Welcome to Fifth Grade 

2023-2024

Welcome back to school! I am excited and looking forward to working with you and your child this year. You are receiving quite a bit of information about fifth grade, but it is all important. 

~ Please read through the expectations thoroughly with your child, sign the back page, and send the page back to your homeroom teacher by Thursday, August 31st. 

~ Feel free to contact me at any time with questions, concerns, etc.

~My email is switkowski@stcletusparish.com during my office hours. I welcome communication and want this year to be successful for your child! 

~ Office hours: Before/after school from 7:30 – 4:00 pm, M-F. Correspondence after 4pm will be addressed the next school day. 

Below you will find the guidelines and expectations for an amazing year. 

Chromebooks 

Each student will have their own Chromebook. 

1. Students are responsible for bringing their Chromebooks to school daily 
2. Chromebooks should be charged every day. 
3. If there is an issue with the Chromebook, please notify me immediately, so I can let tech support know and we can fix the issue. 
4. We expect students to handle these devices with respect at all times. 
5. Food and drinks are never to be consumed while using the Chromebooks. 

Dress Code

The dress code will be enforced daily. 

1. The dress code policy is included in the student handbook, and can also be found on the school website. 
2. It is recommended to periodically review the dress code with your child
3. Two unexcused out-of-uniform citations will result in a lunch detention.

Behavior and Discipline

In our classroom, I emphasize respect, honesty, responsibility, and citizenship. Using our Religion and Growing with God curriculums as well as the 5th grade D.A.R.E program, students will continue to learn how to identify and manage their emotions and behavior. Consistent routines, clear expectations, and positive feedback are key pillars of 5th grade behavior management. 

In the event of unacceptable behavior, students will be given a warning to correct it before receiving a logical consequence. Logical consequences are ones that are relevant, respectful, realistic, and give the student a chance to learn from their mistakes. 

Oops Slips and Citations:

1. Students whose Chromebooks that are not charged for class will be given an “Oops Slip” that will be needed to be signed by a parent/guardian. After 2 Oops slips, a lunch detention will be given for the 3rd offense. The detention will be served the following day. 
2. When a student is out-of-uniform, they will be given an Uniform Citation slip. After 2 out-of-uniform citations, a lunch detention will be given for the 3rd offense. The detention will be served the following day. 

Homework

Math homework will be sent home each night. There will be additional assignments in Spelling, Reading, Language Arts, Writing, Religion, Social Studies, and Science throughout the school year. 

1. It’s expected that homework is completed and turned in on the due date. If the homework is not turned in by the given due date, a 25% penalty will be given once the assignment is turned in.  
2. Each trimester, students will be assigned a book report. Additional projects will be assigned throughout the year. 
3. Large projects and book reports will require a parent signature on expectations of the individual project
4. If a student is absent we are able to send that day’s homework home with a sibling or friend, upon request.

Tests

Material taught will be assessed regularly. 

1. Students will be informed of upcoming tests several days in advance. 
2. We will review in class, but students should be studying material learned on their own as well. 
3. Students who do not earn a passing grade will be asked to complete test corrections. 
4. The highest grade that can be earned after corrections are made is a C. 
5. Test corrections are not offered for open note tests, or quizzes. 

Snacks & Water Bottle

We have a working snack in 5th grade. Please make sure you send a healthy snack for your child (i.e. fruit or veggies). 

We strongly encourage your child to have their own water bottle in class each day. 

Wednesday Envelopes

Please look out for our school’s White Envelope which will be sent home most Wednesdays to the oldest or only child in the family.  In it, you will find important reminders or FSA papers about what’s currently going on here at St. Cletus! 

Please return the white Wednesday envelopes the following school day.

Newsletters

Bi-monthly newsletters will be posted on the school website under 5th Grade detailing material being studied, school activities, etc.

Thank you for your cooperation and support with these expectations for a smooth year ahead!

~Mrs. Witkowski

5th Grade Syllabus 2023/2024

RELIGION 

Archdiocese Of Chicago, e-School 3.0 curriculum 

We Believe – Sadlier

Based on 5th grade Religion standards

SOCIAL STUDIES – Mrs. Varchetta                        

Archdiocese Of Chicago, e-School 3.0 curriculum 

Based on 5th grade standards 

LANGUAGE ARTS (Grammar/Spelling)

Shurley English – used for grammar and writing

Spelling Connections – used for spelling and vocabulary

READING 

Various age appropriate novels

Based on 5th grade Reading standards

A book report will be due every trimester 

MATH 

Houghton Mifflin-Go Math

Simple Solutions – 2 Lessons completed per week

Based on 5th grade Math standards

Chapter based books include multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, and geometry

SCIENCE 

Houghton Mifflin-Science Fusion  

Based on 5th grade standards

The Invention Convention project will be introduced in November, and will be due in January.

D.A.R.E.

The D.A.R.E. program begins in fifth grade. The D.A.R.E officer from the LaGrange Police Dept. will come for 10 weeks during class to help us learn the D.A.R.E. program (Drug Abuse Resistance Education).

At St. Cletus, we know to…

1. Be Respectful
2. Be Responsible
3. Be Compassionate