1st Parent Letter

Weekly Quote
"When schools flourish, all flourishes." Martin Luther

Weekly Riddle
If a rooster laid a brown egg and a white egg, what color of chicks would most likely hatch?

Homework Wednesday
Reading-Read letter from Mr. Sweet w/parent(s)
Math-Finish L1
Other-Bring back E-mail/Permission Paper + After School Paper

Homework Thursday
Bio Poem
Finish Math L2
Supply Check tomorrow
Return Parent Forms that need to be signed

August 13, 2008
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome to Mr. Sweet’s 5th grade class! I am pleased to be your child’s teacher this year and I look forward to meeting each of you at Back to School Night on Wednesday, August 27th, if not sooner. I believe all children are full of remarkable possibilities and I look forward to helping each student reach his or her potential. My two most important rules are:
#1 Always put forth your best effort
#2 Be kind to everyone.
I believe that each student is responsible for his or her own learning. Therefore, I expect my students to do their best regarding both schoolwork and behavior. With the guidance and direction of both teacher and parents, this can be accomplished.

Goals
My highest goal is to cultivate a passion in my students for learning and growth. Learning is one of the most important things in life and I hope to make this process fun, engaging, and accessible for all students.

Expectations
I will be putting forth my best effort and I will expect the same from all of my students. Even though each student brings different strengths and weaknesses in various subject areas, I expect the work turned in to be their best quality. Assignments need to be handed in when they are due. All students are given a Homework Assignment Sheet where all assignments, due dates, tests, and other reminders are to be written. We will go over this planner each day in class and this should be done at home as well. A list of necessary classroom supplies will be sent home. I will be doing a supply check this coming Friday. It is imperative that your child has the supplies requested. Students are expected to come to class on time, prepared and ready to learn every day, having the appropriate materials and a positive attitude. Encouragement from home is very important in this regard.
Our class will have a blog again this year to keep parents and students informed of homework, procedures, announcements, upcoming events, and much more. You can find the website at: http://mrsweetriodelmar.blogspot.com. This website will help support learning in the classroom and keep students accountable for what is due. If you forget the web address, just go to the school’s website for the link. Furthermore, this will help guide students who are absent due to illnesses.
As your child’s teacher I expect each student to be: understanding, caring, and respectful to other students and adults. These characteristics are of the utmost importance. I want the classroom to be a positive, encouraging place where students can learn and present their views in a safe, non-threatening atmosphere. Put-downs and negative behavior will not be tolerated. Every month I will facilitate a class meeting to discuss problems students want to talk about and solve together. This process encourages initiative, discussion, problem-solving, and conflict resolution.

Grading/Homework
Each subject has various components that contribute to a student’s grade (tests, projects, homework assignments, participation, extra credit etc.). One important area is the effective use of time on each task in the classroom. There are numerous things we will work on in class and, provided students use this class time constructively, longer homework assignments should be averted. It is also vital that assignments be turned in on time. Each missing daily homework assignment will be recorded as an incomplete in the grade book, unless it is due to illness or emergency. One incomplete assignment will certainly affect your grade in that given subject. In addition, each project that is turned in late will be graded down one grade each day. There will be little, or no homework when a big project is due. The homework time per night will typically be 50 minutes per night, excluding Fridays. On Thursdays we will have a smaller amount to study for tests.
Each night your child will have math homework. It is critical that students learn from their mistakes and build a foundation of growth and understanding. Student’s corrected work will be sent home regularly on Mondays and it is very helpful if parents spend a few minutes reviewing their child’s work and progress. Also, each week I will send home a sheet of paper in a folder to update parents on their child’s behavior and work completion from the previous week. Please sign and return this folder.
The first trimester my 5th grade students need to read for 20 minutes and write a one-paragraph summary about what they read (20-4-1). Students will do this assignment on the back of the homework sheet and they will be collected on Fridays. Once again, please check the daily planner your child receives, because all homework, tests, and reminders will be on this homework planner. Finally, please remember to give your child adequate time and a quiet place after school or in the early evening to do their homework without distractions. As mentioned earlier, the class blog should be checked daily for assignments. I will not typically send home letters but use the blog and infrequent e-mails home. *I highly recommend the free After School and Enrichment Program at Rio Del Mar for assisting students with their homework.* For more information, review the accompanying paperwork from the After School Program.

Parent Volunteers
I truly value parent assistance and hope for any help you can provide. The involvement of parents, relatives, and friends deeply enriches the classroom experience. Let me know if you have any additional methods or ideas for involvement. If you would like to come in prior to this and sign up, please let me know. I understand how precious your time is and appreciate any time you can offer in this regard. Last year I had parents who taught art lessons, health/nutrition, computer lessons, a police officer and a local pizza business owner came by and even grandparents came in to share their lives too. If you would like to volunteer in class, please e-mail me with convenient time(s) as soon as possible. I will also provide a sign-up sheet for parents to sign up during Back to School Night.

Personal Background
I was born and raised locally and attended California State University of Monterey Bay where I was in the first graduating class in 1997. I graduated from the CSUMB Liberal Studies program with an emphasis in Human Development. At this time I knew I wanted to be a teacher so I moved on to the CSU Monterey Bay Credential Program. My first teaching experience was as a 6th grade counselor at a camp in 1994. I have taught 3rd grade for four years, 6th grade for one year and 4th/5th for one year. I taught 4th grade for 5 years and this is my first year teaching a straight 5th grade. This is my 10th year teaching at Rio Del Mar Elementary School. I have worked with children for the last fifteen years.
The last seven summers I have been a principal at summer schools in the district. I graduated from San Jose State University’s Educational Administration Program and received my Masters Degree in 2003. I am a Rio parent and teacher!
I look forward to an excellent year filled with learning, growth and fun. If you should have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call me at 688-2053, or you can e-mail me at: martin_sweet@pvusd.net. I am available any day after school to go over your child’s progress, or to answer questions you may have. Please remember to just call ahead of time so that I may plan accordingly. Thank you and let the learning begin!

J Martin Sweet
5th Grade Teacher
After School Coordinator