1. WELCOME TO BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT MRS. YNIGUEZ (5TH GRADE) **PLEASE USE A CHROMEBOOK TO COMPLETE THE PARENT CONTACT GOOGLE FORM. There is a link to the form at www.mrsyniguez.com.**www.mrsyniguez.com

2. ABOUT ME  Teacher in GUSD since 2000  Experience in kindergarten, 1 st, 4 th, 5 th, and 6 th grade  Teacher at Monte Vista since 2009 (5 th, 4/5, 6 th grade math)  Son in 5 th grade (Mrs. Lee’s class)  Daughter is 14 months old

3. JUST A REMINDER…  Tonight is not for conferences. I can’t be open about your child while other parents are present.  Please email me if you have any questions or need to schedule a conference.

4. MY GOALS FOR 5TH GRADE  Focus on organization, time management, study skills, and responsibility.  Academics will come if students focus on these areas.  Don’t panic if students struggle, especially in the beginning of the year.

5. ORGANIZATION  Binder: current unit only  Agenda: all assignments and upcoming tests copied from board daily  I check everyone’s agenda daily  Parent signatures only required as needed  Record reading Mon-Thurs (length of time and book read)  Students highlight assignments that are due the next day to prioritize their time

6. DAILY HOMEWORK  Unfinished classwork is always homework.  There is time to complete most or all work in class.  Read 30+ minutes per day.  30+ minutes of iReady each week for each subject (math and language arts)  Students still have homework if they finish all classwork, reading, and iReady…..they need to STUDY EVERY DAY!

7. OPTIONAL STUDY HALL  Offered most days during recess/lunch  Provides opportunity for questions and quietly working/studying.  Available after school by prior arrangement.  Students must notify parents ahead of time if they want to stay after school.

8. WORK HABIT POINTS / COMMUNICATION LOG ReasonPoints Homework/classwork not turned in on time 1 point/assignment each day Incomplete classwork/homework1 point/assignment each day Failure to return parent signature1 point Not following directions on assignment1 point Other Method of encouraging and tracking students’ responsibility for all assignments. Communication Log will be sent home after 10 points. Communication Log is solely for keeping parents informed.

9. ORCHESTRA  Most times are during class on Wednesdays.  Students must complete the work that they missed for homework.

10. IMPORTANCE OF FREQUENT STUDYING  Without review, most information will be lost from memory.  The best time to review material is within a day or two after the material has been read or presented.  The best way to study for a quiz or test is to keep the memory fresh on an ongoing basis.  If students wait to review the information until the night before the test (let's say after 14 days), they will have forgotten 79% of the material and will have to study a lot longer to be sufficiently prepared for the test.  See my website for a list of resources for study methods. Students should experiment to find the method that works best for them.website http://faculty.bucks.edu/specpop/memory.htm

11. ASSESSMENTS  Frequent testing forces students to study more frequently  Studies have shown that students learn more when they have an expectation of an assessment  Quizzes and tests with 1’s and 2’s require parent signature  Students should be studying on a regular basis and not only the night before an assessment.

12. GRADING SCALE  4 – Thorough understanding and application of standards  3 – Adequate understanding and application of standards  2 – Partial understanding and application of standards  1 – Minimal understanding and application of standards

13. ATTENDANCE  Regular attendance is critical to success.  Note, phone call, email for absences.  All absent work is due within the same number of days that the child was absent (including tests/quizzes.)  I can usually send books/work to the office by 10:30 if you email by 8:00.  Email Mrs. Araradian (mararadian@gusd.net) for science.mararadian@gusd.net  If you have advance notice of an absence I can provide the work early.

14. ACCELERATED READER  AR test results are one indicator of independent reading ability, and these are considered for report card scores  Need to reach 3 levels during year: * 20 pts (by end of Tri 1) * 40 pts. (by end of Tri 2) * 60 pts. (by mid-May)  Reward assembly if earn 60 points

15. REMINDERS FROM OFFICE  If students forget items (lunch, homework, etc.) the classroom will not be called.  Students may go to office at recess/lunch to check  Label lunchboxes and jackets

16. DONATIONS  Money for agenda, field trips, etc.  Voluntary, but important for us to be able to continue to provide some experiences for the class.  Baby wipes  Candy

17. BIRTHDAYS  Highly encourage nonedible treats to celebrate (pencils, etc.) because of possible allergies and unhealthy food choices.  Please notify me ahead of time if you will be bringing a treat. Treats will be given out at the end of the day for students to take home.  Remind your child to be aware of their own allergies at all times.

18. VOLUNTEERS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED!  Field trips: If you would like to volunteer for a field trip write a note on the permission slip when it is sent home.  If I have more volunteers than needed I will do a random drawing.  Not guaranteed…will contact you if you are chaperoning.  All volunteers must have a TB card on file in the office.  Copying help is needed on most Fridays (or another day if necessary). Please contact me ASAP if you are willing to help!!

19. CLASSROOM REPRESENTATIVE  Susan Grabarczyk (Alex and Sara’s mom)  Need another parent to help!

20. MY WEBSITE  www.mrsyniguez.com www.mrsyniguez.com  General class information  Link to password protected Shutterfly account will be added (calendar, class contact list, photo sharing, etc.)  Please let me know if your child cannot be included in photos.

21. HOW TO CONTACT ME  Email (preferred method of contact)  ayniguez@gusd.net

22. THANK YOU FOR COMING I look forward to working with you!