Welcome to 5th grade!  We are excited for the opportunity to work with your child this year.  Fifth grade is a big step and a year of many changes as your child enters middle school.   We are looking forward to assisting him/her through this transition.  In preparing for the changes, your help is needed too!   

Southside Middle School

*Check student agenda each night for assignments and notes from school.

   *Enforce a quiet study/work time each evening so that your child accepts responsibility and completes his/her homework appropriately and on time.

   *Encourage your child to read every night to help him/her become a better reader and accomplish his/her AR goal..

   *Communicate high expectations regarding academic grades, homework, behavior, etc.

   *Praise and encourage your child for his/her efforts.

   *Contact us immediately if you have any questions, concerns, etc.

• A good learning experience is built on a cooperative effort between family, the student, and teachers.

• Studies show that parental involvement in a child’s education is one of the strongest indicators of student achievement.

• We hope you will make it a priority this year to be involved in your child’s education.

• PTO – please sign up

5th Grade Teachers and Teams

• Team 1Mrs. Hughes – MathMr. Eckstein - English Language Arts*Ms. Burton – Science

• Team 2Mrs. Smith – MathMrs. Kuehndorf – English Language Arts*Mrs. Herring – Social Studies

*All 5th grade students will have Social Studies with

Mrs. Herring and Science with Ms. Burton.

Agendas/Locker Bins• Each student will buy an agenda. Your

child is responsible for writing assignments in the agenda and other important information.

• The agenda is also the student pass and is required to be in the hallways.

• Agenda Cost $5.00 – Can be purchased at school.

• Lockers & bins are the property of Tallassee City Schools and are subject to inspection and/or search at anytime.

SMS Dress Code:Tallassee City Schools1.  Shoes or sandals must be worn.2.  Hair must be clean and well groomed, not in the eyes, and not

of length dangerous around equipment.3.  Clothing or paraphernalia related to or associated with gang

affiliation or activity is prohibited. Clothing with pictures, symbols, or writing conveying a general or personal message rather than a specific message on a public matter is prohibited.

4.  With approval of the principal, activity sponsors may establish different rules for dress and grooming as a prerequisite for membership and participation in specific activities.

5.  Hats, head wear or head coverings, and sunglasses are not to be worn inside school buildings.

6.  Facial piercings are limited to the ear.7. Shirts must have sleeves.8. Traditional pants, shorts, or skirts that cover to the knee are

appropriate.  Pajama pants, and sweat pants are not allowed.

Dress Code Violation:

• Students will call home for more clothes to be brought to school.

• They may return to class after they change their clothes.

• Students unable to contact someone for more clothes will report to ISS.

• Continued dress code violations could also result in suspension.

9

Break

• There will be a 10 minute break for 5th graders. Students are expected to use this time as a bathroom break as well.

• Students may bring snacks and plain water from home. This needs to be quick and not messy.

Lunch• Students must keep the noise level to a

minimum. • Students are expected to be respectful of

the facilities and other people’s space at lunch. 

• The cafeteria staff will brief all students on specific cafeteria procedures.

• Students can earn lunch coupons to eat outside.

• Parents can access student accounts to pay online.

Lunch and Breakfast• A La Carte Price List 2015-2016• Breakfast is served from 7:15 – 7:40

Regular $1.50 Visitor $2.00• Lunch 11:00 – 11:25

Regular $2.25 Visitor $3.50• To receive free/reduced meals a new

application must be filled out each year. (one per family) These are available on the website and at SMS.

• Menus are posted monthly and may be downloaded and printed.

• Students are allowed to buy extras. Lunches can get quite expensive. Discuss this with your child.

Lunch and Visitors: Students will be with their 2nd block classes for lunch. Join us anytime.Time: Approximately 11:00

Southside Middle School: Contact Information

1. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to volunteer to help, you can contact us at 283-2151. Messages can be left on our class phones, to which we will respond as soon as possible.

2. www.tcschools.com: Go to schools, select Southside; select “faculty and staff”, then your child’s teacher. Email is available from there.

3. Conferences:  Call 283-2151 to set up an appointment for an in school conference or a phone conference during 5th grade planning time. (12:30 – 1:25)

Medication at SMS: • Medication may only be given if there is a

completed medication form. (It can also be downloaded on school web site.)

