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Welcome 5th Grade Families!

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About Me- Ms. Neff

• Education
• Bachelor in Education from Mesa State College
• Masters in English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher
• 15th year of teaching
• Fifth grade for 10 years

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• Family
• 19 year old daughter, Hailey
• 8 year old son, Parker

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• Hobbies
• Gardening/ Yard work
• Cooking/ Baking
• Reading

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Communication

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• *Email* Lindsey.Neff@jeffco.k12.co.us
• Voicemail 303-982-1025
• Weekly Newsletter
• Friday folders self-reflection (Respect, Responsible, Ready to Learn)
• Messenger as needed

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Daily Schedule

7:35-7:45 Soft Start

7:45-8:00 Morning Meeting

8:00-8:45 Specials

8:45-10:05 Math Workshop

10:05-10:30 WINN

10:30-10:45 Brain Break

10:45-11:00 Read Aloud/ Snack

11:00-11:50 Writer’s Workshop

11:50-12:40 Reader’s Workshop

12:40-1:20 Recess/Lunch

1:20-1:40 Read-to-Self

1:40-2:30 Science/ S.S./ SEL

2:30-2:35 Clean-up and dismissal

Library once per week on Monday

*Band & Orchestra: Every Tuesday (10:30-11:10 and Thursday (9:25-10:05).

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No Homework Policy

-Research

-Personal Philosophy

-Suggest reading every night

-Optional IXL for reading and math

-Absences: “Make-up” work

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Classroom Reward System

Economic System

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Class Store

Auction- every trimester

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PBIS

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Table Reward- Lunch Bunch

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Whole Class Reward

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Social-Emotional

-Morning Meeting Check-in

-Mindfulness

-Soft Start

-Restorative Circles (school-wide)

-Calm down corner

-Second Step

-SSIS Screener/Lessons

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Healthy Schools Initiative

-Snack Time

-Water Bottle

-Classroom Parties: Half healthy

-No Food Rewards

-Birthdays: No exchange of items

Please deliver invitations outside school hours

-Stair Stepper and Movement area

2026 5th-GRADE CONTINUATION

• Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 5:00
• 4th-Grade families hosting the event for 5th-Graders and families.
• All you’ll be asked to do is provide a couple of pictures for the slide shows.
• Planning will begin shortly after the first of the year. We will keep you posted!

Math Workshop-

Illustrative Math

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-Math Centers/ Re-teach (8:45-9:05)

-Illustrative Math Lesson (9:05-10:00)

-Cool Downs/ Exit Ticket (10:00-10:05)

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Science

• “Structure and Properties of Matter”
• “Space Systems: Stars and Solar Systems”
• “Earth’s Systems”
• “Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems”
• Growing and Changing- we will have an optional parent meeting in April with more information and permission..

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Social Studies

• “Colonization Implications”
• “Early Colonies”
• From Jamestown to 1776
• “American Revolution”
• From the Declaration of Independence to Articles of Confederation to The Constitution
• “A New Nation”
• Young Ameritowne- scheduled for Thursday, April 30th

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Reader’s Workshop

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-DEAR (Drop Everything And Read)

-Mini-lesson (Into Reading)

-Strategy/ Re-teaching Groups

-Fluency & Comprehension Groups

-Literature Circles

-Can-Do Choice Board

-Vocabulary/ Morphology

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Writer’s Workshop

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-Mini-lesson

-Writing Process (Plan, Draft, Revise, Edit, Publish)

-Thinking Maps (school-wide)

-Small Group Skill/ Re-teaching

-Chromebooks

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Welcome to the 2025-2026 School Year

2025-2026 Ute Meadows Student/Family Handbook

Ute Meadows Homework Policy

Ute Meadows has adopted a “No Homework” policy.  This means that students will not be sent home with unfinished work, nor miss recess in order to complete work, nor have work assigned to them on a nightly basis. The exception to this is that we encourage all students to read every night. Reading may be read to self, having someone else read to you, or listening to audio books.Here are our common goals:

• Learning to read must be a priority and is best done by practicing reading.  Children should spend time reading to an adult and reading independently. Grades K-2 are expected to read 15-20 minutes per night. Grades 3-5 are expected to read 20-30 minutes per night. Article on Reading at Home
• Children have the responsibility of returning permission slips, delivering notes to home and school, and remembering materials, planners, folders, etc.
• Children must master organizational skills to be prepared and ready for each school day with proper supplies, paper, pencils, lunch money, etc.

