September 13, 2023

Dear Fifth Grade Families,

Welcome Back! I am taking this opportunity to introduce myself.  My name is Emily Pennacchio, and I am looking forward to being your child’s fifth grade teacher.  I have been working at St. Ann School for over a decade and am very excited for this year!  I believe communication is the key to a great parent-teacher relationship.  Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.

Homework/Classwork

Completing homework is very important.  If homework is not completed, students will not fully grasp the lessons taught in school.  Please expect homework every night and sometimes on the weekends.  All homework that is done on loose-leaf must have a full heading.  If this is not done, points will be deducted.  For every missed homework, a student receives five points off their overall homework grade for that subject.  Every student starts with a homework grade 100, and loses five points every time they are missing an assignment.  

All unfinished class work is to be completed at home.  If your child is absent, please make arrangements to get the missed class work and homework.  If on that absent day, they miss a test, it is expected that your child takes that test upon returning to school.  If homework is not fully completed or is sloppily done, points will be deducted from their homework grade.  

The fifth grade will be having a H.O.T. List (Homework On Time).  If a student hands in their homework complete, neat, and on time for a full month, they make this list.  As a reward they will be awarded one homework pass.  They may use this pass on one of my subjects taught (Religion, Math or Science).  If a student is on the H.O.T. List every month, they have the opportunity to earn up to 10 homework passes!

Worksheets, notebooks and assignments done in class will be collected and graded at random.  As part of your student’s classwork grade, there will also be a participation grade that follows the following scale: 95-always, 85-sometimes, 75-rarely and 65-never.

Testing/Test Packets

Starting in fifth grade, there are no longer word banks allowed on tests.  This is usually an adjustment for students.  It is very important to study and take good notes in class.  All of my paper tests and quizzes must be signed and returned within two days of receiving.  If students do not show the signature before or on this day, they will receive an incomplete homework, therefore removing them from the H.O.T. List.

State tests are given in grades 3-8.  The ELA State Test will be given April 10-11 The Math State Test will be given May 7-8.  In addition to the state tests, our students (grades K-8) will be participating in MAP testing again this year.  It will give a good indicator of where your child starts and how we can keep them progressing towards 12th grade proficiency.  These tests are 40-minute assessments that will demonstrate your child’s progress through the year.  They will be given in September, January  and May.

The Archdiocese has given Mrs. Sobrado and me pacing guides, and we know exactly what the class needs to cover for these tests, as well as all subjects for the rest of the year.  There will be many reviews going on especially as the tests get closer.  We will be working hard with your children in school and expect them to put their full effort into learning. 

Midterms/Finals

The fifth grade takes midterms and finals (January and June) for each subject.  All midterms and finals count as a percentage of your student’s report card grade, and will appear on their report card.  They are cumulative and must be studied for in advance.  

Honor Roll

The Honor Roll is for students in grades 3-8.  If a student has all A’s, grades above 90 and an average above 95, that student will be on the Principal’s List.  If a student has all A’s, grades above 90, and an average above 90, that student will be a part of First Honors. If a student has A’s and B’s, grades above 85, and an average above 85, that student will be a part of Second Honors.  

Chromebooks

Fifth grade students are introduced to using chromebooks full time this year.  Students will use google drive and classroom to complete many assignments and most notes.  Students need to have internet access at home in order to complete homework properly.  If this is an issue, please let me know, so I can work with your student.  In fifth grade, students also type a majority of their notes.  Starting in the spring, students will begin taking their own notes, starting with religion.

Discipline

Your child is expected to behave and respect the other students as well as the faculty and staff.  If there is a constant problem or something we need to address, I will contact you.  Conduct is on the report card, and a poor conduct mark can affect your student’s status on the Honor Roll.  In addition to behavior, constant lateness can affect conduct.  If a student is late more than ten times in a quarter, their conduct grade can be lowered. 

Communication/Online Resources

Class Website - https://stannschoolstatenisland.com/mrs-pennacchio -  On our class page you will find homework assignments, reminders, test dates, and class projects. Even though all of this is posted, students still must write down their homework and test schedules in their assignment books.  In addition to posting assignments, I will also upload my monthly letters (you will not get a hard copy) and any other forms/letters that I feel are necessary.  This very letter will be on there tonight!  Please also check for pictures from class, and some fun games for your children to participate in.  

