A U G U S T
2 0 1 4
the
th
5 Grade News
Meet the Teachers!
Spencer Lehnertz:
Science
Spencer.lehnertz@manorisd.net
Jessica Simpson:
Math
Jessica.simpson@manorisd.net
It is with great pleasure that we
welcome you to another year at
BMES!
It is going to be an exciting year in the 5th grade. We
are looking forward to meeting and getting to know
each and every one of you! Please read through this
information carefully and return the last 3 pages as
soon as possible. No later than Friday, August 29th.
Katherine Watkins:
Reading, Language Arts & Social
Studies
Katherine.watkins@manorisd.net
Christie Hardi:
Reading, Language Arts & Social
Studies
Christie.hardi@manorisd.net
School Supplies
It is important
that the binder is 2 inches or
larger. We have seen them at
HEB for as low as $3.00. If you
have purchased a smaller binder
for your child we request that
you switch out the size by
Tuesday, September 2nd.
5TH GRADE NEWS
AUGUST 2014
Student Planners
Planner Codes
The planner is the main form of communication between school and
home in fifth grade. Students are expected to record their assignments
daily. The planner will travel with your child to all classes and the
teachers will use it to communicate between classes and home.
Checking the planner will help you know what we are learning in school,
as the homework reflects classroom learning. Additionally, this is the
place where teachers will mark any behavior problems that occur in
class. Teachers use a code system, listed below. The list can be found
on the front inside cover of the planner. Please check your child’s
planner each day and feel free to write notes to the teacher. It must be
signed DAILY, INCLUDING TONIGHT. Teachers will check each
morning for the signature and previous days codes. If the planner is not
signed, you will be contacted by your child’s teacher that day. If your
child is consistently missing a signature they will also be writing you a
letter during recess that needs to be signed and returned the following
day.

 GE – Good Effort
 PW – Participates Well
 VA – Very Attentative
 TW – Teamwork
 K - Kindness
Interventions and Consequences
 Verbal warning, at teacher discretion;
redirection
 Code in Planner
 Loss of recess time
 Community Service (during lunch and recess)
 Parent Contact
 Time out in another classroom
 Reflection form & Teacher Meeting
 Office Referral

 MA – Missing Assignment
 NP – Not Prepared
 PE – Poor Effort
 UA – Unsatisfactory Attitude (disrespectful)
 T – Talking
 D – Disruptive
 NFD – Not Following Directions
 H – Hallway Behavior
 DH – Dishonest
Homework & Late Work
You should expect at least 55 minutes of homework each night and at least
20 minutes of reading. Reading should be recorded in the planner as Time, Title, Pages
Students are expected to turn in homework on time, every time! Failure to do so will result in loss
of points. If the homework is over a week late, the student will receive a 0.
Failure to record assignments or reading, have the planner signed, or turn in homework will result
in your child losing the privilege to attend Fun Friday.
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5TH GRADE NEWS
AUGUST 2014
Giving you the news straight from our classrooms…
ALL ABOUT US!
Hello! My name is Katherine Watkins and I teach 5th grade Language Arts, Reading and
Social Studies. I grew up in Arlington, Texas and graduated from The University of Texas at
Austin. I studied Business and Hispanic Studies in college and I also had the opportunity to
study abroad for a summer in Seville, Spain. After graduating, I moved to Madrid, Spain
where I taught English to a family of three children! My husband and I now live in south
Austin with our crazy cat, Chester. Some of my hobbies include running, reading, traveling,
and spending time with family and friends. I am thrilled to be a part of the 5th grade team at
Blake Manor Elementary and I look forward to guiding your child through a successful school
year!
Hi! My name is Spencer M. Lehnertz. I grew up in a small town called Gainesville, TX. I
graduated from the University of North Texas. My hobbies include playing golf, watching golf,
reading about golf, and studying the golf swing. I am excited to start the new year!
Hello, I'm Christie Hardi and I'll be teaching 5th grade Reading, Writing, and Social Studies. I
grew up in NY, where I received my B.A. in Human Relations at St. Joseph's College and my
M.S. in Childhood Education at Long Island University. I've worked in education for the past 6
years as a tutor, instructional specialist, and classroom teacher. I'm very excited to be working
with the students of Blake Manor Elementary this year.
Hi, my name is Jessica Simpson and I teach 5th grade Math. I grew up in Winterset, Iowa on a
small farm. I attended Central College in Pella, Iowa. I graduated with a Bachelor’s in
Elementary and Middle School Education in May of 2006 and married Nick Simpson that
summer. Nick and I moved to Texas during the summer of 2007 to be close to family. Nick
and I are expecting our first child, McKenna in November. This will be my eighth year as a 5th
grade teacher at Blake Manor. In my free time away from school I enjoy scrapbooking,
reading, watching T.V and spending time with my friends, family and dog; Laila. I believe that
if we work together our children will become strong and independent young people. I look
forward to the school year and can’t wait to get the chance to meet and talk with all of you.
