Welcome to 5-2!!

I hope this blog finds you refreshed and ready for a new school year!  I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself to you, and to tell you how excited I am to be your child’s 5^th grade teacher!

I have had the privilege of working at Olive-Mary Stitt for the past ten years, with the majority of my time spent in 5^th grade.   I hold a Master Degree in Elementary Education from Roosevelt University, and an undergraduate degree in Information Systems and Accounting.  I am also a dedicated mother of three boys, ages 19, 18, and 15, and one step-daughter, 26, all who have taught me the many joys and trials of parenting.

Your students are part of a Paperless Classroom this year.  As they will learn, “paperless” means “less paper”, rather than “no paper”.  The students will be using significantly more technology in their daily work and communication in the classroom, and significantly less paper.  Fear not, this does NOT mean you will be expected to provide more technology for your children at home!  They will be given the choice with every homework assignment to take it home on paper, or to complete it online.  We will discuss this expectation in more detail on Parent Night on 08/28/13.  

*** IMPORTANT INFORMATION ***

Ø  Please have your child bring a water bottle each day to keep on their desk – especially during these last few days of summer.  It can get warm in our classroom after recess or PE, and this will cut down on the number of trips to the water fountain.  Wrapping the water bottle in a sock will help to reduce the amount of condensation on their desks.

Ø  Students will be allowed to have a snack around 11:00 each morning – please be sure this is a healthy snack (fruits and vegetables only!)

Ø  Lunch will be from 12:10-12:40 for the first half of the year.  All 5^th grade students will be eating and having recess together.  It is important that your child knows each morning if he/she is going to eat a hot lunch, a cold lunch, a sack lunch from home, or if they will be going home for lunch.

Ø  Students will be taken outdoors for recess every day - please be sure your child is wearing appropriate footwear this time of year.  Flip-flops and Crocs are discouraged as many students have received injuries wearing these types of sandals on the playground.

Ø  Specials Schedule:

o   PE & Music will be on Mondays and Thursdays from 10:10-11:10 – please be sure your child wears or brings in gym shoes on those days. 

o   Art will be on Tuesday from 10:15–11:00. 

o   LMC will be on Wednesdays from 10:10-10:40, please help your child to remember their library book due dates. 

Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have any questions.  The best way to contact me is via e-mail: tfowler@sd25.org . I check my e-mail throughout the day, but generally respond only in the evening, unless there is an urgent need for a quicker response.  If you would rather leave me a voice mail, you are welcome to call me at (847) 506-6999 x5854.  

I look forward to getting to know your children better over the next several weeks.  I am truly excited for this year and am looking forward to working with your child as well as with you.  This year your child will grow in many ways as they prepare for the challenges they will face in the coming years.

Looking forward to seeing all of you next Wednesday, 8/28 6:30-8:30pm for Curriculum Night.  Please look for further communications from me in the form of emails, as well as website and blog updates.