Grade 5 Orientation Slides
T
Timony School (Grades 1-8)
Welcome New Families!
Welcome to Timony School
Our official Grade 1–8 parent and student orientation. We are excited to support your family during the 2026 - 2027 school year!
New Routines
Independence
Support Teams
Building-Wide Student & Parent Orientation Ready to Begin
Our School Leadership
Administration Team
K-8 Supervising Principal
Mr. Reeve
Directing building-wide academic, cultural, and operational success.
K-8 Special Education Administrator
Suzanne Fichera
Coordinating student-centered services, IEP support, and equity.
Upper School Associate Principal (Gr. 5-8)
Meredith Butterworth
Supporting discipline, academic schedules, and student routines.
Lower School Associate Principal (Gr. K-4)
Erin Mackay
Guiding early elementary classrooms, family connection, and support.
Timony School • K-8 Orientation Slide 2 of 13
Upper School Schedule (Grades 5-8)
Daily Timings
Morning Arrival
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7:30 AM
Bus Arrival: Bus students arrive. Grade 5/6 go to the lower cafeteria; Grade 7/8 go to the upper cafeteria.
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7:45 AM
Doors Open: Walkers and parent drop-offs enter homeroom. Please do not drop off students before 7:45 AM. Doors do not open until this time.
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7:55 AM
Homeroom Bell: Students must be inside their classes ready for morning start.
Daily Schedule & Dismissal
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8:00 AM
Classes Begin: The formal academic school day begins promptly.
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2:15 PM
Daily Dismissal: Standard afternoon bell for buses & parent pickup.
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11:15 AM
Half-Day Dismissal: Reduced schedule days (no lunch served).
Delayed Opening: On delayed weather days, arrival is shifted to 9:45 AM.
Timony School • K-8 Orientation Slide 3 of 13
Lower School Schedule (Grades 1-4)
Daily Timings
Morning Arrival
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8:15 AM
Bus Arrival: Bus students arrive. Grades K-2 go to the lower cafeteria; Grades 3-4 go to the upper cafeteria.
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8:30 AM
Doors Open: Walkers and parent drop-offs enter homeroom. Please do not drop off students before 8:30 AM. Doors do not open until this time.
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8:45 AM
Homeroom Bell: Students must be in class and ready. Arriving later is considered tardy.
Daily Schedule & Dismissal
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8:45 AM
Classes Begin: Academic day begins for elementary students.
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3:00 PM
Daily Dismissal: Afternoon dismissal for Lower School.
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11:45 AM
Half-Day Dismissal: Reduced schedule days (no lunch served).
Delayed Opening: On delayed weather days, arrival is shifted to 10:30 AM.
Timony School • K-8 Orientation Slide 4 of 13
Grade 5 Recess, Lunch & Specials
Daily Schedule Details
Grade 5 Recess
11:15 AM – 11:35 AM
20 Minutes
Grade 5 Lunch
11:35 AM – 11:55 AM
20 Minutes
Grade 5 Specials
11:55 AM – 12:50 PM
55 Minutes
Water & Snack Note
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Upper School Snack: Note that there are no mid-day snack breaks in the Upper School building (Grades 5-8).
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Water Bottles: Students in all grades may have clean water bottles at their desks.
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Always exercise extreme caution around classroom digital Chromebooks!
Timony School • Grade 5 Orientation Slide 5 of 13
Grade 5 Academic Team Structure
Transition Support
TEAM A
Classroom Instructors
Specialist Academic Partners
Ms. Griffin
Ms. Labrie
TEAM B
Classroom Instructors
Specialist Academic Partners
Ms. Zappala
Ms. Santee
TEAM C
Classroom Instructors
Specialist Academic Partners
Ms. Tierney-Honan
Ms. Coyne
Grade 5 Guidance Counselor Assignment
Dedicated support to navigate upper school scheduling and developmental milestones.
Ms. Manning Mrs. Chan Mrs. Dougan
Timony School • Grade 5 Orientation Slide 6 of 13
Your Academic Classes
Upper School Curriculum
CORE Four Main Classes Daily
English / ELA
Daily Focused Block
75 Min
Mathematics
Concept Mastery Block
75 Min
Science
Inquiry & Labs
40 Min
Social Studies
History & Geography
40 Min
* Focus on core academic foundation while expanding skills and content knowledge.