• Learning basic math facts is crucial for students' success in mathematics. Mastering these foundational facts allows students to more easily grasp new concepts taught during math instruction. We recommend that students practice the following at home to support their learning:
• Kindergarten: Recognizing numbers, addition facts within 5.
• First Grade: Addition and subtraction facts within 10.
• Second Grade: Addition and subtraction facts within 20.
• Third Grade: Multiplication facts from 0-12.
• Fourth Grade: Multiplication and division facts from 0-12.
• Fifth Grade and Up: Continued practice with multiplication and division facts from 0-12 to maintain fluency.

Art Music P.E.

Miss Bayne Mrs. Reynolds Mrs. Lee

AMP Schedule

Art - Miss Bayne 🎨 What is Visual Arts?

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It’s all about making, thinking, and discovering through art! You’ll explore art history and all kinds of art-making: drawing, painting, printmaking (5th grade), mixed media, and this year clay projects for all grades! Visual Arts helps you think creatively, solve problems in new ways, and express your unique ideas. Plus, it’s a lot of fun—because every artist (that’s you!) has a story to tell through their art.

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Expectations:

• Respect the people: Listen to teacher and classmates, share supplies, be kind and safe.
• Respect the place: Furniture is not for drawing or painting on, no running or being unsafe!
• Respect the materials: Take care of supplies by using them gently, clean up after yourself and put things back how you found them!
• Do your best work and have a positive attitude!

Curriculum

• Standard 1 - Observe and Learn to Comprehend
• Standard 2 - Envision and Critique to Reflect
• Standard 3 - Invent and Discover to Create
• Standard 4 - Relate and Connect to Transfer

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Physical Education - Mrs. Lee

The goal for physical education is to develop physically literate students who have the knowledge, skills and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of healthful physical activity.

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Expectations:

• Have fun and try your best!
• Come prepared with appropriate shoes and clothing so you can move.
• Respect others, respect equipment, respect the space.

Curriculum Overview:

• Standard 1 - Movement Competency
• Standard 2 - Physical & Personal Wellness
• Standard 3 - Social & Emotional Wellness
• Standard 4- Prevention & Risk Management

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Please email with any questions heather.lee@jeffco.k12.co.us

Music - Mrs. Reynolds

My goal for your student is to awaken their curiosity and excitement about music. We explore different styles of music, sing, dance, read music, and play instruments together all year!

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Expectations:

• We share instruments and treat them with care
• We treat others with respect and enjoy music together!
• See the Music News (monthly in Weekly Highlights) for information
• Students can join Meadowlarks Choir (3rd-5th) and try out for parts in our musicals!

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Contact Mrs.Reynolds to help with:

• Costuming (make or pick up at Costume Shop in Lakewood)
• Sets/Props/Stage Crew Help
• Choir T-Shirt Design

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Curriculum Overview:

• Standard 1 - Expression of Music
• Standard 2 - Creation of Music
• Standard 3- Theory of Music
• Standard 4- Respond to Music

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Email questions to:

Nicolette.Reynolds@jeffco.k12.co.us

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Parent Volunteers

We welcome volunteers and ask them to follow these guidelines:

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• All people who volunteer inside the classroom, school, or on a field trip need to complete the Disclosure Form. This is available through Lorraine Corella in the office. Volunteers do not need to complete a background check unless they will be unsupervised with students!
• All volunteers and visitors must check in the office for a visitor badge before going into a classroom , then must check out at the main office before leaving.
• Please do not bring any younger children when volunteering in the classroom.

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Ask your student’s classroom teacher for more information on how you can volunteer in the classroom.

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Assessment Days - 8/22 & 8/25

The assessment days for Ute Meadows are Friday August 22nd and Monday, August 25th. On assessment days, students come to school for a period of time to complete assessments with their teacher. Please access the signup links at the site below and click on your child’s teacher link to sign up for an assessment slot. Please remember that there are no busses or food services on assessment days.

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https://tinyurl.com/Ute-Fall-2025-Assess-Signup

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