No newsletter this week...

Due to the internet being down in our end of the building there will be no newsletter. Our files have now been saved to a H drive and they cannot be accessed without the internet. I apologize for the inconvenience and assure you there will be one next week. Please spread the word to other parents. 

PBIS carnival

We had a great PBIS Carnival day! Students sang a new theme song, walked around the track and chanted "be safe, responsible, be respectful" while holding hand made class posters, and went to many great stations. The top favorites were "the bird lady" (as the kids called her) who brought her rescues to educate us, the Schenectady County Sheriff K-9 unit demo, the alpacas, and the PTSO and bank games. It was a perfect day for a carnival. Here's to a POSITIVE year!

Shakespeare the barn owl is camouflaged in the trees

Homeroom Parent

Mrs. Palluti has graciously offered to be our classroom parent. Please be on the lookout for offers to help with parties and events in class :)
Her email is:

jahnnakayla@gmail.com

First official post with pictures!

Well, since I got back ALL of the students' permission forms back regarding posting pictures of students on the blog I can post these exciting pictures of our first week!!! :) THANK YOU SOOO much parents for being so quick about turning these slips in.

Firstly, I'd like to say what an absolute JOY all of your children are! They are so eager to learn and it is making me even more excited for the future of our class! 

The students were working collaboratively to decide what key words go with which type of math equations. They had lots of great conversations and debates in this activity. This helped trigger those higher level thinking skills and they got to meet their new classmates! I was shocked that I couldn't trick them! They must have had some spectacular 4th grade teachers last year ;)

These are some pictures of or new classroom! I am so excited to have the kids using all the new classroom things I've created using Pinterest this summer (you will quickly see I have a huge love for all things Pinterest). 

This quote I change weekly and if a student submits a quote from a famous person, online, etc. and I choose it for the week, they earn a golden ticket. 

My fake texts I use for our morning message (thanks Pinterest).

Our book and post-it notes holders my mom and I made (Pinterest). 

All of my garage sale find and Scholastic points earned books organized nicely for all to enjoy! <3

I can't wait to meet all the parents tomorrow at 7:10! If you can't make it don't worry I have a folder of all the handouts that I will send home with your child Friday. I also have extras for two household families. See you Thursday!

New classmates, new classroom, new year!

         September 2015

Dear Parents & Guardians,

I am so incredibly excited to be your child’s teacher and part of the Duanesburg Elementary fifth grade team!  I am looking forward to getting to know each and every student and parent. With your support, I hope to make this academic year a successful and fun-filled one.

 I was born in Princetown, New York and graduated from Schalmont High School. I pursed my undergraduate and graduate degrees from the College of Saint Rose. I have taught many grades and districts from Pre-K in Albany to High School English at Schalmont, but I enjoy teaching fifth grade at DES the most. This will be my seventh year teaching and am very happy I get to pursue my dream and passion daily.

My expectations for conduct and standards for academic growth are high. Students will be given weekly homework assignments including reading an independent reading book at home. Having a special time and place for your child to work will help develop good study habits and organizational skills.  Double checking your child’s work and assisting with difficulties will help to impress upon your child the importance you place on his/her accomplished work.  Your child will receive a student agenda notebook to record daily assignments and things to remember, which can assist you in this process.  Any substantial problems that are encountered at home should be brought to my immediate attention, so that the material can be clarified or re-taught.

At this year’s Meet the Teacher Open House (Thursday, September 17th at 7:10 PM) I will share more information about the school year, as well as, your child’s expectations in the classroom.  I hope that I will see you there!  If you have any questions and/or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at cstryjek@duanesburg.org.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Christina A. Stryjek