Our focus on academic, religious education and spiritual development balanced with extracurricular activities, support our mission to develop well-rounded students.
Increased focus on organization and student responsibility allows for more collaborative group work while differentiating the learning. Switching classes for two subjects promotes these skills to encourage personal growth among our students.
5th graders are inventors! With our winter invention fair, students use their STEM skills to create inventions with a cross curricular process. The planning starts with research and writing before the buying and inventing begins!
Extracurricular activities, for the first time at school, provide our students with the ability to participate in sports while still managing an academic work load.
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.
Dress Code
The dress code will be enforced daily.
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:
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.
Tests
Material taught will be assessed regularly.
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…