This document provides information for parents about the 5th grade program at Kuentz Elementary School. It outlines the school hours, policies on attendance, tardiness, communication methods, visitors, homework, grading, dress code, and more. The educational philosophy focuses on building life-long learners through connecting learning to the real world. Parents are encouraged to stay informed about their child's progress and activities through the grade-level newsletter, parent connection, and communication folder.

1. WELCOME TO FIFTH
GRADE
Isabel Anaya and Michelle Westfall
Karen Conner
Joe Gagliardo
Olivia Hero
Cyndi Rodriguez
Ellen Schmidt

2. EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
 Everything a person does or says speaks volumes
about his/her character.
 All instructional decisions keep the latest brain
research in mind. Everything is on purpose.
 We build life-long learners
 We strive to create horizontal connections, as well
as vertical learning to create well rounded thinkers.
 Students are encouraged to see beyond
themselves and connect their learning with the
world around them

3. SCHOOL HOURS
 7:45-2:45
 No student drop off before 7:00-there are no adults on duty. Students
will wait in the cafeteria until 7:15, when they will be released to the
hallways
 All exterior doors will be locked at 7:30 with the exception of the front
doors.
 Students will be counted tardy if they arrive in the building after 7:45
 Students are absent if not in class by 9:00.
 An excuse note is needed no later than 5 days after the absence. Per
NISD policy, notes received after the 5 days will remain unexcused
 2 or more tardies/early departures will result in a child not being
eligible for Perfect Attendance

4. HOW/WHEN TO REACH US
 Conference time 10:10-10:55
 Email is a convenient form of communication
used frequently.
Please make sure to get your child’s teacher’s
email address if this is an option for you.
 Teachers have voice mail on which you may
leave a message. We will do our best to check
messages regularly and get back to you in a
timely manner.

5. VISITORS
 Parents are always welcome to come and observe
their child in the classroom. Please call the
morning of the day you are planning to come in to
make sure we are not at specials, assembly, library,
etc. Observations should be limited to 30-45 min
per day.
 Parents who are on-campus to volunteer or go on
field trips must have completed the background
check form.
 Feel free to come and have lunch with your child –
But YOU MUST sign in, receive, and WEAR a
visitor badge! This must be worn by any person on
campus after 7:45 am.

6. IMPORTANT INFO
Teachers will use the following means to
communicate important events/info to parents:
 Discipline Folder
 Weekly Newsletter
 Web page
 Friday Folder (includes graded work)
 Parent Connection
 Progress Reports/Report Cards
 Parent Conferences

7. GRADE-LEVEL NEWSLETTER
You will receive a weekly newsletter on the
last day of each week via email/webpage.
Information is for the next week. This will
provide vital information for you on what
your child is doing in the classroom. Please
save a copy in your inbox or be familiar with
how to retrieve it online.

8. REPORT CARD/PROGRESS
REPORT
•Our Report Cards and Progress Reports are aligned
with NISD Standards.
•Report cards will be issued after each nine week
grading period.
•Progress Reports will be issued midway throughout
each nine weeks.

9. 5TH GRADE PROMOTION
REQUIREMENTS
 Reading at an ending 5th grade level
 Pass 3 math promotion standards
 Receive a 3 or 4 on a Writing Prompt
 Pass the Reading and Math STAAR
 Master most of the NISD standards
 Have an average of 70 or higher in subject
areas.

10. HOMEWORK
Homework is assigned to reinforce skills that help create a firm foundation on
which to build vertically. It will also guide students to think outside of the
school walls, making the curriculum more relevant to real life.
Homework consists of:
Math Fact Families
Spelling Get to 30
Bi-Weekly Current Event
Nightly Reading
Students received instructions for each of these.

11. GRADING POLICY
•Assignments below 70 can be re-done and re-
submitted for a 70. This does NOT apply to
assessments/tests.
•Late Work-Work is due the day assigned
unless otherwise noted. Ten (10) points will be
deducted from the grade for each day it is late.
Students will receive a folder mark for missing
work (for not Fulfilling Responsibilities). Late
work WILL NOT be accepted two weeks after
the assignment was due and will change from
Missing (MSG) to 0 (zero) in the gradebook.
•Late projects are NOT accepted.

12. TEST TAKING POLICY
 All tests require corrections to be made and
returned in a timely manner. This is to help
students rethink/relearn misunderstandings
of the content. A higher grade will NOT be
given.
 Students must make corrections on a
separate sheet of paper and staple it to the
assessment. It is due the following school
day.
 This does not alter the grade on the
assessment!

13. TOYS AT SCHOOL
 Toys may not be brought to school unless
the teacher sends home a note
 No one may bring a weapon or any item
associated with a weapon for an reason
 Trading cards are not allowed on campus
 Toys brought to school will be taken by the
teacher for a parent to retrieve.

