School Year: Our first day of school is Tuesday, September 6th, 2022.  Our last day of school will be Thursday, June 7th, 2023. 

Arrival: Students will be allowed into the building beginning at 8:35 (unless your child is part of School Patrol). 

Dismissal: Please be sure your child knows how she or he is going home after school.  In the event of an unexpected change, please notify the front office; sending a teacher an email or leaving a voicemail during the day is not a reliable method to communicate day-of schedule changes

School-Year Calendar: Click here for the 2022-2023 Family Calendar.

In the event that students are allowed to ride an alternative bus home with a friend (this is dependent on Covid protocols): 

Please send a note with your child if he or she is going home a different way than usual (including riding a different bus than usual). This note is verification to us and the staff that your child has permission to go somewhere other than their normal after-school location. If necessary, the note will be passed along to the bus driver to ensure that your child will get off at the correct stop. Thanks for your help with a smooth dismissal during the year! 

Please note that often we will only be checking and responding to emails and voicemails once per day  (typically after school around 3:15-3:45).  Contact the office directly if you need to reach us or get us a message during the school day.  Thanks for your help with this! 

Wendy Schmalz - 5th Grade Teacher (literacy) - schmalzw@stillwaterschools.org - (651) 351-6618

Mary Barsness - 5th Grade Teacher (math) - barsnessm@stillwaterschools.org - (651) 351-6626

Heather Carlson - 5th Grade Teacher (science) - carlsonh@stillwaterschools.org  - (651) 351-6626

Anna Wilcek - Andersen Principal - wilceka@stillwaterschools.org - (651) 351-6606

Sarah Terpstra - Social Worker - terpstras@stillwaterschools.org - (651) 351-6630

Main Office at Andersen - (651) 351-6600

Attendance - (651) 351-6601

We believe…

• positive relationships within an engaging, supportive, and nurturing learning environment are key to students developing social, emotional, behavioral, and academic skills.

• through small group, differentiated instruction, fifth graders will receive a high-quality, individualized, and interactive education.

• 5th graders are valuable contributors to our classroom and school community.

• students should be encouraged to take risks, know mistakes will happen, and understand redos are always possible. 

• Trips:  We encourage students to read and journal about their experiences along the way.  When your child returns we will do our best to welcome them back to our learning community.  Most of what we do each day is interactive in nature and can't easily be sent as homework.

• Short-Term  Illness/Absences: Rest up and feel better!  We will help you get on track when you get back to school.  

FYI: We plan to use Google Slides each day.  If you have access to technology we can send you the slides from any day that you miss.  If you would like them just let us know and we are happy to share.

Throughout the school year, teachers use a variety of assessments to monitor student achievement and guide our instruction. 

• Students take the Fastbridge aReading and aMath assessments three times per year.  These are computerized, adaptive tests for reading and math. 

• Students will take the MCA III for reading, math, and science in the spring.

• At the beginning of the year, the students will take a spelling test to help us understand what they know.  Students will receive differentiated instruction in word study based on this assessment.  Progress will be assessed in this area throughout the year. 

• Throughout the year we will do fluency checks with each student to target any possible need for school or classroom interventions.

• Mara Syman is the band director at Andersen this year.  Day 5 is a band days.  More detailed information will come directly from Ms. Syman.  Please email Mara with any band questions at symanm@stillwaterschools.org. 

Our classroom philosophy when thinking about behavior:

• Children are to be discovered and understood.  They are not problems to be fixed.   

• It takes 5 affirmations to 1 redirection to build a positive relationship with a child.

• We try to start conversations we have about our students with, "What do we appreciate about this child?"

Tools we use:

• Responsive Classroom (RC):  an evidence-based approach to teaching and discipline that focuses on engaging academics, positive community, effective management, and developmental awareness.  RC strategies flow throughout our entire day.

• Second Step:  a social-emotional learning program that teaches various social and emotional skills such as emotion recognition and management, empathy, problem-solving, bullying prevention, and goal-setting. We typically cover one Second Step lesson per week.

