5th Grade Newsletter
Week of May 11th
5th Grade News to Know
Greetings!
Here's your new NEWS to KNOW:
We would like to raffle off some gift cards for our 5th graders to enjoy over the summer break. We are also open to passes to places we know kiddos enjoy. If you have any suggestions or can help, please let us know. If we can have items by this Friday, so we can see what might still be needed, that would be wonderful. Our goal is to have 5 of each type so each homeroom can raffle off the same thing.
As we quickly approach the end of the 4th quarter, it is extremely important that students stay on top of assignments. Due dates are set for a reason and allow teachers the necessary time to grade assignments accurately and finalize report card grades before the end of the school year. Please do not wait until the last minute to turn in missing assignments, as late submissions may not be accepted. Report cards will go home on May 21st; however, grades will be completed and locked prior to that date. Thank you for your continued support in helping your child finish the year strong!
Please note that on EOG testing mornings, teachers may not be immediately available to respond to messages through the app or email, as they will be actively preparing students and materials for testing. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this important testing time.
📍 5th Grade EOG Testing – Important Dates & Information
📅 EOG Testing Schedule:
- Reading: May 12th
- Science: May 14th
These End-of-Grade (EOG) assessments are very important, as they measure student learning and progress across the school year.
📊 Why This Matters:
EOG results help us:
- Understand each student’s strengths and areas for growth
- Reflect on overall progress this year
- Ensure students are prepared for the next grade level
It is very important that students:
- Are present and arrive on time each testing day
- Get a good night’s sleep before testing
- Students CAN have backpacks or small bags with items needed for Math, ELA, Science, and/or Social Studies. (Ex: Book to read after test, Unfinished Work, Social Studies Newspaper, Pencil Pouch etc.)
- If students have to bring their phones, they need to know how to completely power OFF their phone (not just silence it). We do not want a phone to go off in the middle of testing and lead to a misadministration.
- Bring a hoodie or light jacket for comfort in the classroom.
- Only a plastic water bottle is allowed on testing days.
- Take their time and give their very best effort
🎯 Our Goal:
We want every student to feel confident, prepared, and proud of their hard work. These assessments are an opportunity for students to show all they have learned this year!
5th-grade teachers collected Chromebooks and chargers last week.
If your child is missing a charger, here is an Amazon link to order a replacement.
👩🏫 5th Grade “Always Changing” Program Information
Each year, an opportunity is provided for fifth graders to learn about human development. Your child will have the opportunity to attend this special program at school. We will be sharing the Always Changing Program with our 5th-grade students on Friday, May 15th, 2026, at the end of the school day. This program is all about the changes children will experience during early adolescence. The boys will attend a class that addresses the changes specific to boys. The girls will attend a class that addresses the changes associated with girls during puberty. Please fill out the attached permission slip and turn it in to your child’s teacher no later than Wednesday, May 13th.
🍦 5th Grade End-of-Year Celebration!
We are excited to celebrate the end of 5th grade with a Build-Your-Own Sundae Party on Thursday, May 21st, at 11:30 AM! 🎉
Families are welcome to join us, donate supplies, or both as we make this a fun and memorable celebration for our students.
📦 Donation Reminder:
If you would like to contribute, please send in all items by Tuesday, May 19th.
Thank you for helping us celebrate our students and all of their hard work this year—we can’t wait to make it a sweet send-off! 🍨✨
Just a quick reminder to please send in any items for our Ice Cream Sundae Party by Tuesday, May 19th. Items can be sent in with your student and given to their homeroom teacher.
Here is our schedule for Thursday, May 21st:
• Field Day: 9:25 AM – 11:00 AM on the front field
• Lunch: 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
• Ice Cream Sundae Celebration: Immediately following lunch under our blue tarp by the 5th-grade huts
All parents are welcome to join us and help for all or part of the day. We are looking forward to a fun day celebrating our 5th graders!
Please also remember that school will dismiss at 12:40 PM on this day.
Thank you so much for your support!
⚠️ Attention 5th Grade Families
As we enter the final nine weeks of 5th grade, our focus is on preparing students for a successful transition to 6th grade. A large part of that preparation includes developing responsibility, independence, and strong study habits.
