Tomorrow!

Good afternoon families -

Tomorrow is it - the first day of 5th grade!  We have been excitedly preparing for you and have many fun things in store.  Please remember 4 composition journals, pencils, water bottle, and cash or check made out to Maplewood for $40.  And as you know, we are out in the portables, room A-2 (not as far as 4th grade), doors open at 7:50am, and students will get to choose where they sit tomorrow - just as a heads up.

Also, thank you to those who let me know my first attempt at having parents on Google Classroom failed....  So let's try Blogger by clicking here:  https://smithclass2018.blogspot.com/

Another one of the good things to come this year is that we will have a student teacher joining us, Mr. Connell.  Those of you who had Mrs. Looney last year are aware of the advantages that come with this.  Below is an introduction from him.  

Greetings 5th grade,

My name is Austin Connell and I am a graduate student at The Lewis & Clark School of Education. I'm very excited to announce that I will be attending your class throughout the 2017-2018 school year.  I grew up here in Portland, Oregon & went to elementary, middle and high school just a few miles away from Maplewood.   Having the opportunity to work in Portland Public Schools means the world to me because I have the opportunity to give back to the community that gave me so much.  I graduated from The Evergreen State College in Olympia Washington in 2012 where I received my bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in education.  I have been working in the education field since graduating where I have worked with students of all ages from toddlers to teenagers. I look forward to meeting and getting to know you all in the coming months.  I also anticipate that many learning opportunities will come about for all parties involved.  See you all first thing in the morning!

Regards,
Austin David Latourette Connell

Sleep well tonight.  I know I won't - too excited!  And see you in the morning.

Suzanne L. Smith

Maplewood, 5th Gradephone:  (503) 916-6308email:  ssmith@pps.nethttp://www.pps.k12.or.us/schools/maplewood/329.htm
             "I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework."                                                                                                                                     -Lily Tomlin

Welcome Back 2017-2018

August 19, 2017

Dear Families:



I am excited to have your student in class with us this year 2017-2018. Fifth grade is the best, and so are fifth graders!



Much like in fourth grade, we have a shared community of supplies in our classrooms and keep the supplies stored in central locations. Instead of you purchasing the individual supplies, we will be purchasing most of them for you.



During the first week of school, please have your child bring for their own use:

* Pencils (and again periodically throughout the year. They seem to eat them!)

* 4 composition journals (I have been seeing them on sale between .10 cents and .50 cents each. NO spirals please.)

* Cash or check made out to Maplewood for $40 in an envelope, clearly labeled with your child’s name. This will cover the cost of the remainder of the supplies. Part of the money also covers classroom party expenses and a news subscription for your student. (If this amount is a hardship, please let me know and we can arrange for a supply scholarship - no worries.)

* Water bottle with their name.

* There will be additional expenses throughout the year such as plays and our annual Audubon overnight.



* Also, there are several items we'd love donated throughout the year: tissues, disinfectant wipes, shoe boxes, metal (Altoid size) tins, fabric scraps, yarn, buttons....



Please do not bring:

-- “Spinners” or fidgets of any kind

-- Toys

-- Binders (as they don’t fit in the desks)

-- Gum or candy



In 5th grade we transition to ‘Google Classroom’ to better prepare for middle and high school. Each student has an account where assignments are posted. You, too, as a parent should join.

This is the class code: ih0t2x8

This is my first class to invite guardians to Google Classroom - I guess we shall see if it works and/or if the system allows me to use it in this way. When guardians join Classroom, you receive regular, automatic email summaries for your student. Guardians choose the frequency of the emails—daily or weekly—and can unsubscribe at any time. Guardian email summaries include:

Missing work—Work that’s late at the time the email was sent

Upcoming work—Work that’s due today and tomorrow (for daily emails) or work that’s due in the upcoming week (for weekly emails)

Class activity—Announcements, assignments, and questions recently posted by teachers



I'm excited to see you all on Wednesday, August 30th - only 10 more days! If you have any questions please email me - I use email as my main form of communication (if email is not always accessible for your family please let me know and I can hard-copy via backpack mail to you as well). Otherwise, I will 'assume' you receive and read email communication.



Thank you and enjoy the remainder of summer,



Ms. Smith





Suzanne L. Smith

Maplewood, 5th Grade

phone: (503) 916-6308

email: ssmith@pps.net

http://www.pps.k12.or.us/schools/maplewood/329.htm



"I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework."

                                                                                                -Lily Tomlin

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