Classroom Rules & Expectations
Princeton’s Vision
Princeton Elementary School, through high expectations and a safe learning environment, will ensure the academic achievement and social growth of all students to be successful in an ever changing world.
Princeton’s Mission
The Princeton Community will build lifelong learners through the use of differentiated instruction and utilization of technology while maintaining a safe environment and a positive home/school partnership.
About Mrs. Ciegotura
I am a graduate of Wayne State University with a bachelor’s degree as well as a Master’s degree in Elementary Education with a focus in Language Arts. I am currently in my 21st year of teaching: 3 as a technology/special teacher, 6 as a fourth grade teacher, 11 as a fifth grade teacher and one as a 4/5 combo teacher. I have spent most of my years teaching at Princeton, I am thrilled to be a part of the Princeton family. I look forward to another wonderful year with the students and staff at Princeton.
I come from a large family. I am one of five kids. I have three sisters and one brother. I am married to my best friend, Michael. We have two beautiful children. My son, Joshua, is 16 years old. Our daughter, Lily, is 13. Both children are Lakeview Students. Lily is a Patriot at JMS and Joshua is a Husky at Lakeview High School. We have a puppy, Gizmo, we call him Gizzy. Gizzy is a Border Collie/Terrier mix. We adore him!
Morning Bell
When students arrive in the morning, they first enter the classroom to make their lunch selection and then head to their desk to unpack their belongings. Once they unpack their materials, they head to their lockers to put their jackets and backpacks away. This allows me to know who is absent and who is having hot/cold lunch that day. Each morning on the student's desk, students will have a sheet of morning work. I utilize this time to have students practice math concepts they have learned in the past. This helps reinforce previous taught material and helps students stay fresh on the many math standards they will learn this year.
Spelling
Lakeview uses the spelling program called Words Their Way. WTW is a developmental spelling program which has students working with level-appropriate word sorts in order to improve their understanding of the written language. Word sorts are simply a set of words which fall into certain spelling, sound, or semantic categories. WTW is a foundational program that helps students develop those foundational skills targeted in the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The depth of word knowledge developed through the WTW approach to word study also supports the Common Core’s emphasis on students’ reading more complex literary and informational texts. Similar to years past, students will get new words weekly and will be assessed on them.
Math
Lakeview uses the math program, Math Expressions. Through the use of manipulatives, drawings, conceptual language and real world examples, this series helps students make sense of mathematics. This program also allows students an opportunity to actively participate in Math Talk, which encourages students to share their methods orally and through proof drawings. Students will have math homework nightly. After every few lessons, students will be given a mini-quiz in class. The quizzes will guide my instruction by allowing me to know whether or not the students are grasping and understanding the concepts being taught.
Some key topics students will be learning in 5th grade math are: developing fluency with addition and subtraction of fractions, developing understanding of the multiplication of fractions and of division of fractions, extending division to 2-digit divisors, understanding the relationship between fractions and decimals and lastly developing an understanding of volume.
Number Corner
Number Corner is a skill-building program that revolves around the classroom calendar, providing daily practice as well as continual encounters with broader mathematical concepts in 15 - 20 minutes of engaging instruction. Number Corner features short daily workouts that introduce, reinforce, and extend skills and concepts related to the critical areas of study at each grade level. New pieces are added to the display each day, providing starting points for discussions, problem solving, and short written exercises.
ELA- English Language Arts
ELA is made up of the MAISA reading and writing units, spelling, TIME for Kids, journal and publishing writing pieces. New federal standards are stressing informational reading and writing. We will be writing & publishing personal narratives, persuasive papers and research papers.
Science
Mr. Sheridan will be teaching Science this year. We will continue to cover the Michigan K-12 Science Standards. Mr. Sheridan will be covering the four major areas in science to both 5th Grade sections. The four sections are: Life Science, Physical Science, Earth Science & The Scientific Process, We’ll be using a new program we adopted a few years ago called the Building Blocks of Science to help teach the standards. Throughout the year, we will also be participating in inquiry based classroom experiments. Your child is going to have a blast in science.
Social Studies
I will teach Social Studies to my class as well as Mr. Sheridan’s students. Students will begin the year reviewing essential map skills. They will then transition to learning about American Indians living in North America before the European exploration. They will then study American history until the end of the Revolution in 1783. The students will expand their knowledge on American Indians living in Michigan and the concept of regions from previous grades. They will continue by learning concepts of government and economics to further understand the development of colonial settlements. The students will finish up by studying the American Revolution and learn what ultimately led to us breaking away from Britain and becoming an independent nation. The American Revolution is a fascinating topic for students to learn about.
Second Step
Children benefit from social-emotional learning (SEL) at any time, but today it’s especially important to help them develop the skills they need to connect and thrive. Second Step Elementary is a leading research-based SEL curriculum for students in Kindergarten–Grade 5. This program helps teach students, how to gain confidence, set goals, make better decisions, collaborate with others in work and play and navigate the world more effectively.
