Dear Parents,

          I am excited to have your child in my classroom this year!  The year will be filled with fun, hard work, and many successes.

          My goal is to have each child experience the feeling of accomplishment throughout their dedication and effort in school.  I place much responsibility on the students individually.  However, it is my job to guide them and help out whenever needed.

          We have FUN!  I firmly believe that learning can be fun.  So, if your child comes home with a smile on his or her face, you know they had a good day in school.

          Please ask your child what they did in school each day, or several times a week.  They need to know you are interested in their life.  Inquire about certain topics, as to what projects and ideas they are learning, or what book they are reading.

          Thank you for your cooperation and interest in your child’s education.  Together we will make it a wonderful experience.

God Bless,

Mrs. Ann  Solinsky

605-390-3092

www.zioncrusaders.org

annsolinsky@hotmail.com

Class Work Policy

Class work is very important.  It serves to reinforce the skill taught each day.  For example, major league baseball players do not quit practicing after they get their first hit!  They take batting practice every day so it becomes easier to get hits.  Schoolwork is like a sport.   THE MORE YOU PRACTICE THE BETTER YOU GET!               All assignments should be completed when due.                          When an assignment is not completed when it is due, it is considered late.  Students who choose not to do their work or who are habitually late will be required to attend Friday Study Hall from 3-4pm on Fridays.  Either the student or I will let you know if they have to attend Study Hall.  Students will have class time to work on assignments, and the last thirty minutes of each day will be study time.  Please help your student have their homework completed on time. All work is considered due the next day, unless otherwise noted on the assignment board.

 

I realize throughout the school year most students will miss a day of school here and there.  It is the responsibility of the student to make sure all make-up work is completed and turned in.  For each school day the student misses, two days will be allowed for them to complete make-up work.

School Calendar

 

Assignment Notebooks                        Students will be given assignment notebooks to record daily assignments, tests, and things that need to be remembered during the week.  Please take time to look at your child’s notebook and see that the assignments are completed each day. I am also asking that a parent sign the notebook every day. This notebook must come to school with the student each day.  It is hard for the student to complete homework assignments if they cannot remember what the assignment is.  We will take time each day at the end of class to write down the assignments, so if there is any work that needs to be completed at home, the student will remember it.   The assignments for the day are posted on the Assignment Chart located at the front of the classroom.

Monday Folders

Lunches   This year the school lunches are being done by Family Thrift.  Please choose the lunches that your child will be eating for the week and return the form on Tuesday.  All lunches for the next week are ordered on Friday.  If a student misses a day that they ordered hot lunch, they will still be charged because the school will be charged.  All lunches are $3.20, and milk costs $.30.  Milks do not come with hot lunches.

 

Fine Arts

Students in grade 3-5 will be participating in a Fine Arts class.  Students will be in two different classes a year, one in the fall semester and one in the spring semester.   The choices are:  Chimes, Sign Choir, Orph Instruments, Walking, or Spanish.  Students will rate the choices in the order they want to do them, but they might not receive their first choice.  This class will be from 1-1:30pm on Tuesday afternoons.

 

Snack

Students are allowed to bring a snack to class, as well as water bottles.  (No candy or pop.)  We have a working snack from 10:15-10:30.  Students are responsible to bring their own snack.  If they forget to bring one, they will not have a snack for the day.

The school has a website.  Take some time to check it out.  The Principal’s letter, Monday Notes, School calendar, and the lunch menu are just some of the things you will find there. www.zioncrusaders.org

Please discuss all the contents of this package with your child.  I will do the same in school, and I will answer any of the student’s questions.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call me before or after school.       Thank you.

School Website

Math Game Binders

     Each week, your child will be bringing home a Math Game Binder.  In the binder there will games and activities for you to do with your child.  This binder must return to school each Tuesday with the math log inside completed.

Reading Logs

             Reading Logs will go home with your student each Monday.  The logs should be filled out and returned to class on Monday. ( Some shortened weeks, reading logs will not be sent home.) Students will be required to read for a total of 90 minutes each week. This can be done during a block of time, or split into smaller times each day.  This log is part of the students reading grade.

Birthdays

            Students may bring treats for their birthday.  We will have a special time to enjoy them.  Just let me know when you plan to bring them.

            If you plan to have a birthday party and are only inviting some of the class please mail or pass out invitations in private so that those who are not invited will not feel bad.

Toys, Video Games, & Cell Phones

            Toys, video games & cell phones from home are not permitted in the classroom and out of backpacks.  If you bring them for before or after care they must remain in backpacks when in the classroom.

            If I see toys in or on desks they may be confiscated until a later date.

Property

You are responsible for taking care of property belonging to you and the school.

No stickers are to be placed on your Monday folder, desk, tote, or anything belonging to the school.

You may also not write on these items or cut them in any way.

            Keep them as neat and clean as possible.  Other students may use these items in the future.

            Take care of library and school books by handling them carefully and properly.

Outlaw Ranch

     In fifth grade we take an overnight trip.  Tentatively the dates will be May 2, 3, & 4, 2011.  This is an environmental education program.  The students will have experiences in:  teamwork, horseback riding, canoeing, hiking, water ecology, KP duty and much, much more!  This trip costs about $90 per student.  This is why the fifth grade runs and works the Candy Store on Friday afternoons.  The money we raise helps defer the cost of the trip for each student and pays for our parent chaperones.  We also have a fall fundraiser.  We will be selling fruit in November.  Students always have the option to opt out of this fundraiser and pay the total cost for the trip in April.  If you are interested in going as a chaperone, or if you have other questions, please ask.

Graduation

Graduation will be on Monday, May 23, 2011, at 7pm.  Students will be working towards the honors of Valedictorian, Class Speakers, Presidential Academic Award and the American Citizenship Award.  Please be aware that not all students will receive these awards.  They are an honor and take a lot of hard work.

Fifth Grade Fun Day

After graduation, we take a day to celebrate as a class.  This is usually the last time the students get to have fun with each other before going on to different middle schools.  In the spring we will vote as a class where we would like to go.  This “Fun Day” will be May 24, 2011.  The PTL provides each student with $10 towards this trip.  The student must come up with the remaining balance if there is one.