Growing in love with God the Father
"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God” 1 John 3:1.
Welcome to grade five and a warm welcome to all of our newest members of J.J. Nearing’s school family! We hope that everyone is ready to embark on another successful school year. We are very excited to start 2023/24!
Mr. Mathieu Loiselle will be the 5A homeroom teacher and Mrs. Katelyn Semple will be the 5B homeroom teacher for the 2023/24 school year. Our goal is to have your child excited about coming to school. We want to help them become lifelong learners, who persevere when challenged, think critically and become problem solvers. We believe that education is a partnership amongst parents, the teachers and the child. We each have a role to play in making the year a successful one!
Grade five will be a year of tremendous growth for your child. Together, parents and teachers will guide and support independent work and study habits while fostering individual responsibility. We have high expectations for our students. We expect your child to work hard and be responsible for their learning.
The information below contains valuable information to assist you throughout the year. If you have any questions regarding the grade five program, please do not hesitate to contact us at the school. Good communication is an essential part of our partnership to maintain consistency for the students. Both grade 5 classes have a united front and approach our classroom in a similar way with shared expectations.
Thank you for the wonderful students with whom we have been blessed this year!
Mr. M. Loiselle [email protected]
Mrs. K. Semple [email protected]
J.J. Nearing Catholic Elementary School
780 418 - 6330
Agendas
All students were given school agendas, which are used for students to write down the homework and reminders each day. All homework, reminders and news will also be posted on our class website which will be updated daily. Agendas are a great way to keep in contact and up to date with the learning that is happening at school. At the end of every day, time is given to copy information from the board into agendas. We just ask that you please initial or sign your child’s agenda each day. Please email or call the school to communicate with the teacher any additional concerns or questions that you have.
Homework
As a rule, we try to give as little homework as possible by allowing time in class to work on most assignments. When students use time wisely in class they should have very little homework. However, when time is not well spent, homework will increase. If an idea is difficult, come and see your teacher! We are available at recess and at the beginning and end of school. The responsibility for the completion of homework is placed on the students. As with everything, there is room for exceptions under certain circumstances and with communication from parents. With that being said, as a minimum, we strongly encourage students to read regularly at home, and to practice basic facts for math. There are some great links on our websites to some approved math games to help understand concepts.
PLEASE NOTE: If a student is away, the expectation is that they check the classroom website, which contains the ‘homework page.’ Everything that was missed will be listed along with necessary instructions. If students are away for an extended period, it is expected that they work 1 day behind the rest of the class (if they are able) since the page is updated at the end of each day.
Communication
As teachers, we try to be as open as possible to your communication. The best way to reach us regularly is through email. If you prefer, please feel free to reach us at the school during operational hours.
Classroom Expectations
It is expected that students in Grade 5 have learned the basic rules that contribute to a healthy, nurturing classroom community. These include: listening whenever someone is talking, respecting other’s feelings and property, showing respect to teachers, staff and guests, and doing what is expected of you. In addition to these rules we are expecting the class to be eager to learn at all times and work with everybody in the class.
We are a community of learners who will show Christ’s love to one another through our actions and our words.
Technology
The use of devices is really important in grade 5 at J.J. Nearing. They are an amazing learning tool, but need to be used responsibly.
Our technology agreement includes:
Books to Recognize
Social and Math are the two subjects in which a textbook may be used. In Math, we will sometimes be using the (old) Pearson Math Makes Sense (this is the resource associated with the old curriculum). In Social, we use the textbook, Our Land and People. These books are signed out to the student for the year. Both of these resources will be made available to students online, so we ask that textbooks NOT go home. In Language Arts and Science, we use a collection of materials from different resources within the unit we are currently studying. This will include school produced booklets, individual novels or books and pages collected in binders.
Water Bottles
We encourage all students to use a water bottle in class, but also to take it home regularly to wash it out with hot soapy water. They can be filled using our classroom sink or at the gym during breaks.
Recycling
As STEWARDS of God’s planet we encourage every student to make their lunch as environmentally friendly as possible. Please consider reusable containers and drink boxes as alternatives to baggies and tetra packs. Food that is not consumed should be returned home to be packed another day. Please help us reduce the amount of waste we produce. In class, we usually recycle paper and beverage containers. PLEASE NOTE: For the 2023/24 school year, at this time, composting is on hold!
Field Trips
Throughout the school year, we hope to engage in field trips that support or extend the work we do in the classroom. Field trips are a great way to experience learning in different settings and to achieve different goals. The cost of field trips will not exceed $78.
Examples of field trips we have done in the past include (please note that this is subject to change, and we will not be able to do every trip listed!):
Term 1: St. Albert Children’s Theatre presentation (Language Arts - approx. $20); St. Albert Arts & Heritage (Social - approx. $10)
Term 2: Telus World of Science (Science - approx. $20) Scienex Electricity Workshop (Science, in-school - approx $15)
Term 3: Elk Island National Park (Science - approx. $20);Fort Edmonton Park (Social approx. $20)
In addition, at J.J. Nearing School, we can provide an enhanced physical education program with opportunities for in-school workshops and off-site excursions (for example: yoga, curling, in-line skating, tennis, wall climbing, gymnastics and parkour, etc.). The cost of these experiences will not exceed $78 per year.
On each permission form you will be notified of the cost which will be collected each term. To reach safety standards we do require parent volunteers to join us on these trips. Please consider coming along with us on these trips! Please note that volunteers must have a current Criminal Check & Child Welfare Check completed.
"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God” 1 John 3:1.
Welcome to grade five and a warm welcome to all of our newest members of J.J. Nearing’s school family! We hope that everyone is ready to embark on another successful school year. We are very excited to start 2023/24!
