5^th Grade

The final piece of the Lower School puzzle!

Sue Borges�Math & Science

• B.S. Elementary Education, Minor in Mathematics
• M.S. Educational Technology

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• Joined CFA team in 2016
• 25+ years of teaching experience 
• 19 years specializing in Math, Science and Technology
• Google Level 1 Certified
• Responsive Classroom trained, NY & NC
• Orton-Gillingham trained, CFA
• Reader’s Workshop trained, Columbia University
• Writer’s Workshop trained, Columbia University
• Active Member of  NYSAIS and NCAIS

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Lauren McLean Reading & Social Studies

• BA Elementary Education, UNCW
• MEd. Language and Literacy, UNCW
• Gifted Education Certification, UNCW

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• Joined CFA Team in 2013 - 13th year at CFA!
• 17 years teaching 5^th Grade
• Google for Education Level 1 Certified
• Orton-Gillingham trained, CFA
• Leaders for Life trained, CFA
• Reader’s Workshop trained, Columbia University
• Advanced Reader’s Workshop trained, Columbia University
• NC Association of Independent Schools presenter
• Responsive Classroom trained
• Active Member of  NCAIS

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Kerry Murphey�Teaching Assistant

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• M.A.T. Elementary Education, Belmont University

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• B.S. Communications, University of Tennessee

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• Joined CFA in 2024 as a Teaching Assistant

in Second Grade

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• 5th Grade Interim Teacher

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• Taught 3rd Grade for 3 years

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• Taught 4th Grade for 3 years

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CFA Mission 

• Cape Fear Academy is a learning community committed to discovering and developing individual potential, preparing each student for success in college and life. 
• Opportunities that aren’t available anywhere else
• Exposure to real life experiences
• Learning is enjoyable and engaging 
• Focused skills lessons in all subjects
• Ongoing emphasis on social and emotional growth
• Differentiation at CFA - it’s what sets us apart
• Resources in the classroom
• Excellence in the programming and practice

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Lunch Guidelines

• Bringing lunch:
• Students must be able to open all items without help
• No refrigerators available

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• 5th graders will be able to buy their lunch in the cafeteria.

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• Students may bring a snack each day - no nuts please.

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• Lunch menu is posted on the 5th Grade website.

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Dress Code

Our dress code allows students to be dressed for learning, while looking respectful, neat, and modest.

• Dress code:
• collared shirts: white, red, light yellow, light blue, navy blue
• logos must be 1” or smaller
• khaki or navy bottoms
• jeans on Fridays, with CFA “spirit wear” shirts (& new mesh shorts!)
• Here are some examples
• Athletic shoes for PE days!

CFA

Spirit Store

Technology Policy

• Students are not permitted to have any technology out during the school day
• This includes before school, during instructional time, and during dismissal.

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• *No Smart Watches*

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• If you need to reach out to your child, please send an email to the teacher or call Kelly Borton.

Curriculum Overview

Reading

• Whole Class Literature Studies
• Book Clubs
• Free choice at-home novels
• Literary Elements
• Written responses, discussion, plot, character types and relationships, conflicts, connections, figurative language, inferences, predictions, settings’ effects
• Nonfiction connections to Social Studies and Science content
• Scholastic book orders

Social Studies

• USA geography
• Federal government
• Appreciation of challenges faced by Americans throughout our nation’s history:
• Industrial Revolution
• Immigration
• WWI
• Roaring Twenties
• Great Depression

Curriculum Overview

Mathematics

• Number Sense/Place Value
• Decimals
• Fractions
• Interpreting Data
• Volume
• Measurement
• Coordinate Planes
• Geometry
• Algebra

Science

• Earth
• Layers of the Atmosphere
• Clouds
• Weather
• Hurricanes
• Tornadoes
• Volcanoes
• Earthquakes
• Water
• Planets

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Curriculum Overview

Writing

• Writing Process
• Multiple Genres
• Poetry
• Historical Fiction
• Fantasy
• Personal narratives
• Prompt based narratives
• Business proposals
• Scripts

Grammar

• Parts of Speech
• Identification
• Usage to enhance writing
• Punctuation
• Identification
• Usage in writing to create complex sentences and varied sentence structure

Curriculum Overview�Character Education

Advisory 

• Our Advisory program uses a purposeful, structured approach called Responsive Advisory Meeting.
• It sets the tone for developing respectful and trusting relationships among peers, and between students and their teachers.
• It provides a safe place for students to strengthen their academic and social-emotional skills.

Guidance

• Weekly Guidance lessons with Rox Cannaday

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• CJ Peed, Lower School Counselor, will meet students’ needs at a case-by-case basis

Curriculum Overview�Trimesters

• Lower School Report Cards follow a trimester schedule.

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• This aims to enhance student learning and development by providing longer periods for engagement, absorption, and deeper understanding. It also allows teachers to delve deeper into topics and aligns better with the learning needs of this age group.

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• Parent conferences will still occur at the same time as Middle School to help families with children in multiple divisions.

Pick-up & Drop-off

• Morning Drop-Off
• Students walk themselves into class - no parking and walking in
• Drop-off at the dining hall starts at 7:30 and drop-off at Primary starts at 7:40
• School STARTS at 8:10am
• Any students arriving after the bell can be dropped off at the main office. Please walk in and sign your student in with Kelly Borton.
• Afternoon Pick-up
• Dismissal starts at 2:35
• If you want to pick-up a student from primary and LS - please let us know and we will move the students to one location for pick-up.
• Leaving Early
• If your child is leaving early, please contact your homeroom teacher AND Kelly Borton in the main office.
• Dismissal changes need to be updated by 1:00 of that day
• Early dismissal happens prior to 2:00. Dismissal requests between 2:00 and 2:30 cannot be accommodated.

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PikmyKid

We are using a new app for dismissal called PikmyKid

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Please be sure you have downloaded the app and included all pertinent information for your family

• Confirmed children in the app
• Updated dismissal plans for your child
• Added personal contacts who will be involved in your child(ren)’s dismissal plans

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Parent User Guide Parent Portal Video Guide

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Website

• Fifth Grade Website
• This is the best tool for finding out what’s up in Fifth Grade ☺
• Weekly Homework
• Weekly Newsletter: Fifth Grade Footnotes
• Helpful links for students & parents
• Schedule
• Teacher contact information
• And more…

Ready for Middle School

Teachers’ Roles

• Consistent communication with Middle School teachers
• Effective and intentional preparation to assure social, emotional and academic readiness

Goals for Students

• Becoming independent learners
• Academic accountability
• Social and emotional responsibility

Q & A

Child Pick-Up Locations

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Grades 3-5:

Picnic benches by Godwin Traffic Line

• LE1 + LE2 Students: - Primary Building
• K-2 Students: Portico outside of LS building

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If your child is not there when you arrive, they will be coming. Teachers are helping transition and transport students to where they need to be.

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Feedback

• Parent Survey– Please fill out and turn in before you leave.

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• Hopes and Dreams Notes– What is a hope or dream that you have for your child/5^th graders this year?
• Grab a marker and jot it down on one of big Post-It notes in Ms. Borges’s classroom.
• Please write BIG so students can read it easily.
• Stick it to your child’s homeroom door for an inspirational start to the school year!