5th Grade Newsletter

5th Grade News to Know

Greetings!

Here's your new NEWS to KNOW:

📱 Cell Phone Reminder

As we prepare for upcoming assessments, including NC Check-Ins, please make sure your child knows how to properly turn their phone off (not just on silent). During our recent Check-In, several students needed teacher assistance because they were unsure how to power down their devices.

To help testing run smoothly and without distractions, we ask that you please double-check this skill with your child at home. Knowing how to fully turn off their phone is an important responsibility. Thank you for your continued support!

Please encourage your student to check Infinite Campus regularly—especially if they have been absent—to stay up-to-date on any missing assignments. Report Cards will go home on March 17th for the third quarter.

🏃‍♂️ Recess

Thank you for reaching out and sharing your concerns regarding Physical Activity (PA) time. We understand that the decision for students to walk rather than engage in free play was unexpected and, for some, frustrating.

We want to share the reasoning behind this choice. We have had ongoing concerns during PA related to students not consistently meeting safety and behavior expectations. Our priority is always to ensure that PA time is both safe and positive for all students. Fifth graders are familiar with the expectations outlined in the TMS SAIL Matrix, which include keeping hands to themselves, using equipment appropriately, being aware of their surroundings, playing fairly, and following staff directions.

To help reset and reinforce these expectations, administration asked that students participate in a structured PA activity—walking laps—on Friday, February 6. This one-time reset emphasized that PA is intended for exercise and wellness and reinforced the importance of sharing equipment, including others, respecting school property, and returning equipment to its proper place.

Students do have access to PA equipment, and we welcome parent volunteers to help monitor PA and lunchtime. If you are interested, please use this link to sign up.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to keep PA time safe, enjoyable, and beneficial for all students. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Drinks & Food Reminder

Please, no outside food or drinks in the cafeteria, and only water bottles are allowed in classrooms (i.e., no Starbucks, Dunkin drinks, fast food drinks, or energy drinks). We’ve had several spills recently, which not only create sticky messes but also attract ants into our huts. Water bottles with secure lids are the best way to stay hydrated and keep our learning spaces clean and pest-free. Thank you for your cooperation!

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.

Cold Weather Reminder
As the weather begins to change and temperatures drop, please make sure your child comes to school dressed appropriately for outdoor Physical Activity (PA). Jackets, hats, and other warm layers help students stay comfortable and focused during their time outside.

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.

Student Use of Wireless Communication Devices (Policy 4318)

We want to make you aware of a recent update to Policy 4318, which covers student use of wireless communication devices such as cell phones, smartwatches, earbuds, and other personal electronics on school campuses.

While the changes to the policy are minor, the expectations for student device use remain the same. Pender County Schools has consistently enforced this policy to support a focused and safe learning environment, and we will continue to do so in the 2025–26 school year.

What’s New?

The policy title now refers to “wireless communication devices” to reflect a broader range of modern devices.
A new definition section outlines the types of devices included.
Instructional use is now more clearly limited to teacher approval, accommodations in an IEP or 504 Plan, or documented medical needs.

What Hasn’t Changed?

Students may bring personal devices to school, but are not permitted to use, display, or have them turned on during instructional time unless authorized.
Disciplinary consequences for misuse remain the same:
- 1st offense: Warning
- 2nd offense: Device held in the office; student retrieves at end of day
- 3rd+ offense: Device held in the office; parent must retrieve
- Students who misuse devices for academic dishonesty, bullying, or inappropriate content may face more serious disciplinary consequences.

Thank you for partnering with us to help students stay focused and engaged throughout the school day. If you have any questions, we encourage you to contact your child’s school.

SAIL Matrix

Curriculum Spotlight

ELA

📚 Module 2: Wordplay (Wit & Wisdom)

Wit & Wisdom® is our English Language Arts curriculum. It builds students’ knowledge of key topics in history, science, and literature through the study of engaging, high-quality texts.

In Module 2, our 5th graders have been exploring “Wordplay”—discovering how authors use humor, figurative language, and creative word choices to engage readers and express deeper meanings. As part of this module, students read The Phantom Tollbooth and followed Milo’s journey through the Kingdom of Wisdom as he learned the importance of curiosity, perseverance, and learning.

As we wrap up Module 2, students will:
- Finish the novel and reflect on Milo’s growth
- Watch the movie version and compare it to the book
- Complete a final writing project for the module
For their culminating task, students will take on the role of a reporter and write a short newspaper article about the return of Rhyme and Reason in Chapter 19. In this project, students explain how Milo helped restore wisdom to the Kingdom and why learning and thoughtful thinking are so important.

This final project helps students practice using evidence, quotations, and strong writing skills while showing their understanding of the story’s main message.
Looking Ahead: Module 3 — The Impact of the Civil War

In Module 3, students will explore the powerful question: How did the Civil War impact people?

Through historical fiction and firsthand accounts, students will examine how war can forever change lives. We will read The River Between Us by Richard Peck, which tells the story of the Pruitt family and how the Civil War deeply affects their relationships, identity, and future. Students will also read excerpts from The Boys’ War: Confederate and Union Soldiers Talk about the Civil War by Jim Murphy, which shares real accounts from young soldiers who fought in the war.

Throughout the module, students will:
- Examine multiple perspectives from the Civil War era
- Analyze how war impacted families, soldiers, and communities
- Discuss how historical events can affect people differently
- Use text evidence to support their thinking
- Strengthen opinion writing skills
For the End-of-Module Task, students will write an opinion essay explaining whether the Civil War had a mostly positive or mostly negative impact on the Pruitt family. They will support their opinion with clear reasons, evidence from the text, and thoughtful explanation.

This module encourages deep thinking, empathy, and meaningful discussion as students connect history to real human experiences while continuing to grow as strong readers and writers.

Freckle Practice at Home

: Students have been using Freckle in class to strengthen their reading and language skills. Freckle automatically adjusts to each student’s learning level, providing personalized practice and review. This program can also be accessed at home for additional skill practice and reading enrichment. Encourage your child to spend a few minutes each week on Freckle to reinforce what we’re learning in class and continue building confidence as a reader and writer! Students can log in through My Apps/Renaissance using their school account.

We're excited to announce that our library visits will be twice a month on Mondays. Your child will have the opportunity to bring home books to enjoy both in the classroom and at home. Research suggests that reading for at least 15 minutes each day can significantly boost reading skills, with even greater gains observed when reading for over 30 minutes. We kindly ask that you encourage your child to read each night and ensure they bring their library books back to school every day. This will allow them to return their current books and check out new ones if needed, keeping their reading experience fresh and engaging. Your support in nurturing a love for reading is invaluable!

Math

This week in mathematics we will complete Module 4 Topic E in which students apply their understanding of decimal numbers in different ways. First, they convert metric and customary measurements involving decimals. Students convert measurements from larger units to smaller units and from smaller units to larger units. Then, they interpret and evaluate expressions involving decimals. Students learn that comparing two expressions by using a less than or greater than sign is called an inequality because the two expressions are not equal. Finally, students create and solve real-world problems. They use their understanding of decimal place value, relationships between decimals and fractions, and computation with decimals, fractions, and whole numbers. Family Math Letter

Science

Students are learning how weather and ocean patterns impact North Carolina. They will analyze data from the National Weather Service to identify patterns in air movement and ocean currents, and explore how these patterns affect daily weather and help meteorologists make predictions about future conditions.

Social Studies

The Civil War: Students will explore the events and beliefs that led the United States into a civil war, including the causes of Southern secession and the formation of a separate government. They will examine how leaders, soldiers, and everyday citizens were connected during this time and how their decisions impacted the country.

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