Mr. Mathieu Loiselle will be the 5A homeroom teacher and Mrs. Katelyn Semple will be the 5B homeroom teacher for the 2023/24 school year. Our goal is to have your child excited about coming to school. We want to help them become lifelong learners, who persevere when challenged, think critically and become problem solvers. We believe that education is a partnership amongst parents, the teachers and the child. We each have a role to play in making the year a successful one!
Grade five will be a year of tremendous growth for your child. Together, parents and teachers will guide and support independent work and study habits while fostering individual responsibility. We have high expectations for our students. We expect your child to work hard and be responsible for their learning.
The information below contains valuable information to assist you throughout the year. If you have any questions regarding the grade five program, please do not hesitate to contact us at the school. Good communication is an essential part of our partnership to maintain consistency for the students. Both grade 5 classes have a united front and approach our classroom in a similar way with shared expectations.
Thank you for the wonderful students with whom we have been blessed this year!
Mr. M. Loiselle [email protected]
Mrs. K. Semple [email protected]
J.J. Nearing Catholic Elementary School
780 418 - 6330
Agendas
All students were given school agendas, which are used for students to write down the homework and reminders each day. All homework, reminders and news will also be posted on our class website which will be updated daily. Agendas are a great way to keep in contact and up to date with the learning that is happening at school. At the end of every day, time is given to copy information from the board into agendas. We just ask that you please initial or sign your child’s agenda each day. Please email or call the school to communicate with the teacher any additional concerns or questions that you have.
Homework
As a rule, we try to give as little homework as possible by allowing time in class to work on most assignments. When students use time wisely in class they should have very little homework. However, when time is not well spent, homework will increase. If an idea is difficult, come and see your teacher! We are available at recess and at the beginning and end of school. The responsibility for the completion of homework is placed on the students. As with everything, there is room for exceptions under certain circumstances and with communication from parents. With that being said, as a minimum, we strongly encourage students to read regularly at home, and to practice basic facts for math. There are some great links on our websites to some approved math games to help understand concepts.
PLEASE NOTE: If a student is away, the expectation is that they check the classroom website, which contains the ‘homework page.’ Everything that was missed will be listed along with necessary instructions. If students are away for an extended period, it is expected that they work 1 day behind the rest of the class (if they are able) since the page is updated at the end of each day.
Communication
As teachers, we try to be as open as possible to your communication. The best way to reach us regularly is through email. If you prefer, please feel free to reach us at the school during operational hours.
Classroom Expectations
It is expected that students in Grade 5 have learned the basic rules that contribute to a healthy, nurturing classroom community. These include: listening whenever someone is talking, respecting other’s feelings and property, showing respect to teachers, staff and guests, and doing what is expected of you. In addition to these rules we are expecting the class to be eager to learn at all times and work with everybody in the class.
We are a community of learners who will show Christ’s love to one another through our actions and our words.
Technology
The use of devices is really important in grade 5 at J.J. Nearing. They are an amazing learning tool, but need to be used responsibly.
Our technology agreement includes:
- No devices at recesses or outside.
- Devices are locked up during recess and lunch hour. Otherwise, they remain in student’s desks and the classroom is locked.
- Treat them respectfully.
- No games in class. Educational games to be used sparingly.
- Digital Privacy in the classroom. No taping or photographs of students on field trips.
- Use 20/20/20 - rule: After 20 minutes look 20 feet for 20 seconds.
- Digital Citizenship Lessons - We will explicitly teach students about proper and responsible use, and have them sign a digital contract.
Books to Recognize
Social and Math are the two subjects in which a textbook may be used. In Math, we will sometimes be using the (old) Pearson Math Makes Sense (this is the resource associated with the old curriculum). In Social, we use the textbook, Our Land and People. These books are signed out to the student for the year. Both of these resources will be made available to students online, so we ask that textbooks NOT go home. In Language Arts and Science, we use a collection of materials from different resources within the unit we are currently studying. This will include school produced booklets, individual novels or books and pages collected in binders.
Water Bottles
We encourage all students to use a water bottle in class, but also to take it home regularly to wash it out with hot soapy water. They can be filled using our classroom sink or at the gym during breaks.
Recycling
As STEWARDS of God’s planet we encourage every student to make their lunch as environmentally friendly as possible. Please consider reusable containers and drink boxes as alternatives to baggies and tetra packs. Food that is not consumed should be returned home to be packed another day. Please help us reduce the amount of waste we produce. In class, we usually recycle paper and beverage containers. PLEASE NOTE: For the 2023/24 school year, at this time, composting is on hold!
Field Trips
Throughout the school year, we hope to engage in field trips that support or extend the work we do in the classroom. Field trips are a great way to experience learning in different settings and to achieve different goals. The cost of field trips will not exceed $78.
Examples of field trips we have done in the past include (please note that this is subject to change, and we will not be able to do every trip listed!):
Term 1: St. Albert Children’s Theatre presentation (Language Arts - approx. $20); St. Albert Arts & Heritage (Social - approx. $10)
Term 2: Telus World of Science (Science - approx. $20) Scienex Electricity Workshop (Science, in-school - approx $15)
Term 3: Elk Island National Park (Science - approx. $20);Fort Edmonton Park (Social approx. $20)
In addition, at J.J. Nearing School, we can provide an enhanced physical education program with opportunities for in-school workshops and off-site excursions (for example: yoga, curling, in-line skating, tennis, wall climbing, gymnastics and parkour, etc.). The cost of these experiences will not exceed $78 per year.
On each permission form you will be notified of the cost which will be collected each term. To reach safety standards we do require parent volunteers to join us on these trips. Please consider coming along with us on these trips! Please note that volunteers must have a current Criminal Check & Child Welfare Check completed.