2009/2010

 

Dear Parents/Guardians,

 

Welcome to Room 17! I am excited to have this opportunity to work with your children. Below are a few items regarding the basic operation of our classroom that you may find useful.

 

Supplies: Please refer to the Cummings School supply list for 5^th grade which is available at the front desk.. In addition to the supplies listed, students should bring a 1 ½” three-ring binder and one set of notebook dividers. The 3-ring binder is especially important as we will be working to develop good organizational skills in preparation for middle school. Students should develop the habit of taking their binder back and forth between home and school every day.

 

 

On-going Communication:  School/home cooperation is vital to student success.  Please provide your child with a backpack and try to check it every night. There will be yellow folder marked School/Home Folder which your child should take back and forth in his or her binder. In that folder you will find a pocket containing communications from school such as bulletins, newsletters, calendars, notices, book orders, etc. as well as corrected work. There is also an inner pocket marked “Home to School” in which your child should place finished homework to hand in upon arrival at school as well as any notes or materials you wish to send to me.

 

Classroom discipline:  My rules boil down to one word – RESPECT.  We will respect ourselves, one another, the learning process, and property.  My philosophy of discipline is to establish clear expectations and to stress recognition and acknowledgment of good conduct.  When misbehavior occurs, I try to determine and address its cause and then find a solution.  If the problem is more serious or persistent, I will contact you through a written notice and/or a phone call. Of course, it is also very important to let me know if your child shares fears or concerns about problems at school so that I can address them.

 

Specials:

          Monday – Media                                          Thursday - Music

          Tuesday – Music                                         Friday – PE and Library

          Wednesday – PE (Wear appropriate shoes)   Check-out (bring books)

 

 

 

 Snacks and water: Fifth grade lunch is at 12:00. The kids are very hungry by that point. I encourage students to bring healthy snacks to eat at 10:50. Please send food such as cheese, fruit, veggie sticks, nuts, pretzels instead of cookies, candies, and chips. Additionally, students are encouraged to bring water bottles to keep on their desks filled with WATER ONLY (no juice, pop, etc.) The water bottle must have a secure lid which closes completely to avoid spills.

 

 

Outdoor School:  Outdoor School this year will be held from October 21 - 23 at Camp Tadmor in Lebanon, Oregon. Please be alert for upcoming information.

 

Birthdays: You are welcome to provide treats for your child’s birthday if you wish. Please let me know ahead of time and bring the treats in before lunch. We will sing Happy Birthday to your student in the morning and distribute the treats in the cafeteria to our class during lunchtime. Currently, we have 26 students.

 

Feel free to e-mail me at or call at 503-399-3141 if you ever have questions or concerns.  For personal conferences, please call or e-mail to set up an appointment so that I am able to give you my full and undivided attention.

 

It’s going to be a great year!

 

 

Sincerely,

Linda Wallmark