J. Michael Conley Elementary School at Southwood

Here is where you will find all the information and updates for the class. Also, please check dates periodically as things are subject to change. 

12/5/25 - 

Happy Friday Families! 

I can't believe we are just two weeks away from the first semester of 5th grade ending. We are still working hard until the very end. I have been so proud of how hard they worked coming back after break. The last chapter for this quarter will be chapter 7, which we will assess on Wednesday, December 17th. 

There are several things going on in the next two weeks as well, so I wanted to give you a calendar update. As always, please continue to check our website daily. 

Important Dates - 

12/9 - ELA Fast PM 2 

12/11 - MATH Fast PM 2 & electronic day

12/15 - Safety Patrol & Student Council Swear in (for those who are safety patrols & student council)

12/17 - School Wide 4H speech (you will be notified if your child is participating)

12/18 - Polar Express Day (in class to go with pajama day) 

12/19 - Symphony Field Trip (if you returned the permission slip prior to 11/14)

***The next two weeks are also themed and have attached those flyers as well.***

Candy Grams: The holidays are approaching, and Student Council is hosting their first fundraiser of the year: Candy Cane Grams!  Grams will be on sale the week of December 2^nd-10^th for $1.00 apiece. Please send your child to school with money to buy Candy Cane Grams for their friends, teachers, support staff, or even if you as a parent want to send your child one! Students can turn in their money to their classroom teacher and fill out the delivery form. Candy Cane Grams will be delivered to classrooms on Wednesday, December 17^th!

FAST Testing - Please make sure to have your student here no later than 8:30. We are starting as soon as the bell rings. Also, please make sure they have a hardy breakfast, to help them keep them energized and focus during these progress monitoring. 

Electronic Day - Students are welcome to bring an electronic device from home; however, devices should not have phone or texting capabilities. In accordance with school policy, cell phones may not be brought to school. If a student does not have an electronic device at home, they will be able to use their school computer for approved games.

Polar Express Day - It is school wide PJ day, so why not have a movie & celebration day. What a great way to end our first semester and have some holiday fun making classroom memories. Please see the sign up genies link to see how you can help. We would also like to have pizza with our party, so if possible, we are asking for all students to bring in $5 to help cover the cost. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050A45A8A92AA5F49-61004218-polar 

Thank you for sharing your students with us. We have enjoyed getting to know them. 

12/4/25 - Electronic Day Information

I’m excited to share that our classes has earned an Electronic Day for raising over $500 during Boosterthon! We will celebrate on Thursday, December 11th.

Students are welcome to bring an electronic device from home; however, devices should not have phone or texting capabilities. In accordance with school policy, cell phones may not be brought to school. If a student does not have an electronic device at home, they will be able to use their school computer for approved games.

Thank you for your support and enthusiasm throughout our Boosterthon fundraiser!

12/3/25 - Winter Concert from Ms. Bennitt

11/17/25 - Chapter 5 Study Guide/Extra Credit & Work

Good Afternoon Families,

I wanted to let you know that the Chapter 5 math extra credit/study guide was sent home today. It will be due on Wednesday, November 19th, which is also the day of our Chapter 5 assessment.

To receive the extra credit, students must complete the entire chapter review, have a parent or guardian sign it, and turn it in on the due date. Students who meet all of these requirements will receive 5 extra points added to their overall assessment grade.

If you prefer that the extra 5 points not be added, your student may still complete the study guide; they will receive a Sting Card as a reward for turning it in.

If your student did not bring the packet home, you can find a copy on my website:
https://www.leonschools.net/Page/57814

I also wanted to let you know that I will be giving students what they are missing for Chapter 5 tomorrow. If students are missing any assignments, they will have until Friday, November 21st to complete them and turn them in. Once we are back from break, I will not be accepting any of those assigns. 

Thank you, as always, for your continued support at home.

11/14/25 - Grades Update & Reminders

Good Afternoon Families,

I wanted to share a quick update. I am currently working on entering and uploading grades. Please remember that once a chapter or unit has been assessed, I am no longer able to accept missing work for that section. If any assignment ever receives an extension, I will always post it on my class website and send an email to keep everyone informed.

I also want to let you know that I have not been sending math packets home. Both the Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 packets were completed in class and collected. My goal is for students to finish their assignments during class time unless otherwise noted. This helps me understand each student’s true grasp of the standard before we assess. When work is taken home frequently, it becomes harder to get a clear picture of their independent understanding, and that can affect assessment results. I always remind students that it’s completely okay to struggle or make mistakes—what matters most is that they try their best and stay engaged. I collect assignments before students leave, so you may not see work come home until it has been graded and returned.

All class materials, assignments, and updates are available on my website, which is updated daily to every other day. Students are also welcome to work on Reflex (if they have an account), I-Ready, or Ed Learning assignments at home—especially on days when there is no video posted. These programs are part of our classroom stations, but since some students work at a slower pace or may get distracted, extra practice at home can be very beneficial.

