Fifth ASPIRE News

October 26, 2025

ASPIRE 5 Harry Potter-Themed Open Work Day

COMING SOON!

Shhh! It's a secret!

On Tuesday, November 4th, 5th grade ASPIRE students will have a special Harry Potter-themed open work day! For now, we’re keeping the theme a secret from the students, but on October 31st, we’ll let them know it would be a great idea to dress in Harry Potter-themed attire on Tuesday if they’d like to join in the fun.

At the start of the day, students will receive a list of "Must Do" and "Can Do" tasks, all connected to the magical world of Harry Potter. They’ll have the freedom to plan their day and decide how to complete their assignments, as long as all the "Must Do" tasks are finished by day’s end. This approach promotes independence, creativity, and helps students build skills in time management and meeting deadlines.

For students who prefer more structure, we will provide extra support to ensure success. Research shows that open work days are especially beneficial for gifted and talented learners by encouraging self-directed learning and allowing them to engage deeply with content that matches their interests and strengths.

To make the day extra magical, we’d love to decorate our classrooms with Harry Potter-themed items! If you would be willing to help us decorate our rooms for the event, we have also put a sign up below. Students do not have school on Monday, 11/3, but teachers have a district PD Day. We would love some help from 4-5 that day to set everything up if anyone is available!

Thank you for supporting this exciting learning experience!

Harry Potter Open Word Day Room Setup Help

5th Grade Baby Photos Needed For Yearbook

Each year, we have a special section in our Glenhope yearbook dedicated to our 5th graders and their baby pictures. If you would like your child’s baby picture to be featured in the yearbook, please send us their picture no later than Wednesday, December 10th. You can visit the link below and submit it digitally or send in a physical picture (to Mrs. Robertson) that will be returned. Thank you!

Link for Baby Gator Pictures: 5th Grade Baby Gator Photos

Sky Ranch Photos

Sky Ranch photos can be accessed using the link below. You will have until the end of November (Sun 11/30) to save any of the pictures you wish. After that time, the folder will be deleted and the photos will no longer be available! (We have limited storage on our Google Drives!)

Day 1 Photos

Day 2 Photos

Day 3 Photos

Fall Parent / Teacher Conferences

Our goal is to meet with each of you this semester to discuss your child, whether they are struggling at school or not! We have created a Sign Up Genius (linked below) for you to sign up for a conference. We have been given half-day subs on Wednesday, October 22nd, to schedule meetings during the school day. The rest of the available conferences are mostly on Wednesdays and Thursdays during our conference time (11:20-11:55) until December.

Each of us will meet with the families of our homeroom students. Before meeting with you, we will speak to your child's other 5th-grade teachers to obtain notes they would like us to share with you during the conference. The sign-up for conferences is below:

Golly Homeroom Parent/Teacher Conference Sign-Up

Hayes Homeroom Parent/Teacher Conference Sign-Up

Wahpekeche Parent/Teacher Conference Sign-Up

Save the Date

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL PRINCIPAL MONTH

Monday, October 27th - Friday, October 31st

-Red Ribbon Week

Monday - wear 50's / Sock Hop clothing
Tuesday - wear PJ's
Wednesday - wear mismatched/backwards clothing
Thursday - wear jersey/team apparel
Friday - dress like a storybook character

Friday, October 31st

-Spirit Day & Pep Rally (@ 7:45 a.m.)

-Gatorville (club day) @ 2:00 p.m.

Monday, November 3rd

-District PD Day (no school for students)

Tuesday, November 4th

-ASPIRE 5 Harry Potter-themed Open Work Day

Curriculum

5th Grade Math

I can recall what I have learned during the multiplication and division of decimals unit in order to prepare for my Unit 4 TEKS check on Wednesday.
I can showcase what I have learned during the multiplication and division of decimals unit on my Unit 4 TEKS check assessment.
I can recall and review place value, multiplication, division, estimation, and decimals using previously taught strategies.

6th Accelerated Math

I can generate equivalent expressions using the associative, commutative, identity & inverse properties of operations.
I can generate equivalent expressions using the distributive property.
I can generate equivalent expressions using the properties of operations and the distributive property.
I can determine if two expressions are equivalent using algebraic representations.

ELAR

I can analyze literary elements, including plot, and explain what they contribute to the stories we read.
I can identify the point of view of a variety of texts and use evidence to support it.
I can identify present, past, and future tense verbs in a variety of texts and use them correctly and consistently in my writing.
I can compose an expository essay (informational text), that conveys information about a topic, using a clear central idea and genre characteristics and craft.

Science

I can review for the Force & Motion TEKS Check. Force & Motion TEKS check (TEST) - Mon. 10/27
I can show what I’ve learned during the Force & Motion unit on the TEKS Check.
I can describe the transfer of energy from one form to another.

Social Studies

I can explain what the Middle Passage was and describe its impact on enslaved Africans during the transatlantic journey.
I can analyze Olaudah Equiano’s journal to understand the experiences of enslaved Africans during the Middle Passage and explain how his story helps us learn about history.
I can identify Southeast region states on a map, name each state, and recall its capital city.

S.E. Region of U.S. States & Capitals TEST - Wed. 10/29

I can explain the colonists’ reactions to actions taken by Parliament. I can describe the tea tax.

5th Grade Community Service Initiative

We have a goal this year for 5th-grade students to complete 8 hours of community service outside of the school day by the end of the year (4 hours per semester). Students who achieve 4 hours by December 5, 2025, and an additional 4 hours by May 1, 2026, will receive a party to celebrate their achievements. When your child completes community service, please be sure they are logging their time in the Google Form linked below. We have hung a tracker poster (pictured here to the left) we plan to hang in the 5th-grade hallway to track the hours completed as the school year progresses. We cannot wait to see the tracker fill up! This is an optional opportunity for students, but we hope to see several participate!

Also, if you snap photos of your child during their community service, please send them our way! We would love to see the work they are doing.

5th Grade Community Service Log

SO FAR, WE HAVE OVER 49 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER HOURS LOGGED FOR 5TH GRADERS!

<---- Take a look at some pictures we have received of 5th graders volunteering!

Please Bring Jackets / Coats to School!

We kindly ask that students begin to bring their jackets or coats to school every day. The temperatures will be unpredictable, so it is better to have one. Any student who doesn't have a jacket or coat when it is below a specific temperature outside will not be able to go out for recess. Thank you!

The Power of Yet - Sesame Street Version

We love this video we found of Zoe and Elmo from Sesame Street (below), which teaches children the power of "yet." We hope you enjoy!

GT Corner

A message from Mrs. Boyer, our 5th-grade ASPIRE GC-SAGE Rep:

Hello ASPIRE parents,

I hope you’re all doing well! The latest SAGE newsletter was released last week, and I wanted to make sure you had a chance to see it. It includes highlights from the recent survey results about EMPC, the full SAGE letter to the school board, and details about an upcoming get-together and fundraiser.

It’s always a great time to join SAGE! Annual family membership is just $30, and every dollar goes directly toward supporting our teachers.

You can read the newsletter and find membership info here:
https://gcsage.membershiptoolkit.com/newsletter/03237-20251017163721-012382200-1857444990

Warm regards,
Your 2033 ASPIRE SAGE Rep