• Restorative Circles and Reflection Forms:  help ensure that all voices are heard and that our community feels safe and supportive for all.

• Zones of Regulation:  a framework designed to foster self-regulation and emotional control.

• Move Mindfully:  a program based on science with practices rooted in research. The practices of social-emotional learning (SEL), yoga-based movement, and mindfulness education have shown benefits for children, adolescents, and adults.  Movement breaks will be sprinkled throughout our days.

• Green Room:  Ms. Evelyn is the host of our Andersen Green Room.  Students can use this space as needed to calm, energize or problem-solve.  Going to the Green Room is NOT a punishment, rather a place students can go to take care of themselves in order to get back to learning.  Sometimes students will benefit from having regularly scheduled breaks there.  If your child might benefit from planned breaks we will reach out to discuss a plan.

• Family Communication Plan:  If you hear things that concern you about school or there is a change at home that might impact learning and behavior, please contact us.

• Sensory Walks:  Throughout the school there are little stretches and exercise posted on the walls. If students need a calming movement break, they may use the special pass to walk through the school completing these activities. 

• Calming Corner: We have a corner of our classroom set up for one student at a time to go either participate in calming activities or just relax and reset for a few minutes as needed. 

Breakfast is served each morning for free in the cafeteria. Students will eat breakfast in the classroom and will need to be finished by our Morning Meeting time at 8:55. Students will still need to enter a pin number for breakfast.

In accordance with District Policy, we ask that students DO NOT bring birthday treats or food.  We will celebrate your child in a special way on his or her big day! Completely Optional:  If your child wants to bring in something to share with the class in celebration, here are some non-food ideas:

• Bring in a book to donate 

• Bring in an educational game to donate

• Bring a pencil, pen, sticker, or eraser for each student 

• Donate a piece of playground equipment

• Donate an item from our class wishlist (or similar new or slightly used item)

• Students are not allowed to use their cell phones or smart devices during the school day.  If they need to call home, they must ask permission from their teacher.  Our school policy is that if staff see students texting on watches or phones, their device goes to the office until the end of the day. If it happens another day, a parent or guardian will have to come to school to pick it up. 

• Students are not allowed to send text messages during the day using any device.  Students are not allowed to be using social media (Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, etc…) at any time in school.

• Students may not take pictures or videos of other students or staff at any time in school or on the bus. The exception is if it is part of a school project and then the pictures and videos can only be used for that school-sponsored project.

• If you need to reach your child during the day, please contact the office.

• Thank you for sharing your child with us!  We know that a strong teacher/caregiver relationship is critical for student success.  Please call or email us anytime with questions or concerns.  Please see the Contact Information section above for details.

• We plan to answer emails and phone calls each day right after school.  If you have an immediate need please call the office at 651-351-6600.

• This website will be our main way of communicating with you.  Please stop back often.

• Please be sure to let us know about any contact information changes (email, phone, address, etc.)

• We are not using a planner or assignment notebook in 5th grade at Andersen.  Students will be emailing home most Fridays to share a weekly review.  This will include celebrations and information about unfinished class work to be completed over the weekend,

For example, equity takes into consideration the fact that a student with a physical disability may require different physical supports at school than a peer who does not have a disability.  Similarly, a bilingual student who speaks a native language other than English needs different language supports than a monolingual English speaker.  None of the children are better or worse than another, they just have different needs.  Every child brings to school a unique set of needs, talents, and resources that prompt us to respond in different ways to each individual student.  Public schools have a responsibility to break down any barriers and biases that get in the way of students feeling safe, supported, and successful at school.  

January 9th we will be going to BIZ Town.  This is a wonderful experience and we will need MANY volunteers, so consider saving the date now if you are interested in joining us that day. 

Flex Time each day is an opportunity for students to work on any unfinished work, special projects, work with an adult in a small group, or collaborate with peers.  Each Friday they will have an extended Flex Time which will include an email home to update families about the week.  If Flex Time wasn't enough time to catch up on assigned work from the week, students will be asked to catch up on the weekend.