• Medications must be in the original containers and dosages (times and amounts) must be provided.  All medication must be kept in the nurses office. 

• Medications are not dispensed or allowed in the classroom.

• Parents must bring all medication to the school nurse.

Fundamental Principle

Class Time Is Reserved For Learning! Students are expected

to:• Be Prepared• Be Respectful• Be Responsible• Be Courteous• Be Honest

2015-2016 SCHEDULESubject to change

Math: Mrs. Hughes/Mrs. Smith

Students will be involved in textbook lessons and centers that allow them to communicate with one another and take part in cooperative learning experiences.  A working knowledge of math facts including addition, subtraction, and multiplication is crucial.

Units of study include: Common Core Alabama Standards

Operations and Algebraic Thinking; Number and Operations in Base Ten; Number and Operations Fractions; Measurement and Data; and Geometry

* Go Math - Textbooks are consumable. Replacement cost is approximately $80.00.

Science: Ms. BurtonStudents will be involved with reading and comprehending textbook material and will be involved with hands on learning with labs that allow them to explore as they cover various science concepts. Students will also be involved with various units through AMSTI (Ecosystems, Variables, Solar Energy, and Micro-Worlds).

Units of study include:• Life Science• Earth Science• Physical Science

Social Studies: Mrs. HerringThe essential elements of the 5th grade social studies curriculum focus on United States history Beginnings to 1914.

Units of Study include:• Geography skills• Native Americans• Exploration• European Settlement   • New England, Middle Atlantic Colonies, and

Southern Colonies• Revolutionary War and Formation of a New

Government• Westward Expansion• Civil War and Reconstruction

English Language Arts: Mr. Eckstein and Mrs. Kuehndorf

The essential elements consist of reading, writing, spelling, grammar, vocabulary, listening, and speaking.

Gone are the days when Reading class meant simply recalling facts from a story. In the fifth grade students will use a rich range of diverse andmore complex texts to teach the rigor, intent and depth of our College and Career Readiness Standards. The students will build a strong readingfoundation, access complex text, find and use text evidence, and engage in collaborative conversation in order to become a more fluent reader.

Accelerated Reader (AR): Mr. Eckstein and Mrs. Kuehndorf

The Accelerated Reader program is a computerized reading-management program that tests students on books that they have read, and assigns points based on the length and difficulty of the books. Before students begin the program, they take a computerized assessment test that helps teachers determine a student's reading level. Points are assigned based on reading time in school and the student’s reading level.

*AR will be a 20% of the ELA grade. *No tests will be deleted because of

failure.

Renaissance Home Connect

By logging on from their home computer, students and parents can:

• See progress toward reading goals. • Conduct book searches using AR Bookfinder• Review results on AR quizzes. • View number of books read, words read,

and quizzes passed. • Renaissance Home Connect involves parents by

providing a direct link to what students are working on at school. Get Parents Involved with Renaissance Home Connect - Accelerated Reader

• Passwords will be sent home or can be gotten through the Media Center.

Accelerated Reader Code of ConductThe purpose of the Accelerated Reader program is to encourage reading and improve reading skills. With this in mind, students are expected to follow the rules described below:

1. Students may only take tests on books they have read in class or that someone has read to them in class.

2. Students may not take a test on a book which has been made into a movie unless they have read the book and it is logged in their AR folder.

3. Students may not use Cliff notes, classic comic books, videos, or abridged versions of the book to try to pass the test.

4. Students may not take tests for other students.5. Students may not discuss AR questions or answers with

other students.Consequences: Students who break the rules will face the

following consequences:1. The test or tests involved in the cheating incident will

receive a score of 0.2. The student will not be able to earn any rewards in the AR

program for the remainder of the school year.3. Other consequences may be enforced.

Physical Education All 5th grade students go together

• Tennis shoes are required! Girls must wear shorts under dresses or skirts.

• A Physical Education Handbook and medical release will be sent home for you to read and sign.

• Fifth graders are not required to “dress out” for PE.• All students will be expected to participate in physical

education classes unless the school has a written note from a doctor requesting that the child not participate in physical education classes. Parents may request their child be kept indoors for a day or two following an illness by sending a note to the physical education teacher. Any request beyond two days must come from a doctor.

• Students may be required to occasionally stay in from PE for make-up work, missing assignments, or re-teaching of skills if necessary. 