Please review the following expectations with your student:
Any classwork not completed during class time should be finished as homework.
If a student is absent from school, they will have five school days to complete and turn in missing assignments. However, if an assignment was given prior to the absence, it will still be due on the original due date. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate with their teachers and notify them when assignments have been completed.
Agenda marks will continue to be given for students who are not prepared for class, disrupt lessons, or interfere with the learning of others.
Major and Minor referrals remain in effect for the remainder of the school year. Please note that after three minor referrals, the fourth referral becomes a major referral and will result in ISS.
We appreciate your continued support in helping students stay organized, responsible, and accountable for their work during these final weeks of the school year. These expectations are designed to help students build the skills they need to be successful in middle school. Thank you for partnering with us as we prepare your student for the transition to 6th grade.
⏰ Early Checkouts
If a student checks out early from school, they are still responsible for any assignments, classwork, or assessments that take place during the time they are absent. Students should check with their teachers and make sure all missed work is completed and turned in within the appropriate time frame.
🚫 Toys & Fidgets at School
Recently, items such as NeeDoh and Squishy toys have become a significant distraction during the school day. Because these items are very popular, they often become a high-interest commodity among students, which has unfortunately led to disruptions in class and situations where items are taken or misplaced. We strongly advise that students do not bring toys or novelty fidgets to school. If these items are brought to school, they may be collected by staff, and the school cannot be responsible for items that are lost, taken, or damaged. Thank you for your support in helping us keep the focus on learning during these final weeks of the school year.
🚫 Outside Food & Drinks Reminder (Hut Classrooms)
To help keep our learning spaces clean and pest-free:
✔️ Please do not bring outside food or drinks into the huts
✔️ Only water bottles with secure lids are allowed
❌ No Starbucks, Dunkin, fast food drinks, or energy drinks
Spills and sugary residue quickly attract ants, creating sticky messes that are difficult to manage in our outdoor classrooms. Water bottles are the best way to stay hydrated while protecting our learning environment.
Thank you for helping us keep our huts clean, comfortable, and ready for learning! 💙🐜
Stay Connected!
While there may still be an occasional bump in the road, moving forward, parents can now log in to the PCS app and message their child’s teachers directly without needing a magic code.
The process is simple:
- Download or update the PCS app.
- Tap Rooms.
- Enter your phone number.
- Type in the verification code you received by text.
📌 Transportation Reminders
For any changes to your child’s transportation, please email the designated transportation email address or call the school office directly. Teachers are not always able to check email or the Rooms app during the school day. To ensure your child receives accurate reminders or updates about their transportation, all changes must go through the office. The office staff will notify your child’s teacher directly. (Email: tms@pender.k12.nc.us School Phone #: 910-270-2612)
Dress Code Reminder
As a reminder, Pender County Schools’ Student Dress Code (Policy 4316) asks that students come to school dressed in a way that supports learning and positive interaction with others. Clothing should not be disruptive, provocative, unsafe, or otherwise interfere with the school day. One concern we’ve noticed is when shirts are too short—if a student raises their arms, their stomach should not be showing. Please check that your child’s tops provide appropriate coverage throughout normal movement at school. If a student is out of compliance with the dress code, they will first be allowed to make adjustments before any consequences are assigned. Thank you for helping us maintain a respectful and distraction-free learning environment.
🌤 Spring Weather Reminder
As we move into the spring months, temperatures can vary throughout the day. Please make sure your child comes to school dressed appropriately for outdoor Physical Activity (PA). Layers such as light jackets or sweatshirts can help students stay comfortable during cooler mornings and warmer afternoons. Please also take a moment to label all outerwear with your child’s name. Each year, our Lost and Found fills up with unclaimed jackets and sweatshirts that are eventually donated. Labeled items are much more likely to find their way back to their owners!
Here are a few things to note-
- Earphones Needed for Learning Programs-Each day, students use online learning programs such as I-Ready and Studies Weekly to engage with new skills, reinforce what they’ve learned, and enrich their understanding. These programs offer read-aloud features to support comprehension, making earphones an essential tool for success in our classroom. To ensure students can fully benefit from each lesson without distractions, please make sure your child has a working set of earphones at school. Thank you for your support in helping all students get the most out of their learning!