• Please follow district guidelines (found here) for when to keep a child home from school. 

• Please communicate any sensitivities your child has to scents or product ingredients.  In our classroom, we may be using an oil diffuser and scents for fun concentration support. 

At-Home Work in 5th Grade:

• Students will be bringing home a bag from school with the book they are currently reading.  Students should be reading from that book for 20 minutes or more and track their reading on their reading log (in their book bag) 5 times per week.  

• As students prepare for quizzes and tests, students may want or need to study at home. 

• Most weeks on Friday students will be emailing families a Weekly Review on how they are keeping up with their class work. If students are behind pace, they will need to finish work from school at home over the weekend.  These items should never cause extreme stress.  If they do, please stop and let us know.   If a student is regularly having a lot of work to finish, we will set up a time to problem-solve with the student and his or her family. 

This year lunch and breakfast are again free, students will again use their pin numbers to eat school lunch. 

• Mary Barsness will be the primary math teacher for all 5th graders this year. Please contact her at barsnessm@stillwaterschools.org or 651-351-6626 for math-related questions. 

• Our textbook for math is Holt Course 1.  This curriculum allows for more rigor and differentiation while allowing for more cohesion with the middle school curriculum and MN State Standards.  

• Extra help is offered for students needing more practice as well as enrichment activities for students who have already shown mastery.  

• Students will strengthen number sense and practice participating in mathematical dialogue through Math Talks (short problem-solving routines that support students' understanding of mathematical ideas through peer discussion) & Math Meets (team challenges or activities to explore math concepts).

• Students will have a set of review problems to complete each week, as well. These are intended to review previous concepts and keep skills fresh. 

Math Concepts Covered in 5th Grade:

• Number and Operations

• Algebra

• Geometry & Measurement

• Data Analysis

We will be using the Modern Classroom Model this year in some of our subjects. This slide show and 2-page overview will help you learn even more (you can choose to read one or both depending on your interest level- the slides are more detailed).

Fifth graders have the opportunity to sign-up to be on patrol. Students can participate before school only, after school only, or both. If doing A.M. patrol, students need to be at school by 8:25.  If doing p.m. patrol, students would be done around 3:30 to be picked up (or walk home).  

Patrols may be assigned a variety of roles, such as:

• Helping students who are dropped off and picked up in the carpool line

• Being stationed at an intersection to help students cross streets

• Holding the door for students entering or exiting the building

• Directing students to breakfast at the start of each day

Students serving on patrol are expected to be good role models for other Andersen students and take their jobs seriously, as they help with the safety of children. If your child is interested, watch for more information to come home soon! 

• Kent Musser is the orchestra director at Andersen this year.  Day 5 is our whole group Orchestra day, but in addition, some students will have lessons on day 2.  More detailed information will come directly from Mr. Musser.  Please email Kent with any orchestra questions at musserk@stillwaterschools.org. 

The Lucy Calkins Reader's Workshop has several consistent components:

• Wendy Schmalz will be the primary math teacher for all 5th graders this year. Please contact her at schmalzw@stillwaterschools.org or 651-351-6618 for writing-related questions. 

• Mini-lessons on grade-level standards.

• Independent reading time, where students read books that are at a "Just Right" reading level.  

  • Students in 5th grade will work to sustain 20-30  minutes of independent reading at a time and the goal would be for students to read approximately 20 pages of text during that time.

• As they read, students will be jotting notes on Post-Its and writing about their reading in their composition notebook.  This includes reflections on what they have just read as it pertains to literacy skills and what they think or how they feel about what their reading.

• During independent reading time students will also be spending time with the teacher in small groups, individually, and with partnerships to target instruction to what they need next.

• We will also end each session with a share to reinforce the lesson of the day.

• Small Groups students will meet in small groups in areas of need including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, and comprehension. 

Students should be reading at home 5 nights a week for  at least 20 minutes. They will track their reading on their reading log both in school and at home.

We will be outside 1-3 times each day except when it is too rainy or the temperature (and/or windchill) is -10°.  Please be sure your child is dressed for the weather, which as winter arrives includes jackets, mittens/gloves, boots, and hats.  If you need help providing winter clothing, please let us know.  Thanks!

