September/October News
Ms. Hagen’s Class

Our school year is off to a quick and terrific start. I am looking forward to a great year. This year will hold the promise of new discovery and learning, as well as the prospect of personal growth in all areas.

My goal is that we can all work cooperatively together to help your child attain their goals of learning. Communication is a big component of our partnership for your child. Please feel free to contact me by note, email, or phone. You can see contact information below. Your child is important to me and our classroom. You can also check out my blog under the Meadowview Intermediate Website at www.spartan.org. Select Meadowview from the drop down and go to 5th grade teachers and find my link to the blog. The address of the blog is http://mshagens5thgradeblog.blogspot.com/ if you want a direct link.

My philosophy is that all students can learn at their level and I am here to help them learn the best way possible. I also believe that students can learn from each other through cooperative learning. I will be having them work with other students on various projects.

HOMEWORK:
I believe that homework is necessary for practicing skills that have been learned or for enriching the classroom experience. Most of the time, homework is simply homework that was not finished in class. I try to give ample time in class, but sometimes it is not possible or some students may work more slowly than others and must finish later. We have an assignment notebook for the students to keep track of assignments. I will be checking to make sure all students are marking in assignments. Please check your child’s assignment notebook to make sure that assignments are getting completed and sign it so that I know that you checked it. You can write messages to me on the assignment notebook. The students can show me the note in the morning.

FAMILY ACCESS
The district has a computer program that allows parents to keep track of your child’s grades. The program also includes an area where you can check your child’s lunch account. To get to the family access, you should go to school website at www.spartan.org . Click on the Family Access link and login. If you do not have the login information, please inform me or the office and we will work with you to get the information. While visiting the website, you can click on the school link for important school information.

SNACK REMINDER
As a reminder, students are offered a chance to have a milk break in the morning. You may provide a healthy snack for your child. Many students are hungry by the time we get to the snack time of the morning.

SAFETY PATROL
Just as a reminder, students will need winter attire when the weather starts changing.
I look forward to working will all of you throughout the year.

CONFERENCES
CONFERENCES DATES ARE SET FOR THE EVENINGS OF FROM 3:30 -6:30 ON OCTOBER 14 AND 16, AND THE MORNING OF OCTOBER 17 FROM 7:30-10:30. IF THESE TIMES DO NOT WORK, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND WE CAN TRY TO WORK SOMETHING OUT. I LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING WITH PARENTS AND STUDENTS.

The Great Everlasting Genre Safari
This year our fifth grade students will participate in a reading program that will involve the exploration of different ‘genres’ (or types of literature).
The program will have two components, or parts, and upon completion of either part, a student will receive a certificate from Pizza Hut.
Each month the student will be requested to venture into two genres and record their time spent reading these genres at home. Upon completion of the following requirement, she or he will receive a certificate for a personal pan sized pizza from Pizza Hut.
· Recording 300 minutes of the genre exploration, (reading)
· Reading 1 or 2 of the genre types for the month
A list of the required types of genre to be read
each month will accompany the reading record sent home each month. This reading program begins in the month of October and will be completed by the end of May. Those students who successfully complete the monthly components will be eligible to attend a Successful Safari Film Festival at the end of each month!


Sincerely,
Ms. Joanne Hagen
jhagen@spartan.org or 269-2187