Kelly Jackson, PrincipalAaron Dubnow, 5th Grade Level Administrator

Welcome to 5th Grade

How does your child feel?

Ready

Anxıous

Excıted

Nervous

Leadership Structure

GLAd = Grade Level Administrator

Overview of Highcrest● Nine periods, 40 minutes each● Students take 5 core academics classes

○ Math, Science, Social Studies, Reading and Writing (ELA)● Physical Education, Related Arts, and Foreign Language or

Academic Strategies taught every day● Lunch/Recess (wıth only 5th graders)● Students assigned to a homeroom● 4 homerooms assigned to a “House” / 1 house = 2 teachers● Teachers on House comprise core academic team● Learning Behavior Specialist connected to each house

Making a big school seem smaller

Example Schedules

Before Homeroom:Band

OrchestraChorus

Periods Homeroom Homeroom

1 Social Studies Social Studies

2 Related Arts Related Arts

3 Math ELA

4 Science ELA

5 Lunch Lunch

6 Physical Education Physical Education

7 World Language World Language

8 ELA Math

9 ELA Science

Homeroom:Every day

for 20 minutes

A few highlights of 5th grade

● Chicken Wing Dissection● Medical fliers during human body unit● Social Studies Project - Researching/Analyzing past conflicts to solve

modern day/recent conflicts● Reading some classic novels● Awesome enrichment activities

○ (example: Fıeld trıp to the Museum of Scıence and Industry)● Friday HMS Spirit Days

Related Arts4 rotations

● Creative Communications● Art● Drama● Music

Houses/Placement● Balanced Teams

○ Academic achievement○ Learning styles & interests○ Social & emotional

considerations○ Elementary School○ World Language assignments

● Parent and Teacher Input○ Placement forms○ Elementary

Articulation Meetings ○ Assessment Data

CommunicationThe Administration:

● Weekly Emails (Highcrest Headlines)

● Text Messages● Updated HMS website● Facebook posts● Email or call anytime

From Teachers:

● Weekly or bi-weekly informational emails from homeroom teacher

● Frequent progress reports from House (most are bi-weekly)

● Website○ Resources○ Class information

● Schoology / Online Calendar● Email or call anytime

Communication ProcessWhere do you start?

START: CHILD

HOMEROOM/CONTENT AREA TEACHER

GLAd: Mr. Dubnow

Principal:Mrs. Jackson

LAST STEP:

iPads** 2016-2017 school year → expanding the 1:1 program to all 5th grade students

→ increases executive functioning

→ increases student engagement and ownership in learning

→ allows teachers to get real time feedback on student's learning more efficiently

→ students have access to resources and learning anytime/anywhere

Supportive Programs● School wide executive functioning

system● Homework Assistance

○ In AM or at Lunch○ Run by a staff member

● Learning Qualities (LQ) class● Response to Intervention (RtI)

classes● 2 Social workers on staff

Fostering a POSITIVE and SAFE Environment● Student Accountability System

○ Merits and demerits ○ Discipline with a focus on changing

behaviors/learning experiences

● “Tools for Success”● Student of the Month● School Resource Officer● Reporting Social Conflict

Get Involved● Band/Orchestra/Chorus

○ Before School a couple days a week (awesome concerts throughout the year)

● PTO Clubs ○ Student Council, Service Over Self, Chess, Minecraft, Volleyball, Art

● Science Olympiad● Youth Connection Programs

○ RAD (after school program) and HW club○ Theatre opportunities

● Sports○ Cross Country, Wrestling, Track and Field

Transition! Transition! Transition!Everyone is new to HMS

** Transition is the focus of the first few days and weeks

** First night’s homework: practice your lock

** Helping students develop new friendships

** Learning the school / Meeting new teachers

** Binder System

** Learning the iPad

Transition Information● Experience with the iPad and Schoology (onlıne-management

tool) → Currently happening in elementary school’s tech. class● Schedules → August 15● iPad Deployment Days → August 16, 17, or 19

○ Save the date - More information to come over the summer!● 5th Grade Orientation → August 18● First day of school → August 24 (half day)● 5th Grade Curriculum night → August 30

5th Grade OrientationThursday, August 18

● Meet other students in the homeroom● Tour the school● Get basic information about HMS● PTO Parent Coffee Welcome held at the same time!

The Highcrest PTO

•Facilitates IGNITE funded enrichment programs: In partnership with teachers, develops curriculum based programs such as field trips, assembly speakers, outdoor garden classroom and much more

•Fosters student connections:

5th Grade Connection(Sep), Freaky Friday Party (Oct), Variety Show (Feb), Luau Madness (Mar), After School Clubs, Junior Great Books, Yearbook, Highcrest Spirit Wear, Book Fair

The Highcrest PTO cont.● Enhances the student service experience:

Make a Difference Day Service Project, Environmental Awareness, School Store, Student Council, Service Over Self Club

● Helps parents connect and navigate: Weekly Highcrest Headlines email, Website, School Supply Kits, AtoZ Directory, Parents Night Out, Guest Speakers

● Provides support: Teacher Appreciation, Student of Month Breakfast, Reading Rally prizes, Birthday Books, school projects such as auditorium improvements, lobby video monitor and display case

Get Involved in the PTO•Volunteer: Room Parents, Cafeteria, LMC, Outdoor Classroom, School Store•Donate to IGNITE: Support enrichment not paid for by school or district•Join the PTO: Membership funds programs and provides your access to the online AtoZ directory•Attend Quarterly Meetings: Get the latest from the Principal, hear guest speakers (2x per year), learn about school developments and future events•Become a General Board Member: Make a Difference Day and Environmental Awareness coordinator positions are still available•Coordinate the Variety Show Committee: No theater experience is needed! Make this beloved student event possible by overseeing parents who coordinate sign ups, volunteers, communications and ticket sales. https://youtu.be/ftrWfWocrQU

Learn more and stay informed: visit and bookmark our website www.highcrestpto.org

Thank you!WE ARE HERE TO HELP

dubnowa@wılmette39.org

jacksonk@wılmette39.org