The students will all use Schoology once they reach middle school.  We have decided to use it for 5th grade in place of Seesaw to prepare them for the transition next year.  Students access Schoology through Clever (see more detailed directions here).

We are so excited to have a new science curriculum, Smithsonian Science this year.  

Heather Carlson will be your child's science teacher.  She is at Andersen on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Please contact her at carlsonh@stillwaterschools.org or 651-351-6626 for science-related questions. 

To start the year we will be organized into two home base classrooms.  Students will move from room to room at times.  Mrs. Barsness will be the math teacher.  Mrs. Schmalz will teach literacy, and Mrs. Carlson will be the science teacher.   Our goal is to be responsive and flexible to meet student needs.  At times students from each homeroom could be grouped together for certain activities or academic blocks. 

• Integration: Social studies will be infused with many of the things we teach throughout the day.  We will teach students to be critical thinkers, questioners, and observers of the world around them.

• Depth over Breadth:  Social studies is notoriously vast and overwhelming, covering more topics than most students can possibly retain.  Research has found that teaching depth over breadth is beneficial for improving students' understanding and preparing them for future education.

Social Studies Concepts Covered in 5th Grade:

• Citizenship and Government

• History

• Geography

• Economics

Students will have an opportunity to have a snack as needed during the day during designated times.

Please send a healthy, manageable (not too large or messy), and nut-free snack each day.  Here are some great options:

• Fruit: Fresh or dried, such as an apple or raisins

• Crackers: Wheat Thins, Triscuits, Club Crackers, Ritz, Graham crackers, etc. 

• Pretzels, Goldfish, or Popcorn

• String cheese or cheese sticks

• Beef jerky or salami stick 

• Fig Newtons

• Cheese & crackers or breadsticks

• Yogurt or Gogurt

• Bagel with cream cheese

• Veggies & dip

• All students have a school email and student ID number.  This information is found in Power School and will be shared with your student.  

• Every student needs to have their own personal earbuds/headphones to use at school.

• Students will be using Chromebooks in school.  Over the course of the year, students will be involved in a variety of technology-based activities, such as:

  • Word-processing and research

  • Self-paced math activities

  • Google presentations

  • If you need tech support at home or a device to use follow this link for more information.

• Students are expected to use technology appropriately and as assigned.  Students who struggle with appropriate use may lose technology privileges for a period of time.

Please contact us if you are interested in volunteering.  

Please send a full and tightly sealed water bottle with your child each day.  

As students prepare for middle school it is so important that they learn to take responsibility for their own learning.  On most Fridays, students will send an email home celebrating the week and sharing any unfinished work that needs to be completed.  

Throughout the year we will be adding items to this Amazon Wishlist that we dream about having for our classroom.  If you are interested in donating an item to the class, please know we do not need these exact links and are happy to take gently-used similar items (this was just the easiest way to keep a shareable list). 

Students will receive “Word Study” instruction and time to practice and study words, spelling patterns, and vocabulary.  Students will be placed in small groups with others working on the same skills.  The students will take assessments to help determine placement.  During word study time students will rotate between independent, group work, and teacher-led instruction.

Wendy Schmalz will be the primary math teacher for all 5th graders this year. Please contact her at schmalzw@stillwaterschools.org or 651-351-6618 for writing-related questions. 

The main components of the writing workshop are the mini-lesson, writing/conferring time, and sharing.  Many of our writing units will be taught using the Modern Classroom Approach.

To develop skills as a writer, students need three things: ownership of their own writing, guidance from an experienced writer, and support from a community of fellow learners.  The writing workshop framework meets these needs and streamlines instruction in order to meet the most important objective: giving kids time to write.  The workshop setting supports children in taking their writing seriously and viewing themselves as writers. 

Wendy Schmalz will be the primary math teacher for all 5th graders this year. Please contact her at schmalzw@stillwaterschools.org or 651-351-6618 for writing-related questions.