Engrade/Progress Reports Letter

Dear Parents:

“Engrade” is a web-based program that allows you to view your child’s grades online. It shows the SOL objectives covered, the type of assignment, the grade for the assignment and your child’s grade to date. A percentage weight is assigned for each type of assignment. Listed below are the weights that each 5th grade teacher will be using.

Brannon Hundley

Test/Quiz: 25% Test/Quiz: 33%

Graded Classwork: 50% Classwork: 34%

Homework: 25% Homework: 33%

Smart Turnage

Test/Quiz: 50% Classwork/Participation: 25%

Classwork/Homework: 40% Quizzes: 20%

Reading Logs: 10% Tests: 30%

Homework: 25%

As of September 30, 2013, all 5th grade teachers will be using “engrade” as your child’s progress report in lieu of the paper copy. This will be a great benefit for you so that you can view your child’s grade and assignments in all subject areas to date. It will also reduce the use of paper which benefits our environment.

If you have not already done so, please register at http://www.engrade.com/students and use the usernames and passwords that each student has been provided with. PLEASE NOTE: When you get to the screen that says “Student & Parent Signup” and it asks you to enter an “AccessCode(s)”, you should enter the access codes for all of your student’s teachers at one time. (Each student has been provided an access code from each subject teacher.) This will allow you to be able to have only one password/account for all of your child’s classes. To check your child’s grades and homework completion, click on each subject and it will pull up all assignment grades to date and your child’s average.

In addition, in order to further reduce the use of paper, the 5th grade weekly newsletter will be posted to Ms. Smart’s blog at www.smartfifthgrade.blogspot.com and on the Linwood Holton Elementary website at web.richmond.k12.va.us/lhes. Paper copies of the weekly newsletter will no longer be given to each 5th grade student.

However, If you do NOT have internet access, we are able to send home paper copies of both the bi-weekly progress report and our weekly newsletter. In order to provide a record of your choice, please return the attached form stating that you are

a) requesting that hard copies of the newsletter and/or progress reports be sent to you via your child or b) decide to opt out of receiving paper copies of our weekly newsletter and/or the bi-weekly progress report. All forms must be returned to your child’s teacher no later than Friday, October 4, 2013.

Thank you for your continued support.

The Fifth Grade Team

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PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THIS PART ONLY.

Child’s Name _______________________________________

Parent Signature ______________________________ Date _______________

___Yes, I have internet access and will use “engrade” as my child’s progress report and will access the weekly newsletter via the Linwood Holton website or through smartfifthgrade@blogspot.com.

___No, I do not have internet access and will need a paper copy of the weekly newsletter

___No, I do not have internet access and will need a paper copy of my child’s bi-weekly progress report.

Reading Strategies

I am a firm believer that reading improves your vocabulary, writing, and spelling, among other things.  This week, we have been reviewing our Reading Strategies (one of the links to the right of this post).  I have asked the kiddos to practice applying these strategies while they are reading for their logs each week.  We have been discussing how it is important to be actively engaged in what you read, and that these strategies help to assist in making this happen.  Side note:  just a reminder, late reading logs are NOT accepted.  I noticed a number of logs still in students' folders this week, which will unfortunately result in a zero.  I don't assign a LOT of homework, but I expect the homework I do assign to be completed and turned in on time.  Also, our first progress report will be going home the week of October 8, so be looking for that.   I am still working on setting up my engrade accounts.  If you know you will want to track your student's progress online, if you send me a note I can send the information on how to do it home via your child.  Thanks!  Happy Wednesday!

SOL Prep Letter

MAY 2013

 Dear Parents:

 Well, as you know, IT’S TESTING TIME!!!!!  In order to make our testing as comfortable and stress-free as possible, I’m asking that all students bring their lunch to school on Wednesday, May 22 (Reading SOL), Thursday, May 23 (Science SOL), and Wednesday, May 29 (Math SOL).  This will allow us to eat together in a relaxed atmosphere away from outside noise and distractions.  Students may also bring an extra snack.  Because I encourage healthy eating, please don’t bring sugary, high-calorie snacks like cookies, cake and candy.  Instead try fresh veggies, fruit snacks, string cheese or pretzels.

 In addition, please be sure your child brings a book to read quietly at their desk after they have completed their test.  They will also need at LEAST 2 number 2 sharpened pencils, and a highlighter.

 
Please make sure your child goes to bed early for the next few nights, and eats a good breakfast, with a balance of protein and carbohydrates.  I’m absolutely certain that our students will perform exceptionally well on the test, and I thank you for your support thus far throughout the school year.

 Sincerely,

 Ms. Smart