FAQs about 5th Grade
Absences
Transportation
Food & Drinks
Homework
- If my child is out of school, should I send a note? Yes, all absences are marked unexcused until written notification has been received regarding the absence.
- How long does the student have to complete make up work from an absence? For each day a student is absent, he/she has two days to complete any classwork and homework assignments. It is the student's responsibility to make sure he/she gets all the assignments missed on the day of the absence.
- What types of absences are considered excused? Excused absences include illness or injury, death in the family, and medical or dental appointments.
Transportation
- What if my child will go home a different way than his/her usual mode of transportation? Written or verbal notification from the parent is required in order for a student to go home a different way in the afternoon. Under no circumstances will a student be sent home an alternate way without parent notification.
- Who do I contact if my child is having difficulty on the bus? Please contact Mrs. Zadell, the assistant principal, for assistance.
Food & Drinks
- Is snack time provided each day? Yes, a working snack time is provided daily around 10:15 am.
- Can students have water bottles in class? Water bottles are strongly encouraged. If possible, please provide a reusable water bottle (such as a Camelbak) because they do not spill and cannot be crinkled during instruction. Juices, soda, etc. are not allowed.
- What types of snacks are permitted? Please send snacks which are healthy and will provide lasting nourishment. Suggestions are fruit, carrot sticks, cheese sticks, yogurt, pretzels, granola bars, etc. Please do not send greasy snacks, chips, sugary snacks, or candy.
- What is the policy about sharing food at snack and lunch? Students may not share food at any time. Allergies, special diets, and family preference all play a role in this policy.
- Can I bring a treat for my child's birthday? Absolutely! However, all food must be store-bought and prepared in order to prevent any possible health concerns. Birthday treats will be passed out during lunch as a dessert.
- May I eat lunch with my child in the cafeteria or in the courtyard? Of course! Students are allowed to invite ONE friend to eat with them in the cafeteria. Students may eat with their parents in the courtyard, but friends are not allowed to join them without prior written permission from their parents. Thank you for understanding and following this policy.
Homework
- About how long should homework take each day? The average 5th grader should spend about one hour to 1.5 hours on homework. This includes daily reading time as well.
- How much assistance should I give my child with homework? Generally, 5th graders are able to work independently. Your homework is your child's responsibility. If you know your child struggles in a particular subject, then you may need to provide some support. If you find that your child is consistently spending an unusually long amount of time on homework, please let me know.
- Does the agenda need to be signed daily? Yes, however it is your child's responsibility to obtain your signature.
- What if my child forgets homework materials at school? Please DO NOT bring your child back to school to retrieve forgotten homework or supplies. Part of learning Cheetah P.R.I.D.E. is to take responsibility for one's actions. Your child may complete an alternate assignment to receive credit until he/she is able to complete the homework the next day. Alternate assignments include writing sentences with Word Wisdom words, and working on Study Island.
- My child left for school and I realize he/she left his/her homework at home! What should I do? Please don't do anything! Let your child learn a valuable lesson about responsibility that only situations like this can teach. It's so hard to do, but trust me it will be worth it when your child is in middle school next year.