Dear Parents/Guardians,
We so excited to begin this year with your students in our classrooms! It will be a busy but fun
year as we prepare for them to go to middle school next year. With this letter, you will find the 5th
grade rules, policies, and procedures to make the best experience for you and your child this year.
The biggest change your student will face this year is switching classes in order to prepare them
for the change that middle school will bring. The goal is that students become more responsible,
independent, prepared, and organized so they will do well in the future. Your student will study 3
subjects per day (ELA, Math, and Science OR Social Studies). Science and Social Studies units will
alternate throughout the year, so your student will be studying both, just at alternating times. This
allows students to study the material in more depth. English Language Arts (ELA) covers spelling,
vocabulary work, grammar, writing, cursive, and reading. They will study both ELA and Math every day.
This year, your student will be expected to copy down their homework in the planner provided
by the school, and they will also be taking home a yellow folder each day. The yellow folder will contain
students’ behavior for the day. Both students’ planners and the yellow folders need to be signed by
someone at home daily.
Finally, this year, there will be an after-school detention program. As one consequence for
repeated negative behavior, students could stay after school from 2:30-3:00 PM to make-up any work
not completed due to negative behavior or reflect on inappropriate behavior. Please note: We will not
give your student detention without having contacted you first. This is a consequence for repeated
negative behavior as a last resort before referring your student to the office. Please see the policies
below for additional information on consequences and rewards for positive or negative behavior.
We want every student to feel safe, grow to the best of his or her ability, and become a better
citizen this year. With support from you at home, they can have the greatest success at school. If you
have any questions, comments, or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact any of your child’s teachers
so we can help you and your student. Our school e-mail addresses are below, along with the phone
number for New Prospect. We will be able to speak with you during our planning period (9:25-10:10 am)
or after school.
Kim Altman (ELA)- kimaltman@anderson5.net
Sarah Jones (Math and Social Studies)- sarahejones@anderson5.net
Courtney Mattison (Math and Science)-courtneymattison@anderson5.net
Kimberlee Andrews (ELA)-kimberleeandrews@anderson5.net
Phone Number for New Prospect: 864-260-5195
Thank You!
Ms. Altman, Ms. Jones, Ms. Mattison, and Ms. Andrews
Classroom Rules:
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6.
No Talking Out of Turn
Keep Hands and Feet to Yourself
Stay in Your Seat Unless Told Not To
Raise Your Hand Before Speaking
Be Prepared
Be Respectful
Behavior Policies:
The class will travel with a clipboard to document each student’s behavior as the day progresses. They
begin each day with 5 points, and after being given one verbal warning, students will begin to lose
points for minor offenses such as: excessive blurting, disrupting others, not following directions,
disrespect to peers or adults, etc.
1 point taken - Second warning, after a verbal warning/reminder has been said. [5 minutes off recess]
2 points taken– 10 minutes off recess, silent lunch
3 points taken– 15 minutes off recess, parent contact by the teacher (will be class specific)
4 points taken– no recess, after school detention
5 points taken- Immediate office referral
In extreme circumstances (i.e.: fighting, refusal to work, disrespect, bullying, stealing, threatening)
students will receive an immediate referral to office.
At the end of each day, students will write down in their yellow folder how many points they
lost in a particular class. This allows you to see what class students struggled or excelled in. The
homeroom teacher will initial at the end of the day, and you will sign to verify that you have seen the
form.
**Note: If your student has not crossed out any points, and the teacher has initialed, that means your
student had a GREAT day did not lose any points that day. If they circle a 4, it means they lost 4 points,
etc.**
If students have exceptional behavior, they can earn rewards in the form of homework passes, sit with a
friend passes, extra recess, etc. on a case by case basis. We also want to call you when your student is
performing exceptionally so that you are able to reward them at home as well! 
Homework:
ELA-Students will have a weekly vocabulary and spelling list. They will have homework to practice the
vocabulary/spelling words each night. This should not take more than 15 minutes. Students may have
different/additional homework on an as-needed basis. Students are encouraged to read at home to
improve!
Math-Students will have homework on an as-needed basis determined by Ms. Jones or Ms. Mattison.
This should not take more than 20-25 minutes
Science or Social Studies- Students will need to review the science or social studies notes taken that day
and prepare themselves for multiple small quizzes each week to ensure that students are keeping up
with the material. This should take 5-10 minutes. At the end of each Social Studies Unit, students will be
required to turn in their notebook for a major completion grade.
Teachers will check homework each day for completion and effort given. If a student does not have his
or her homework, they will receive a lost point on the clip board.
**Students will have occasional projects in each class that will require extra responsibility outside of
class*
Monday Folder:
Any forms, returned papers, and other important documents will be sent home every Monday with
students. Please place any money, notes, etc. in this folder that needs to come to the teacher to ensure
it does not get lost with students. Please check all documents in this folder.
Grading:
*You will be access student grades at any time using the Parent Portal with internet access. If you are
not sure of your student’s login and password-please let me know!*
Reading: 60% minor
40% major
Writing: 50% compositions
30% spelling and vocabulary tests
15% classwork
5% handwriting (cursive)
Language (given only at the end of the 9 weeks): 50% final writing grade
50% final reading grade
Math: 60% minor, 40% major
Science: 60% minor, 40% major
Social Studies: 60% minor, 40% major
Google Chromebooks
This year, your student will be able to use Google Chromebooks in the classroom for certain
assignments, research, and study. Please help us by talking to your student about appropriate behavior
on technology. If students are caught on a website, game, app, etc. not allowed by the school or
teacher, students will be unable to use Chromebooks for an amount of time determined by the teacher.
Once again, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teachers.
Please sign below and have your student sign or print their name to show that you have read and
understand the policies that have been laid out. You may keep the top for your references and just
turned in the signed portion.
I have read and understand the 5th grade policies and procedures.
__________________________________________
Parent Signature
__________________________________________
Student Signature/Printed Name
__________________________
Date
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Date