Back to School Information
I am happy to welcome you and your child to 5th Grade and Miss Sandlin’s Room, Room 13 at WBES. I look forward to a wonderful and successful year. Please read this letter carefully as it pertains to the entire year.
Supplies: Your child will need the following supplies this year. Please allow him/her to keep these items at school and have additional supplies to use at home. This prevents loss to and from school and your child will be adequately prepared each day.
ú Pencils
ú 2 in binder (with dividers)
ú Pocket folders w/prongs (5)
ú Wide ruled loose leaf paper
ú Crayons/colored pencils
ú White glue or stick
ú Composition notebook
ú Supply box
ú Index cards
ú Markers/crayons/colored pencils
ú Multiplication/division flashcards (I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR YOUR CHILD TO LEARN THEIR BASIC FACTS!!!!!!!)
ú Scissors
ú Composition notebook
ú Highlighters
ú Clear/mesh book bag
ú Hand sanitizer
ú Box of tissues
o Other classroom needs (if possible): white board markers, Clorox wipes, Ziploc bags
Homework is assigned each day Monday through Thursday. Students will have daily assignments in Math and Reading* each day. Other subjects may have projects or homework assignments periodically. Students may begin homework in class with your permission. If work begins to slip, you will be notified as soon as possible. Together, we will come up with a plan of improvement. Homework should be checked by you each night for completion and any mistakes. The student should correct any errors before turning it in.
*As part of the Savannah-Chatham County Schools’ initiative to encourage every child to read 25 books this year, your child will be expected to read at least four nights per week and keep a Reading Log to turn in at the end of every week. This log will be sent home every Monday and returned to me on Friday. Our goal is to well-exceed the school’s expectation of our reading this year!!
Discipline is handled by me in the classroom, unless further assistance is needed by the principal. My rules are based on the School-Wide Behavior Plan: SOAR.
Show respect for yourself and others.
Occupy your own space.
Accept responsibility for your actions.
Recognize your own potential.
They are clear and reasonable and explained thoroughly to the students. I am fair, firm and consistent. I use a ticket system in the classroom in which students are rewarded for good behavior, high test scores, etc. with tickets. These tickets can be redeemed for rewards such as homework passes. Tickets can also be taken away if a student’s behavior is unacceptable. Please ask your child about the system and their part in it. If students lose all their tickets, they will be required to sign the White Bluff level one offense form. Continuous signing of this form can lead to classroom and school detention and to suspension.
Classwork/Tests: I send home papers every Wednesday. These papers will be in their blue parent-teacher communication folder. If you do not get the papers and Progress Report on Wednesday your child has left them in class or “lost” them. Please contact me and, together, we will find a way to assure you of getting the papers. Please sign and return the blue folder the following Thursday. You may keep the papers.
Toys and games: Any toy/game brought during the week will be taken and locked up until you can come to get it. Please do not allow your child to bring any treasured, irreplaceable or expensive items to school. I cannot be responsible for any possessions damaged or lost during play and bringing the items is against school policy.
Lunch: Your child may buy lunch at school or bring one from home. If you wish to fill out a form for reduced or free lunch, please stop by the office. If your child received free or reduced lunch last year, you still need to fill out a new form for this year! Also, if you wish to come and join your child for lunch on any day, our lunchtime is 11:35 am.
Snack: Every afternoon we will have snack time. Your child may bring a healthy snack and water bottle to have at that time. Please do not send any sweets or junk food.
Dismissal: It is very important that I know how your child is to go home each day. If the way your child goes home changes, you MUST send a note or call the office. If I do not receive a note or message from the office staff, your child will be sent home the usual way. If you pick up your child before 3:35pm, you MUST sign them out in the office. They will notify me and your child will come to the office. This is for your child’s safety!
ú Bus dismissal begins at 3:35pm (as the buses arrive)
ú Walkers are dismissed at 3:35pm
ú Car Riders are dismissed at 3:40pm
ú Pryme Tyme is dismissed at 3:45pm
Uniforms are mandatory: Our school colors are white, navy, and khaki. Your child may wear a navy or white top with navy or khaki bottoms. Socks, belt, and closed-toed shoes are also part of the uniform. Please see the office staff if you have any specific questions.
Communication: Last, but certainly not least, I am available at any time you wish to call, email, or stop in and ask a question. If you wish to have a conference, however, please schedule that time separately. E-mail is definitely the best way to get in touch with me. I check my e-mail at school on a regular basis, and I usually check it in the evenings from home. I can meet most mornings or afternoons. If, at any time, you have a question or concern, please contact me immediately. I know how easy misunderstandings can occur and I would rather you come to me first. If you call the office and leave me a message, they will put it in my box. I will contact you the same day by phone or note.