Winchester

Dear Families,

Welcome to our fifth grade class.  I am very pleased to welcome you and your child to what I know will be a productive and positive school year of learning.  I hope that the paragraphs below will answer some of your questions and provide you with some insight into the curriculum and weekly schedule.  I look forward to working with all of you.

Sincerely,

Mark Winchester

Me:

I graduated from Saint Michael’s College with a B.S. in Business Administration and worked in the insurance industry before changing careers.  I went to Johnson State for a Masters Degree in Education and this is my fifteenth year teaching at Malletts Bay .  I live in Colchester with my wife Jacci and my daughters Alyse, Kristen, Leanne & Meili.  I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, biking, gardening and completing home projects.

Educational Philosophy:

My philosophy can be summed up in one word, pragmatic.  I work to incorporate strategies and techniques that are considered best practice based on research.  Please always feel free to ask questions about any part of my program.

Classroom Climate:

Our positive classroom climate is based upon mutual respect, joy, honesty and  hard work.  As the teacher it is my  responsibility to guide your child and help him/her to be a successful member of our school community.  Each child’s needs are equally important and will be respected.

Communication:

-          I am generally at school from 7:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.   Please contact me with any questions or concerns.

-          The easiest way to contact me is to email me at winchesterm@csdvt.org.

-          Most Fridays your child will bring home a communication folder that will include  communication journals, student    work, etc.

-          Students write to their parent or guardian most every Friday in their communication journal.  These letters are intended to provide you with a view into your child’s school week and to provide you with an ongoing dialogue with your child.

-          Class blog.

Homework:

-          Fifth grade in Colchester is followed by middle school.  As a fifth grade teacher one of my responsibilities is to help prepare your child for the next academic step which includes a greater degree of academic independence and responsibility.  Please expect homework virtually every Monday through Thursday.

-          Occasionally, weekend homework may be assigned.

-          Students need to complete homework in its entirety and accurately.

-          A signed home reading slip is due each Thursday

-          I firmly believe that school work comes before other student activities.

 Home Reading :

-          Your child will be required to read at home for at least eighty minutes per week.

-          Your child will track his/her reading on tracking sheets provided by me.  Students should do the recording.

-          Home reading is a significant portion of your child’s reading grade.

Field Trips:

-        I will send field trip notices as each trip nears.

-         Please let me know if cost is prohibitive and a scholarship will be made available.