Fifth Grade Ten Commandments
1. Thou shall take pride in thy appearance, and come to school ready to learn/ have fun. 
2. Thou shall be a good citizen, follow class/ school rules, and live thy faith in God.
3. Thou shall come prepared to school with thy uniform, supplies, books, and work.
4. Thou shall write thy name, date and page number on all thy work and assignments.
5. Thou shall do thy best in thy work, be neat, show thy work for and check thy answers.
6. Thou shall write neatly in erasable pen (blue/ black) or pencil and in cursive when asked.
7. Thou shall cover all text at all times. (No self-stick covers/ don‘t tape covers to book).
8. Thou shall write down thy homework in thy Agenda Book and pack thy bag with what thou needs to complete thy homework.
9. Thou shall bring thy Tuesday Envelope, Agenda Book, weekly note and teacher’s notes home to thy parents to be signed and returned to school.
10. Thou shall help others/ share thy gifts and talents with thy school family and community.

Classwork and Homework Policies and Expectations**
Assignments provide practice to apply and develop skills presented in class.
Homework teaches the child responsibility, develops good study habits.
Homework/ Class work is weighted equally with tests/ quizzes in most subjects.
Homework should be approximately 1 hour to complete.
Homework assignments are written on the board for students to copy in the Agenda Book.
Test is announced at the start of each week. Students will be reminded to study.
Special class projects and assignments are outlined in letters to parents.
Parents should check the Agenda each night for a list of homework and teacher

Students are expected to:
1. Do their best on class/ homework independently before asking for help.
2. Complete, neat and accurate work.
3. Turn assignments in time.
4. Copy Homework in their Agenda Book each day.
​5. Use the Homework Folder to keep track of assignments.
6. Put their name, date, assignment page number on their work.
7. Follow along in class and follow directions to complete their best work.
8. Keep a neat desk and cubby to know where their things are.
9. Complete work missed by absence, illness, vacation, or extra curricular activity in a timely manner.
10. Write down assignments not turned in to the teacher in the Agenda to remind oneself to turn them ASAP.


​Class Rules and Discipline Policies
   I firmly believe that life-long success depends on self-discipline. I have developed a Classroom Discipline Plan based on school rules outlined in the St.  Joseph School Handbook. Rules are reviewed, reminders issued and the plan is in effect at all times. Students are expected to make good choices as well  as account for his/ her own behavior. I prepare students for Middle School where expectations are high and consequences are seriously enforced.

Class Rules:  
1. Be well behaved, follow directions, class/school rules, make good choices.
2. Be a good citizen: be truthful, helpful, work together. Get along with others.
3. Respect others: their rights, feelings, property; keep your hands, feet to self.
4. Be a good worker, sit/work quietly and raise your hand to share/ ask questions.
5. Ask permission to leave your seat, to leave the classroom.
6. Be prepared for class: have supplies, assignments, use the Agenda Book.
7. Do your best work. Complete class/homework on time. Check your work.
8. Have notes, Weekly Note Sheet & Tuesday Envelope signed returned.
9. Keep your desk neat; return what you use, clean up when you are through.

  Positive reinforcement and verbal praise are used to encourage students to follow class rules. A severity clause remains in effect
by which at any time a student posing a threat/ continued disruption would be sent to the Principal. I will notify parents when a
child has been to the Principal. The following consequences will be utilized:

  1st offense Verbal Warning/ Name on board
  2nd offense by Name on board/ Thinking Time/ loss of Free Time/ Recess
  3rd offense Second by name and loss of Free Time/ Recess or Lunch Detention and/ or Note home/ Phone Call to Parent
  Incomplete Homework/ Class work or the Failure to return a Note/ Weekly Behavior Sheet may result in the loss of Recess/     
      Free Time or a Lunch Detention/ Visit to the Principal.                                                             
  A Student/ Parent/ Teacher Conference may be scheduled to discuss/ resolve a situation when deemed necessary by the
   teacher/ parent.
  The Principal will be notified of/ involved in situations as deemed necessary.
  After school detentions will be arranged as necessary with the Principal’s approval.

The Teachers may use a Time to Teach Sheet for students to learn about choices he/ she has made.  The teachers at SJS have been trained in this method.  Students may be asked to leave the classroom, conference with another teacher and fill out the sheet.  Students will then return to their classroom.  The Time to Teach Sheet will then be sent home to the parent.  Parents are encouraged to discuss the matter with their child, sign and return the sheet to school.  

Parents and students can monitor their child's behavior at school through reports on Classdojo.com. Students all earn points for positive behaviors/ following rules and directions, as well as have points deducted for negative behavior/ not following directions. Parents and students can access the account created when they sign up for Instant Messaging etc. at the start of the school year. Parents will receive reminders etc. during the year through the Instant Messaging feature of the program.

School - Home Communication
The school sends home notices electronically and as hard-copies in the Tuesday Envelope.  
On Weeks without school on Mondays, the Tuesday Envelope will be sent home 1 day later.

The Tuesday Envelope will also contain graded work, flyers and handouts from the teacher.                                                                                         A weekly note is attached to the graded papers to provide a general progress statement to parents.  Please sign and return it.         
In addition, notes to parents may be written to parents in the child’s Agenda Book.
Please check the Agenda Book daily, discuss notes with your child. 

An instant message and class reminders may be sent to parents through Classdojo.com.                                                                                         Parents may also Instant Message me on Classdojo.com                                                                                                                                                   Parents may also check their child's daily activities through points added or deducted on Classdojo's award program.     

Telephone Messages may be left with the school secretary, or notes sent to me with your child.
I’ll return calls/ notes as planning time permits.
You may reach me at my email address: [email protected]