Look out Dorothy and Toto, our fifth graders made tornados!

We had 100% participation in the summer readers program!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

LETTER TO PARENTS

Welcome back! My name is Julie Douglas and I will be your child’s Grade 5 teacher this year. I have spent the last 15 years as a parent, lunchroom volunteer, librarian, and substitute teacher here at St. Bridget. I have also substituted in the Whitman-Hanson Regional Schools working with students from first through fifth grade in both special and general education classrooms. This experience has exposed me to a variety of teaching methods and learning styles and will assist me in differentiating instruction in the classroom.

My classroom motto is “I believe I can” because I believe that children will rise to the level of expectation held by their parents and teacher.  I believe each child has been given special, though different, gifts and abilities.  As an educator, I subscribe to Howard Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligences and do my best to integrate hands on experiences, reading, writing, and art into my standards based lessons.  In a safe, stable, challenging, accepting environment children are encouraged, with the support of parents, peers, and teacher, to explore, take risks, and ultimately take responsibility for their own learning.

            On a personal note, I am married with four children, three of whom attended St. Bridget. I received my undergraduate degree in business and worked for several years as a financial manager in the computer industry. I am certified in Elementary Education.

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CLASS RULES

September 2009

Dear Parents,

The fifth grade class has been discussing proper school and classroom behavior. We brainstormed ideas, and came up with a list of classroom rules.  We have agreed on the following rules and consequences:

1.  Be respectful to each other and yourself: Use kind words and gestures. Cooperate, include one another and be accepting of each other.

2.     Be responsible.

3.     Be respectful.

4.     Be honest.

5.     Be proud of who you are and believe in yourself.

Logical Consequences

1.     If you break it you fix it. If you destroy another’s property you must fix it or replace it. If you hurt someone’s feelings with unkind words or gestures, you must apologize.

2.     1-2-3. Take a break and pull yourself together for five minutes.

3.     Verbal discussion with teacher.

4.     Verbal discussion with teacher and parents.

5.     Loss of privileges.

Student: I have read this classroom discipline plan and understand it. I will honor it at all times.

Student Signature____________________________________________

Parents: My child has discussed the classroom discipline plan with me. I understand it and will support it.

Parent Signature______________________________________________

Teacher: I will be fair and consistent in administering the discipline plan.

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HOMEWORK POLICY

September, 2009

Dear Parents,

The children and I have agreed upon the following homework policy:

1.     First missing homework-note home to be signed by parent. Missing homework must be passed in the following day.

2.     Second missing homework-note home to be signed by parent. Missing homework must be passed in the following day.

3.     Third missing homework- note home to be signed by parent (final warning). Missing homework must be passed in the following day.

4.     Fourth missing homework- note home to parents to be signed.  Missing homework must be passed in the following day. The student must spend 15 minutes after school the following Wednesday afternoon. If this is not convenient, I can schedule another day at the parent’s request.

The notice will look like this:

Dear Parents,

_____________ did not complete his assigned homework on ____________. This is the __________missing homework this term. The homework must be completed and passed in tomorrow. Failure to do so, may impact the student’s grade. Thank you for your continued support.

 Sincerely yours,

 Julie M. Douglas