August 29, 2010

August 30, 2010

Dear Room 13 Families,

It has been great getting to know your children this past week. I really feel that we have a special group and I am looking forward to having an exciting year of learning and growth. Thank you for all of the supplies that have been coming in!!! I am always amazed at the generosity and support of our families here at Mar Vista. The only things we are really in need of are art supplies (sculpy clay, shrinky-dink paper and water color paper).

Please check in with your child about their spot for homework. I gave students a homework folder (if they needed/wanted one). Other students had a folder in their binders for homework. Please check in with your child, to ensure that they are keeping their things organized and that you know where there homework spot is. If your child needs a homework folder, let me know and I can give them one. Each week I will be giving students a homework chart (that they will fill in daily). On the reverse side will have the vocabulary words for the week. There is daily vocab/spelling homework, nightly reading (30 min) and daily math. There will occasionally be other homework, reports or projects. Please sign the homework chart on Thursdays!

This week we will begin math (we will be splitting our classes for math beginning on Tuesday). Please look for a letter this week for more details about math class.

Many Thanks,

Ms. Sara
sara_thorinton@pvusd.net

P.S. Last Friday, your child should have brought home a half sheet of paper regarding the PE program. Let me know if you need another copy. Our PE Days are Monday, Thursday and Friday

Welcome Back Letter

Dear 5th Grade Parents,

I am thrilled to be back at Mar Vista and teaching 5th grade. Many of you know me from my years in 1st grade and that I was absent from Mar Vista this past year. I am beyond excited to be able to delve in deeper to the curriculum with 5th grade standards (and 5th grade thinkers). We will get to cover some really interesting topics: American history, the solar system, body systems, read and write various forms of literature an non-fiction text and work with negative numbers, decimals and percentages (to name a few).

We will be going over the academic program and classroom procedures in greater detail at Back to School Night (Thursday, Sept. 16th 6:10-6:50). Until then, here are some things you should know.

All students will be given a green homework folder (students are welcome to use their own folder from home if they wish). Each week there will be a homework log for students to record their assignments. This needs to be brought to daily and kept in their folder. The Homework log is due to me on Fridays with your signature. Homework in fifth grade should not take more than 50-60 minutes (including 30 minutes of reading). Please contact me if your child is making a good effort, but is still unable to complete their homework in that time frame, so that we can make any needed changes. Students will be taking home their Math Homework workbook daily. (This book needs to go back and forth between home and school because it will be used every day during Math).

I know that you have ton of paper work to go through. Please make sure to return the following by this Friday, August 27th (*= extra important to return ASAP):
1. *Emergency Card
2. *Internet Use Agreement (your child will not be able to touch a computer at school without this)
3. *Permission to Take Books home agreement
4. *Voluntary Participation Student Accident/Heath Insurance Notification Form (Green)
5. *Superintendent’s Annual Notice to Parents (pages 22 and 23)
6. MVP’s Directory Form
7. MVP’s Volunteer Sign Up Form
8. Preferred Parking Space Raffle Advertisement and Return Slip

I am very much looking forward to working with you to ensure that your child has a great year in 5th Grade!

Many thanks,

Sara
I check my email often and it is a great way to communicate with me! sara_thorington@pvusd.net