Newsletter May 9 - May 13

We just finished our second of two reading tests today.  I will send those results with your child by the end of the year (I usually send home grades, reading results and teacher assignments in a big envelope the last week of school).  If your child scored below benchmark on the DIBELS test we are required to send that information to your home.  Our reading specialist will send letters home to those students that scored below the end of the year benchmark.

Here are this week's happenings:

• Spelling words were sent home today.  They emphasize the three spellings for the long /a/ sound (ai, ay, and a_e).  The test will be this Friday.  We will practice these words in class, but helping your child study these at home is helpful.
• The last day for take-home books is this Friday, May 13.  Please keep reading those with your child until that date.  If your child has lost their take-home book the charge is $5.00 to replace the book.
• We took our Chapter 11 math test today.  We will start Chapter 12 tomorrow.  Chapter 12 continues with two-dimensional geometry.   We will be learning about equal and unequal parts, sides and vertices (angles) on two-dimensional shapes, and fractions (halves and fourths).  Again, I will not send home a Chapter 12 math packet home as homework, but rather we will complete those practice sheets in class.  I plan on finishing and testing on Chapter 12 on Friday, May 20.
• All missing work is due on Friday, May 20.  I will send home a grade print out tomorrow (Tuesday, May 10).  Please look over that and let me know if you notice any discrepancies.  I probably have 10 math packets without names on them for example.   
• Our Swimming field trip is coming home next Tuesday, May 17.  A note is coming home tomorrow (again Tuesday) giving details or answers to questions you may have.  Please read over that!!
• Field Day is Friday, May 20.  The first grade classes will walk up to the Canyon Park, walk part way up the walking trail, play on the park and have a water balloon toss.  In order to have the water balloon toss, we could use some parents to help supply and fill up water balloons for that day.  If you could help us by filling up those balloons (in advance) let me know.   If you would like to walk up the trail with us or come to the park you are more than welcome to join us.  The school lunch that day is a BBQ.  We all sit outside and enjoy a BBQ together.  If you child normally eats a home lunch that day you may want to consider school lunch instead.
• On Thursday, May 26 all K-2 graders will be watching a movie in the morning.  In order to attend that movie, all library books, take home books and lunch accounts must be paid for or returned.  Please help your child return all of their books or pay the appropriate fine, and make sure that their lunch account is paid.  
• We have 9 more school days until the 100 book challenge complete.  I  have a couple of students that have read well over 100 books--yay!!  We will have our "reading picnic" (pizza) the following Monday for those that have accomplished that reading goal!  I will let you know which newspaper edition your child's picture will appear in (only if they read 100 books). 

I'm always amazed how fast every year goes!!!  Once your child is in my class they are in my heart forever. 

Happy Reading!!