PM2 is right around the corner, and my priority is to help all students continue growing and showing just how capable and amazing they truly are.

11/10/25 - Importance of Watching the Videos and Showing Work 

Good Afternoon Families,

I hope you are doing well. I wanted to take a moment to share the importance of students watching the assigned lesson videos before class each day, as well as completing math problems on paper rather than in their heads. Both of these routines play a key role in student success in math.

When students watch the video ahead of time, they come to class prepared with background knowledge of the topic. This is especially helpful for students who may struggle with math concepts, as it gives them early exposure to the material and helps build confidence before we work through the lesson together. Watching the video in advance also allows us to use our class time more effectively, focusing on guided practice, independent work, and small-group instruction. Small groups are essential for reviewing skills students are still developing and for pre-teaching upcoming concepts to provide additional support.

It is equally important that students work out problems on paper rather than trying to solve them mentally. I have noticed many students attempting to do the math in their heads, which often leads to simple errors and slower progress. Writing out their steps helps them better understand the process, catch mistakes, and build stronger problem-solving habits. Showing their work also allows me to provide more targeted support, as I can see where they may need help.

Students can find the lesson videos on my class website. To access them:
Conley Website → Faculty & Staff → 5th Grade → Courtney Camper → Classwork

You can also check Focus to see if your child has completed each video. A check mark will appear when it has been completed. Although the videos are not graded, watching them consistently has a direct impact on student understanding, confidence, and overall academic improvement.

Your support in encouraging your child to watch the video prior to class, take notes, complete the activities, and show their work on paper makes a significant difference in their learning and success.

Thank you for your continued partnership in helping your child build strong math habits and thrive in the classroom.

11/7/25 - Classroom Focus & Work Habits

Good Afternoon Families,

I hope you are doing well. I wanted to take a moment to share some recent observations regarding classwork and to kindly ask for your support at home.

Over the past few weeks, I have noticed that many students are having difficulty staying focused during lessons, even with multiple reminders. This has resulted in slower work completion and challenges with following directions the first time they are given, as well as staying on task. As we continue building strong work habits—especially in preparation for middle school—these skills are essential for success.

Yesterday and today, I took additional class time to allow students to complete work from the previous week for this chapter that was still unfinished before taking the Chapter 4 assessment. Unfortunately, many students continued to struggle with focus and work completion, which has now left them further behind. Taking this extra time for work that should have already been completed has caused us to move more slowly through the planned lessons and having more time for other academic needs. 

It is also important for student success that they watch the lesson videos prior to coming to class. These videos help build background knowledge and allow us to maximize our time in class for guided instruction, independent practice, and small groups to support areas of need. However, since independent work is taking longer than expected, we have had less time to review skills and hold as many small-group sessions as I would like.

Although I do not assign traditional homework except for the lesson videos and optional extra credit, students can still access Ed Learning and i-Ready at home. I do assign additional reinforcement activities in these programs in stations, and completing them at home is a great way for students to strengthen skills and stay on track.

I would greatly appreciate your support in speaking with your child about the importance of staying on task, following directions the first time, and completing required assignments in a timely manner—including watching the assigned videos—before class. Reinforcing these expectations at home truly makes a positive difference in the classroom.

Thank you for your continued partnership in this matter as we continue moving forward. 

Kind Regards, 

Mrs. Camper 

10/17/25 - Quarter 2 Changes

Happy Friday Families! 

Starting this quarter, I am starting something new in regards to graded work being turned in. I will no longer except missing work once we are pass that chapter/unit. For example, our Chapter 3 math assessment is schedule for Tuesday,  October 28th. No assignments in relationships with chapter 3 will be excepted after October 28th. In preparing students with middle school, I want to make sure they are staying on top of their current assignments and preparing for the skill/standard we are working on during those chapters/units. It is important they are staying focus and working hard to prepare for that assessment as well. There are several students who are not working on these assignments prior to the assessment, then they are struggling when it comes to the assessment. I do encourage students to complete their classwork at home if they do not finish it in class, so they do not fall behind and are still preparing for the upcoming assessment.

Please make sure to check the website daily and Focus weekly.  

Since we are just starting this new procedure, Chapter 2 packet pages are DUE no later than Friday, October 24th. Chapter 3 packet packets are DUE no later than Tuesday, October 28th. As of right now, we have only completed pages 91 and 87 - 88 for Chapter 3. Please see the link below for my website for chapter packets if your student is unable to find their copies. 

https://www.leonschools.net/Page/57814 

Here is to a successful second quarter. I appreciate your support outside the classroom so much and this new procedure I am setting in place. 

Kind Regards, 

Mrs. Camper 

10/10/25 - Math Chapter 2 Assessment & Update

Happy FriYAY Families! 