Music

Mr. Bird will have music for 5th grade once a week during Social Studies or Science with each homeroom.

Water

Students are allowed to bring water bottles to use for PE and break. See through water bottles are allowed with plain water only (frozen water should be in a plastic bag). Spills are easy to clean up and will not cause ants or sticky problems in the classrooms.Water fountains are available.

Internet Usage Policy:Southside is connected to the global community by use of the Internet. The Internet offers ways to share ideas, transmit information, and add to the educational opportunity of students and staff alike. An Acceptable Use Agreement is used to ensure that everyone who accesses the Internet does so knowledgeably and responsibly. Accordingly, the school has established regulations for the use of the network system.

*A permission form must be signed for Internet use and to allow us to share class pictures and student pictures and accomplishments.

School and student Ipads

• No “selfies” or any other pictures are allowed to be taken at school.

• Use of student electronics are permitted only with signed parent permission and teacher permission.

Bus DisciplineThe driver, together with the bus supervisor and the

school principals, shall have full authority for discipline on buses.

1.   Students must ride the bus to which they have been assigned or have a bus pass. Parents must send a note or FAX for students to ride another bus. Phone calls are not accepted.

2.   Students are to remain seated at all times, face the front of the bus, and refrain from extending head, arms, or any part of the body out the window.

3.   Students shall obey the driver willingly and promptly. The driver has the right to assign seats as he/she deems necessary.

4.   Students are to help keep the bus clean by not throwing trash on the floor. Students shall not throw any objects from the windows.

5.   Any damage done to bus or equipment must be paid for by that individual.

6. Bus office referrals may result in bus suspension.

Technology• School Web Address www.tcschools.com

- email teachers, download forms, assignments, announcements, and important events

• AR access for parents/students to check book levels and goals/STAR Testing

• Telephone system – leave a message for a specific teacher; call out feature to notify parents (make sure correct telephone number is on file)

• Promethean Boards -Active Inspire Software

• Computer Labs• Scantron Assessments

Field Trips:• Field trips are exciting learning

opportunities for the students.  • You will be notified in advance regarding

the details of the trip and asked to complete and return a permission slip. 

• If a student does not return a signed permission slip, the student will not be allowed to accompany the class.  We are not allowed to accept VERBAL PERMISSION.

• The cost of admission is requested with the permission slip.

• All school rules apply including dress code.

Awards and Honor Roll• Students making perfect perfect

attendance, perfect attendance, A or A-B honor roll, and the AAA students will be recognized for each nine weeks in an announced assembly each semester.

• AR is also recognized. • You can check the web site and/or your

child’s agenda for the dates and times when they are scheduled.

Homework• Homework is the key to success and therefore each

student is responsible for completing classroom requirements on time and with quality of thought.

• Students are given time in school to begin their homework and some students do finish. 

• If your child is consistently coming home with a great deal of homework and/or spending more than an hour a night on homework, then discuss this with your child’s teacher.

• On a rare occasion a child may be sick in the evening or a family situation may occur which makes it hard for a student to complete homework, but is well enough to attend school the next day. Please send in a note the next day explaining so that extra time may be allowed.

• Homework assignments, tests, etc. are posted in both classrooms.

• Each student is responsible to record the assignments in his/her agenda, ask questions, and make sure he/she has the necessary materials to take home.

Study Tips: • Choose a well lit, quiet place at home

to do homework. • Frequently replenish school supplies

throughout the year. • Schedule a specific time each day for

homework. • Give your child help only if he or she

makes a real effort to do the work first.

• Review assignments in your child's agenda DAILY.

5th Grade Behavior Guidelines 5 Basic rules: 1.Listen the first time.2.Come to class prepared.3.Respect others and their

property.4.Talk or leave your seat only

with permission.5.Follow all classroom

directions, policies, and procedures.

Basically…. Take responsibility for your choices and actions.   Respect yourself, others, and property.

After School Detention

• Thursday – 3:15 to 4:00• Check weekly folders for SOAR slips

and assigned detentions.• Folders will be sent home on

Wednesdays.

Behavior Management: Positive ConsequencesSOAR- Seeing Our Actions Rewarded

Our goal is to motivate students to be respectful, responsible, and to produce high quality work.  We will encourage this by utilizing the following incentives:

• Verbal praise and recognition • Earning privileges that reflect your

child’s willingness to act respectful and accept responsibility

• SMS Rewards and Field Trips• Celebrations• Positive Office Referrals

School Dances TBA

• Great Fun for Students• Fundraisers for SMS• Snacks and drinks sold during dances• Parents may chaperone • Usually 5th and 6th Grades together

only• Discipline issues may prohibit

attendance.