E-mail - My school email is [email protected] 

RemindApp - The Remind App is used as a quick way to keep parents and students up to date with reminders, test dates, and messages. Please download the free application on your cell phone.  You can join my class by texting @epennacch to 81010.  I encourage all parents to download this application and join our class to receive reminders about upcoming tests and important deadlines. 

Archdiocese Educate Website: https://adny.tads.com/  Each parent should have a user name and password for this website.  Here you will be able to monitor your child’s grades quarter by quarter. 

Google Classroom Codes: Below are the classroom codes for my classes. 

Homeroom - m55gocp

Math - qhmeleb

Science - 55jgupx

Religion - dy6yk54

Student of the Week

Each week a student will be chosen, at random, to be the student of the week.  Every student will have the chance to be Student of the Week.  The Friday before, the chosen student will be given a layout poster.  It is to be colored, completed and decorated for the following Monday.  It will be displayed for the week on our board, and the student will explain it to the class about himself/herself.  For that week, the student will have the honor of having all classroom “jobs.” 

School Trips

This year we are allowed to have school trips again!  Once planned and approved, you will be informed of location, dates, chaperones and cost.

Miscellaneous

·        The fifth grade will attend 9 a.m. mass every Tuesday weekly, and also the first Friday of the month.  If you are free, we would love for you to join us!

·        Please be sure your student has memorized their multiplication tables.  Quiz them daily!

·        Please practice script with your student.  In fifth grade, it is a must!  

·        If your student is absent, it is imperative that they return to school with an absent note.  An e-mail or Remind message does not replace an absent note.

 ·       Students must come prepared with all assignments, books, and supplies every day.  This includes a SHARPENED pencil, and an eraser for math!  

·        Only religious necklaces are to be worn.  Boys must wear a belt with their school uniform.  Girls should not wear nail polish or hoop earrings to school. 

·        ALL TEXTBOOKS MUST HAVE A BOOK SOCK ON THEM AT ALL TIMES!

I loI I forward to a fantastic year with you!

Yours truly,

Mrs. Pennacchio

Fifth Grade’s Curriculum:

Religion 

Theme: Through the sacraments, the Church celebrates saving action in our lives.

Objective: To help the child experience and understand the rites of the sacraments, and so become a more conscious and active participant in the Church’s sacramental life

Math

Grade 5’s focus if on three critical areas: (1) developing fluency with addition and subtraction of fractions, and developing understanding of the multiplication of fractions and of division of fractions in limited cases (unit fractions divided by whole numbers and whole numbers divided by unit fractions); (2) extending division to 2-digit divisors, integrating decimal fractions into the place value system and developing understanding of operations with decimals to hundredths, and developing fluency with whole number and decimal operations; and (3) developing understanding of volume.

Operations and Algebraic Thinking

• Write and interpret numerical expressions.
• Analyze patterns and relationships.

Number and Operations in Base Ten

• Understand the place value system.
• Perform operations with multi-digit whole numbers and with decimals to hundredths.

Number and Operations—Fractions

• Use equivalent fractions as a strategy to add and subtract fractions.
• Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication and division to multiply and divide fractions.

Measurement and Data

• Convert like measurement units within a given measurement system.
• Represent and interpret data.
• Geometric measurement: understand concepts of volume and relate volume to multiplication and to addition.

Geometry

• Graph points on the coordinate plane to solve real-world and mathematical problems.
• Classify two-dimensional figures into categories based on their properties.

Science

Units: 

1. What is Matter Made of?- Describing Matter in Words, Changes to Matter, A Model of Matter
2. From Matter to Organisms - Plant Needs, Matter Flow in Ecosystems, Energy Flow in Ecosystems 
3. Interacting Earth Systems - Hydrosphere and Biosphere Interactions, Water as a Valuable Resource, Protecting Earth’s Resources
4. Patterns in the Night Sky - Effects of Gravity, Patterns of Motion in the Sky, Sun and Star Brightness
5. Space - Planets, Phases of the Moon