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. This is my second school year working at St. Jude’s Academy and this will also be my second year teaching Grade 5. 

Blog/Agndas/Specialists

I will be teaching language, math, art, and of course the Units of Inquiry (UOI)! Our 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, specialist teacher information, 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, Mme. Stella will be teaching French, Ms. Hayward is our librarian, and Mr. Orr will be teaching Physical Education. Physical Education will be one days 1, 3, and 5 beginning at 9 am sharp. Music takes place on days 1, 3, and 5 for 40 minutes. French takes place everyday for an hour. You can find list to all of the specialist blogs on my blog. 

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 Years Programmme and when the exhibition takes place. Everything is done independently again this year, such as the SJA 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 SJA Science Fair Project. Our other Units of Inquiry are Ancient Civilizations, The Human Body (where we will learn about different systems), Government, Biodiversity, and Coding. 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. You can find out more information about our Units of Inquiry and SJA’s Program of Inquiry on my blog. Our novel studies will be Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightening Thief, and the Lightning Thief, Shannen and the Dream for a School, and Hatchet. If students have already read those books it is no big deal! Students will reread the novel in class. 

Physical Education classes for students in Grade 3 and up will take place at the SJA Athletic Centre on alternate days of the 6-day cycle (please see the Physical Education schedule above). 

**Please note that all Grade 5 students will be required to have an email account, preferably a G-Mail account, as they will be required to have one in Grade 6, as well as working laptop for our coding unit, which will take place in May and June 2020. 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 purchase a working laptop earlier if they do not already have one. We ask this because we use laptops for research and many other areas of the curriculum beginning early on the in the school year; such as learning how to properly type and use programs such as PowerPoint/ Google Docs. Day and time will be posted in agendas and on blogs for when students need to bring in their laptops. There are some Chromebooks available for use at the school, however we cannot guarantee that they will be available when needed. 

Uniforms

From September until Thanksgiving, students are able to wear the summer uniform, which consists of grey pants/shorts/skirts, navy socks, the white SJA crested polo t-shirt, and plain black dress shoes. 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 SJA crested button up long sleeve shirt, a tie, an SJA crested long sleeve sweater/sweater vest, and an SJA crested blazer. Students must wear their blazer during assemblies, to and from class during transitions, and of course during field trips/workshops. After Easter students switch back to their summer uniform. 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/ athletic shoes will not be accepted. The SJA Physical Education uniform consists of navy blue SJA crested sweatpants/shorts, an SJA gym athletic shirt or house shirt, white socks, and proper indoor running shoes. Outdoor shoes are not to be worn in the SJA gym or the Athletic Centre. Since we have Physical Education first thing in the morning on day on days 1, 3, and 5, students may come to school in their SJA Physical Education uniform on those days only. Students will change into their school day uniform at the school once Physical Education class is over. Also, it is recommended that all students keep their Physical Education uniform in a bag.  House colour Physical Education bags are available through Alpa. 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.**  The first violation is a warning, the second violation will require the parents/guardians to send the missing uniform piece to school. After the second violation students will be sent to acquire the proper uniform piece, from Alpa, at the parents’ expense. Alpa can be reached at alpa@multiformcanada.ca. 

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/workshops. Some of our trips will include skiing, curling, Scientists in the School (SITS), a visit to the Ontario Legislative Assembly, and the ROM.  As always, we welcome parent volunteers. Please note that all volunteers will need to have a current Vulnerable Sector Check on file at the school. If you already provided the school with on within the last 5 years, please sign the annual offence declaration form to continue volunteering with our school. We know how much fun these trips can be and that is why we will share the opportunity for all willing parents to join us on a field trip or workshop here at the school. **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 may miss a recess 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 also be given at times. Test dates will be noted on the blog in advance, as well as summative due dates. 

A note from our Librarian, Mrs. Hayward:

Hello!  I hope everyone has had a great summer and is excited for back to school. I am looking forward to a great third year in the St. Jude's Academy Library. We accomplished a lot last year in the library. We catalogued over 2,300 books in our collection. We had successful Recess Readers sessions. We started out LIT Club (library helpers). Our Enchanted Forest Book Fair was a huge success allowing us to purchase $2,400 worth of new books and resources for the library. The Library also held some fun contests and we checked out a lot of books for the voracious readers at SJA.  