Water Bottle
Students are allowed to bring a water bottle to school each morning to set on their desk. If need be, students will be allowed to refill their bottle during bathroom breaks and at lunch. Water bottles must be taken home each and every night.
Snack
Students may have their snack at any time in the morning. I strongly encourage a healthy snack; however, I know you may not always have a healthy snack in the house to pack for your child. Our lunch period will begin at 11:19 this year. Students will eat first and then have recess.
Bathroom
Our class has two bathroom passes; students will be able to use the pass at any time throughout the day.
Classroom Rules
I have adopted three simple yet very important rules. The rules are: Be Focused, Be Responsible & Be Respectful. I believe all behaviors fall under these three. My goal is to make it as straight to the point as possible. As a school, we are continuing to participate in PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports).
Agendas
Each day, students will be responsible for copying down their agenda. I require all students to get their agenda signed each night. In their agenda, students will circle, highlight or underline anything they have for homework.
Home Folders
Every night students will be taking their BLACK take home folder home with them. Their homework each night will be in their BLACK take home folder along with any other important information from our class or from the office. Encourage your child to keep their BLACK take home folder organized. This will help your child have a successful school year and prepare them for middle school.
Classroom Management
In my classroom, students start on green. Students that go above and beyond move their clip to purple; students that have a warning of any sort move to yellow, then orange, and last red. Students will move their clip if they do not follow all classroom rules, or if they turn in any homework late that day. Students that move to yellow miss 5 minutes of recess. Orange is 10 minutes of recess. Students landing on red will receive a call home and appropriate disciplinary actions per the code of conduct.
Missing Work Policy
During the first week of school, students were given six Oops Passes. These passes allow students to receive an additional day to turn in their homework. If a student runs out of Oops Passes, their homework assignment will be marked down 20% after the first day. After two days of being late, that student will be marked down 50%. If your child is getting behind in their work, I will contact you so you will know what they need to make up. Missing work will result in missing recess or other activities that we have planned as a class.
Newsletters/Class Information
I will be sending my newsletters home via email. Please check your email periodically for newsletters. In these newsletters, you will find out what's happening inside our classroom. You will also get a preview of what's on deck. I will send text reminds as well.
Absences
When a student is absent, they will be given one day for each day that they are absent to make up their missing work. Any missing work for your student can be picked up for him/her at the end of the day. Students can also get work when they return to class.
Princeton Elementary School, through high expectations and a safe learning environment, will ensure the academic achievement and social growth of all students to be successful in an ever changing world.
Princeton’s Mission
The Princeton Community will build lifelong learners through the use of differentiated instruction and utilization of technology while maintaining a safe environment and a positive home/school partnership.
About Mrs. Ciegotura
I am a graduate of Wayne State University with a bachelor’s degree as well as a Master’s degree in Elementary Education with a focus in Language Arts. I am currently in my 21st year of teaching: 3 as a technology/special teacher, 6 as a fourth grade teacher, 11 as a fifth grade teacher and one as a 4/5 combo teacher. I have spent most of my years teaching at Princeton, I am thrilled to be a part of the Princeton family. I look forward to another wonderful year with the students and staff at Princeton.
I come from a large family. I am one of five kids. I have three sisters and one brother. I am married to my best friend, Michael. We have two beautiful children. My son, Joshua, is 16 years old. Our daughter, Lily, is 13. Both children are Lakeview Students. Lily is a Patriot at JMS and Joshua is a Husky at Lakeview High School. We have a puppy, Gizmo, we call him Gizzy. Gizzy is a Border Collie/Terrier mix. We adore him!
Morning Bell
When students arrive in the morning, they first enter the classroom to make their lunch selection and then head to their desk to unpack their belongings. Once they unpack their materials, they head to their lockers to put their jackets and backpacks away. This allows me to know who is absent and who is having hot/cold lunch that day. Each morning on the student's desk, students will have a sheet of morning work. I utilize this time to have students practice math concepts they have learned in the past. This helps reinforce previous taught material and helps students stay fresh on the many math standards they will learn this year.
Spelling
Lakeview uses the spelling program called Words Their Way. WTW is a developmental spelling program which has students working with level-appropriate word sorts in order to improve their understanding of the written language. Word sorts are simply a set of words which fall into certain spelling, sound, or semantic categories. WTW is a foundational program that helps students develop those foundational skills targeted in the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The depth of word knowledge developed through the WTW approach to word study also supports the Common Core’s emphasis on students’ reading more complex literary and informational texts. Similar to years past, students will get new words weekly and will be assessed on them.
