We've Got Ford-itude! (Fortitude)
We can, because we know we can!
Welcome to our class!
Dear Parents and Students,
I would like to take this opportunity to tell you a little bit about myself. My husband and I are Pueblo natives, and I have two wonderful children. I have taught everything from preschoolers to fifth graders, but fifth graders are by far my favorites. I hold a teaching degree with minors in reading, music, and child psychology I also hold a Masters degree in Technology. My passions are my family, teaching, music, art, reading, and hiking. I am looking forward to an exciting and productive fifth grade year with your child and you. Please read over this information carefully. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me.
Homework Your child will have reading (Accelerated Reader), spelling, math or other homework almost every night. This work should, in general, take no more than one hour. Obviously, there may be some exceptions to this. Students may ALWAYS take home their textbooks. Your child should have all of these assignments written in their assignment book. I will allow students to take home any classroom work they may have fallen behind in due to absences or illness.
**Please note, I do not give a letter grade for every task. Sometimes children just need to practice a skill. I would hate to penalize them, when they are just picking up a skill and need time to practice.
Tests Your child will always know in advance when a test is coming. Important information is posted on the homework board daily. Student's grades are made up of 50% daily work & homework, and 50% test scores. If your child does poorly on a test or daily assignment, I will stamp it sign and return. Please send this paper back to school with a signature the next day. That way you will know if there is an area that your child needs to give special attention to, and I will know you were informed.
Student Book Checkout Students are often given time to read for Accelerated Reader during the day and are asked to keep a book to read in their desk, as well as at home. Students may check out books when they have free time. In addition, they may check out immediately before or after school. Students may wish to check out books at the public library. By 5th grade students are tired of our choices and would like more variety.
Late Work If your student does not have their homework, it will be marked late. If your child turns it in the following day, 50% will be taken off the score received. If it is still not turned in, a zero notice will be sent home. Not having homework is cause for after school detention. Because I know how difficult it is to be interrupted at work, a letter will notify you if this occurs. Please sign and return these letters. I know this is annoying, But it is the only way I have of knowing that you are aware of a potential problem. If I do not receive this form from you, I will assume that you were never shown it. In that event, I will be phoning you. Numerous zero notices will cause your child to lose special activities like field trip privileges.
Homework Exceptions Occasionally unexpected things come up in home/family life, and a student cannot complete his/her homework. For this purpose, I will be giving each child "Homework Passes". Your child may use these passes instead of taking a late penalty. With them, they can turn in the assignment the following day without penalty. Please encourage your child to save these until they are needed and use them wisely. (Students are given3 passes each 9-week grade period.) If your child does not use these, they will be rewarded with a little surprise at the end of the quarter.
Card SystemSouth Park School is continuing with the school wide card system, again this year. Students are given five colored cards. If they disregard a school rule, or do not turn in homework, they are asked to turn a card.White Card: Doing great!Green Card: Oops, first warning.Yellow Card: Parent contact w/phone call or note homeBlue Card: Time out, parent contact, possible student problem solving conference.Red Card: Automatic problem solving conference, parent contactIn accordance with school policy, 3 tardies results in a problem solving conference. This will lasts for approximately 1/2 hour.
Fieldtrips Our students this year have an opportunity for a number of exciting field trips. Be watching your child's weekly folder for details and permission forms.
* Field trips are an earned privileged. Three zero notices, three problem solving conferences, or two unexcused absenses during thirty days, will result in the loss of a field trip for the following month.
Accelerated Reader Students may take an A.R. test on ANY book that is at an appropriate reading level. If our school does not have a test for a book they have chosen, they may write a ten question multiple-choice test over their chosen book. Their test will be entered into our computers for other students to take and your child will get points towards their goal.
Supplies Please make sure that your child has their name on everything, they bring to school. Most of us shop at the same stores. Without a name on your child's items, I have no way to identify them, if they are lost. Your child needs to have their supplies, at school every day. Constant borrowing from friends can lead to hurt feelings and sometimes result in fights.
