Class+Information

OPEN HOUSE INFORMATION FROM MRS. BELL – GRADE 5 475-7866 Class website: https://mrs-bell.wikispaces.com/

Quick tips for a successful year: * Take school seriously. Be interested in your child’s day and model that you value a good education. *Encourage your child to get plenty of exercise. *Help with homework and try to be patient. Model that it’s o.k. to ask for help. *Find quality time to spend with your child - a schedule helps them feel calmer. The time you spend now will help your child establish good routines in the months and years to come. *Establish a sleep routine and help your child eat right. Encourage your child to avoid loading up on simple carbohydrates and sugary snacks. Plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables will help avoid highs and lows in the day. *Limit video, TV, computer/cell phone games. Research shows that concentration on daily tasks is greatly affected by continual overload of these types of media.

Attendance: It is important to be at school. If your child isn’t able to be at school, homework will be sent home the day of returning. If your child is out for more than 2 days, you will want to pick up work so your child doesn’t get too far behind. The office asks that you call in to report an absence so that your child can be marked “excused”. If you don’t call, a computer-automated system will call you until you respond.

Birthdays: Feel free to send in a quick treat and napkins for the class on your child’s birthday. I will make you aware of allergies that other students have as I become aware.

Bus changes: As always, your child will need a note for the bus driver if a different bus or stop is needed for that day.

Cell Phones: Students cell phones must be powered off immediately when they enter the school building. Students may access their phone when they leave the building.

Communication: I will send a weekly note each Monday so you are informed of our activities for the week. It will also be on our class website. If I have a matter of importance, I will call you directly. In turn, if you have a matter of concern that needs to come to my attention, please call me. Keep in mind that I am teaching your child all day, so I will need to call you back. Emailing me is another way to communicate but I usually don’t have time to check it until the end of the day or when your child is in specials.

Curriculum: Michigan has adopted the National Common Core Curriculum for Language Arts and Math. In Social Studies we continue to follow state standards and in Science, the Next Generation Science Standards. There is an intense amount of learning/work expected to be covered at this grade level. We keep a very fast pace to fit it all in. Attendance and further practice at home of reading and math skills are important for your child to meet grade level objectives by the end of 5th grade! Please feel free to contact me regarding curriculum at any time.

Going Home Early/Coming in Late: Please note: If you are coming to pick up your child during the day or have a late drop off, please go to the office and sign your child in and/or out.

Homework: Our class website will have a daily homework update. Homework will also be recorded in the planner. I will be following the NMS policy for homework expectations which includes a warning and then detention for each subject. Flash cards/computer games for math facts would always be encouraged even if they are not assigned! Multiplication and division facts should be mastered by now.

Home/School Support: This is the time many parents think their children should be on their own and can take care of it by themselves. BELIEVE ME, your child still needs you to help and set parameters for work completion and studying for test, etc. In fact, they may need you through high school for the drill and kill stuff of memorizing vocabulary or just offering positive support!

Your child will take home papers as they are corrected. Please take time to look at them and go through errors and discuss/correct. Sometimes we rely on parents to be our ‘second set of eyes’ to catch something that may be confusing. This also helps your child review material so it’s easier when you have to study for the upcoming test in that subject.

Planners: Planners are supplied to each student for DAILY use. We will keep track of our homework in our planner. In the front is a copy of the school policies. There are some forms that need to be signed and returned! The bus slip needs to be returned for all students because the school offers citizenship trips and possible assemblies at NHS.

Snack: Our lunch is very early so students can eat a quick snack in the afternoon as needed.

Title One/Special Education/504: There is no Title I support at Negaunee Middle School like your child may have received at Lakeview. If your child needs extra support, I will talk to you on an individual basis. There usually is a homework club offered after school and information will be sent as I receive it. All students with IEP’s and 504 will continue to follow their agreed upon plan.

This year should be a fun and exciting school year! I look forward to a good working relationship with you for the benefit of your child. Sincerely,

Mrs. Lori Bell