Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of
students and parents.
- How often is homework assigned?
- Why is homework sometimes assigned over the weekend?
- How often do you check your email?
- What is your homework policy?
- When can I meet with you about my child?
- Do you give extra credit?
- Do you have class parents in fifth grade?
- Can students bring in a snack?
- Can students have water bottles in class?
- What kind of field trips will there be?
- What about book orders?
- Can I pick my student up from school early?
How often is homework assigned?
Homework is USUALLY assigned nightly, Monday through Thursday nights. This
can include all subject areas- Math, Spelling, Reading, English, Social
Studies and Science.
Why is homework sometimes assigned over the weekend?
Occasionally there may be assignments given on Friday to be completed over the
weekend. This is not done every weekend and may be done due to snow
days/delays during the week, long-term projects, upcoming unit tests or simply
to catch up. I do not assign homework over the weekend as a punishment!!
(Though the students may think otherwise, right?)
How often do you check your email?
I TRY to check my email daily. Please be patient if you don't hear from me
via email immediately. If you need to get in touch with me right away, your
best bet is to call CES at 744-2031 x5500.
What is your homework policy?
Homework is an important part of your student's education and, therefore,
vital that he/she completes all assignments in a timely manner. If ever a
student does not understand an assignment (which is always a review and
reinforcement of lessons learned in class), he/she should let me know as
soon as possible BEFORE the due date. I don't mind parents helping to clarify
directions or concepts on assignments, but please let students apply their
knowledge in completing them.
Students need to do their homework... and hand it in!! Oh, if I had a quarter
for every time I hear, "I did it but I left it at home." (I'd be rich!) Part
of homework is bringing it back FROM home.
Homework will generally be assigned Monday-Thursday nights. Occasionally,
long-term projects and certain assignments will go home on Fridays. Students
should have an adequate study/work area with the proper supplies (pencils,
pens, erasers, good lighting, comfortable chair, desk/table, paper, etc.).
All students are encouraged to read at least 20 minutes every night,
regardless of any other assignments. Reading material can include novels,
non-fiction, magazines, newspapers, etc. Any reading is good reading!
Daily assignments will be written in the student's homework planner (given out
the first day of school).
If homework is not handed in on time, they will lose recess/free time
privileges. Excessive lack of homework will result in a note home and/or a
parent/teacher conference, affect report cards scores and may affect a
student's ability to enjoy special class activities.
Of course, an excused absence will extend the due date, but homework is still
due soon after the student's return to school.
When can I meet with you about my child?
There will be Report Card conferences in mid-November and mid-March. Progress
reports will be sent home in October, January and May. If you would like to
meet with me at any other time, please email me (if there is no urgent need to
meet right away), write me a note and send it in with your child or call the
school at 744-2031 x5500. My availability during the
day depends on when the class has Music, Physical Education and/or Art. I am
sometimes available right after school, but please check with me as to which
days I am available.
Do you give extra credit?
I offer quite a few extra credit opportunities in each subject during the
three trimesters. These range from bonus questions on quizzes/tests to
supplemental worksheets to extensions of class projects. IT IS UP TO THE
STUDENT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SUCH OPPORTUNITIES since I don't require their
completion.
Do you have class parents in fifth grade?
Yes! I welcome them with open arms. Any parents who are willing to help out
our class whenever possible, please let me know. We have special activities
and/or parties from time to time, so the more help we have, the more
successful these events will be! This might include making phone calls, volunteering in the classroom, etc.
Can students bring in a snack?
Yes... I encourage you to send your child to school every day with some kind
of healthy snack. Fruit, vegetables, pretzels, yogurt, granola bars,
crackers, etc. will keep their energy up in a good way. Candy, cookies, snack
cakes and other sugary treats are not recommended simply because the
"sugar rush" from them usually results in "sugar crash."
We don't need snoozers in class! Snacks like nacho chips (Doritos), cheese
puffs, corn chips, BBQ chips, etc. are messy (all that orange
"cheese" residue") and
create an unpleasant odor. **Please realize that I am NOT telling you what to
feed your child, but merely suggesting ways to keep his/her energy at a
constant level for EFFECTIVE LEARNING. I'd simply like to promote relatively
healthy eating habits in Room 225.** Thanks for your understanding!!
Can students have water bottles in class?
Absolutely! Actually, I prefer that students have a small water bottle at
their desks because that prevents them from having to go back and forth to the
water fountain throughout the day! (Please, no iced tea, lemonade, soda or
sugary drinks, though. It's too sticky when it spills!)
What kind of field trips will there be?
In the past, fifth graders have ventured to Ellis Island, Storm King Art Center, Camp Robbins... anything could happen! If you have any ideas, please let me know.
What about book orders?
I do order from Scholastic Book Club. Order forms will be sent home about 2-3
times a year. You can order as many books as you'd like. There is no minimum
number of books or dollar amount. I put in all orders at once so if you enter
your order 10 days before the cutoff, you will have to wait a couple of weeks
for the order to be processed and shipped. Please be patient... I always
distribute books within a day of receiving them! ALL ORDERS WILL BE ONLINE
THIS YEAR BY CREDIT CARD (NO CHECKS OR CASH).
Can I pick my student up from school early?
I understand that things come up and you must sign your child out of school
early. However, due to our busy schedule, if you do pick them up before
3:05pm, they will miss out on instruction time. Much of what we do is
hands-on, so it is difficult to make up such work at home. Also, with two
state tests this year (ELA and Math), it is crucial that students are
in class as much as possible to prepare. Thank you for your consideration in
this matter!
