Welcome to Grade 5!

I hope you all had a fantastic summer. I know I most certainly did! My name is Courtney Cass and I am one of the Grade 5 teachers for this upcoming school year. I have been a teacher at SJA since March 2018 and this will be my first year teaching Grade 5. 

Blog/Agndas/Specialists

I will be teaching language, math and of course the Units of Inquiry (UOI)! Our new room is room 23 (at the cross section of Caring Trail and Thinkers Place). I invite you to check out my blog on a daily basis at https://cncass.blogspot.com. On my blog you will be able to see what your child did that day, homework, weekly spelling words, important dates, the Grade 5 schedule, and as well as other items. My blog will be updated on a daily basis. Daily agendas will also be filled out by each student and are expected to be signed by parents/guardians on a nightly basis. Mr. Oliver will be teaching music (mrolivermusicclass.blogspot.ca), Mr. Orr will be teaching Phys. Ed, and Ms. Hayward will be the librarian (libraryatsja.blogspot.ca).

A Note from Ms. Hayward

I am looking forward to seeing all our returning students and meeting those of you new to the school.  We've been busy over the summer cataloguing all our books and will soon have our Library Computer system ready for signing out all the great books you'll want to read this year. This year each class will get regular library visits for story times, research and study skill sessions, and to borrow books.  There will also be Recess Readers, Library Contests, and Book Fair!  Don't forget to follow all things library on the library blog: www.sjalibrary.wordpress.com 

Notice About Our New Facility 

Uniform

From September until Thanksgiving, students are able to wear the summer uniform, which consists of grey pants/shorts/skirts, navy socks, and the white polo t-shirt. From Thanksgiving until after Easter, students are required to wear the winter uniform, which consists of grey pants/skirts, navy blue socks/tights, a white button up long sleeve shirt, a tie, a long sleeve sweater/sweater vest, and the blazer. Students must wear their blazer during assemblies, to and from class during transitions, and of course during field trips. Black dress shoes are also required, as is a house colour tie to wear on Fridays. Black shoes must be polishable and there should not be a lot of detail. Black running shoes will not be accepted. The SJA gym uniform consists of navy blue sweatpants/shorts, a SJA gym shirt or house shirt, white socks, and proper running shoes. It is recommended that all students keep their gym uniform in a bag. Please label all pieces of the uniform. 

**All uniform pieces must be purchased through Alpa and Multiform Canada. Uniform violations will be sent home to students who do not have the proper uniform pieces.** Alpa can be reached at alpa@multiformcanada.ca. Students who are not in proper uniform will receive a uniform violation.

Units of Inquiry and Other Subjects

Grade 5 is a big year for students as we prepare them for Grade 6, which is their final year of the Primary Year Program and when The Exhibition takes place. Everything is done independently again this year, such as the Science Fair and Oral Presentations, where the Grade 5’s write and memorize a persuasive speech. We will continue with our weekly spelling lessons and tests, International Day, Christmas Concert, Spelling Bee, and Arts’ Night. Our first Unit of Inquiry this year will be What’s the Matter (we will learn about the three states of matter) which will tie into our Science Fair. Our other Units of Inquiry are Biodiversity, The Human Body (we will learn about the different systems), Voting, Coding, and Ancient Civilizations. You can find out more about our Units of Inquiry and SJA’s Program of Inquiry on my blog. As of now, our novel studies will be Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, Shannen and the Dream for a School, as well as Hatchet. Please be reminded that UOI summative work is to be completed in class only unless otherwise stated, and the all work is to be completed by the student only.

Gym classes for students in Grade 3 and up will take place at the new SJA Athletic Centre on alternate days of the 6-day cycle. Construction at the new site is delayed. Once the site is ready, students will be bussed to and from the site. For now all gym classes will take place at SJA.

**Please note that all Grade 5 students will be required to have a working laptop for our coding unit, which will take place in May and June 2019. However, we as Grade 5 teachers are trying to equip our students with the ICT (Information, Communication, Technology) skills for today’s changing world, therefore we are asking that if possible students bring in a working laptop earlier. Day and time will be posted in agendas and on blogs. For students who are unable come with their own laptop there will be school Chromebooks available.**

Trips

In Grade 5 there are a few extra trips that students will have the opportunity to participate in, on top of our UOI field trips. Some of our trips will include skiing, curling, a trip to the ROM and a visit to Ripley’s Aquarium. **Please note that trips may change throughout the year. **

Homework

Homework is given on a nightly basis and is expected to be completed by the following day, unless other wise noted. I do understand that life does get in the way of homework being completed, but it should not become a habit. If homework is not completed, students will miss a recess or gym class to get caught up. Math will be given on a nightly basis and spelling on Monday, if it has not been completed in class. Other language and UOI homework may be given at times. I do my best to mark each day, so please feel free to review with your child. 

Hot Lunch Program

Ms. Yustin is taking over the hot lunch program from Ms. Bancud. All hot lunch orders can be done online. Payments can be sent to the school via cash or cheque. I will send reminders about the final day that you can order lunch and when the payment is due. 

The online website is now open for September ordering and will off end of day Aug 31st at the end of the day on and is unable to reopen for September ordering.  Lunch payments are due no later than September 14th. 

