Dear Parents of 2016-2017 5^th graders,

We want to share some exciting changes to our fifth grade program next year. We have chosen to go back to a compartmentalized system as was done successfully at North Star for several years. What this means for your child is that they will have a math teacher, a reading teacher and a social studies/writing  teacher. Our core teachers next year will be Mrs. Tammy Warnick, who will teach math; Ms. Ashley Koch who will teach reading and Ms. Julie McMahon who will be in charge of social studies and writing.  Patrice Rex will continue teaching 5th grade science and all special teachers will remain the same. 

All 5^th grade students will be assigned a homeroom teacher with whom they start and end each day.  This homeroom class will also be the group of students that your child rotates with to each subject as well as all specials, recesses, school activities and they are the kids they eat lunch with. Students will have each core class (math, reading and social studies/writing) for a total of 90 min. per day. This time is not necessarily in a 90 min block, but may be two 45 min. blocks separated by a special or lunch or even a 30 min. portion and then a 60 min. portion. When you receive your child’s schedule from his/her homeroom teacher, you will see how your child’s day is laid out.  This compartmentalized model begins the process to better prepare students for the middle school years, but even more importantly, allows students to receive instruction from a teacher who can devote a lot of time and preparation with one core focus. We are excited to return to this model at North Star!

The fifth grade teachers began planning for this new 5^th grade program before school was even out! They are excited to create a dynamic program that not only focuses on high achieving academics, but one that develops the whole child. Children that dream, set goals, persevere, have mutual respect for peers and who think beyond themselves.  Through their homeroom advisory class, students will be taught character education and organizational skills that will help them not only this year, but as they move through school as this tends to be a major issue for many children as they make the transition from elementary to middle school and beyond. Homeroom classes will also spend extra time together to work on community building, leadership skills and economics.

The fifth grade team is dedicated to a high level of communication and is excited to work together with parents to ensure that students have a successful 5th grade year. Students will use agenda books on a daily basis and teachers will send out a weekly newsletter with a 5^th grade portal link that will make finding assignments, due dates and additional information extremely easy for both students and parents. There will be more information to come at the 5^th Grade Information Night which will be held on August  16^th  from  6-7 so mark your calendars.  We are all very excited about the upcoming school year!

Shay Davis