1. Ms. Nguyen (pronounced “when”)
Welcome to Room 23
While you are waiting, please me so that I have your correct address at:

2. Personal Information
This is the start of my 17th year with the school district
15 of my school years have been in 4th and 5th grades
Prior to teaching, my degree and 1st career was in Business/Human Resources
I have twin daughters that are sophomores at Vista
They attended Russell Ranch and FMS
I’ve lived in Folsom since 1998
I’ve lived in Empire Ranch since 2008
I love to travel (beaches are my favorite, if you couldn’t tell)
We have 3 adorable cats (Nutmeg, Marty & Toby)

3. Schedule Our general schedule will look something like this:
Language Arts in the early morning block
Morning recess
Science/Social Studies/Music in the middle block
Lunch and recess
Math in the afternoon block

4. Additional Schedule Information
Morning recess 10:40-11:00 (a snack is a good idea)
Lunch and lunch recess 12:20-1:00pm
P.E. with the P.E. teacher is Tuesday’s at 2:00-2:30 (plus an additional 70 minutes of P.E. with the classroom teacher throughout the week – wear proper shoes each day)
Music classes are Wednesday/Friday’s from 11:10-11:45 (please do not bring late instruments to the classroom)
Library is Wednesday’s from 8:30-9:00

5. Goals for 5th grade
Work on organizational skills to be better prepared for middle school
Continue to develop a sense of independence
Take “ownership” of education
Be role models for younger students
Build confidence
Enjoy learning and have fun
Put forth best effort

6. Curriculum
Math: Great deal of focus on fractions, volume, geometry, metric system, U.S. customary system, overall number sense
Reading: More focus on informational reading and close reading.
Writing: Opinion/Persuasive, Narrative, Informative/Explanatory
Social Studies: U.S. History
Science: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth Science (Our district will not be participating in the CST Science Test this school year)

7. Language Arts
Our district has adopted Benchmark as our new Language Arts curriculum
This is a completely different type of program than your students have used in the past
The program is written in 3-week Units (there are 10 total units)
Homework will look very different for Language Arts
No more weekly Spelling tests! There are no workbooks
Students are tested on concepts, not the memorization of weekly stories
Each week students will write in all 3 writing genres. At the end of the three week unit, one piece of writing will be selected to be published for a grade.

8. Science/Social Studies magazines
I am asking for a $13 donation per student to help pay for our Science and Social Studies magazines that we will also be incorporating into our curriculum this year.
They are aligned with the new standards and are very “student friendly” and colorful
We receive 28 weeks of newspapers x 2
They provide more depth into our topics and remain current each year

9. Homework
Your student should not be coming home with a great deal of homework – “quality, not quantity”
Homework should be meaningful (not “busy work”) and at the student’s independent level (please send me an if you wish to have your student receive Math Enrichment pages)
Homework is often what the student did not have time to finish in class that day
No “at home” projects will be given
If you ever have concerns with homework, please write me a note on the student’s homework page or send me an
One consistent piece of homework each week will be nightly reading, along with an intermediate reading log
Late homework is due by the Friday of the week it is due. It will be given 70% credit. No late homework will be accepted after that.

10. Grading System A = 93% and above A- = 90% - 92% B+ = 88% - 89%
C+ = 78% - 79%
C = 73% - 77%
C- = 70% - 72%
D+ = 68% - 69%
D = 63% - 67%
D- = 60% - 62%
F = 59% and below

11. Staying Informed Daily Agendas & Important Dates Red Homework folders
Wednesday folders
Monthly newsletters s

12. Behavior Good behavior will earn:
Move clothespin up to Blue– Having a Good Day
Move clothespin up to Purple– Role Model Behavior– Student receives a small treat, an Amazing Acorn, and a Role Model class ticket
If your child remains on Green– He/she has had a “ready to learn” day
Consequences for not meeting classroom expectations:
Move clothespin to Yellow - Warning
Move clothespin to Orange – Lose a Privilege
Move clothespin to Red – Loss of 2nd privilege or removal from classroom/Note sent home
If a child is on red and still misbehaving a phone call will be made home or he/she might be sent up to the office.

13. Miscellaneous
I strongly encourage students to have water bottles (water only, please) in class
Birthdays – please give me notice if you are bringing in treats. Please also choose items that are easy to pass out
I do Scholastic Book orders on a monthly basis. I will accept checks or cash, but prefer if you can order directly online at Scholastic. The 1st book order will have my teacher acct # and will be handed out in September
Field trips are still being planned, but we will have 3-4 field trips this year
Test scores below 70% may be retaken, but students will not receive higher than a 70% on the retake

14. How to reach me Email me anytime at: jnguyen@fcusd.org Stop by
Call me at ext. 123
I use my website daily. Please check there first for any questions you might have