Back to School Night

5th Grade

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Ms. G

August 28, 2025

Please read and respond

to you child’s note!

Welcome!

About Me

*7^th year teaching in Twin Rivers

*Bachelor's Degree in Elementary and Special Education

and a Master's Degree in Advanced Instructional Literacy

*Two boys: Hayden (30) m. Lauren & Alex (26) m. Julia

*Hiking, road trips, anything outside, gardening, family, chocolate, and coffee

Class Schedule

Class Expectations

Positive Behavior

Students are expected to follow the 3 Northlake Jets expectations: Stay Focused, Lead by Example, and Your Actions Matter.

Attendance

Daily attendance is very important. All students will enter the front gate entrance beginning at 7:30 and walk to the cafeteria. At 7:45 they are dismissed to the middle playground.

Classwork

Students should be participating in their education by consistently working in class and participating in class discussions and activities.

Homework

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• *As a general rule I will not be assigning homework.

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• *Anything unfinished during the day that is due becomes homework.

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• *Having your child read each night for at least 20 minutes is highly encouraged.

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Class/Student Incentives

Jet Bucks & Green Tickets

Jet Bucks and Green Tickets are given for students following Northlake behavior expectations.

Wheel of Fortune

Students earn blue tickets that are entered into a drawing to spin the Wheel of Fortune by showing consistent effort in their education and positive character traits.

My thoughts on incentives:

My goal is to provide an environment and the necessary supports each student needs in order to build their intrinsic motivation to learn.

Communication

Blue Communication Folders

Contains graded work and important reminders/flyers. Please empty and return the folder. I will send out a message on Class Dojo when I send it home.

Information

Class Dojo is the BEST way to stay in contact with what’s going on in my class and at Northlake. Parent Square is an option for school-wide information as well.

Contact me

*Email: dana.gay@trusd.net

*Message me on Class Dojo

*Call/Text Google voice:

916-877-5574

I will respond to calls/texts

within 24 hours:

-until 3:30 p.m. on school

days.

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Curriculum

Math: Paradigm

ELA: Ready Reading/Writing

Social Studies: Social Studies Weekly

Science: Amplify

Comprehensive Health Curriculum

Curriculum: The Great Body Shop

Aligned to California Healthy Youth Act and 5th Grade CA Health Standards

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• A Family letter will be sent home prior to starting the program.
• A Family Bulletin is to be sent home every month at the end of each unit. It includes at-home discussion suggestions, activities, and additional resources on that month’s topic.
• Each unit of instruction includes four Home Connection Activities.

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WHEN YOU’RE ABSENT

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• Check Google Classroom and Aeries for any missing assignments

• A folder will be on your desk with any handouts that were given

• What math and Ready Reading lessons did you miss?
• Ask a neighbor
• Ask Ms. G
• Message Ms. G on Class Dojo

MISSING WORK

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• Always check Google Classroom and Aeries for any missing assignments

• If you have questions ask me and I’ll help you problem-

solve

• What math and Ready Reading lessons did you miss?
• Ask a neighbor
• Ask Ms. G
• Message Ms. G on Class Dojo

Behavior System

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• The purpose of the classroom management is to protect learning and empower students!

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• If we’re going to have the BEST year ever and the BEST class ever, we need to have a system in place that protects the peace of our classroom. We need to have classroom rules that help keep our classroom a wonderful place for everyone to learn.

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OUR CLASSROOM RULES

1. Listen and follow directions
2. Use hand signals
3. Stay on task
4. Keep your hands and feet to yourself
5. Respect your classmates, your teacher and school

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OUR CLASSROOM CONSEQUENCES

1. Redirect
2. Sideline
3. Break Time
4. Letter Home

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Every Day is a FRESH START!

All consequences play out that day in class.

When the student arrives the next day…

Lessons have been learned,

NO grudges are held,

Everyone starts fresh,

NO mention of the day before.

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*Remember….behavior can be learned and changed. Our brain can learn new things and change!

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Field Trips

Skating

$10 donation please!

Dance

*We will need volunteers! If you are interested, go onto the district website and fill out a volunteer form. Once approved, they will send a volunteer badge to the school.

Aerospace Museum

February

Assessment Data

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• Grades for the following will be shown on Trimester 1 progress reports:
• iReady diagnostic (1)
• Math tests
• District Trimester assessments (1)
• Tests with not passing scores will be sent home
• Progress report: September
• Report Card: November

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How Can You Help?

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• Communicate with your child about their day! Communicate with me through Class Dojo or email.

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• Look at the papers/flyers in your child’s folder.

• Participate in school events and volunteer for field trips if possible.

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• Set a regular time for your child to read each night!

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Miscellaneous Details

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• Please let me know in advance if you will be sending in any food items such as cupcakes. I need to make the office staff aware.

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• The office staff will not call into classrooms during school hours when something is dropped off. They will email me to let me know it is there.

• Please refer to the school website and most importantly, the Student/Parent Handbook for detailed information and specific expectations for Northlake TK-8 such as dress codes, early dismissals, traffic/student pick-up procedures, and contacting teachers.

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