Specials Schedule
Specials (55 Min)
- Art
- Health
- Physical Education
- Music (Gen, Chorus, Band)
Specials operate on a letter-day schedule (A - G day) as listed on students' schedules. Flex Classes are built-in!
Timony School • Upper School Specials Slide 7 of 13
Homework & Study Habits
Success Strategies
Pacing Goal
Expect approximately 50 minutes of total homework each night.
Parent Tip: If homework consistently takes longer than 50 minutes, please reach out to your child's teacher immediately.
Subject Focus
Students should expect regular nightly homework in ELA and Math.
Homework in Science & Social Studies will be assigned occasionally.
Develop a consistent nightly workspace at home.
Reading Habit
Students must read independently or with a parent for at least 20 minutes every single night!
This single habit is highly correlated with long-term academic confidence and expanded vocabulary.
Timony School • General Homework Habit Slide 8 of 13
Step Up Responsibilities
Lockers & Electronics
Using Lockers (Gr. 5-8)
- Each student is assigned their own private locker.
- Must store coats and backpacks in the locker.
- Bring your own combination lock! Keep locked at all times.
- Do not share combinations. Valuable items must stay home.
Cell Phone Policy (All Grades)
- Students are not allowed cell phones on their person during classes.
- Phones must be turned completely OFF and kept inside backpacks.
- Parents: Please do not text your child. Call the main building office for messages.
- Review complete school rules printed in our student handbook.
Timony School • Student Responsibilities Slide 9 of 13
Gym & Recess Guidelines
Staying Safe & Active
PE Sneaker Prep
All students are required to wear proper athletic sneakers for physical education classes.
Changing space is accessible, though arriving dressed properly in comfortable gym attire is recommended and preferred.
Check G-day special rotations.
Playgrounds & Gear
- Do not bring personal recess equipment from home.
- The building provides basketballs, four-square balls, and skip ropes.
- Play areas are situated on the blacktop and in the wooded playground.
- Field spaces are not open for recess. Football, soccer, and tag are not allowed.
Timony School • Recess Guidelines Slide 10 of 13
Dismissal & Student Life
Belonging & Achievement
Afternoon Pickup
- No Pickup Numbers: Dismissals rely on prompt sidewalk coordination.
- Students exit to the sidewalk in front of the Media Center.
- Please pull as far forward as possible in the pickup line.
- Do not leave your vehicle during parent pickup!
Clubs, Activities & Honors
We hope students consider participating in our active building community!
Sports Teams
Drama Club
Yearbook Club
And More!
Honor Roll Assemblies: Held to celebrate students who consistently meet our high academic and behavioral expectations!
Timony School • Campus Life Slide 11 of 13
Key Dates & Community Programs
Getting Ready
Launch Timeline
Sept 1
Open House & Visit
Meet teachers, set up lockers, explore classrooms.
Grades 2, 4, 5, 7: 5:00 - 6:00 PM | Specialists: 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Sept 2
First Full Day of School
Grades 1 through 8 report for our official opening day!
* Ensure immunizations and student handbook signatures are submitted by day one.
Local Care & PTO
Ranger's Club
Fee-based school child care program. See orientation flyer.
YMCA & YWCA Programs
Methuen YMCA: 978-683-5266
Lawrence YWCA: 978-687-0331
Timony PTO
Nicole Michelson, PTO President
Timonypto@gmail.com
Timony School • Key Calendar Dates Slide 12 of 13
Questions & Support
We're Here to Help
Main Office Support
Stop by the main office to connect with our administrative and support team:
Upper School Secretary Tracy Dunbar
Lower School Secretary Ms. Ortiz
Bilingual Parent Liaison Ms. Hernandez
Primary Contact
Meredith Butterworth
Upper School Associate Principal
PHONE DIRECTORY 978-722-9006 (Upper School Direct)
EMAIL DIRECTORY mhbutterworth@methuen.k12.ma.us
FAX DIRECTORY 978-722-9007
Timony School • K-8 Parent Directory Welcome to the Pack!