I hope to continue all these things and more. 

Please check out (and follow) the library blog at www.sjalibrary.wordpress.com for all things library and literacy related. See you soon! 

Hot Lunch Program

Ms. Gandy is taking over the hot lunch program. All hot lunch orders are to be done online using the website posted below. All payments are to be made online. ** PLEASE BE SURE TO ORDER LUNCH UNDER THE CORRECT TEACHER AND GRADE. For example: Ms. Cass, Grade 5**.  Please be reminded that all lunches sent from home must be peanut and nut free, not even “may contain”. 

Hot Lunch Program 

·      Please know that the website will be closed at 3pm on Aug 30th and is unable to reopen for September ordering.

·      Lunch payments are due no later than September 13^th, after this date it will begin to collect interest. 

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 

New Parents 

• You have been sent an email to sign up with a pin
• Please download the FREE Kinderlime app via APP Store, Google Play etc. Or Visit the website https://www.kinderlime.com <https://www.kinderlime.com/>

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

• Phone number(s)
• 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. 

Returning Parents 

• Update the MUST HAVE information about your child(ren) on APP/Website 
• Phone number(s)
• Updated pick up permissions
• Allergy/Medication information
• If you have not already done so we strongly suggest you set up automatic payments through the app/website to ensure you will not incur late fees for monthly invoices.

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 Wednesday, August 28th from 5-7 PM. We will be in our Grade 5 classroom (at the cross section of Caring Trail and Thinkers Place). Parents and students are invited to the school to meet the teachers, see the classroom and school, and ask any questions they may have. 
• All SJA families are required to purchase a key fob. This will allow you to enter the building at the side door between 7:30-8:45 AM and then again from 3:45-6:00 PM. The key fob is a $40 deposit and you can see speak to Ms. Kaitlin Padua at the front reception, about ordering one. 
• Morning Kiss and Ride will continue this year as it did last year. 

• 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 3:30 PM when the doors open for dismissal. With parents’ permission, older siblings may pick up younger siblings and bring them to the gym. In order to have an older sibling pick up a younger sibling, a permission form must be filled out. 

• Microwaves will be used only for students in Grade 3 and up. The microwaves are intended to warm up food, so please do not send 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 Family 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 do not send in items, which ‘may contain.’ This especially applies to bake sale items. Any items that may contain will be sent back home with the student. 
• All parents/guardians that would like to volunteer in the school and on school field trips must provide a current Vulnerable Sector Check. 

August/September Dates

• Wednesday, August 28th is Orientation Night from 5-7 PM in room 23. All specialist teachers will be in room 29. Mrs. Alpa Sachania our ‘uniform lady’, Mrs. Anna (bussing) and Wynn Fitness will be in room 28. There will be a basketball presentation taking place in the gym. 

• Friday, August 30th is the last day to order September lunch
• Wednesday, September 4th is the first day of school. Students are expected to wear their full summer uniform. 

• Week of September 4-6 is Neophyte Week with Friday, September 6th being our first house color spirit day. Please dress in your house color: Kappa Iota Pi (Orange), Theta Sigma Psi (Blue), or Zeta Beta Pi (Green)! All teachers should have a list of student houses, so if you are unsure of your child’s house, please ask!
• Friday, September 13^this when September lunch payments are due. Our Terry Fox run is also taking place on this day. 

•  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 week of school. 

When: Thursday, September 19th from 4-5:30pm

Where: St. Jude’s Academy

• This year our Fall Fundraiser will be from September 20^th-27^th.
• Wednesday, September 25th will be our first Casual Day. Students will be allowed to dress down if they have paid the $20 casual day fee.
• Monday, September 23^rdand Tuesday, September 24^thwill be our first bake sale of the year. Please be reminded that all bake sale items must be nut free and peanut free. Please do not send ‘may contain’ items. 
• Monday, September 30th 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 Family Handbook, SJA Code of Conduct, the Grade 5 POI (Programme of Inquiry), and flyers regarding both Lower School and Upper School orientation nights. Please take the time to carefully review each attachment and then sign and print off the last page of the SJA Family Handbook and return to me no later than Friday, September 13th, 2019.

I apologize for the information overload! I look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday, August 28th. 

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Ms. Cass