Racheal Derrick School Year

My sweet son, Steven, who is in fourth grade here at Overpark this year.

I graduated from Collierville High School – Go Dragons! Excellence is a commitment! If it's to be, it's up to me! I have a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Memphis – Go Tigers! I have a Master’s of Arts in Teaching from the University of Memphis – Go Tigers Again! This is my ninth year with DeSoto County Schools and my fourth year in fifth grade - Go Mustangs! Overpark Elementary School

The 411 Information (general class info given first day of school) Leader’s Notes (monthly ELA newsletter) Students’ Agendas (boomerang- back and forth EVERY DAY) Daily Take Home/ Test/ Homework Folders (boomerang) Graded paper and weekly reports (Wednesdays) Teacher and School Website (update on Wednesdays) Parent Portal (update grade book on Wednesdays) Remind 101 text messages (important reminders and announcements) / Text/ Cell phone (try to check once in the am and once in the pm) cell The key to a successful year is communication and teamwork.

Believers. Achievers. Leaders. Believe anything is possible. Achieve the goals you set. Be a leader in your school and community.

Thank you for taking opportunities to Be Kind

Thank you for working hard today.

Classroom Management

For positive behavior (notes on weekly report) Fish Positive parent contact Homework passes Books Candy (occasionally) Team points – winning team gets reward on Friday contact. For negative behavior (noted on Weekly Report) Break a rule = your name goes on the board and you have silent lunch Break a rule a second time for the day = walk at recess Break a rule a third time for the day = teacher choice I do not expect anyone to go past this, but if it so happens then it will involve “teacher’s choice” and parent contact.

Weekly Report and Graded Papers  If your child has to sign the board there will be a note on that day at the top of the weekly report.  Please sign the bottom when the folder comes home on Wednesday nights. These are needed back by Friday of each week.  Student goals should be written each week. We will choose new goals each nine weeks.

Reading Folder ELA Folder Writer’s Journal Something to Read There will be one ELA grade on the report card. This grade will be taken from quizzes, tests, projects, writings, booktalks, sharings, and an interactive folder grade. Students will take Case 21 ELA tests, which are indicator tests. We do not have separate spelling tests in Fifth grade. We will have weekly vocablary tests (probably Thursdays) as we learn Latin and Greek roots.

Students have many resources for books. Classroom library Overpark library Olive Branch library Myon Reader program Scholastic book orders Want to guess how many books we have in our classroom library? Book Talks Once each month ELA speaking and listening grade Rubric

I would rather students read without having to complete a reading log; however, I will use my daily observations to check student’s individual reading progress. If keeping up with a reading log helps, then I will use it with those particular children. Students should be reading a minimum of 30 minutes each night. Instead of reading logs, I encourage the students to set goals such as: “I would like to finish this book in 7 days,” or “I would like to challenge myself to read 20 pages each night.” My goal is for fifth graders to read many authors from different genres to have ideas in their minds about what they enjoy as readers and have a constant stack or list of books to read next. Let’s fall off the logs and fall in love with reading!

30 Book Challenge

Finding a Good Book Author websites Mrs. Derrick’s teacher website Google “if you like ______” type in your favorite book Check with Mrs. Luttrell or Mrs. Derrick Check with Mrs. Teresa at OB public library Scholastic book orders are placed on the second Friday of each month

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)  No photographs or videos may be taken at school.  Must have signed permission slip to participate.  Purchases made at school are not permitted; however, if a student makes a purchase the owner of the device is responsible.  We will have device check in and check out daily. Dress Code  Fifth grade abides by regular elementary school dress code until Spring Break.  After Spring Break fifth grade will abide by middle school dress code.  A copy of the dress code was sent home at the beginning of the school year. See the DCS website or Mrs. Derrick for an additional copy.

The top concerns that I have heard from students who have moved on to middle school have had to do with organization and responsibility such as getting to class on time with their supplies, keeping up with writing their own assignments down, turning things in without the teacher asking specifically for them, and planning out assignments and study schedules. Please check your child’s backpack, agenda, and homework NIGHTLY. Organization and responsibility are taught skills, and the majority of fifth graders have not mastered these yet. Fifth graders should be reading a minimum of 30 minutes each night at the beginning of the year. By the end of the year, I would love to see them reading 45 minutes - one hour each night.

Question Fundraiser You may ask as many questions as you would like. Questions are $1.00 each. If you ask a question that someone else has already asked, you will be charged an additional $.50 fee for not paying attention. Lunch/ snack Schedule PTO Supplies New attendance policy Field Trips and attendance Transportation Homework Tests Curriculum/ Common Core Absences Family Involvement Lunch/ snack Schedule PTO Supplies New attendance policy Field Trips and attendance Transportation Homework Tests Curriculum/ Common Core Absences Family Involvement

Life is busy. Thank you for taking the time to come tonight! I look forward to working with you and your family this year.