 2 days to make up the work for each day missed. Extended absences will be given more time. It would be a good idea for you to get assignments for your child if there is an extended absence.
11. Grades - The grading scale for 5th and 6th grades is slightly different than the one used in 4th grade. We are making a gradual transition to the one used in Jr. High.
A = 94-100
B = 85-93
C = 75-84
D = 65-74
F = 0-64
12. Special classes - Fifth and sixth graders have P.E. every day and will need tennis shoes every day. Other special classes will be on a five day schedule.
Monday Library Check-Out & Computer
Tuesday Library Skills
Wednesday Art
Thursday Music
Friday Music
13. School Website - http://cambridge.il.schoolwebpages.com
I love technology and will update our class website regularly. I will complete the calendar page and include spelling lists, homework, and newsletter. You may want to check this on a regular basis to see if your child is bringing things home to you. I understand that not everyone has internet access; therefore, I will send home hard copies of notes and lists...make sure to check with your student.
14. Soup Labels - The CPC collects Campbell's soup labels and Box Tops for Education. For the soup labels, we need the UPC and the Labels for Education Logo. A complete listing of qualifying labels is attached. These labels may be sent to school anytime.
I know this seems like a lot of information, and I probably forgot something. Please do not hesitate to contact me. Feel free to call me or email me at school. My email is aswanson@district227.org. Since I live in East Moline, the easy and fastest way to contact me is via cell phone. My number is (563)508-5213. I will try to get back to you in a timely manner. Again, I am very excited as we start this journey together.
