Policies & Procedures

**Please note, the Policies and Procedures have been updated and reflect my expectations for your student moving forward.**

**Additionally, during this transition time, please note that the website is a live document.   Charlie and I are working to get you detailed information related to math homework. Math pages will be on the website by the end of the day.  Thank you!

5th Grade Policies and Procedures 2026-2027

Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year at Ascent Classical Academy of Northern Colorado. It is an honor to be your child’s fifth grade teacher and I look forward to partnering with you this year. 

Please read through the information below to learn about our classroom procedures and policies. You will find that many expectations that your child is used to will stay the same and other expectations will shift to my expectations. You will continue to find additional communication regarding classwork, homework and activities under the Homework Tab and will be updated by Monday of each week. If you have any questions or concerns, I aim to respond to emails within 24 hours during the school week. Please note I am actively engaged with students during the day and not always able to check emails, so if you need to get a message to your child during the day, please call the front office.

Learning Expectations

Students should come to school prepared to learn. Please help your student be in their seat by 7:45 a.m., dressed in the school uniform and with materials needed for the day. This includes: lunch, homework and an independent reading book. This year 5th graders will have an opportunity to eat a snack both during morning recess and again in the afternoon, so please ensure they have something nutritious. Please try to avoid sugary snacks and drinks, as these negatively affects learning in a measurable way.  Students who bring nutritious snacks and water tend to do significantly better throughout the day.

Homework

Homework is an important opportunity for students to learn responsibility, and the work is meant to complement your child’s learning at school. It is intentional and necessary.  I expect homework to be done neatly and turned in on time. Per our policy, students can expect approximately fifty minutes of homework per evening. A planner, designed to help organize and keep track of assignments, has been provided to your student and part of our daily routine will include recording the night’s homework. Please plan on initialing your child’s planner each day to show me that homework assignments have been completed. Homework assignments that are tangible (work other than studying or reading) will also be turned in. Planners will be checked for initials in the morning. I update homework on the class website weekly and make changes throughout the week as needed. 

Although timing can be difficult for student athletes, practices and games are not reasons for missing homework. The expectation for student work will only grow as they get older and students will need to learn how to balance their school work with athletics schedules. For athletes who need to leave early for competitions, students should check with me during morning bellwork, so that I can ensure they have the correct materials listed in their planner for homework. 

Note:  I understand that on occasion our lives get busy and we need a little grace. If your child has one of these days, or isn’t feeling well enough to complete the task, please communicate with me via email or by including a written note in their planner. 

Absent Work 

Thank you for following our health guidelines and doing your part at home to help maintain a healthy classroom.

In the event of an excused absence, please refer to the website for assigned work.  Daily homework (typically math and unfinished classwork) are exempted and will not be collected, graded, or recorded.  Papers and tests will be made up as follows:  for each day of school missed with an excused absence, students will have one day to complete the missed work.  

Please note that  a zero will be entered in the gradebook for all non-exempt missing work even if it is because of an absence.  This acts as a ‘placeholder’ in the gradebook.  The score will be corrected after the student’s return and their completion of the test/quiz/paper/etc.  Math

Late Work

Classwork and homework that are turned in on time are eligible for full points. Larger assignments may be turned in the next day for partial credit.  Extenuating circumstances can be discussed on an individual basis.

Math Tutoring with Mr. Cole

Math content is quizzed most Fridays.  If your student earns a failing grade on a quiz, you can expect an invitation for your student to attend math tutoring the following week. Tutoring will cover the content of the quiz or other relevant skills. Tutoring is by appointment and scheduled on a weekly basis.  If you would like your child to attend tutoring, please put "Tutoring with Mr. Cole" into SchoolPass.  Tutoring ends at 3:30 p.m.  

Student Grades 

I will work to record grades in PowerSchool on a weekly basis. Please check the online system regularly to stay up to date on your child’s progress. ACANC does not send home or mail report cards.  Please note that grading essays and larger projects will take longer to grade and will likely take longer than a week to update in PowerSchool.

Food and Water Bottles in Class

Students are not allowed to eat in class unless they have an IEP, 504, or doctor’s note. Fifth graders may eat during morning recess, lunch, and during the afternoon break. Water bottles may be kept at students' cubbies and may be utilized during breaks or independent work time. Stanley-type cups are not allowed in the classroom this year, as they often cause issues with spilling. Please avoid sending sugary drinks or drinks with coloring in them, as these tend to create a mess when they spill.

I am asking students to wash their hands if the snacks they eat at recess right before coming in have tree nuts in them. Please also mention this to your child.

Birthday and Classroom Celebrations 

We love to celebrate your child’s birthday and they will be recognized in class. However, school policy does not permit treats of any kind to be sent in for the class - either during instructional time or at lunch.  If your child is having a party that does not include the entire class, please do not have your 5th grader deliver those invitations at school. If everyone is invited - by all means, your 5th grader may pass them out during lunch or recess.

Curriculum-based classroom parties will be scheduled throughout the year.   These “Wonder Days” are made possible by wonderful class parent volunteers!  Thank you! 

If you have already expressed an interest to Ms. Montoya about being a classroom volunteer for "Wonder Days", would you please email me, so I am aware of who to contact when the "Wonder Days" get closer.  

Parent Volunteers

I appreciate parent volunteers and look forward to having you in the classroom, whether for wonder days, or other clerical needs.  At times I will have needs related to prepping curriculum, projects that can be completed at home, and additionally helping in the classroom.  If you would like to be put on my volunteer list to help in any of these capacities, please email me an I will know to contact you when needs arise for your help in the classroom.

I look forward to a great year with your student! Please feel free to email me with any questions or concerns.

With Gratitude, 

Mrs. Christen

Fifth Grade Teacher 

Ascent Classical Academy of Northern Colorado

stephanie.christen@nc.ascentcolorado.org

Please discuss /review these Classroom Policies and Procedures with your 5th grader!