AAbsences - Every effort should be made to make sure your child is at school, however, if your child is absent, a written excuse MUST also be submitted the day the child returns to school. Missed assignments should be made up as quickly as possible. Students will receive missed work the day they return to school. They will have one day for each day absent to return the work. (So if they miss 2 days, they will have 2 days to complete the work and turn it in). If your child has an extended absence (more than one day), please call the office to make arrangements to pick up the missed work in the office. Assessments, both formal and informal, are given frequently. State testing will occur in February and May for Math, and in May for Science.
BBirthdays can be celebrated at school. You are welcome to send treats to be passed out at lunch. Our lunch time is 12:25-12:55. Please do not send party invitations to be distributed at school unless ALL classmates receive an invitation.
CClass Dojois an electronic behavior tracker where you can review your child's behavior at any time. You will receive an invitation and code for this. There is a free app for your mobile device. Cell Phones and other electronic devices are NOT to be seen during the day per our handbook and the policy of the Cleveland City Schools Board of Education. If they are seen, they will be confiscated until a parent is able to pick them up from the principal. Conferences have been set by the school board in October. Parent-teacher conferences will be held on October 20th and 22nd from 4:00-7:00 p.m. However....... Communication is important! Feel free to contact me whenever you have a question or concern. You can reach me by phone at the school at 423-479-5121, by email at [email protected], or if you'd like to meet in person, we can set up an appointment. Except for Thursdays, I am usually available any morning from 9:40-10:40. I can also arrange to meet with you before school at 7:40 except on Wednesday, or after school is dismissed in the afternoon. Our class has the opportunity to work in the Computer Lab with Mrs. Dale on Wednesday mornings. Curriculum standards can be viewed by going to the LINKS tab at the top of this page. Scroll past all those skills-practice games and click on the link to view them.
DDiscipline is essential! We work hard as a class to create a positive environment where all students feel safe. Students realize they have a choice in all that they accomplish in my classroom. Dismissal is at 3:30.If your child is a car rider, make sure everyone that will be picking up your child has a tag to show dismissal teachers every day. If you forget your car tag you will need to go to the office to sign your child out. If you need extra tags, let me know. This is for the safety of your child and keeps the traffic moving. Dress Code is in the student handbook that you received at Registration. Please read it carefully as some things have changed.
EE-mail or Class Dojo is the best way to communicate with me. If you have an emergency or a dismissal change, please call the office at 423-479-5121. Do not email changes in dismissal as they may not be seen until after school ends.
FField trips will be taken several times during the year. Information will be detailed on the permission slip. When a field trip is scheduled, a tab will be added at the top of the website.
GGym class is @ 9:40 on Monday and Friday. Please make sure your child has appropriate shoes and clothing to participate in this class.
HHomework assignments will vary and will be sent home in your child's planner/binder. Please check EVERY day!
I IXL - Dr. Barnes has provided a subscription for the entire school to use the IXL website this year.You can access this at home as well as here at school. Students may work on ELA or Math, but MUST BE working on 5th grade level skills. They are not restricted to the skills we are covering in class. Independence is essential for building self-esteem and self-confidence. Please encourage your child to be responsible for their planners, folders, and actions.
J Our Janitors, work hard all around our school to keep things clean, but it is our responsiblity to pick up after ourselves during the day. By being responsible for our own area, we can create a healthy and safe classroom environment.
KKendamas are NOT allowed at school. If they are seen, they will be confiscated by the teacher. Keep up to date with what's going on at school by checking the blog and your child's planner EVERY day!
LLunch time is 12:25-12:55. A menu will be sent from the cafeteria one time this year. Please put it somewhere you can check it because it is the only copy you will receive. The menus are available online. If you choose to eat lunch with your child and will be eating cafeteria food, please wait for us near the cafeteria. Our class is scheduled to go to the Library on Tuesday mornings. Books are expected to be returned in a timely manner.
MMath fact timed tests will be given weekly. Music class is on Thursday. Mrs. Scott-Richmond also has opportunities for band and strings classes before or after school if you are interested.
NNotes and News from the office, PTO, etc., will be sent home the day we receive them. Checking the student agenda (planner) and website daily will ensure that you won't miss important deadlines and activities.
OOrganization is a skill your child will need for life. We work hard to learn the responsibility of organizing our desks and classroom each day. Children can thrive when they have materials necessary to complete a task.
P Our principal, Dr. Joel Barnes, has been at Blythe-Bower for the past two years. His vision for our school is wonderful! You will receive phone calls from him periodically about happenings at our school. We are indeed blessed to have such a wonderful principal. I would like to ask your permission to put pictures of your child on our website. This would include pictures of field trips, classroom activities, character winners of the month, etc. If you do NOT want your child's picture to be on our website, please inform me as soon as possible. If I do not hear from you, I will assume that it is ok to have your child's image on the web. Pre tests are given in math to avoid wasting precious time teaching things that students already know. These grades do not go in the grade book, but are simply used to show students their growth after the Post tests are given which is after a particular skill is taught. Post test grades do count. Your child keeps a graph showing their growth in their math journals. The PTO at Blythe Bower is a vital part of our school. Please take the time to become involved with the PTO. Special projects to be completed at home may be assigned from time to time. Detailed information about expectations and deadlines will be sent home and placed on the website well in advance of the deadline.
QQuestions are always welcome. Please feel free to call, email, or send me a note anytime. The school phone number is 423-479-5121 and my e-mail address is [email protected].
RReport Cards will be issued four times during the year as decided by the school board. Check the calendar tab above for exact dates. Recess will be observed from 3:15-3:30 each day unless weather is inclement. Please make sure your child's clothing is appropriate for the outside weather. It is suggested that girls wear shorts under skirts and dresses and that all students' pants fit well enough that they do not fall down while running. Check the dress code in the handbook if you have a questions about what is appropriate.
SStamina is the ability to do something for a long time without getting tired or giving up. We will work on building stamina in our daily work and in preparation for state testing. Standards set by the State of Tennessee for 5th Graders are rigorous. You may view all our standards by going to the "Links" tab at the top of this page. We will have snacks after specials each day. Please feel free send a snack for your child each day.
TTransportation changes can be made if you send a note with your child stating the change. If an emergency arises and you need to change the way your child is dismissed, please call the office at 423-479-5121 before 2:30. Your child will be sent home the usual way unless there is a note or phone call from you stating that a change is to be made. Do NOT email me or the office with this information as it may not be seen in time. If your child is riding the bus home with another child, both students' parents must send a note which will be presented to the bus driver that afternoon.
UYOU are the single-most important factor in ensuring your child's success. By checking your child's folder and planner, helping with homework, reading the blog daily, talking to your child about his/her day, and attending conferences and other schoolwide events, your child will come to realize that school is important and needs to be taken seriously.
VVolunteers are vital! There are always opportunities for you to volunteer in our school. Check with the PTO and they will gladly put you right to work.
WWriting is a major part of our curriculum. YES, we write in math. Students who are able to write about how they solve math problems, will perform better on state tests! When the weather gets colder, we will continue to go outside. Please make sure your child wears a coat to school. I would suggest that you send a jacket to be kept at school as the classroom is often cool.
XExtraordinary things will happen in 5th Grade.
YYou will be amazed by your child's growth!
ZZzzzz....Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep. Setting and keeping a bedtime is a wonderful gift you can give your child!