Welcome Back to School!

Welcome to 5A! My name is Nicole Court and I am new to Nicholas Sheran this year. I am really excited to be joining such an enthusiastic and passionate school community.  For the past ten years, I have taught at Milk River Elementary School. This year, I will be the 5A homeroom teacher. Mr. Hoare will be teaching French and P.E. to 5A. On Fridays, all four Grade 5 classes will be combined into three groups, taught by Mrs. Wood, Mrs. Erickson, and Mr. Hoare.

 Each student will be taking home an agenda today. This agenda will go home every day, should be checked by a parent and initialed, and then sent back the following morning. This agenda will be a primary source of communication between us, so it is very important that the routine is kept up. Students also learn a valuable organizational lesson by using these agendas regularly. They will be writing reminders and notes about special events in these agendas weekly. I also send home any newsletters, extra assignments, or study guides in the agenda. I really appreciate your cooperation, as it helps me stay organized during those hectic school days! If you have any comments or concerns, please write them in the agenda and I will respond back to you. If students ride the bus, any bus messages can be recorded here as well.

With regard to absences, please report all absences on the Safe Arrival school site. This is a school policy and allows us to keep organized and make sure all of our students are safe and accounted for. The website address is lethsd51.schoolconnects.com, For more information, talk to support staff at the office or visit the Nicholas Sheran school website.

            In 5A, the only regular homework will be nightly reading at home. There will be times when students will be expected to study for tests in subjects such as Science and Social Studies. When studying for tests, it is important for parents to remember that students need help in Grade 5 with learning good study skills. We will review concepts at school prior to tests and study guides will be sent home well in advance, but parent guidance is very beneficial for students at this age. Any extra help you can give them when studying for tests would be great. Students will also be involved in the Grade 5 Speakers Club each month, as well as Book Talks four times per year.

Students are encouraged to read every night. They can read aloud, silently, to a family member, friend, even a pet – any type of reading is fabulous! Students will learn to become more independent readers this year, choosing books at their reading and interest level. Students are welcome to borrow books from my classroom library, as well as the school library, to take home to read. In the front cover of each student’s agenda is a Home Reading Log. Parents and students can work together to fill in their reading logs each night. Students will earn rewards by doing consistent reading practice at home.

Students will be working on a spelling program that is tailored to each individual student’s needs, decided by diagnostic testing and student-teacher observations and discussions. Students will be assessed on their spelling abilities consistently, but will not be having weekly spelling tests as they may have in the past. Students will not need to practice specific spelling words each week at home.

            I know that kids are active and often get hungry through the school day. I sure enjoy munching on an apple while I work to get my brain moving! Students are welcome to snack on healthy foods while they are in my classroom during lessons, as long as it does not interfere with learning or other students. The catch is that these must be healthy snacks. Students are welcome to eat a “treat” (such as chocolate bars, potato chips, etc.) at lunch. So feel free to pack an extra piece of fruit or a granola bar, or any other nutritious snack, if you think they will need it. This is a classroom policy, so students need to remember to be respectful of their other teachers’ choices with regard to snacks. Another item that needs to be mentioned is that we have a student in our class with a peanut allergy, so please refrain from packing snacks or lunches that contain peanuts. Students will not be permitted to eat food with peanuts in the Grade 5 area.

            I also use a classroom blog as a communication tool with students and parents – www.mrscourt.blogspot.ca. On this blog, you will be able to check out student work, see homework and quiz updates, find some great games for all subject areas, and just read about what goes on during our school day.

            Regarding school supplies, I would like to add two extra supplies to students’ lists – sorry about the late notice! I would like students in 5A to bring an unlined sketchbook for art class (dollar store sketchbooks are just fine) and one bottle of white glue (Elmers is a good brand).

Thanks so much for allowing me to work with you and your child. I know this year is going to be filled with fun, learning, and excitement!