Arrival at School• SMS is one way in during drop off and pick up

times.• Doors and gates will be opened for students

after 7:00 each day. • From 7:00 until 7:25, students should report to

the gym. Breakfast students will be dismissed from there.

• At 7:25 students will go to their homerooms. • Students arriving after 7:45 will be considered

tardy and should report to the office for check–in.

• Once a student arrives at school, they must have permission from the administrative staff or office to leave campus until school is dismissed in the afternoon.

When A Student Is Tardy: • Parents should sign the student in.• Students get a tardy pass from the office and

report to their homeroom.• Tardy students will not be excused from

morning work. • Unexcused tardiness to school will be dealt

with per procedure set forth as follows:– First offense: parent contact– Second and subsequent offenses:

Assignment to after school detention and referral to attendance officer.

• Students with excessive excused tardy notices will be referred to the system attendance officer.

A student is tardy if they are not in the classroom when the 7:45 bell rings. We prefer students be in the classroom earlier to insure plenty of time to sign in, get organized for the day, and change classes.

When A Student Is Absent:

• A parental excuse is required upon return to class.

• Make-up Work: The students will have up to five days following the absence in which to complete the work. The sooner the better.

• If a student is absent for more than two days, it is recommended for someone to call and get make-up work to have at home.

• AR is always necessary to accomplish goals.

Attendance:• Students that attend school benefit from

teacher instruction.• A student’s absence affects his/her

learning experience. We have a course of study and pacing guide with benchmark testing so we move at a steady pace.

• Parents are encouraged to see that their children attend school unless prohibited because of extreme emergency or illness.

• A truancy policy is in effect for the Tallassee City School System. A copy will be sent home with all students.

Restroom:• Students should use the restroom

during the five scheduled times (homeroom, morning break, before lunch, after lunch, and before PE).

• Students that have medical problems … parents need to send a written note explaining the problem.

• Emergency Restroom – Students must have their agenda signed and have permission to leave the room and.

Textbooks:

• When students receive textbooks, it is their responsibility to check them for damage of any kind. (Science books excluded)

• If any books are lost or damaged at the end of the year, parents will be responsible for paying for them.

• Book covers are highly recommended for our new Social Studies and Reading books.

Papers/Folders:

• Graded papers will be sent home about every other week or so for all classes in their Take Home folder.

• Please sign and return papers and the SOAR/AR form.

• If a student has been assigned detention, you will be notified on form in the folder.

• Parents are encouraged to check grades on the school portal.

• I-Now Log-in information will be available from the office.

Dismissal at the End of the day:• Students leave their classroom when their bus or wave

is called. • The teacher does not escort students to the bus. They

are expected to be quiet while the buses are being called and responsible enough to get where they need to be in a timely manner.

• If a student misses their bus, they will call for a ride. Make sure your child knows who to call. Write any useful numbers in agenda.

• Walkers are to go directly to the crossing guard to get escorted across the street first.

• Car riders are to move, when they are called, to the front of the school. Students should be in the 5th grade section on the line.

• School begins at 7:45 and ends at 2:47.• The road to Southside is one way during drop-off

and pick-up times. • No checkouts after 2:30.

GRADING

90 – 100 = A 

80 – 89 =  B  

70 – 79 = C    

60 – 69 = D 

0 - 59 = FStudents must work hard to earn good

grades.

Students may have the following grades each nine weeks: Daily work,

Benchmark Tests, Quizzes, Folder, Homework and Project Grades.

Notebook Grades: Students must have their binders/folders every day. They are required to keep their papers in order and not throw anything away unless told to do so by their teacher. Binders/folders will be checked randomly and may count as a major grade. This also may include interactive notebooks and center folders.

Homework Grades: Homework will be given as many times as needed during the nine weeks period. It will be checked periodically during the nine weeks for a grade.

Extra Credit and/or Bonus Points: This will be offered occasionally to the class and will be optional. Individual extra credit is usually not offered.

Book bags may be used to transport items/books to and from school each day. They may not be carried from class to class throughout the day. They will be stored in small lockers at school.

