Newsletter: February 21

This may go down as the craziest winter of all time! I apologize for not keeping up on newsletters better. Despite all of the crazy schedules and happenings in our room, the kids have been AMAZING!!! Our trimester ends Friday, February 28. All work must be turned in on that date to receive credit. 

We have a new student! 

Brian Kurdimanov has recently moved here from Cheboksary, Russia! He has been in the US for a little over 2 weeks. We are SUPER lucky to have him in our class. Language has presented a bit of a barrier, but we are all adjusting to the use of google translate and other means of communication. I am sure you have heard much about him! It has been a great first 3 days for all of us. The class has welcomed him and not let language be a problem. 

Visitor 

We had a guest student yesterday, Hayden Anderson. He is a homeschool student who took a field trip to our class yesterday. The purpose was for him to get perspective on what public school is like. Again, the class welcomed him with open arms. 

 Both of these experiences have been AWESOME! We are blessed to have had the opportunities! 

Fighting Sickness 

I know that sickness is moving through the school in full force. Good sleep, plenty of water, and nutritious meals are the best ways to combat! If your student is out sick, please help him/her to get work made up in a timely manner. I always send make-up work home in an orange folder. 

Science Fair 

The Science Fair will be on Feb. 26. Science Central will be here from 5:30-6:30 in the gym for some family fun activities! Come and see what’s happening!

Newletter: January 31

Winter is definitely making its mark this year. The kids have done a FABULOUS job of “going with the flow” as we have navigated many delays and closings. They have all been reminded to be sure to have an AR book with them at all times...many will benefit from reading on those days that school is delayed or closed. Hang in there...warmer weather will be here eventually :) 

Valentine’s Day Party 
We will have our class Valentine’s Day party on February 14. Students ARE NOT required to bring in valentines. However, if they bring them, they bring them for the entire class. If you would like to send in a treat that day, just sent it with your student! Your student has a class list and names of specials teachers. We have 23 students in our class. 

Help a teacher out... 
Needless to say, the weather is crazy this winter...I LOVE IT! It does make for crazy days at school. You can help by making sure that students are getting work done (lots of late work recently), reading for AR on delay/cancellation days, and keeping track of school stuff. 

Snow Make-Up Days 
Due to the unusually hard winter and school closings, Wawasee Schools will be in session on the following dates: 

 February 3rd for the September 30th closing 

 February 24th for the January 8th closing 

 March 24th for the January 23rd closing

 May 30th for the January 28th closing 

Monday, February 24th was originally scheduled as a Teacher Work Day. The Teacher Work Day is now cancelled and classes will be in session. The last day of the second trimester will be February 28. The first day of the third trimester will be March 3rd.

Newsletter: January 17

Our first full week was a SUCCESS! We hit the road running Monday. We are in the second half of the school year: expectations are higher, pace is a bit faster, and work load has increased a bit. The kids did really well! We have many new things happening in 5th grade for the second half of the school year. Read on to find out what’s going on! 

Success Time 

This is new to 5th grade. We have had an allotted Tier 2 intervention time all year. However it has recently been restructured and now called Success Time. During this 30 minute time period, the 5th grade is working on Language Arts skills. Each student takes a pre-test and is then placed according to their results. Check with you student to see what they are doing during this time. Many of them go to Mr. Brady or Mr. Stewart for Success Time. Groups will be flexible, changing every 2 weeks (approximately). 

NWEA Testing 

We will finish testing next week. Our final test is scheduled for January 21. We will be testing in the morning. Please do your best to make sure your student is here! 

Conferences 

If you were unable to make it to conferences last night, your student will be doing their conference with you over the weekend! 

Snow Make-Up days! 

We will have school on January 27 and February 3 to make up for missed days (days missed were September fog day and January 8). The IDOE has granted a waiver for January 6 and 7, so we do not have to make those up. 

Preparation for Middle School 

It is the time of year when we make a shift in our classroom. Prep for middle school becomes a focus. Expectations are higher, work gets a little harder, and consequences are handed out quicker. I really begin to push the students to be more self-accountable for work, grades, and goals. Any help from home is GREATLY appreciated. This will help make a smooth transition for next school year!

Newletter: January 10

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! This week was a nice, easy start back after a wonderful Christmas Break and the Blizzard of 2014! I hope you all had a wonderful, extended time together. We are jumping in full-swing on Monday. We have gone over rules and procedures and enjoyed catching up with one another this week. I sure did miss these kids!!! 

Student Led Conferences 

January 16, 4:00-7:00 The 4th and 5th grades will be doing student-led conferences again. If you are not seeing the "regular" conference sheet come home, that is why. A note came home with your student TODAY! I hope to see you all there! If you know that you will want to meet one-on-one with me, we can schedule a time when you come in. 

NWEA Testing 

We will begin testing next week. Our testing dates are: January 15, 17, and 21. We will be testing in the mornings one those dates. Please do your best to make sure your student is here! 

MIDTERMS 

Midterm grades will be available at your student's conference. Remember, this is just the half-way point of the trimester. 

Snow Make-Up days! 

We will have school on January 27 and February 3 to make up for missed days (days missed were September fog day and January 8). The IDOE has granted a waiver for January 6 and 7, so we do not have to make those up. 

Preparation for Middle School 

It is the time of year when we make a shift in our classroom. Prep for middle school becomes a focus. Expectations are higher, work gets a little harder, and consequences are handed out quicker. I really begin to push the students to be more self-accountable for work, grades, and goals. Any help from home is GREATLY appreciated. This will help make a smooth transition for next school year!

Christmas Letter

Dear Parents and Families,
      It has been a learning experience so far in Room 410. This group of kids has done a great job getting adjusted to life in 5th grade. They are learning more responsibility, how to be a positive role model, and that hard work pays off! It was possible with support from home – that's you!
      I am a firm believer that good kids come from good parents. Our class would not be what we are without the support of each one of you at home. You deserve a jumbo

THANKS!  

      We have worked hard this first part of the school year. We have published 4 pieces of writing, taken several Science and Social Studies tests, learned 400 spelling words, taken over 500 AR quizzes, and many other day-to-day things.
       The most recent task was to answer Letters to Santa written by a first grade class. What an honor! The letters were a huge hit with the first grade and I believe the 5th graders enjoyed answering the letters. Definitely put us in the Christmas Spirit.
        As I wrap up, I want to thank you for the support from home. It makes a teacher's job easier when parents are supportive of the education for their children. Be safe in your travels and cherish the time you have with family and friends this holiday season
        See you January 6, 2014!
        Merry Christmas and blessings on your holiday