Blue Heron 5^th Grade

  Newsletter

9-3-10

Dear Parents and Students,

 

What a busy first two weeks! The students seem to be settling into the 5^th grade schedule and routine. Reading/spelling/writing Daily 5 are coming along well. We have talked about all 5 choices and 10 of the options for CAFÉ (ask students for more details). Our timeline and map discussions in Social Studies have been very entertaining and educational. The new subtraction strategies in math are becoming more familiar too. Thanks for helping students each night with homework and looking over and signing their planners. I have been impressed with how well they have shown responsibility and have owned their learning these past two weeks.

 

Reminders/Updates:

• Continue to fill out reading logs and each month, signed by a parent and minutes totaled, on the first day of the next month. September logs are due October 1^st. Put the packet on the bedroom door or on the kitchen refrigerator to help you remember to accomplish it everyday. Rip off each month when it is due and turn it into the wicker basket.
• Scholastic orders for this week have been ordered through scholastic and should be here soon. There was a new online ordering form that you will find in student Friday folders this week. You may use this to order books anytime in the month of September. The online orders are due September 30^th.
• Monday is Labor Day. There is no school.
• We will be taking our Acuity math and language arts test Tuesday, September 7^th, starting first thing in the morning. Please be sure to be here that day and be on time, if not early.
• Please send a healthy snack (fruit, vegetables, yogurt, cheese, or crackers) to school for your child to eat around 11am.
• If you will be unable to attend curriculum night on the 16^th, I will post the PowerPoint online, under “Extras” for you to view. Any questions- just e-mail me.
• The first S.O.A.R. Club will be September 24^th. We will also be holding the first Darting Dollar Store. Parents, if you are able to donate any small toys or prize packages for our store and raffle, we would really appreciate it!
• New spelling word lists will be coming out each Friday. Mondays will typically be the word test, and then there will be a proofreading and skills test sometime during the week. The philosophy of Rebecca Sitton spelling is that students will be able to spell core words at anytime. Words they miss on their tests will be written down in their Steno pads under the new list of words for the week. Continue to practice all words each week as they will spiral back into various tests week to week. I forgot to send home the parent week 2 newsletter for spelling today in the Friday folders. They will go home Tuesday instead.
• There is a parent goal sheet page that I would love for you to fill out and send back with your child on Tuesday next week. It will help me know what goals and strengths you see for your child that we can work on here in school.
• There is a new policy for think sheets this year. We will not be sending them home to be signed (since that makes it look like a punishment rather than a positive reminder). If students receive 3 sheets in a month, they will need to have a short talk with Mr. Somers and I will either send a sheet home or shoot a quick e-mail to you.
   

Have a wonderful long weekend. I hope you all get to enjoy Monday together. See you Tuesday!

 

                                                                                                Thanks,

                                                                                                Vallory Darting

                                                                                                Blue Heron Elementary