Hello Grade 5 Parents and Students, and Welcome to Grade 5!

I hope you all had a fantastic summer. My family most certainly did! My name is Heather Hocevar and I am one of the Grade 5 teachers for this upcoming school year. I have been a teacher at SJA since January 2015 and this will be my second year teaching Grade 5. I currently reside in Georgetown with my husband Mark and two sons, Carter who will be 8 in October and heading into Grade 3, and Kase who is 5 and heading into SK! I also have a fur baby named Gretz. He is a Mini Golden Doodle and is 10 years old!

Blog/Agendas/Specialists

I will be teaching Inquiry into Language, Inquiry into Mathematics, Inquiry into Art, and of course the Units of Inquiry (UOI)! Our new room is room 16 (Mr. Conte's old classroom and across the hall from Ms. Samuel's classroom). I invite you to check out my blog on a daily basis at http://hhocevar.blogspot.ca. On my blog you will be able to see what your child did that day, homework, weekly spelling words, important dates, the Grade 5 schedule, specialist teacher information, as well as other important items. My blog will be updated on a daily basis. Daily agendas will also be filled out by each student and are expected to be signed by parents/guardians on a nightly basis. Mr. Oliver will be teaching music, Ms. Hayward is our librarian, Mr. Orr will be teaching Physical Education, and Mme. Hyppolite will be teaching French. Physical Education will take place on Days 2, 4, and 6 for one hour, beginning at 9:00 AM sharp (the Grade 5s will be bussed over to the SJA Athletic Centre). Music takes place on Days 1, 3, and 5 for 40 minutes. French takes place everyday for anywhere between 40 minutes to 70 minutes, depending on the day. You can find the links to all of the specialists blogs on my blog. Once a week, Mme. Hyppolite will add to my blog. This year your child will experience some changes to their class schedule on Wednesdays due to a new program for the Upper School called, Speaker Series. Every Wednesday (start date to be determined), Upper School students will have the opportunity to attend a seminar about necessary life skills presented by the staff at SJA. In order to coordinate with this program, our class schedule will change slightly. I have created two class schedules that reflect a normal daily schedule, and one that reflects our day that falls on a Speaker Series session. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Units of Inquiry and Other Subjects

Grade 5 is a big year for students as we prepare them for Grade 6, which is their final year of the Primary Years Programme and when the exhibition takes place. Everything is done independently again this year, such as the SJA Science Fair and Oral Presentations, where the Grade 5s write and memorize a persuasive speech. We will continue with our weekly spelling lessons and tests, International Day, Spelling Bee, Arts’ Night, and our Christmas Concert. Our first Unit of Inquiry will be What’s the Matter (we will learn about the three states of matter, which we will tie into our SJA Science Fair project). Our other Units of Inquiry are Ancient Civilizations, The Human Body (we will learn about the different systems), Government, Biodiversity, and Coding. Please be reminded that UOI summative work is to be completed in class only, unless otherwise stated, and that all work is to be completed by the student only. You can find out more information about our Units of Inquiry and SJA’s Program of Inquiry on my blog. Our novel studies will be Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Shannen and the Dream for a School, and Hatchet. If students have already read those books, it is no big deal! Students will re-read the novel in class. Physical Education classes for students in Grade 3 and up will take place at the SJA Athletic Centre on alternate days of the 6-day cycle (please see schedule above).

**Please note that all Grade 5 students will be required to have an email account, preferable a Gmail account, as they will be required to have one in Grade 6, as well as a working laptop for our coding unit, which will take place in May and June of 2020. However, we as Grade 5 teachers are trying to equip our students with the ICT (Information Communication Technology) skills for today’s changing world, therefore we are asking that if possible, students purchase a laptop earlier, if they do not already have one. We ask this because we use laptops for research and many other areas of the curriculum beginning early on in the school year, such as learning how to properly type and use programs such as PowerPoint/Google Docs. Days and times will be posted in agendas and on blogs for when students will need to bring in their laptops. There are some Chrome books available for use at the school, however we cannot guarantee that they will be available when needed.**

Uniforms

From September until Thanksgiving, students are able to wear the summer uniform, which consists of grey pants/shorts/skirts, navy socks, a white SJA crested polo t-shirt, and plain black dress shoes. From Thanksgiving until after Easter, students are required to wear the winter uniform, which consists of grey pants/skirts, navy blue socks/tights, a white SJA crested button up long sleeve shirt, a tie, an SJA crested long sleeve sweater/sweater vest, and an SJA crested blazer. Students must wear their blazer during assemblies, to and from class during transitions, and of course during field trips/workshops. After Easter, students switch back to their summer uniform. Black dress shoes are also required, as is a house colour tie to wear on Fridays. Black shoes must be polishable and there should be no detail. Black running shoes/athletic shoes will not be accepted. The SJA Physical Education uniform consists of navy blue SJA crested sweatpants/shorts, an SJA athletic shirt or house shirt, white socks, and proper indoor running shoes. Outdoor shoes are not to be worn in the SJA gym or at the Athletic Centre. Since we have Physical Education first thing in the morning on Days 2, 4, and 6, students may come to school in their SJA Physical Education uniform on those days only. Students will change into their school day uniform at the school once Physical Education class is over. It is also recommended that all students keep their Physical Education uniform in a bag. House colour Physical Education bags are available through Ms. Alpa. Please label all pieces of the uniform.