Math
Lakeview uses the math program, Math Expressions. Through the use of manipulatives, drawings, conceptual language and real world examples, this series helps students make sense of mathematics. This program also allows students an opportunity to actively participate in Math Talk, which encourages students to share their methods orally and through proof drawings. Students will have math homework nightly. After every few lessons, students will be given a mini-quiz in class. The quizzes will guide my instruction by allowing me to know whether or not the students are grasping and understanding the concepts being taught.
Some key topics students will be learning in 5th grade math are: developing fluency with addition and subtraction of fractions, developing understanding of the multiplication of fractions and of division of fractions, extending division to 2-digit divisors, understanding the relationship between fractions and decimals and lastly developing an understanding of volume.
Number Corner
Number Corner is a skill-building program that revolves around the classroom calendar, providing daily practice as well as continual encounters with broader mathematical concepts in 15 - 20 minutes of engaging instruction. Number Corner features short daily workouts that introduce, reinforce, and extend skills and concepts related to the critical areas of study at each grade level. New pieces are added to the display each day, providing starting points for discussions, problem solving, and short written exercises.
ELA- English Language Arts
ELA is made up of the MAISA reading and writing units, spelling, TIME for Kids, journal and publishing writing pieces. New federal standards are stressing informational reading and writing. We will be writing & publishing personal narratives, persuasive papers and research papers.
Science
Mr. Sheridan will be teaching Science this year. We will continue to cover the Michigan K-12 Science Standards. Mr. Sheridan will be covering the four major areas in science to both 5th Grade sections. The four sections are: Life Science, Physical Science, Earth Science & The Scientific Process, We’ll be using a new program we adopted a few years ago called the Building Blocks of Science to help teach the standards. Throughout the year, we will also be participating in inquiry based classroom experiments. Your child is going to have a blast in science.
Social Studies
I will teach Social Studies to my class as well as Mr. Sheridan’s students. Students will begin the year reviewing essential map skills. They will then transition to learning about American Indians living in North America before the European exploration. They will then study American history until the end of the Revolution in 1783. The students will expand their knowledge on American Indians living in Michigan and the concept of regions from previous grades. They will continue by learning concepts of government and economics to further understand the development of colonial settlements. The students will finish up by studying the American Revolution and learn what ultimately led to us breaking away from Britain and becoming an independent nation. The American Revolution is a fascinating topic for students to learn about.
Second Step
Children benefit from social-emotional learning (SEL) at any time, but today it’s especially important to help them develop the skills they need to connect and thrive. Second Step Elementary is a leading research-based SEL curriculum for students in Kindergarten–Grade 5. This program helps teach students, how to gain confidence, set goals, make better decisions, collaborate with others in work and play and navigate the world more effectively.
Water Bottle
Students are allowed to bring a water bottle to school each morning to set on their desk. If need be, students will be allowed to refill their bottle during bathroom breaks and at lunch. Water bottles must be taken home each and every night.
Snack
Students may have their snack at any time in the morning. I strongly encourage a healthy snack; however, I know you may not always have a healthy snack in the house to pack for your child. Our lunch period will begin at 11:19 this year. Students will eat first and then have recess.
Bathroom
Our class has two bathroom passes; students will be able to use the pass at any time throughout the day.
Classroom Rules
I have adopted three simple yet very important rules. The rules are: Be Focused, Be Responsible & Be Respectful. I believe all behaviors fall under these three. My goal is to make it as straight to the point as possible. As a school, we are continuing to participate in PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports).
Agendas
Each day, students will be responsible for copying down their agenda. I require all students to get their agenda signed each night. In their agenda, students will circle, highlight or underline anything they have for homework.
Home Folders
Every night students will be taking their BLACK take home folder home with them. Their homework each night will be in their BLACK take home folder along with any other important information from our class or from the office. Encourage your child to keep their BLACK take home folder organized. This will help your child have a successful school year and prepare them for middle school.
Classroom Management
In my classroom, students start on green. Students that go above and beyond move their clip to purple; students that have a warning of any sort move to yellow, then orange, and last red. Students will move their clip if they do not follow all classroom rules, or if they turn in any homework late that day. Students that move to yellow miss 5 minutes of recess. Orange is 10 minutes of recess. Students landing on red will receive a call home and appropriate disciplinary actions per the code of conduct.
Missing Work Policy
During the first week of school, students were given six Oops Passes. These passes allow students to receive an additional day to turn in their homework. If a student runs out of Oops Passes, their homework assignment will be marked down 20% after the first day. After two days of being late, that student will be marked down 50%. If your child is getting behind in their work, I will contact you so you will know what they need to make up. Missing work will result in missing recess or other activities that we have planned as a class.
Newsletters/Class Information
I will be sending my newsletters home via email. Please check your email periodically for newsletters. In these newsletters, you will find out what's happening inside our classroom. You will also get a preview of what's on deck. I will send text reminds as well.
Absences
When a student is absent, they will be given one day for each day that they are absent to make up their missing work. Any missing work for your student can be picked up for him/her at the end of the day. Students can also get work when they return to class.