- Please check your child's agenda each night, as it's an important tool for communication between home and school. You can use it to stay informed about daily assignments, upcoming events, and to send notes directly to the teacher. Please sign it to verify that you've read it.
- Students are bringing home their Chromebooks daily. Please remind your child to bring their Chromebook to school every day, as they are used regularly in our 5th-grade classrooms and some Encore classes. Additionally, ensure the Chromebook is charged each night. Since daily assignments and assessments are completed on them, it's essential that your child also bring their charger to school, as teachers do not have extra chargers available.
- To ensure the safety of all our students, please remember that we are a peanut-free school. This means that no peanut products should be brought to school for snacks or lunches. We kindly ask that you double-check any food items to ensure they do not contain peanuts. Thank you for helping us keep our school a safe environment for everyone!
- Submit absence notes within 3 days to avoid unexcused absences. TMS allows 5 parent notes; after that, a doctor’s note is required. Email notes and transportation changes to tms@pender.k12.nc.us.
- Fifth grade will have a snack time daily. Please make sure to provide your child with a healthy snack each day to help keep them energized and focused throughout the school day.
- Students are welcome to bring a water bottle to class. Please ensure that the bottle has a secure, closable lid to prevent spills on desks, materials, or the classroom floor.
- According to board policy, cell phones and smartwatches must be completely turned off and kept in your child's backpack from 8:10 AM to 3:35 PM. Wireless earbuds are also not allowed.
- Fifth-grade students have ENCORE every day from 9:15-10:00. You can see the 5th-grade Encore Schedule HERE
- Fifth-grade Lunch is at 12:31-12:56 and Recess is from 12:58-1:23.
Curriculum Spotlight
ELA
📚 Reading Update – EOG Mode!
We are officially entering Reading EOG Mode in class! Our focus will be on reviewing key skills, practicing test-taking strategies, and building confidence as we prepare for the End-of-Grade Reading test that will take place on Tuesday, May 12th.
Students will be working with a variety of passages and questions that mirror the EOG format, while also revisiting important skills like:
✔️ Finding text evidence
✔️ Understanding vocabulary in context
✔️ Analyzing theme and main idea
✔️ Responding to questions using strong reasoning
This is a great time to encourage your child to read at home each night, talk about what they’re reading, and stay focused as we finish the year strong. We are so proud of the growth they’ve already shown and are excited to see them shine! ✨
💻 Practice at Home: Freckle
Students use Freckle in class for personalized reading and language practice.
✔️ Accessible at home through My Apps/Renaissance
✔️ Adapts to your child’s level
✔️ Helps reinforce skills and build confidence
Encourage your child to spend a few minutes each week practicing!
📖 Library Reminder
We will not be visiting the library for the remainder of the school year. All library books are due back to the media center. Please note: If books are not returned, a fine will be assessed. This fine will remain on your child’s school account until it is paid. To help avoid any fines for missing books, please check with your child using the Destiny Discover school app to see if they have any books currently checked out. Thank you for your help in making sure all library materials are returned on time!
Math
- Makeup Math EOG is May 11th
- Students are wrapping up our final science unit, and we are beginning to prepare for our Science EOG on May 14th.
- Students have enjoyed learning how WWI started and how it impacted the United States. We will continue learning about the United States in the 1920s and how life changed for Americans during that time.
Teacher Contact
- Amy Bowles amy_bowles@pender.k12.nc.us
- Stephanie Brinkley stephanie_brinkley@pender.k12.nc.us
- Libbie Fabbie libbie_fabbie@pender.k12.nc.us
- Hannah Fluke hannah_fluke@pender.k12.nc.us
- Chloe McVetta chloe_mcvetta@pender.k12.nc.us
- Shelly Vickers shelly_vickers@pender.k12.nc.us
Website: https://www.pender.k12.nc.us/o/tms/
Location: Topsail Middle School, Highway 17, Hampstead, NC, USA
Phone: 910-270-2612