14. ELECTRONIC DEVICES
 We understand that electronics provide a unique and
valuable resource to the world of education.
 Students are encouraged to bring devices such as
iPods, iPads, tablets, laptops to school for use as
instructional tools.
 We must have a permission form on file.
 Privileges may be lost if students are using devices
outside of the parameters of the Acceptable Use
Policy
 Teachers cannot be held responsible for loss or
damage—consider an app (Find My Phone) and/or
insurance!

15. PARENT CONNECTION
**AN INVALUABLE RESOURCE**
Parents are now able to log on to
Parent Connection
(via the NISD home page) to check their
child’s grades and attendance. You must
create a new account each year!
You need never be surprised by your child’s
grades—they are literally
at your fingertips!

16. DRESS CODE
Please consult your NISD parent handbook
for any questions you might have regarding
what your child should wear to school.
Specifically, shorts should be fingertip length and short
straps should be the width of 2 fingers

17. FAMILY FIELD TRIPS
 Each month or so, you and
your family will have the
opportunity to gather with
other grade level families
for a Family Field Trip
 This is an educational
opportunity for you and
your child(ren) to learn and
grow together!

18. LAW CONCERNING FOOD GIVEN
OUT IN CLASS
The Texas Department of Agriculture initiated a policy calling for certain
foods and beverages to not be given away on the school premises. These
foods include but are not limited to any candy, sodas, and popsicles that
don’t contain fruit juices. This policy will be strictly enforced at Kuentz,
meaning that our thinking will have to accommodate this policy when
planning parties.
You may bring in cupcakes or non-food items for birthday’s. They will
be distributed at recess. The treats may be store bought or home made.
The only times that we are exempt from the law are for the Winter,
Rodeo, and Graduation parties.
(This policy does not affect what you send for only your child,
although snacks to be eaten in class should be HEALTHY.)

19. DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
 Students are dismissed at 2:45 pm daily (with the
exception of Early Release days)
 If your child needs to be released early for any
appointment or emergency, sign them out in the
office.
 If the way a student goes home is changing, written
permission must be given to the teacher. Each
time it changes documentation is necessary. This
must be received by
2:00.

20. THIS IS A TRANSITION
YEAR!
Not a child anymore
Not yet a young adult
In addition to curriculum, your child
will learn life lessons and acceptable
social norms.

21. YIKES! THAT SOUNDS
HARSH!
Let us take a moment to
address some policies that
may raise your eyebrows.

22. MORNING HALLWAY
WORK
 Some students arrive as early as 7:00am.
That is 35 minutes that could be utilized for
brain building activities.
35 min x 5 days x 4 weeks = 700 min
Almost 12 hours a month!
For this reason, students are required to
WORK while they wait for school to
begin.
This is an excellent opportunity to work on

23. SILENT HALLWAY
Respect and safety are of the utmost
importance.
Students walk in a straight line to
facilitate movement throughout the
school.
Students walk silently to respect the
other learners in the building.

24. COMMUNICATION/
DISCIPLINE FOLDER
 This folder is used to let you know how your
child is doing on a weekly basis.
If YOU don’t sign it, half of its purpose disappears!
If your child’s folder has been signed, it indicates
that:
1- repeated redirections were not sufficient to fix the
behavior OR
2-the behavior was very disruptive to other learners

25. COMMUNICATION/DISCIPLINE FOLDER
(CONT’D)
 As per NISD standards, work habits and
responsibility are wrapped up with citizenship.
Folder marks are given for missing homework and
forms.This provides a method of communicating with you
AND a source of accountability for the students.

26. STUDENTS MAY GO TO THE
NURSE WHEN SOMETHING IS
COMING OUT OF THEIR BODIES.
 Our campus implements a buddy system that
requires THREE to go to the nurse. This takes
valuable instruction time from all three.
Upset tummies, headaches and boo-boos will
be handled in the classroom.
Emergencies happen! We promise to be
proactive and judicious when deciding if an
injury warrants a nurse visit.

27. HOWL AT THE MOON FAMILY NIGHT
 Friday, November 1, 5:30-8:30 pm
 Food, fun and games
 PTA Fundraiser
 Each class is responsible for putting together a
basket for the silent auction. Your child’s teacher
will notify you of your basket theme.
 If you have any questions, please contact the
Kuentz PTA at kuentzpta@yahoo.com
 Have you joined PTA????

28. Together, we will
MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Fifth grade teachers

29. YOUR LAST TASK TONIGHT!
Use your cell phone to sign up for your teacher’s Remind 101. This
is a free way to receive timely information regarding your child’s
learning.
Anaya Conner
Text ―@4388ef‖ to
(469) 203-8114
Gagliardo
Text ―@mrgagl‖ to
(469)518-3615
Hero
Text ―@77cb9‖ to
(210) 706-0953
Rodriguez Schmidt