This & That
Online Access at Home
Google Classroom (first.last@sps19.org, regular password)
SPS Portal for iReady (first.last, regular password)
Volunteers
We need volunteers in all three 5th grade classrooms! Help daily, weekly, monthly, or as available with all types of classroom operations. Contact your child's teacher to assist with one of these roles:
• Assist with Theme Days (8:35 – 12:30 every early release Friday)
• Manage or work with a reading group (Daily during walk-to-read block)
• Assist students with math (Daily during math block)
• Help students with homework (8:25-8:45 Daily)
• Organize and throw Valentine’s Day party (Afternoon of Feb. 14)
• Organize and teach a holiday craft (Repeat for each 5th grade class over 3 days)
• Coach an Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB) team (before or after school)
• Cutting, Assembling, Stapling, hole punching, etc.
• Donate a professional service (copying, typing, duplicating DVDs, etc.)
• Organize 5th grade promotion & end-of-year events
• Present a skill or information related to a 5th grade topic of study
• Donate & shop for needed supplies
• Shop for project supplies (teachers pay, you shop)
• Play with students at recess
We also encourage parents & family to join Riverbend’s PTA to help with school-wide events and activities, such as the Jog-a-thon, fundraisers, field day, lamination, and Bingo Night. We struggle finding volunteers each year to put on these events and need your help! Contact PTA president Jeff Sanders. We can always use help in the Riverbend Family Center as well. Contact Rocio Sanchez.
Curriculum
5th grade classes use ReadyMath and iReady for mathematics.
Journeys is our reading curriculum.
Writing is based on the Writer’s Workshop model, and informational or research writing is integrated into all subjects.
Science and social studies themes are developed by the 5th grade teachers, often including units from Mystery Science and Flocabulary, and are designed to integrate with reading, writing, and math. Major topics of study include climate change in US regions, Human Activity, Earth's Systems, & Environmental Justice, and colonial America.
Riverbend has strong music, library, and ELD programs, and the teachers collaborate with homerooms around special projects.
Click Here for the Looping Slideshows from Open House
Extracurricular Activities
Star Reachers
Students with model behavior may apply to become Star Reachers. The Star Reacher program at Riverbend provides these model school citizens with a badge, special privileges, and opportunities for leadership and service. Students must apply to the program, and will only be accepted if their behavior is consistently above and beyond what is expected of an average student. A parent signature is required on the application, so please carefully look over the application if your child brings one home. 5th grade star reachers may apply to work at the student store.
Orchestra
5th graders may participate in Orchestra on Tuesdays & Thursdays. Students are provided with information about joining in the beginning of the school year. Contact our music teacher for details. Orchestra members will perform at the district-wide Stringfest Extravaganza in May.
More information about our after school strings program is available on the Riverbend Music site.
Safety Patrol
5th graders may apply to join safety patrol. Participation is at the teacher’s discretion and requires parent permission and sometimes transportation. Schedules are passed out monthly. Contact the office for details. There will be a special field trip and recognition for Safety Patrol at the end of the year.
Student Store
The store runs October-May. It is a key fundraiser for 5th grade events and projects. It is also an element of our school-wide behavior program, as well as a learning and leadership opportunity for students. 5th graders may apply to work in the student store 1-3 mornings per week on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Workers arrive at 8:00. Students who repeatedly miss their shift or show up late may lose the privilege of working at the store.
Human Growth & Development
Just before winter vacation, the fifth grade classes will be discussing growth and development. The course will outline the very basics of puberty, hygiene, hormones, and emotions. The material will be presented in co-ed classes using The Great Body Shop health curriculum. Material will be available in the office for parents to preview, and parents will be given notice of when they are available (in advance of teaching the unit). Some materials will also be sent home with kids at the end of the unit. This program encourages your child to turn to you for further information on these topics, as this will be a brief overview. If you have any questions please contact your child’s teacher. If you need additional material to assist you in having those conversations with your child, we can direct you to additional resources online.
Field Trips
We will take a variety of field trips as we are able, as well as a planned trip near the end of the year. There is also a "just for fun" trip near the last day (see below).
To culminate our studies of Earth's systems and environmental issues, students attend an extended-day field trip to the Oregon Zoo near the end of the year. Parents will be asked to chaperone. Space is limited, and siblings may not come along. All chaperones must fill out a volunteer background check available from the office.
Certain groups and classes, like the Safety Patrol, Star Reachers, and ELD students take other field trips related to their studies or services.
Book Orders
Mrs. Erickson organizes book orders for 5th grade just about every month. Instructions will be included with the ordering form. Orders are entered the day they are due, so no late orders or orders without payment will be accepted.
Preparing for Middle School
In April, the district informs our staff about which middle schools students will attend. Please don't contact our office regarding middle school until AFTER April 1. The middle schools will mail information letters about orientations and preparations to attend 6th grade.
Students attending Briggs Middle School and Agnes Stewart Middle School will take a short trip to those schools in May, and parents will be invited to evening orientations. We do not host a field trip to Thurston Middle, but parents can contact 5th grade teachers for alternative options. Students will be informed about their middle schools and given electives paperwork to fill out in April/May. Additionally, a middle school counselor will present to all 5th grade students about the transition.
5th grade teachers ask parents' help with limiting middle school discussions with students until May. We have a LOT of important work left to do in 5th grade that requires focus, and the teachers' try not to "go there" until it gets closer.
End of Year Events
Events: The Jogathon and Field Day are generally held near the end of the year, but are subject to change.
Memory Books: Students will create their own yearbooks starting in April. They will be printed and handed out before the last day of school, and students will have time to collect signatures from classmates.
Ticket Week: Students will be helping to clean, pack, and organize the classroom the last week of school. They will earn tickets for all of the jobs and challenges they complete. During this time, students may also bring in items to donate as prizes, as well as movies rated G or PG that the class can watch.
Celebration Walk: On the day before the last day of school, the 5th graders march, parade-style, through all of the wings of the building. Students and staff line the walls to cheer for them. Parents are welcome to watch the celebration walk from the main hallway.
Just for Fun Field Trip: During the last week of school, typically on the last day, the 5th graders take a trip to celebrate the end of their elementary schooling. The destination for the trip is determined yearly, but past trips have been to Skate World and Strike City. No chaperones are needed for these trips. Students must wear socks for skating or bowling and may bring money for concessions.
End of Year Events Letters are sent home around May 1 containing specific dates, times, and locations of all events listed below. Sample Events Letter