**All uniform pieces must be purchased through Alpa and Multiform Canada. Uniform violations will be sent home to students who do not have the proper uniform pieces. The first violation is a warning and the second violation will require the parents/guardians to send the missing uniform piece to school. After the second violation, students will be sent to acquire the proper uniform piece, from Alpa, at the parents’ expense. Alpa can be reached at alpa@multiformcanada.ca.**

Trips

In Grade 5, there are a few extra trips that students will have the opportunity to participate in, on top of our UOI field trips/workshops. Some of our trips will include skiing, curling, SITS (Scientists in the School) workshops, and a visit to the Ontario Legislative Assembly and the ROM. As always, we welcome parent volunteers. Please note that all volunteers will need to have a current Vulnerable Sector Check on file at the school. If you have already provided the school with one within the last five years, please sign the annual offence declaration form to continue volunteering with our school. We know how much fun these trips can be and that is why we will share the opportunity for all willing parents to join us on a field trip or workshop here at the school. **Please note that trips may change throughout the year.**

Homework

Homework is given on a nightly basis and is expected to be completed by the following day, unless other wise noted. I do understand that life does get in the way of homework being completed, but it should not become a habit. If homework is not completed, students may miss a recess to get caught up. Math will be given on a nightly basis and spelling on Monday, if it has not been completed in class. Other language and UOI homework may also be given at times. Test dates will be noted on the blog, in advance, as well as summative due dates.

A note from our Librarian, Ms. Hayward

Hello!  I hope everyone has had a great summer and is excited for back to school. I am looking forward to a great third year in the St. Jude's Academy Library. 

We accomplished a lot last year in the library.  We catalogued over 2,300 books in our collection. We had successful Recess Readers sessions. We started out LIT Club (library helpers). Our Enchanted Forest Book Fair was a huge success allowing us to purchase over $2,400 worth of new books and resources for the library.  The Library also held some fun contests and we checked out a lot of books for the voracious readers at SJA.  

I hope to continue all these things and more. 

Please check out (and follow) the library blog at www.sjslibrary.wordoress.com for all things library and literacy related. See you soon! 

Don't forget to follow all things library on the library blog: www.sjalibrary.wordpress.com.

Hot Lunch Program

Ms. Gandy is taking over the hot lunch program from Ms. Yustin. All hot lunch orders are be done online, using the website posted below. All payments are to be made online. **PLEASE BE SURE TO ORDER LUNCH UNDER THE CORRECT TEACHER AND GRADE. For example, Mrs. Hocevar and Grade 5.**

Please be reminded that all lunches sent from home, must be peanut and nut-free.

Please know that the website will be closed at 3:00 PM on Friday, August 30th and is unable to reopen for September ordering. Lunch payments are due no later than September 13^th, after this date it will begin to collect interest.

Below are the instructions for returning families:

*If you have a sibling joining SJA this year please keep in mind you can only use one email per child.

Step 1 Logon to website http://mydigitalmailroom.com/sja - if you forgot your password or email used please contact bsmith@stjudesacademy.com

Step 2 Across the top menu bar you will see several options, please scroll over MY ACCOUNT, change grade and teacher to reflect new year. Select SAVE

Step 3 Across the top menu bar you will see several options, please scroll over MANAGE LUNCH, a drop-down menu will appear, select ADD NEW LUNCH FORM.

*Don’t forget to select payment method BEFORE ordering

Below are the instructions for new families:

**If you have more than one child you will need to use different email addresses for each child. Only one child can be registered and ordered for under a single email address.

Step 1 Go to website http://mydigitalmailroom.com/sja

      Select register an account

      Select grade

      Select class

      Select teacher

      Enter in student information

      Accept terms and conditions and select Register

Repeat for additional students.

Step 2 Across the top menu bar you will see several options, please scroll over MANAGE LUNCH, a drop-down menu will appear, select ADD NEW LUNCH FORM.

*Don’t forget to select payment method BEFORE ordering

Kinderlime is our online app for aftercare. Please see below the instructions on how to register.