No rolling book bags. No white-out. No school boxes.

No trash and clutter allowed hanging out of lockers.

Neatness and organization is the … Key To Success.

Cell Phones:• Students are not allowed to use cell phones during

school. If they are brought to school, they should be turned off and not be visible. Violation of the cell phone policy will be addressed as follows:

• First offense – Confiscation of phone. Phone may be retrieved by parent after 5 complete school days.

• Second offense – Confiscation of phone. Phone may be retrieved by parent after 10 complete school days.

• Third offense – Confiscation of phone. Phone may be retrieved by parent after 15 complete school days.

• Fourth and subsequent offenses – Phone may be retrieved by parent after 30 complete school days.

* If student refuses to surrender phone further disciplinary action will be taken as dictated by the principal.

 See-SMS Student Handbook in Student Agendas

SCHOOL CALENDAR 2015-2016August 6 Open House

August 11 Classes BeginSeptember 7 Labor Day HolidayOctober 12 Report Card DayNovember 11 Veterans DayNovember 23 - 27 Thanksgiving December 21 – January 1 Christmas HolidaysJanuary 5 Students ReturnJanuary 18 Lee/King HolidayMarch 4 Weather DayMarch 28 – April 1 Spring BreakApril 29 Weather Day/Teacher WorkdayMay 19 Last Day for StudentsMay 20 Graduation/Teacher Workday

Tallassee City Schools

Master Calendar

Games and School activities added as dates become available.

Southside Middle School Phone System: 283-2151Listen for options/Leave a messageMr. Bruce Dean: PrincipalDr. Brock Nolin: Vice-PrincipalMrs. Pam Cox: CounselorMrs. Jennifer Osborne: NurseMs. Avery Miller: SecretaryMs. Mona Norrell: Office LunchroomMrs. Parker: Librarian• Messages can also be left with all 5th grade

teachers including Mrs. Williams - SPED• Emails can be sent to all of the above and

teachers from www.tcschools.com

Parental Contact Email List

Sign up at Open House in your child’s homeroom to be on email

list to receive important class and grade information.

Remind is a free, safe, and easy way for teachers to connect instantly with parents.

Information will be sent home with your student. Please sign up!!

• 15 seconds to sign up• Phone numbers are kept

private: Phone numbers are never visible between teachers parents.

• Messages are one-way only: Teachers save time by broadcasting messages to their entire class. No 1:1 messaging is permitted.

Demographics and Buses (Done with HR Teacher)

• SMS bus routes may be different.• The homeroom teacher will check.• Be specific on addresses at Open

House so that your child will get on the right bus.

• Correct all Demographic sheets and sign that you made the changes. This is our emergency contact information.

• If any this changes during the year, send a written note or go to the main office to make changes.

We are looking forward to the best

year ever at Southside Middle

School!

5th Grade Supply List 2015-2016 (This is the same supply list as the school Toolboxes that may have been ordered.)

1

 1-Binder, Heavy Duty, 3- ring, View, 1/2 inch, letter size, white1-Binder, Heavy Duty, 3- ring, View, 1½ inch, letter size, white1-set, Colored pencils –7” sharpened 12 ct.1-Graph paper, 4-square/inch, 11 x 8.5, 50 sheets/pad1- 2 Pocket folder Poly (plastic) w prongs - yellow2- 2 pocket folder Poly (plastic) w/prongs - blue2- 2 pocket folder Poly (plastic) w/prongs- purple

 

1-Scissors pair, 5 inch, pointed tip, latex free 1-Glue, washable, 4 oz., white3-Glue Stick, washable1- Construction Paper, 9” x 12” /50 sheet pack assorted colors1-Expo, fine tip dry erase marker, black1 sets- Divider, 3-ring 8-tab w/2 pockets, plastic3- Filler paper wide rule, 10.5” x 8”, 120 ct.2 packs, Pencils #2 sharpened, 12 count

*Please label all supplies with your child’s name except pocket folders.

ADDITIONAL TEACHER WISH LIST: Thank you in advance!

Kleenex

Paper towels

Hand sanitizer

Liquid hand soap

Clorox Wipes

Copy paper

Notebook paper (loose leaf)-wide ruled

Extra #2 pencils

Large Dry-Erase markers

Card stock paper

Post-it notes (all sizes)

Clear sheet protectors