school & classroom expectations
The following will give you an understanding of the expectations I have for the students this year to help make them successful. I believe that these procedures will help students to learn, interact well with others, and thrive throughout the year.
Always Arrive in Class Prepared
Each student will be given an Agenda book. This will be used to record homework assignments, write down reminders, and it will serve as a communication tool between you and me. It is the student’s responsibility to write down their homework at the end of the day. I will write the assignments onto my website and they are expected to copy it down neatly into their Agenda, just as it has been written.
I am asking you to help in this responsibility process. I would like it if you could read over their Agenda each evening, check to see that the homework has been completed, and then initial the book if it has. This shows your child that we are all interested in his/her achievements and that we want to ensure that he/she remains caught up with his/her work. This will greatly help in setting your child up for success.
Each morning students will be expected to hand in their Agenda books. Agendas will be checked to ensure that the information has been written down accurately. It is important to us that the students learn to use their Agendas properly, as this increases their responsibility and sets them up to be successful. Good habits in using their agendas now will help them to thrive next year in middle school.
Homework that has not been completed for its due date still needs to be made up. If the Agenda book is at school and has been signed by you (confirming that all homework has been completed) but the work is not at school, students will receive a one-day grace period and work can be handed in the following day. If a student begins to fall significantly behind I will contact you immediately. Together we will set up a plan to make certain your child gets to where he/she needs to be. I do understand that life gets busy and sometimes homework cannot be completed for its due date. If your son/daughter cannot complete their work due to certain circumstances, please just send a note to me explaining the reason. I will then assist your child in getting caught up, and no Work Ethic marks will be lost.
I will be having each student write down phone numbers of a few friends in their agenda book who can be used for homework reference. Therefore, if your child is absent from school, he/she can call a friend to find out what work was missed. I have folders set up with the handouts from each day and the student is required to make up the missed work, assignments, or tests. I will always be available to help explain what is to be done, but it is ultimately the responsibility of the student to talk to a buddy, get the necessary work from his/her away file, and get caught up.
You will notice that I do not send tests home. Instead, I have students write their test mark in their agenda and ask that parent(s) sign beside the test score to indicate they know the mark. I do not send tests home for fear of them becoming misplaced and then no longer having them available to refer to. Should you ever wish to see a test, please just write me a note in the agenda and I will happily make a photocopy to be sent home.
For Physical Education, students are required to bring, and wear, proper P.E. strip. They need to have a change of shirt, as well as a pair of shorts, track pants, or jogging pants. Students must change out of the clothes that they are wearing that day to school and into their strip. They also need a pair of non-marking running shoes for in the gym. I strongly suggest that students put their name on their strip to help prevent it from being lost.
Work Ethic marks will be strongly influenced by whether or not students have been consistently responsible in having their strip for class. It is my hope that this will encourage students to remember their strip so that they can participate in the most fun, safe, and meaningful way possible.
While determining marks for P.E., I will be considering skill development, listening skills, participation, attitude, and preparation for class. If a student is unable to participate due to illness or injury, please write me a note to explain this. I appreciate your communication with me.
Respect Others, Property, and Yourself
I expect to have a classroom where students feel safe and want to question, explore, and share. This means that there will be no tolerance of teasing, bullying, put-downs, threatening, or ridiculing. Students are expected to be kind, encouraging, and thoughtful of one another. This same respect needs to be given to all people in the school, be it staff, other students, parents, or anyone else.
These Grade 6 students are the leaders of the school. The younger children regard them highly. As role models, they need to show other students how to act and how to make the right choices. Since these Grade 6 students will be looked up to and admired by other students in the school, it is especially important that they show the utmost respect for others, property, and themselves.
I also expect students to walk down the hall silently in single file. Students need to line up quietly without pushing or shoving. They need to keep their hands to themselves and avoid talking. I do not want to disturb other classes or office staff while moving down the hall, so it requires us all to work together.
Textbooks need to be cared for. They should be kept neatly in students’ desks, or their designated area, and transported carefully. Students will be responsible for any damage or loss to these books.
Work Habits
All work must be neat and legible or it will be re-written. I expect students to produce work to the best of their ability.
I will send home writing practice if a student is having difficulty with their handwriting and letter formation. Extra practice sheets will help students to master the skill of handwriting and assist them in making their work as neat as possible. Please see the Work Ethic link to see specific criteria for how a Work Ethic Award may be earned.
Field Trips
We will be planning some field trips for our class throughout the year. I welcome parents who would like to join us. There will always be a permission form that needs to be completed before your child attends the field trip, and on it, you can also indicate if you would like to come with us. At times, it may be possible for a limited number of parents to join us. In that case, we will draw names to determine who will come along. I feel that this is the only way to fairly choose people to come along.
Please note: Appropriate forms, including a Criminal Record Check, need to be filled in at the office a minimum of three weeks in advance.
Grade 5 is a very exciting time and I plan to do everything I can to make this year a successful one. I want this to be an incredibly special and memorable year, so I will do all I can to make it so. By understanding, and following, the expectations laid out above, I feel confident that the Grade 5 students will have a fantastic year, as well as be completely ready to head to become Grade 6 leaders next year.