This document provides information for parents and students about the 5th grade classroom of Mr. Belanger at Cracker Trail Elementary School. It includes details about the school day hours, resources available at the school, how to register a student and access the class website. It also summarizes the teacher's background, daily schedule, homework policy, nutrition information, classroom rules and behavior plan, extracurricular activities and special events, and supply list.

1. Welcome to 5thGrade! Mr. Belanger 8200 Sparta RoadSebring, Florida 33875Telephone (863)471-5777Fax (863)471-5785 School Day Hours 7:30-2:00

2. Resources in the Café Notaries Daycare Sheriffs Office CTE T-Shirt Vendors Scouts Transportation Food Service Translators PTO/SAC CTE

3. CLASS WEB SITE www.THEKNOWLEDGESEEKERS.com

4. Register your child, its fast & easy! You will need their 6-digit ID number (the kids know it as their SME number).

5. All about your teacher! I graduated from Western Michigan University with a bachelors degree in Elementary Education, with an emphasis in urban education--a program which was designed to open up social consciousness and define skills needed to become a teacher in urban environments. I love to lead students in a direction where they learn to choose to be the best that they can be! After arriving in Florida, I became an endorsed teacher of the gifted and certified to teach English speakers of other languages. I am married to Laura, who works at the Kindergarten Learning Center as the school's instructional technology technician (see, technology runs in the family!) We have a three year old Cockapoo named Malik, which means King in the Arabic language and a kitten named Maia. We are fans of the Detroit Tigers, Lions (yes, I said the Lions!) and Red Wings!!! We had our first child, Eli, in the fall of 2009.

6. Schedule

8. Student Planners On the first day of school, each student will be given a student planner. This book has a spot to record homework, projects, test dates and agendas for each day or week. Each morning the homeroom teacher will check to see that the student planners have been signed by a parent. A $5.00 fee will be charged to replace a lost student planner. Also, many 5th grade teachers use their class Web site as a tool to communicate information—please check these regularly!

11. Homework Homework will be primarily communicated through the student planners. Most assignments are due the day after they are assigned, unless noted. Teachers will try to notify the students weekly if they are missing assignments, although it is their responsibility to insure that all their work is completed and turned in. Official progress reports/report cards are sent home about every 4.5 weeks. 1st Progress Report: Sept 24 1st Report Card: Nov. 10 2nd Progress Report: Dec. 10 2nd Report Card: Feb. 2 3rd Progress Report: Feb. 25 3rd Report Card: April 13 Notices of Possible Retention: April 18 4th Progress Report: May 6 4th Report Card: June 8

12. Nutrition BREAKFAST Breakfast will once again be offered to all students—free of charge—in the classrooms. SNACK The high demand of the 5th grade schedule does not allow a long, structured time for snack. Three or so minutes will be offered daily between subjects for students to eat “one” snack item that is not to be shared. A good example of a snack is a granola bar or fruit cup—but not an entire sandwich or something that needs to be heated. At the end of this time, we will ask students to discard uneaten food. WATER BOTTLES Small water bottles (like those found in bulk at Wal-Mart or other convenience stores) are welcomed in the classroom, but thermos or sports style bottles are not. Please do not send “flavored” water.

13. Rules of the Room Everyone will respect others’ right to learn & treat others the way you’d want to be treated! Follow directions the first time Isolate hands, feet, and objects Raise your hand Stay in seat Talk to others the way you want to be talked to

15. Respect others, their feelings, and their property

16. Listen carefully, and follow directions

17. Be on time and prepared to work and learn

18. Leave gum, candy and toys at home

20. NP– Not Prepared for class (pencils, supplies, books, etc)

21. CB– Classroom Behavior (disruptive)

22. TO– Talking Out

24. Extra Curricular Activities Participation in extra-curricular activities is a valuable educational experience. Students who participate in chorus, handbells, safety patrol or student council must maintain a “C” average. It is the responsibility of the child to master the material, ask for help, and complete the daily assignments on their own. Students are responsible to turn in material on time, usually the next day. If this criteria is not met, students will be asked to not participate.

25. Special events & trips These are a few of the events/activities planned for this year: Theater trips to SFCC NEW Fifth-grade “end of year” field trip Read-in Theme weeks Student Council Safety Patrol Chorus, handbells& other music activities Fundraising opertunities Art/MI Lab

26. Supply List *If you need assistance with supplies, please let me or Mrs. Pella (in guidance) know. Many community partners have donated supplies to the school.