Welcome to 5th Grade!

Mr. Belanger8200 Sparta Road

Sebring, Florida 33875Telephone (863)471-5777

Fax (863)471-5785

School Day Hours

7:30-2:00

Resources in the Café

• Notaries• Daycare• Sheriffs Office• CTE T-Shirt Vendors• Scouts• Transportation• Food Service• Translators• PTO/SAC

CTE

www.THEKNOWLEDGESEEKERS.com

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Register your child, its fast & easy!

You will need their 6-digit ID number (the kids know it as their SME number).

All about your teacher!

I graduated from Western Michigan University with a bachelors degree in Elementary Education, with an emphasis in urban education--a program which was designed to open up social consciousness and define skills needed to become a teacher in urban environments. I love to lead students in a direction where they learn to choose to be the best that they can be!

After arriving in Florida, I became an endorsed teacher of the gifted and certified to teach English speakers of other languages. I am married to Laura, who works at the Kindergarten Learning Center as the school's instructional technology technician (see, technology runs in the family!)

We have a three year old Cockapoo named Malik, which means King in the Arabic language and a kitten named Maia. We are fans of the Detroit Tigers, Lions (yes, I said the Lions!) and Red Wings!!! We had our first child, Eli, in the fall of 2009.

Schedule

Student Planners

On the first day of school, each student will be given a student planner. This book has a spot to record homework, projects, test dates and agendas for each day or week. Each morning the homeroom teacher will check to see that the student planners have been signed by a parent.

• A $5.00 fee will be charged to replace a lost student planner. • Also, many 5th grade teachers use their class Web site as a tool to

communicate information—please check these regularly!

Homework

Homework will be primarily communicated through the student planners. Most assignments are due the day after they are assigned, unless noted. Teachers will try to notify the students weekly if they are missing assignments, although it is their responsibility to insure that all their work is completed and turned in. Official progress reports/report cards are sent home about every 4.5 weeks.

1st Progress Report: Sept 241st Report Card: Nov. 10

2nd Progress Report: Dec. 102nd Report Card: Feb. 2

3rd Progress Report: Feb. 253rd Report Card: April 13

Notices of Possible Retention: April 18

4th Progress Report: May 64th Report Card: June 8

Nutrition

BREAKFASTBreakfast will once again be offered to all students—free of charge—in the classrooms.

SNACKThe high demand of the 5th grade schedule does not allow a long, structured time for snack. Three or so minutes will be offered daily between subjects for students to eat “one” snack item that is not to be shared. A good example of a snack is a granola bar or fruit cup—but not an entire sandwich or something that needs to be heated. At the end of this time, we will ask students to discard uneaten food.

WATER BOTTLESSmall water bottles (like those found in bulk at Wal-Mart or other convenience stores) are welcomed in the classroom, but thermos or sports style bottles are not. Please do not send “flavored” water.

Rules of the Room

Everyone will respect others’ right to learn & treat others the way you’d want to be treated!

Follow directions the first time

Isolate hands, feet, and objects

Raise your hand

Stay in seat

Talk to others the way you want to be talked to

Behavior Plan

Cracker Trail Elementary uses Positive Behavior Support (PBS) as our primary behavior plan. All teachers in the 5th grade follow the same grade-level plan, and have the same high-expectations of children. Since the classroom is a place for learning, we will use consistent praise and we will celebrate successes, accomplishments, and positive behavior.

Expectations of 5th grade students:o Follow basic school & classroom ruleso Respect others, their feelings, and their propertyo Listen carefully, and follow directionso Be on time and prepared to work and learno Leave gum, candy and toys at homeo Make responsible choices at all areas of the school

 

Infractions will be noted in the student planners using the following codes:o MA – Missing, late, or incomplete Assignmento NP – Not Prepared for class (pencils, supplies, books, etc)o CB – Classroom Behavior (disruptive)o TO – Talking Outo NFD – Not Following Directions

Classroom Rules

Extra Curricular Activities

Participation in extra-curricular activities is a valuable educational experience. Students who participate in chorus, handbells, safety patrol or student council must maintain a “C” average. It is the responsibility of the child to master the material, ask for help, and complete the daily assignments on their own. Students are responsible to turn in material on time, usually the next day. If this criteria is not met, students will be asked to not participate.

Special events & trips

These are a few of the events/activities planned for this year:• Theater trips to SFCC• NEW Fifth-grade “end of year” field trip• Read-in• Theme weeks• Student Council• Safety Patrol• Chorus, handbells & other music activities• Fundraising opertunities• Art/MI Lab

Supply List

*If you need assistance with supplies, please let me or Mrs. Pella (in guidance) know. Many community partners have donated supplies to the school.