I am emailing to let everyone know that students should be bringing home their study guides/extra credit for Chapter 2. This is the Chapter 2 Review at the end of the packet pages 75 - 80. If your student does not have it, it can be found on my website under the math tab. Students can receive extra credit for turning these in on Tuesday, October 14 completed with a signature from a parent/guardian. If you do not wish for your student to receive extra credit for completing these pages, I completely understand; however, I still encourage them to still complete this review as it services as a study guide for the assessment. I am also happy to reward them with hive fives (school reward) instead. Just please let me know. Study guides, review, and even extra credit is something they will see in middle school, so I want to make sure that they are working now on them and prepared for when they move on. 

Students also worked on a practice assessment in class today on Ed Learning. Please check in with your student to make sure they completed it as they will see these questions again very soon. If they have completed it, I highly suggest going over all the questions again, especially the ones they did not understand. It is the expectation that students check in with me with questions they do not understand during or after they submit the practice assessment; however, several students, just move on and do not seek help from the teacher for better understanding even when I try to check in with them. 

Math packet pages that I will be entering into the gradebook for quarter two are Chapter 2  Lesson 2 pages 49 & 50 (omit #15), Lesson 5 pages 67 - 68 (omit #30) and lesson 4 page 59. Please continue to check the website daily and Focus weekly. 

I want to make sure the students are off to a great start as we begin the second quarter. One of the biggest thing I noticed with math grades specifically was the lack of assignments turned in. There is many reasons for this; however, one thing I do want to remind parents and guardians is that if it is not completed in class, students may complete it at home so that they do not fall behind. Students are given a tremendous time in class, but several work at a very slow pass. These assignments stay up in stations for the entire time for stations and on Fridays there are no new assignments usually given to provide more time to complete that weeks assignments. I do encourage students to work on them at home so that they are staying current with the content that we are working on, so they when it comes to assessment time, they are better prepared. I am asking for us to work together to help the students to work both here at school and at home when needed, so that they are successful. 

Thank you again for all your support outside the classroom. I am truly grateful for each and everyone of you. 

Kind Regards, 

Mrs. Camper

10/6/2025 - In Search of 

Good Morning Families, 

I wanted to reach out again and thank everyone who has helped with supplying our classroom with all of our last needs. While completing more interactive notebook activities, I have realized that I do not have enough scissors for everyone in class. If you would like to help and are willing, I am attaching my classroom wish list below for more classroom scissors. Also, we are out of lotion. I like to keep this on hand for students and as we are heading towards cooler weather, if again you are willing and would like to help, our class would appreciate some. This is also on my wish list. 

These are not major needed supplies at this time; however, they would be greatly appreciate if you are able to help. 

Thank you for all of your support outside the classroom. 

Kind Regards, 

Mrs. Camper 

Amazon Wish List:  https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/258BPFQZZ18B?ref_=wl_share

10/3/25 - 

9/12/2025 - Skate World Field Trip

9/12/2025 - September Updates

Progress reports dropped this week. Please check your child’s Focus for their grades and missing work. Remember if there is a Z that means I have not received their assignment yet. You can see all of their assignments, grades, and whether they have missing assignments by clicking on their number grade. ALL MISSING WORK IS DUE OCTOBER 3^rd. No assignments will be ACCEPTED after October 3^rd.

A couple of reminders. Yes, if there is a Z in the gradebook, they may still turn it in. If it is an I-Ready lesson that is on their technology instruction, they have to come and show me their score for me to enter it. All other assignments are turned into their class baskets. Second, classwork ONLY may have a second chance. I have notice, and I know some of you as well have seen some of these classwork score, some of these scores are from students not following the directions. Please encourage your child to read all directions before answering the questions. Some of these errors can be avoided if they will slow down and follow the instructions. Third, test and quizzes are not up for second chances.

I also wanted to take this time to remind families and students about my flip classroom. Some students are not coming to class prepared with their video completed in their notebook. You will know if your student has completed it if there is a check mark in Focus for completion. This does not affect their grade by having the check mark, but it can affect their grade by not being prepared for the lesson and class. I also wanted to let families know that I do send home extra credit for math which is their chapter review at the chapter. These are white pages with blue at the top. These need to be complete, signed, and returned by the due date. I also give the students a practice test prior to the actual test. This gives students time to ask questions, see the questions types, and review it.

Next, please know I do not assign homework. They will only have the videos to complete at home; however, I will encourage them to complete the extra credit I send home. If you would like for them to work at home, I do encourage them to work on I-Ready (both teacher assigned and their path) and ED Learning assignments. This will help them with skills we are working on and skills that they are struggling with.

I will be sending out a sign-up genius for conferences. Please be on the look out for it.

As always please email me with any questions or concerns. I will also attach my website at the bottom for you to explore again.

Kind Regards,

Mrs. Camper

8/8/2025- Welcome!

Hello Families! 

Important Dates

8/7/25  - Orientation

8/11/25 - First Day of School

8/25/25 - Open House