Welcome Back!

Welcome to 5th Grade!

August 19, 2008

Dear Parents,

I would like to welcome you and your child to the start of a new school year. We are going to have a busy and productive year, filled with creative activities, exciting field trips, social events, and so much more!

I will send home a monthly newsletter on the first Tuesday of every month. The newsletters will have announcements, reminders, ideas of ways you can help your child be successful, and the standards we will be teaching throughout the month. I will also post this on our classroom blog at: www.urbanek5thgraders.blogspot.com and on our Hopkins’ website.

It is my belief that positive interaction between teacher and parents strengthens the feeling of support all children need for success in school. My goals this year are to create an atmosphere of open communication regarding your child’s progress and behavior at school and to provide your child with the best educational opportunities to allow your child to excel in the future.

The following information will give detailed explanations of our homework policy, classroom management, and various classroom activities that we will engage in throughout the year. I hope that by reviewing this you will become more familiar with a few of our classroom routines.

Homework: I expect each student in my class to have about 60 minutes of study time a night. Most nights this will include work that I assign from class. On nights when there is no “homework” I expect your child to read for 20-30 minutes, write for 20 minutes, and practice math facts or other math work for 10-15 minutes. Homework is expected to be completed and returned to me the next school day, unless otherwise stated. Homework that is not turned in will result in a missed recess to catch up on missing assignments.

Classroom Management: It is my belief that all children have the right to an education in a safe and positive environment. I can obtain this environment through communication and cooperation among parents, teachers, and students.

I promote positive behavior and will recognize and reward individual students who exhibit appropriate behavior. Such rewards will include praise, classroom parties, and extra privileges.

Hopkins Elementary believes in the 3 B’s – Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible. Those students unable to follow the 3 B’s may have to be re-taught these traits and assigned consequences by the classroom teacher or administration. Such consequences may include the following:
1. Warning
2. Students fill out a “Stop, Think, Plan” sheet that will be signed by students and sometimes parents. Copies of these will be sent home and kept in classroom file.
3. Teacher’s choice – this may include making amends or recess detention.
4. Phone Call Home

Birthdays: If you would like to send a treat to school on your child’s birthday, you are welcome to do so. Cookies and cupcakes are the easiest to serve. Because of allergies I ask that all treats are store bought. We will sing “Happy Birthday” and enjoy this treat sometime during the day.

Book Orders: Every month or so a book order will be sent home to you. School book orders are a convenient and inexpensive way to build your child’s personal library. I encourage you to take advantage of these monthly opportunities. Please send checks or use on-line ordering (Details to follow).

Money: I ask that whenever you send money to school you please put the money in an envelope or baggie marked with your child’s name and the purpose of the money. It is much easier to keep track of the money and who has paid if this is done.

If you ever have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’m looking forward to working with you and your child and having another wonderful year at Hopkins.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Urbanek