Below are the instructions for returning families: 

*if you have a sibling joining SJA this year please keep in mind you can only use one email per child. Step 1 Logon to website http://mydigitalmailroom.com/sja - if you forgot your password or email used please contact bsmith@stjudesacademy.com 

Step 2 Across the top menu bar you will see several options, please scroll over MY ACCOUNT, Change grade and teacher to reflect new year. Select SAVE 

Step 3 Across the top menu bar you will see several options, please scroll over MANAGE LUNCH, a drop-down menu will appear, select ADD NEW LUNCH FORM. 

*Don’t forget to select payment method BEFORE ordering 

Below are the instructions for new families: 

**If you have more than one child you will need to use different email addresses for each child. Only one child can be registered and ordered for under a single email address.

Step 1 Go to website http://mydigitalmailroom.com/sja 

·      Select register an account 

·      Select grade 

·      Select class 

·      Select teacher 

·      Enter in student information 

·      Accept terms and conditions and select Register 

·      Repeat for additional students. 

Step 2 Across the top menu bar you will see several options, please scroll over MANAGE LUNCH, a drop-down menu will appear, select ADD NEW LUNCH FORM. 

*Don’t forget to select payment method BEFORE ordering

Kinderlime – is our new online app for After Care. Please see the below instructions.

* You will receive your logon information via email on file by Tuesday August 28th. 

* Please download the FREE Kinderlime app via APP Store, Google Play etc. Or Visit the website https://www.kinderlime.com 

* Complete MUST HAVE information about your child(ren) on APP/Website 

·      Phone number 

·      Updated pick up permissions 

·      Allergy/Medication information 

·      We strongly suggest you set up automatic payments through the app/website to ensure you will not incur late fees for monthly invoices. 

·      You can also choose to pay monthly through the app/website. 

·      Through the app/website you will be able to digitally access monthly break downs (printed copies will not be available) 

* View App/Website daily to see sign in/out times. 

If you have any questions/comments regarding this new addition, please contact the Students Services Coordinator at bsmith@stjudesacademy.com

A few other key items:

·      Orientation Night is Monday, August 27 from 5-7 PM. We will be in our new Grade 5 classroom (at the cross section of Caring Trail and Thinkers Place).

·      All SJA families are required to purchase a key fob. This will allow you to enter the building at the side door between 7:30-9:00 AM and then again from 3:45-6:00 PM. The key fob is a $40 deposit and you can see speak to Dawn about ordering one. New families who are in need of a fob, please see Andrew at reception during orientation night.

·      Morning Kiss and Ride is not affected.

• Daily early dismissal procedures have been cancelled. Parents will still be able to pick up their child/ren for appointments. Please notify you child’s teacher as these events occur. Dismissal for Grade 2-6 will be in the Gym, as it was last year. Please be reminded that all parents are to remain outside until 3:30pm when the doors open for dismissal.

·      Microwaves will be used only for students in Grade 3 and up. The microwaves are intended to warm up food, so please refrain from sending meals that need to be cooked, such as frozen dinners. Please also ensure that you are sending everything your child may need for their lunch, such as condiments, utensils, and plates for microwavable meals if applicable. We will no longer be handing out plates, bowls, cutlery, and condiments, as they are strictly for those who order hot lunch. 

·      As for our birthday policy, as you will see in the Student Handbook to please refrain from sending in food related items. If you would like to send in something, a book with your child’s name can be added to the library or a loot bag with pencils, erasers, notebooks, etc. can be sent home with students.

·      A kind reminder that we are a peanut and nut-free school. Please avoid sending in items which ‘may contain.’

·      All parents/guardians that would like to volunteer in the school and on school field trips must provide a current CRC (Criminal Record Check).

August/September Dates

·      Monday, August 27 is Orientation Night from 5-7 PM. Parent and students are invited to visit the school. I will be in my room (Room 23) if you would like to come and meet me as well as see our new classroom. If you would like to meet with specialist teachers (French, Gym, Music) and Alpa Sachania our ‘uniform lady’ will be in the gymnasium for orientation night.

·      Thursday, August 31 is the last day to order September lunch

·      Wednesday, September 5 is the first day of school. Students are expected to wear their full SJA uniform.

·      Week of September 5-7 is Neophyte Week with Friday, September 7 being our first house color spirit day. Please dress in your house color: orange, blue, or green! All teachers should have a list of student houses, so if you are unsure of your child’s house, please ask!

·      Friday, September 14^th is when September lunch payments are due

•  Please join us for our “SJA/Oakwood Welcome Back BBQ”. This is a great opportunity to meet other families, socialize, and have fun! Tickets will be sold the first weeks of school. 

When: September 20th from 4-6pm

Where: St. Jude’s Academy

·      Wednesday, September 26 will be our first Casual Day. Students will be allowed to dress down if they have paid the $20 casual day fee.

·      Tuesday, September 25 and Wednesday, September 26 will be our first bake sale of the year. We are responsible for hosting the bake sale taking place in December. Please be reminded that all bake sale items must be nut free and peanut free. Please also avoid ‘may contain’ items. 

·      Thursday, September 27 will be our Terry Fox Run.

·      Friday, September 28 is Orange Shirt Day, a day were we remember and pay tribute to those who were forced to attend residential schools.

Please find attached a copy of the SJA Parent/Student, SJA Code of Conduct, the Grade 5 daily schedule, the SJA 2018-2019 Calendar and the flyer regarding our Welcome Back BBQ. Please take the time to carefully review each attachment and then sign and print off the last page of the SJA Parent/Student Handbook and return to me no later than Friday, September 14, 2018.

I apologize for the information overload! I look forward to seeing you all on Monday, August 27. If any questions arise in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Ms. Courtney Cass