Dear Parents,

      Welcome to 5^th grade. First and foremost, I would like to thank you for being prompt with contacting me with your most up to date email and phone number. It’s extremely helpful to have that to be able to communicate with you throughout the year. Although this isn’t the way any of us expected to begin the year, it’s a sign of the times and we must learn to adjust to the changes that are not in our control. Together, we will face MANY obstacles, yet I hope we can work together and come out stronger in the end. The Spring school closure forced us all into a transition none of us were prepared for and gave us a taste of what we will face this year. It is by no means a sign that any of us are pros at virtual teaching or learning. Therefore, I ask for your flexibility, as we navigate the uncertainties that lie ahead. 

      Despite the pandemic that forced us into remote learning, education has changed since we were in a classroom.  The trend is away from just memorizing facts.  Instead, we try to teach children how to think critically to figure out solutions to problems.  It’s also important to show them how to find the information they will need to complete tasks and then write their findings or results accurately so others can benefit.  In 5^th grade, students develop these skills through discussions, cooperative learning, research as well as class discussions, reading and just plain hard work. By the end of 5^thgrade, my goal is that each child grows not just academically, but also in maturity and self-esteem.  It will be the well-rounded person who knows the value of education and hard work that will succeed in today’s world.  

     Keeping lines of communication is vital. Email remains the best form of communication, especially at this time. You can email me at rliepshutz@saugerties.k12.ny.us. You may also leave me a voicemail and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. I do check my email often throughout the day, and can usually get back to you sooner.  Although email is great, please contact the office to be sure I get any important messages and/or last minute messages regarding a change in dismissal. For those of you on Facebook, I have a “kid/parent” page under “Mrs. Rina Gjergji-Liepshutz”. I don’t check it often, but do welcome additional “parent friends” to see things happening in 5^th grade.  Keep in mind, however, I will not use Facebook Messsenger and all correspondence should be directed to my email. I also have a “Kids Instagram” account. If you (or your child) have an account and would like to follow me, my name is mrs.rinaliepshutz.  Again, I don’t go on that account often and don’t have my notifications turned on, so it may take a while for me to see it. Although I offer these other means of communication, please remember the best way to reach me is through my school email address. 

      Students should have received an invitation to join my Google Classroom Homeroom page. If your child has yet to join, please have him/her join and be sure to test the login. I hope these steps will serve as a reminder for those that may have forgotten how to get into Google Classroom.  

Logging into Google and Accessing Google Classroom

1. Search Google Classroom or go directly to Google Classroom on your Chromebook

2. Sign in --username is student’s school email address—STUDENT’S FIRST INITIAL and LAST NAME@saugerties.k12.ny.usand the password is 0000 followed by 5 digit password--be sure to enter the full email address and the four 0000 before entering password

3. One logged in, you’ll see a capital letter (for first name) in the upper right hand corner showing you’re logged into your account. To the left of that are nine dots. This is called the waffle. It is where all the Google components are found.

4. Click the nine dots (waffle) and a drop down menu will appear. Choose the Classroom 

5. You might already see some classes your child has been entered into automatically. You’ll need to add other classes (specials) to Google Classroom. 

6. If your child has not been invited to my HOMEROOM classroom, click the + sign in the upper right hand corner and enter code--- hgd2doi. 

7. You will repeat these steps for the other classes (specials) . These codes are all on the Homeroom Stream. 

 At some point next week, students will be invited to join two more classes, one for ELA/SS for me and one for Math/Science with Mrs. Colby. 

     Please be sure your child is logged in and ready to begin on Tuesday at 9:00. We will begin with a virtual morning meeting and then go to special. Although it's a "half day" for students, our time together will be spent getting to know one another . 

      As we begin next week and you have additional questions I have yet to answer, I invite you to visit my Google Classroom Homeroom page. I will add helpful tabs on the side that may answer some of those questions. Additionally, the classroom website may provide you with information that has not been covered. My webpage can be found by following these steps:

1. Go to www.saugerties.k12.ny.us

2. Click on “Select a School” from the top of the page

3. A drop down menu will appear.  From that menu, select “Cahill Elementary School”

4. Just above the picture of Cahill Elementary School is a tab titled “Teachers”.  Select that and another menu will appear with all teachers at Cahill Elementary. You will find me under the “L” for Liepshutz. 

     In closing, I look forward to meeting you and your child in the next week. If you did not receive an email from me regarding a Parent Conference Survey, please be sure to check for it. It will help us accommodate your schedule. More importantly, I am looking forward to working with you and your child to make this school year a successful one. Enjoy the last weekend of summer.

Sincerely, 

Rina Liepshutz