Mrs. Jacobsen’s 5th Grade 2022 -2023

Schedule

8:10   School Begins

8:10 – 8:25   Morning Announcements / Class Meeting

8:25 – 9:25   Math (with Mrs. Jacobsen)

9:30 – 10:30  Science / Social Studies (with Mrs. Blankenship)

10:30 – 11:00  Reading – Whole Group Lesson

11:00 – 11:30  Recess

11:35 – 12:15  Resource:

• Monday – P.E.
• Tuesday – Counseling
• Wednesday – Library
• Thursday – Art
• Friday – Music

12:15 – 12:30   Class Novel Read-Aloud

12:30 – 1:00  LUNCH

1:05 – 1:25   Writing / Language

1:30 – 2:30  Reading – Small Groups / Independent Work

2:40  Dismissal

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**We are an “Allergy Aware” classroom!  Please do not send in peanut or tree nut products for snack.  

They are allowed at lunch, but students with any of these products will need to sit at the “Allergy Aware” table.  

Thank you for your understanding!**  

Teachers

Your child will receive instruction from Mrs. Jacobsen and Mrs. Blankenship (Room 308).  Students will receive Language Arts instruction from their homeroom teacher.  Mrs. Blankenship will teach Science and Social Studies content to both classes. Mrs. Jacobsen will teach math content to both classes. 

Communication

Each teacher has a website with important class information. The website will be up and running by the end of this week.  We will post important reminders, relevant links, our daily schedule, and class updates. The best way to contact us directly is via e-mail at:

• Mrs. Jacobsen – cmjacobsen@henrico.k12.va.us 
• Mrs. Blankenship – eeblankenshi@henrico.k12.va.us 

Homework

Homework plays a vital role in strengthening your child’s skills.  Your child should be spending approximately one hour each night on homework per Henrico County guidelines for fifth grade. The assignment book that you received will be used each day.  Upon entering each teacher’s room, students should copy their homework assignments from the board.  

Independent Reading

Students should spend 20 – 30 minutes reading each night. In some cases, reading will be a part of the assigned homework. This may count towards the 20-30 minutes. 

Classwork

Students are expected to complete all assignments they receive from the teacher.  Incomplete or missing assignments will be reflected in their grade.  Late assignments will result in point deductions. (Please note that this does not include late work due to absences.)

Reading Rotations/ Literacy Menu

Students will complete literacy assignments through independent reading menus during our small group reading block.  These will have a variety of “must do” and “may do” activities. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure they are pacing themselves to complete the “must do” activities by the due date. If they do not complete them during school, students should work on the menu assignments for homework. 

Class Dojo

Class Dojo is an app we will use to communicate regularly throughout the year. Teachers will send messages to individual parents as well as entire classes. We will use this app as an additional communication tool. Parents may contact teachers through the Class Dojo app, as well as through traditional email.  Students may receive positive and negative Dojo points every day for preparedness, behavior, kindness, responsibility, and respect. Please make sure that you have accepted the invite sent to your email to join Class Dojo and be in the loop!

Kindness/ Conduct

Building a safe, kind, and accepting classroom community is of utmost importance. If your child ever feels this is not the case, please reach out to us so we can work together to find a solution. 

Graded Paper Folders

Throughout each quarter, your child will come home with a “Graded Papers” folder. The teacher will communicate when those will be sent home.  Please review the papers and sign the form in the folder to verify that you have reviewed the grades. (Please note: not all graded assignments will be paper/pencil.) Families are encouraged to check PowerSchool to view student grades on classwork, quizzes, and tests.  Teachers may post additional comments in the gradebook.  Students should return the folder, with all papers, as well as the parent-signed sheet. Please feel free to email us with any questions upon reviewing the folders. 

Grades

Your student will be graded on the following grading scale:

A=90-100

B=80-89

C=70-79

D=65-69

F=64 and below

Student Absences

When a student is absent, they will be informed of their missed work when they return (work may include paper/pencil tasks as well as computer activities).  Parents may pick up paper assignments at the front desk at the end of the day or have it sent home with a sibling or a friend. (Please call the office in the morning for it to be sent with a sibling/friend or picked up).  Your child should complete the missed work and return it to the teacher.

Water

Students are allowed to bring a spill proof water bottle to school each day. If your child would like to do this, please make sure the water bottle has his/her name on it and is easily seen.  Students should not freeze the water bottles nor bring in the powders to add to water bottles.

Snack

Fifth graders will have a late lunch this year (around 12:30 pm), thus students will be allowed to eat a healthy, nut-free snack in the classroom around 10:30 each morning.  Please make sure that your child is eating an adequate breakfast before coming to school or is purchasing and eating breakfast in the school cafeteria before the school day.

Resource Schedule: *11:35 – 12:15 every day*

Monday:  P.E.

Tuesday:  Counseling

Wednesday:  Library

Thursday:  Art

Friday:  Music

**Students must wear sneakers to all P.E. classes, and it is strongly encouraged for elementary school students to wear them every day for recess.

Birthdays

We love to celebrate with our Stingers! Unfortunately, according to the Short Pump Handbook, no treats may be brought to class for birthday celebrations.  Please see the Short Pump Handbook for more information.  Students may send in small non-food items to distribute to the class if they choose (ex: pencils, erasers, etc.). In order to be considerate of others, we ask that birthday party invitations be sent through the mail or personal email and not handed out in the classroom. Thank you so much for your cooperation.

Conclusion

We look forward to working together to meet the needs of your child. Please keep this letter as a reference, and feel free to contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions. Thank you so much for your continued support!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Blankenship and Mrs. Jacobsen