Additional Items Only a couple of items were left off of the districts master supply list. Please send your child with these additional items.~1 large spiral notebook Your child will use this to take math notes daily. It will contain examples of each nights work and make homework much easier.~Wide tip, dry erase Expo markers Low odor works best. Your child may wish to split a box with a friend. Students will have personal white boards to practice math problems. This will save on your need to buy more paper later.
~1 public library card these are free and will be needed for A.R. to check out books for research.
~Antibiotic wipes
Every child should have a backpack Encourage them to keep their homework and textbooks in the backpack by the door when not in use. Hopefully, seeing this will help them to remember important papers during the morning rush.
Scholar Dollars Students can earn scholar dollars by doing especially good work, answering special quiz questions, or returning specified signed forms to class. When a child has earned 20 scholar dollars, they may choose a prize from our class treasure chest. If you see a dollar sign ($) on your child's paper, you know they are doing well.
Student Planners South Park has purchased individual assignment planners for each child in 5th grade. Your child is responsible for copying homework in the planner every afternoon. Parents need to initial it every evening for the first 9-week period. After that, students who have been responsible in turning in work on time will continue to use the planner every day, but parents need no longer sign it. There may be exceptions for parents of students who consistently do not turn in their work.
Weekly Folders Each child will have a folder that they will use to bring important notes and completed work home to you. These folders will come home once a week and be returned to school the following day. Please ask for these folders. Students who return these signed will receive a small reward.
Expectations Here are things I look for, when I grade your child's work.~The paper is turned in on time.~The paper demonstrates good effort. ~The name and date are on the paper. ~The paper is neat. (minimal erasures marks, no doodling)~Cursive is used at all times. ~It is complete. (All work is shown and answers explained in complete sentences, using punctuation and capital letters.) I want your child to take pride in their work. Papers that do not have these items will be returned to your child for corrections, before a grade is given.
**Please Note I do not necessarily give a letter grade for every paper your child does. Often, students just need the chance to practice a new concept, before they really get it. I hate to give scores until your child has had a chance to practice and understands the skill.
Snacks Your child has a very long morning. To help them comfortably get through to lunch, I allow students to bring a healthy snack. Fruit, crackers, cheese sticks, or any other healthy snack, will be fine. Please no candy, cookies or other sweets.
Please Save
Please recycle these items from around the house. We need them for upcoming projects.
~ yarn scraps
~measuring cups from laundry detergent
~old crayons~marbles~jacks or jack balls
~old pencils
~fabric scraps
Letters To Parents From time to time, you may be receiving a letter from me concerning any number of school related issues. Many of these letters have a notice on the bottom asking you to sign and return them with your child the next day. Please do so. Often important letters get forgotten and left in back packs or desks. This is the only way I have of knowing that you have gotten what I sent you. In addition, it keeps you form getting a phone call the next day to see if it was received.
Conferences I welcome the opportunity to speak with parents. I often, however, am teaching after school classes, supervising on the playground, or have staff meetings that I must attend. Please call ahead of time and let me know if you would like to speak to me. I know your time is valuable, and I would hate to see you make a trip without getting to speak to me.
Phone Messages During the day, I am working with your children and may not be able to come to the phone. Often times we are at the library or a computer lab and I am unaware of your call. If you do not reach me, leave a message on my voice mail. In case of emergency, call the office. They will relay a message to your child. You may also reach me at my e-mail. (If you do not hear from me immediately, be patient. I sometimes forget to check my messages.)
cford@pueblo60.
k-12reach4stars04@hotmail.com
Room 595-4251
Office 549-7600
Class Web Site Please enjoy our class web site. It contains games, review, and homework help to make the year easier and fun. In addition, visit our district class web site for up-to-date information about class activities.
Parent Involvement I welcome and encourage parents to participate. Studies indicate that students whose parents are supportive and involved in their education are much more likely to be successful in school. If you would like to volunteer any time during the day to work with students or help with other tasks, we can set up a schedule. Our school has many wonderful activities that need your help, and your child's class always needs room parents to plan field trips and parties. Feel free to come into class for a visit. Please check with me in advance and let me know you are coming, just in case we are testing. This is your child's last year in elementary school. Let's make wonderful memories, for both of you.
This is going to be a great year!
Go Cougars!!!
Cheryl Ford
 
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