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5TH GRADE NEWS
AUGUST 2014
Parent and Student Contact Information
If you do not want to fill out any part of this form, please place N/A in any location. However, the student name,
parent name and home phone number are very important. Please fill out this form for as many guardians as you see
fit for your child. Include anyone that we could contact about your child’s progress at school. Please send this form
back with your student.
Student Name: _________________________
Student Address: ________________________________________________________________
Guardian #1
Name: __________________________________
Relationship: ______________________________
Home Phone Number: ______________________
Work Phone Number: ______________________
Cell Phone Number: ________________________
E-mail Address: ___________________________________________________________
Guardian #2
Name: __________________________________
Relationship: ______________________________
Home Phone Number: ______________________
Work Phone Number: ______________________
Cell Phone Number: ________________________
E-mail Address: ___________________________________________________________
Guardian #3
Name: __________________________________
Relationship: ______________________________
Home Phone Number: ______________________
Work Phone Number: ______________________
Cell Phone Number: ________________________
E-mail Address: ___________________________________________________________
Movie Permission Slip
Throughout the year, your child will be earning rewards for good behavior or great
performance on periodic assessments. Often times, these rewards include movies. In order
for your child to watch a “PG” movie, we need your consent. Please check below and sign
accordingly. Thank you.
____ Yes, my child __________________ has my permission to watch a
“PG” movie.
____ No, my child does not have my permission to watch a “PG” movie.
(instead, a “G” rated movie will be shown)
_________________________________
Parent Signature
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5TH GRADE NEWS
AUGUST 2014
Parent Volunteers
It is not required of parents, but if you would like to volunteer in the classroom we
welcome your help. We need you to help individual students, read to the students,
join in on the fun, etc. We also welcome parents that would be willing to accept
homework. (Examples: Writing names on items, cutting out laminating, sorting and
stapling papers, etc.) If you would be willing to help with any of this please fill out
the form above.
Student Name: ______________________
Parent Name: ______________________
Willing to take Home work? (Circle One)
YES
OR
Willing to volunteer in the classroom? (Circle One)
NO
YES
OR
NO
Would you be interested in being a classroom visitor to share about your
profession? (Circle ONE) YES OR NO
If yes, you will need to fill out the online volunteer application :
https://jobs.manorisd.net/winocular/volunteer/
You can complete this application at home or in the school office. Please contact
the homeroom teacher upon completion. If you have already completed the
volunteer form in the past you must complete it again this year.
Please list the most convenient time for you to work in the school if you can
volunteer in that way:
Do you have any special skill (i.e. gardening, music, sewing, etc) that you would be
willing to share with the classroom throughout the year? Please list them below.
NEWSLETTER SIGNATURE
This newsletter contains very important information. Please keep the first 3 pages for your
records so you can refer back throughout the year. Below are the most important points from our
newsletter please initial each to show that you understand.
My student will need a binder daily. ______
In my child’s binder will be a planner they will use daily. ______
I understand that my child will need to read 20 minutes daily and record in the planner. ______
I understand the code system that the teachers will use in my child’s planner. _______
I can use the planner to write any needed notes to my child’s teacher. ______
I need to sign my child’s planner daily. ______
Late work may result in a lower grade and loss of Fun Friday. _______
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5TH GRADE NEWS
AUGUST 2012
Technology Agreement Form
This year you will be using technology to answer many of the questions that you may have.
Over the past two decades, technology has become a very important part of everyone’s lives.
However, with this privilege comes responsibility. By signing this form you are agreeing to abide by
the rules set forth by myself to protect yourselves, as well as the equipment. The rules are as follows:
1. Do not share your login information with anyone else. Should someone do something they are
not supposed to while you are logged in, you both will be in trouble. Consider your password
like you locker; if you let someone in and they do something bad, you are both in trouble.
2. When using the computer, you may search for information. If a pop-up appears, do not click on
it. Occasionally these pop-ups can contain a virus.
3. When using the Macs, make sure that you put them on the charger when you are done. Many
people will be using these.
4. Make sure you carry them with two hands at all times. DO NOT walk around with them in your
hands. They cost $1000 each. This goes for IPADs and IPODs as well.
8. DO NOT save anything to the common folder. Save it to your number. Your teacher will show
you how to do this.
9. Make sure that everything is put up at the end of class. In order to use them, they will need to
be put up.
10. SHARE!!!! As you grow older, especially in the next few years, you will HAVE to learn to work
together. In life, we don’t always get to pick our group. Work together and learn from each
other. We are one big team. We will be at our best when everyone works together!!
Should you decide to break any of the following rules, you will likely lose your privileges of using
the technology. You will still be responsible for finishing the work; however you will do so without
technology.
By signing this you agree and understand the rules!!!
Student Name
Date
Parent Signature
Date
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