2 Hour Delay on Election Day!

Please note that there will be a 2 hour delay on November 6th, due to the election. We encourage you to take your student, so that, they can observe the process.

Cookie Dough Fundraiser Pick Up

Please make arrangements to pick up your fundraiser cookie dough on Wednesday, September 26th from 11:30-6:30.

FALL FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT POSTPONED DUE TO RAIN!!!

Fall Family Movie Night is rescheduled for Sept. 22...same time, same place :)

eReaders (Kindle, Nook, etc.)

Frequently Asked Questions Can students bring stand-alone eReaders (Kindle, Nook, etc) to school? Yes! We encourage all students to read appropriate leveled books and eReaders may be a motivating method to encourage them to do so. However, if you choose to send your child to school with an eReader, please be mindful of the following guidelines: Parents assume all liability should an eReader be lost, stolen, or damaged while at school. The school and school system bear no legal or financial liability with these devices. eReaders should be clearly labeled with the student’s name eReaders should not be shared. They are for use only by the child who has brought the device to school No games or applications should be used while at school. These devices are approved for age/level appropriate books only and should only be used at appropriate times. If you are unsure as to when is an appropriate time, ask a teacher! Any content that is on the eReader is the sole responsibility of the parent and should be appropriate for school

NO HOMEWORK NIGHT -PROWL REWARD 08/27/12

Welcome to the 5th Grade!

Parents and Students, My name is Mrs. Houghton (How-Ton). I am married to Mr. Houghton, a 6th grade teacher at Dillard Drive Middle School. We currently live in Garner with our 4 year old daughter, Juliet. This will be my eleventh year of teaching and I am excited and eager to begin this journey through 5th grade with all of you. This year, students will be facing many changes and new responsibilities. As fifth graders, they are responsible for many jobs around the school and will serve as role models for the younger students. The students will be taught and expected to exhibit certain life skills that will prepare them for middle school. Among these life skills are; responsibility, resourcefulness and organization. Working together, I am confident that we will prepare these students for their next chapter in education. I believe that all students can learn, especially in the right climate. It is very important to me as an educator to create a classroom environment that is safe, positive, and structured. Communication is crucial to the success of our school year. I want all parents and students to feel comfortable coming to me with any questions, comments or concerns. I am looking forward to getting to know and work with you this year. Sincerely, Nicole Houghton, NBCT Email: nhoughton@wcpss.net Classroom Web Site: vance5th.blogspot.com ** Homework is posted daily

Camp Don Lee Field Trip!

Dear parents and guardians,
On May 18th, the 5th graders will be headed to Camp Don Lee in Arapahoe, North Carolina! The students will be participating in the Coastal Communities Program at the camp to further explore our science goal of ecosystems.
Due to the fact that this field trip is located near the North Carolina coast, the schedule for the day will be as follows:
• Eat a good breakfast before arriving at Vance
• Students arrive at Vance by parent transportation 6:10 am
• Buses leave Vance 6:30 am
• Buses return to Vance 6:30 pm for parent pick-up
We strongly encourage parents to communicate with each other in the transportation of their students to and from school that day.
The students will be responsible for bringing their own sack lunch. Because the day is so long, we will be asking parents to donate snacks for the whole class (like we did for field day) to have on the buses for our students throughout the day.
The trip is located about 143 miles from Raleigh, so we have chartered buses from Elite Tours. Your student will be able to bring a small bag with them on the bus. In their bag they should bring: sunscreen, insect repellent, a bottle of water, a change of clothes and an extra pair of shoes. They should also pack things to keep busy on the bus (books, coloring, puzzles, etc…). NO electronic games or music devices will be allowed on the bus.
All students should wear comfortable clothing. They will be outside most of the day, so students should dress appropriately. Students should also wear or pack a pair of “water shoes” for seining in river, walking through marsh, etc. (Examples include: old sneakers, aqua shoes, river sandals such as Tevas, but NOT flip flops)
Each classroom will be in need of volunteers to join us on the trip. If you are interested in being a class volunteer please sign and return the slip at the bottom of the page. Due to the high interest in the trip, the teachers will only be able to select a few parents on a first come, first serve basis. Volunteers will be responsible for their own transportation, due to Wake County Policy. We strongly recommend car pooling.

The total cost of the trip per student will be $35. (Volunteers do NOT need to pay for this trip)
++ If you have any concerns about the payment of this trip, please contact your student’s teacher.

Be sure to send the money along with the permission slip to school in an envelope labeled with your student’s name. The money and permission slip need to be returned to school by Tuesday, May 15th.