WELCOME TO FIFTH GRADE!

Hello! My name is Bridget Huff and I am thrilled to be your childs fifth grade teacher. I
graduated from Stanislaus State University with a B.A. in Liberal Studies, a Minor in English,
a multiple subject credential and my Masters in Reading: Instruction and Curriculum from
Grand Canyon University. This is my sixth year teaching at George Kelly, my eleventh year
teaching in Tracy Unified School District and I am so excited to get to know a new group of
students. It is my goal to make this year a positive learning experience for your child and to
empower them with an I CAN attitude. I have high expectations for every student and I
am looking forward to a wonderful school year!
COMMUNICATION
It is my desire that we develop a positive relationship that lends itself to our working
as a team for a maximum learning opportunity for all students. Your childs success in
school and life depends on your involvement and support. Your first informant will be your
child. Here are other ways to stay in communication:
Email: Email is the best way to contact me. My email address is bhuff@tusd.net.
Feel free to contact me anytime with questions, comments, concerns, or successes.
Phone: I can be reached at school at 830-3390. If I am teaching, the office will take a
message and I will return your call as soon as I can.
Class Website: Our class has a web site which is updated every Friday with important
information including the homework schedule, announcements and important
dates. You can access the web site at: misshuffin23@weebly.com.
School Website: George Kelly has a web site at https://www.tracy.k12.ca.us/sites/kes.
Please join the George Kelly School Facebook page and the George Kelly PTO
Facebook page for updates on school information.
Instagram: If you would like to keep up with things going on in the classroom, follow
@32_in_23 on Instagram!
*Science: students will be switching science teachers every 7 weeks. They will be starting
with their homeroom teacher. If you have a question about Science be sure you
are emailing your childs science teacher. The schedule for your childs class is
listed below along with the teachers email address. All policies listed below
apply for the classroom teacher and all Science Teachers.
August 14 - September 29: Miss Huff, Rm. 23 bhuff@tusd.net
October 2 November 17: Mrs. Summa, Rm. 22 esumma@tusd.net
January 8 February 23: April 13: Miss Parks, Rm. 21 jparks@tusd.net
February 26 April 20: Mrs. Kellogg, Rm. 20 - kkellogg@tusd.net
 Grades
Homework: Homework will be required according to district guidelines, one hour per
night. I consider homework to be an independent practice session for what we
have learned or reviewed in class. On average it should not take your child more
than one hour to complete all their homework. Sometimes, it may take a little
longer, especially if we are having a test or a project. If your child is consistently
spending more than one uninterrupted hour on their homework, please let me
know.
Agenda: A homework agenda is a tool for your child to help organize their assignments. I
require the students to write their homework daily. You may choose to purchase an
agenda from the school or your child may use one of their choice. Please check
and sign the agenda each day there is homework.
Grading Policy: Student work should be the best that a student can produce. It should
be neat, complete, and turned in on time. Remember, we are training them
for the real world and what their employers will expect. The following rules will
affect assigning grades to class work and homework in the 5th grade.
1. Late work will receive a 0 grade. If work is late due to emergencies, please
contact me. If a student is absent, it is their responsibility to get their missing
work. They will have the same amount of days to complete the work as they were
absent.
2. No name papers will be graded the same as late work, and will receive a 0
grade.
3. Work turned in sloppy or poorly done will be handed back, asked to be redone and
will be graded according to teacher discretion. A paper is considered sloppy or
poorly done if, for example, words or sentences are scribbled out, writing is
difficult to read, non-related pictures or drawings are present, or if margins and
lines are disregarded.
4. At the end of each trimester, I offer students extra credit. I only offer this to
students who have no missing assignments.
Aeries: All of your childs grades can be seen 24/7 by you through ABI Parent Portal at
https://www.tracy.k12.ca.us/sites/ABIParentPortal/Pages. You will need to obtain
the user name and password from the office. Please check it often and stay on top
of your childs grades. If you have questions, please email me.

Grading Scale: A 90-100%, B 80-89%, C 70-79%, D 60-69%, F 0-59%.

 BEHAVIOR
Classroom Rules: Every parent and teacher devotes a portion of his/her time and effort
to discipline. The boundaries set out for all of my students include the
assured safety of all children, and an environment conducive to high levels of
learning. Each student is responsible for his/her own behavior. At George
Kelly Elementary School we will use the six pillars of the districts Character
Counts program to reinforce the building of trustworthiness, responsibility,
caring and respect for others, as well as fairness and citizenship in our
students. Our classroom rules reflect these six pillars:

Be respectful Be a good citizen

Be responsible Be caring
Be trustworthy Be fair

ClassDojo: I will be using ClassDojo as my behavior management system. This is an online

site and app where teachers can keep track of students behaviors. If they are
showing positive behaviors and following the pillars of character, they will receive
green dojos. If they are showing negative behaviors and not abiding by the pillars
of character, they will receive red dojos. Green dojos will be rewarded with the
ability to shop in the class store, buy prizes, and buy extra privileges. Red dojos
will be part of the discipline procedure outlined below:

I. Verbal Warning
II. 1 Red dojo = Lose 5 minutes of recess
III. 2 Red dojos of the same behavior = Lose entire recess
IV. 3 Red dojos of the same behavior = Parent notification and Lunch Detention
V. 4 Red dojos = Afterschool detention for 30 minutes, Teacher Referral, and
possible behavior plan
VI. 5 Red dojos = Admin Referral

* Severity Clause: teacher reserves the right to jump to any consequence depending on
the severity of the situation.
*Field Trip Clause: If a student receives more than three referrals or one suspension, they
will not be allowed to attend the remaining field trips in the school year.
*Suspension Clause: If a student is suspended, they will not be able to make up the credit
they missed.
 Supplies
The fifth grade teachers have purchased all the supplies that your students will need in fifth
grade throughout the year. We are requesting a $25 donation to cover the cost of the items
your student has been supplied with binder, paper, pencils, pens, highlighters, folders,
notebooks, dry erase markers, crayons, index cards, erasers, markers, whiteboard, pencil
box, colored pencils, pencil sharpener, ruler, scissors, glue bottles, and glue sticks.
*Parents are only responsible with supplying their child with additional pencils to be used
throughout the year
*We recommend that students purchase an agenda, as this will be part of the daily
communication from school to home. This can be done through the school or a store of
your choice.
*Additional donations of Kleenex and copy paper would be much appreciated!

Agreement Form:

The agreement form will be going home on Monday, please sign it to let me know that you
have read the information. I will be going over all of this information with your child in
class. If you or your child have any questions, please feel free to contact me, Thank you for
helping me provide your child with the safe, quality, educational atmosphere that he/she
deserves.