Back To School Night

Welcome to GWAs Back To School NightMrs. BackMy husband Dennis and I have four children, all of whom are married. We are the proud grandparents of 12 grandchildren with one on the way. I attended Brigham Young University, but I graduated from THE University of Utah with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.I love to read, teach, travel, garden, play league tennis, and participate in water sports with my family.

Communicate with meThe best way to communicate with me is through email: dback@gwacademy.org.Check the 5th grade website: www.gwafifthgrade.wordpress.comLeave me a message on the school phone: (435)-673-2232I will send out weekly updates.

Powerschool/Grading systemPlease check it regularlyYour child will receive a username and password.Please set your account to receive weekly updates.I will input grades on Friday. Grades are always put in no later than one week after a due date, and usually much sooner. Late work policy: Any missing assignments accumulated in the first half of a trimester can be made up until midterm. Any missing assignments in the second half of a trimester can be made up and turned I until the last day of the trimester.Late work will be marked down by 10%.Citizenship RubricThis was approved by the board & facultyMake the office aware of excused absences, for example: sickness, emergency, immediate family wedding.If you know in advance that your child will be absent, email me at least one to two weeks in advance.Our daily schedule 7:551st bell-I will admit students at this time. 8:102nd bell; 8:15 announcements begin 8:20-9:30 Saxon Math Course 1 9:30-9:40Flex time 9:40-10:25 Specials (Mon. Library/PE; Tues. Art; Wed. Music; Thurs. Computers)10:30-11:00Spalding Spelling11:00-11:45Shurley English11:45-12:05Recess12:05-12:30Lunch12:30-1:10Science/History1:10-1:50Writing1:50-2:20Reading2:20-2:30Reading (Core Knowledge Novels/Poetry/Sayings & Phrases)2:30-2:40 Clean up; Jobs; Planners2:40-2:50RecessHigh ExpectationsGeorge Washington Academy is a rigorous school where every child will enjoy many engaging opportunities to learn.Every student may have homework Mon. -Thurs. Math homework is due the next day and is worth 30 points. Math reviews are given on Thursdays or Fridays/Tests - FridaysStudents will have 30 spelling words per week. A practice study page will go home each week and will need to e returned at the end of the week for 20 points. Spelling tests will be each Friday.Every student is expected to read at least 30 minutes a night. There are school projects from time to time that will take planning and preparation time outside of school.

What we will Monitor and ReportSpelling 50 word testsFluency: Should be 130wpm by the 3rd semesterMath tests at 80%Scholastic Reading Index at 700-900Writing & Typing 7-paragraph essaysSage testing (State testing)

InterventionsDaily Reading, Writing, & Math InterventionsSpalding Spelling, Writing, & reading, Shurley English, Saxon math Charter Spalding begins students with very specific and ordered phonemic instruction and progresses with saying & writing high frequency words, as well as lessons on literary appreciation and text structure. Shurley English focues on grammar, sentence structure, and composition.Typing/Essay practice needs to take place at school and at home (or the library). Students will be required to complete a monthly book report worth 100 points.

Core Knowledge History, Science, & Language ArtsCharterE.D. Hirsch & What your Fifth-Grader Needs to KnowCore Knowledge is sequential & specific. Each academic year builds upon information attained during the previous years.HistoryGeographyGeography/MapsMayan / Aztec / IncaEuropean ExplorationRenaissance / ReformationEngland in the Golden AgesRussiaFeudal JapanCivil WarWestward ExpansionNative AmericansScienceCellsPlantsChemistry (Matter)MagnetismElectricityEarth ChangesThe Endocrine System

DisciplineI firmly believe that a student who is happily engaged in a meaningful learning activity will rarely misbehave.When it happens:1st offense: Verbal Warning/signal2nd offense: 5 min. time out from recess or class activity3rd offense: 10 min. time out from recess/email home/Contract4th offense: Conference with student, parent, teacher, (Review Contract)5th offense: Referral visit to the office

Classroom Volunteers Please sign up to help in an area that will work for you.Your time will significantly lower the teacher/student ratio and will make a meaningful difference.Please do not bring younger children.I am not free to conference during your volunteer time or other school hours. I am very happy to meet with you after school.

Carpool:Please be prompt.Please follow traffic patterns/NEVER back upPlease do not conference with teachers and other adults during pick-up or speak/text on a cell phone.

Birthdays:Well celebrate during the last five minutes of classtime. Treats may be brought if they are purchased from a storeSchool policiesAlways enter the school at the front office area. Check in and the office personnel will give you a badge to wear while you are visiting the school. Exit only from the front office area. Use the adult restrooms by the office, or the faculty room, but not the childrens restrooms.Check the uniform code and refer to it when shopping.To Do!!!!!!Please make sure that you have signed in, and have checked your email address & emergency contact information for accuracy.Consistently, review the 5th Grade website for activity schedules, weekly subject schedules & lesson assignments. Always give your childs teacher the benefit of the doubt When in doubt, email me to find outConsistently check powerschool.Help prepare a comfortable, well-lighted study area for your child. Take your child to the library & help her/him to get a library card, check out books, and use the computers. Remember, Read! Read! Read!Thank you for comingI look forward to a great year. Your child is precious to me, and I am privileged to be his/her teacherWhat can I do for you?You and your child have been invited to visit your childs classroom on Friday, August 8th from 1:00-4:00pm.