September 2, 2008 

Dear Parents and Students,

      Welcome back to another awesome year at Bristow Run!  I am so happy to be back in the classroom and to work with you for the next ten months!  Fifth grade promises to be exciting, challenging, and most of all-memorable.  Let’s work together to have a successful and positive learning experience this year.

       I would like to provide some general information that will be helpful as we begin the school year.  If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me at WATSONRD@pwcs.edu or phone at (703)753-7741.

Weekly Schedule

      Due to block scheduling, we will follow the same schedule each day.  Encore classes are special subjects that will be taught on a seven-day rotation.  I will remind students what “day” it is by the number so they are aware of what special they will have.  Ms. McLaughlin will teach science to our class in the afternoon.  You are able to reach her by e-mail at MCLAUGMM@pwcs.edu or phone (703)753-7741 if you have any questions regarding science.  Our schedule will be as follows:

8:50-9:00        Arrive at school, unpack, Morning Message

9:00-9:45        Core Extension:  Remediation, class meeting, etc.

9:45-11:00       Math

11:00-11:30      Lunch

11:30-11:45      Recess

11:45-12:00     Read aloud/Drinks

12:00-12:45    Encore

12:45-1:30      Social Studies

1:30-2:15        Science

2:15-3:25        Language Arts

3:25-3:30       Dismissal

Our Encore schedule will be:

• Day 1 - Computer Lab/Math
• Day 2 - PE
• Day 3 - Music
• Day 4 - PE
• Day 5 - Science Lab
• Day 6 - Library
• Day 7 - Art

   Because we eat lunch at 11:00, students are encouraged to bring a small, healthy snack for the afternoon.  This will enable them to focus throughout the day. J  SIGNET students will attend class with Mr. Gurney on Wednesdays. 

Star of the Week

      Each week, a different child will be honored as our “Star of the Week.”  You are invited to share photos, trophies, family members, awards, favorite books, etc. with us on Monday @10:30 a.m. of your week.  I have included a “Star of the Week” letter/schedule that goes home when it is your turn to “shine.”  If you need to make a change to the current schedule, please let me know and I will be happy to do so. 

Buddy Reading

      We will buddy read with Mrs. Kesler’s first grade class on the second Friday of each month.  Each fifth grade student will be paired with a first grade student so they can share the love of reading with each other.  It is exciting to see the progress and friendships that grow from this wonderful experience!

Summer Reading

      If you have chosen to complete the summer reading requirements, please turn them in by Friday, September 12, 2008.  You will receive an A for each book completed.

Field Trips

      We will take two field trips this year.  Further information will be available at Back-to-School Night.  If you would like to chaperone either of our trips, there will be a sign-up sheet available that evening.

Back-to-School Night

      The fifth grade Back-to-School Night will be held on Wednesday, September 17^th from 7:00-8:30 p.m.  I will have the opportunity to speak with you about the fifth grade curriculum, class policies, expectations, Baldrige, etc.  I am looking forward to seeing you!

Friday Folders

      Students will record weekly grades for each subject in their Friday Folders.  Over the weekend, I ask that you review your child’s work with them and sign the folder before returning it to school on Monday.  Graded work will come home in the Friday Folder along with any correspondence from me or the office.  Students are responsible for returning their folders each Monday.

Book/software Orders

      Book/software order forms will be sent home monthly in Friday Folders along with a “turn-in” date.  Checks must be made payable to the book company and not BRES.  Orders take approximately two weeks to process.

Birthdays

      We love to celebrate birthdays!  If you would like to send in a birthday treat, please notify me a day in advance just so we can allow time to sing and enjoy! J

Transportation

      Please send a note on any occasion your child has a change in transportation.

Agendas

      Assignments will be written on the board daily for students to copy in their agendas. I will sign the agenda daily and I ask that you also sign once the assignments are complete.  You may also correspond with me using the agenda if you have any questions or concerns.  It is required that every student records his/her assignments everyday.  It is the child’s responsibility to copy the homework from the board accurately, have the agenda signed, and return it to school each day.

Data Notebooks

   Your child will keep a data notebook which will be sent home periodically for you to view.  The notebook will include information such as our class goal, our class vision, your child’s individual goals, reading level, graph of grades, Quality Student characteristics, etc. 

Behavior Plan

      At Bristow Run, we promote characteristics of a “Quality Student” such as someone who listens, shows respect, completes their work, stays on task, shows self-control, uses appropriate language/actions, and is kind to others.  We will spend a great deal of time focusing on these characteristics and expectations.  A behavior chart will be sent home daily in the front pocket of the agenda.  You will be able to see how your child behaved that day and a self-reflection written by him/her. 

Volunteers

      I have included a volunteer sign-up sheet for those of you who are interested in helping out.  We love your company and appreciate any additional support you are able to provide.  Your child will also enjoy seeing you in school and having you in the classroom.

Homework

      Homework will be assigned on a daily basis.  Your child should not spend more than 50 minutes per night on homework.  Nightly reading will be assigned every day for 20 minutes.   We ask that you initial the monthly reading calendar after the reading has been completed.  The calendar will be collected at the end of each month and added to the data notebook.  I will make certain that assignments will reflect what concepts your child learned that day.  Parents are encouraged to check SchoolNotes by accessing www.new.schoolnotes.com/watsonrd/ for daily communication and homework.  I will do my best to update the site each day after dismissal.

      I hope this information is helpful as we begin a new year together.  I am excited about working as a team to make this a successful and positive year for your child.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.  I am looking forward to a terrific year. 

                                                                                          Sincerely,

                                                                                          Renee Watson