  

New Parents

•   You have been sent an email to sign up with a pin

•   Please download the FREE Kinderlime app via APP Store, Google Play etc. Or Visit the website https://www.kinderlime.com<https://www.kinderlime.com/>

Complete MUST HAVE information about your child(ren) on APP/Website

•   Phone number(s)

•   Updated pick up permissions

•   Allergy/Medication information

•   We strongly suggest you set up automatic payments through the app/website to ensure you will not incur late fees for monthly invoices.

•   You can also choose to pay monthly through the app/website.

•   Through the app/website you will be able to digitally access monthly break downs (printed copies will not be available) 

•   View App/Website daily to see sign in/out times.

Returning Parents

•   Update the MUST HAVE information about your child(ren) on APP/Website

•   Phone number(s)

•   Updated pick up permissions

•   Allergy/Medication information

•   If you have not already done so we strongly suggest you set up automatic payments through the app/website to ensure you will not incur late fees for monthly invoices.

If you have any questions/comments regarding this new addition, please contact the Students Services Coordinator at bsmith@stjudesacademy.com

A few other key items:

·      Orientation Night is Wednesday, August 28 from 5-7 PM. It will be in our new Grade 5 classroom (room 16). Parents and students are invited to visit the school, meet the teachers, see the classroom and school, and ask any questions they may have.

·      All SJA families are required to purchase a key fob. This will allow you to enter the building at the side door between 7:30-8:45 AM and then again from 3:45-6:00 PM. The key fob is a $40 deposit and you can see speak to Ms. Kaitlin Padua, at the front reception, about ordering one.

·      Morning Kiss and Ride will continue this year as it did last year.

·      Dismissal for Grades 2-6 will be in the gym, as it was last year. Please be reminded that all parents are to remain outside until 3:30 PM, when the doors open for dismissal. With parents permission, older siblings may pick up younger siblings and bring them to the gym. In order to have an older sibling pick up a younger sibling, a permission form must be filled out.

·      Microwaves will be used only for students in Grade 3 and up. The microwaves are intended to warm up food, so please do not send meals that need to be cooked, such as frozen dinners. Please also ensure that you are sending everything your child may need for their lunch, such as condiments, utensils, and plates for microwavable meals if applicable. We will no longer be handing out plates, bowls, cutlery, and condiments, as they are strictly for those who order hot lunch.

·      As for our birthday policy, you will see in the Family Handbook that we are refraining from sending in food related items. If you would like to send in something, a book with your child’s name can be added to the library or a loot bag with pencils, erasers, notebooks, etc. can be sent home with students.

·      A kind reminder that we are a peanut and nut-free school. Please do not send in items, which ‘may contain.’ This especially applies to bake sale items. Any items that 'may contain,' will be sent back home with the student.

·      All parents/guardians that would like to volunteer for field trips or activities in the school must provide a current vulnerable sector check.

August/September Dates

·      Wednesday, August 28 is Orientation Night from 5-7 PM in room 16. All specialist teachers will be in Room 29. Ms. Alpa (uniforms), Ms. Anna (bussing), and Wynn Fitness will be in Room 28. There will also be a basketball presentation taking in the gym.

·      Friday, August 30 at 3:00 PM is the last day to order September lunch.

·      Wednesday, September 4 is the first day of school. All students are required to be in full summer uniform.

·      Week of September 4-6 is Neophyte Week with Friday, September 6 being our first house colour spirit day. Please dress in your house color: Kappa Iota Pi (orange), Theta Sigma Psi (blue), or Zeta Beta Pi (green)! All teachers should have a list of student houses, so if you are unsure of your child’s house, please ask!

·      Friday, September 13 is when September lunch payments are due. Our Terry Fox run is also taking place this day.

·      Thursday, September 19 is our SJA/Oakwood Welcome Back BBQ,’ from 4-5:30 PM. Tickets will be sold during this first week of school. This is a great opportunity to connect with teacher and friends.

·      Friday, September 20-Friday, September 27 is our Fall Fundraiser.

·      Wednesday, September 25 will be our first Casual Day. Students will be allowed to dress down if they have paid the $20 casual day fee.

·      Tuesday, September 24 and Wednesday, September 25 will be the first bake sale of the year. Please be reminded that all bake sale items must be peanut and nut free. Please do not send in ‘may contain’ items. Items at contain or may contain peanuts or nuts will be sent back home.

·      Monday, September 30 is Orange Shirt Day, a day where we remember and pay tribute to those who were forced to attend residential schools.

Please find attached a copy of the SJA Family Handbook, SJA Code of Conduct, the Grade 5 daily schedule, the Grade 5 POI (Programme of Inquiry), and flyers regarding both Lower School and Upper School orientation nights. Please take the time to carefully review each attachment and then sign and print off the last page of the SJA Family Handbook and return to me no later than Friday, September 13, 2019.

I apologize for the information overload! I look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday, August 28.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!