Friday, April 28, 2017

Newsletter, April 28

A Peek At What We are Doing in Fifth Grade
 
You may have noticed this week’s email is quite long.  That’s because there is quite a bit of important information that I need to share with you.

Thank you to all the parents who were able to make the meeting yesterday and everyone who volunteered to help with our end of the year activities. An email will be coming out soon with opportunities to volunteer for the Amazing Race.  

What is the Amazing Race?  Have you seen the Amazing Race show? Well our Amazing Race is kind of like the show.  We have different stations outside and in the classrooms for students to complete as a team and earn points.  It is a fun way to spend time with each other as the year is coming to an end.  Volunteers are needed to run each of the different stations.

If this is your first child at Zach, let me explain how Graduation works.  On Thursday, May 25th at 10:30, we have a graduation ceremony in the gym.  The doors open for seating at 10:00.  The gym is usually quite full so I recommend you get here by 10:00 to get a seat.  Although it is a special occasion, we don’t require students to dress up, just dress nice.  After graduation, we all go out to the front of the school for a picnic.  We’ll provide cake and lemonade, you just need to provide the picnic lunch.  After the picnic, the kids go inside and change into shorts, t-shirts, and tennis shoes for Field Day which starts at 1:15.

The 15th Annual Zach Elementary Field Day will be on Thursday, May 25th from 1:15-3:15pm for kids in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade.  Parents are welcome to come and watch, but Mr. U is looking for some volunteers. Volunteering would include helping set up, take down, and running an event. Set up will begin at 12:30pm for both days. If you are interested in helping out, please give Mr. U a call at 488-5141 or email him at brentu@psdschools.org. There was also a sign up genius that you can sign up on that was emailed out. The more volunteers we get, the more smoothly field day will run.

In your child’s Friday folder there are two forms for you to read and sign.  The first is a permission slip for our Middle school visit on May 5th.  The other is regarding our Human Growth and Development unit.  I’d like this back by Monday, please.

What do you think of the fidgets that the students are bringing to school?  I’d like to share with you how I am deciding if something is a fidget or a toy.  A fidget is a device that helps you stay focused and sustain your attention.  If using your fidget helps you be attentive in class and you are able to participate in the class discussion and answer questions about what we are learning then your fidget is truly helping you sustain your attention.  If your fidget draws your or your classmate’s attention away from learning by the sound it makes or what it is doing, it is a toy.  If a student brings a toy to school, I will ask that it stay in the backpack during instruction time.  I appreciate your support with this.

Would you like to see pictures of the things we do in our classroom?  You can find all the newsletters for the year and other fun pictures including a video of Amy’s “Who Knew” at our classroom blog http://khalesclass.blogspot.com/ and at our classroom twitter account @HalesHomeroom.  

Dates to Remember

Middle School Visit - May 5th in the morning
Reading Maps - Monday, May 8th and Tuesday May 9th during Reading block.
Train OC Obstacle Course - May 10th at Lunch Recess
Amazing Race - Wednesday, May 24th
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” - Performance is either May 17th or May 18th during Reading block - a pink note was sent home with students this week with times of the performance.
Graduation - Thursday, May 25th at 10:30
Field Days - Thursday, May 25th at 1:15

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, Amy!




Saturday, April 8, 2017

Newsletter, April 6th

A Peek At What We are Doing in Fifth Grade
 
Two weeks down, one more to go.  We are almost done with CMAS.  Our Science test is on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week and then we are done with CMAS.
On Wednesday, April 12th, we’ll be taking class pictures.  Along with a homeroom picture and individual pictures, the fifth graders take a whole fifth grade picture.  The forms for ordering pictures went home in Friday folders this week.
On Thursday, April 27th at 3:45, there will be a parent meeting to plan Graduation and the Amazing Race.  We would appreciate it if you could volunteer and attend the meeting.  
Would you like to see pictures of the things we do in our classroom?  You can find all the newsletters for the year and other fun pictures including a video of Amelia’s and Gavin’s “Who Knew” at our classroom blog http://khalesclass.blogspot.com/ and at our classroom twitter account @HalesHomeroom.  

Dates to Remember
School Pictures - Wednesday, April 12th
Arbor Day Presentation - Monday, April 20th at 2:00
Math MAPS - Thursday, April 27th and Friday, April 28th during Math block.
End of Year Planning Parent meeting - Thursday, April 27th at 3:45 in Mrs. Oster’s room.
Middle School Visit - May 5th in the morning
Reading Maps - Monday, May 8th and Tuesday May 9th during Reading block.
Train OC Obstacle Course - May 10th at Lunch Recess
Amazing Race - Wednesday, May 24th (I had previously indicated morning, but this is an all-day activity which usually starts around 10:30.)
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” - Performance is either May 17th or May 18th during Reading block - more information coming soon.
Graduation - Thursday, May 25th in the morning

Field Days - Thursday, May 25th in the afternoon

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, Fiona, Ryan, Amelia and Gavin!















Friday, March 31, 2017

Newsletter, March 31st

A Peek At What We are Doing in Fifth Grade
 
The students have completed their first round of testing and did an amazing job.  They each took their time and put in their very best effort.  They will be starting Math next week then Science the following week.
The third graders are hold a canned food drive at Zach next week.  Their goal is to go completely around the hallway at school with canned food.  The food benefits the Larimer County Food Bank.
On Wednesday, April 12th, we’ll be taking class pictures.  Along with a homeroom picture and individual pictures, the fifth graders take a whole fifth grade picture.
I know it seems a long way away, but your child has started working on his or her slide for graduation.  Your student needs two (2) pictures.  - a little kid picture and a current picture of him or her doing something you enjoy!! Bring pictures in to be scanned, on a flash drive or email them to Mrs. Roberson anytime - rroberso@psdschools.org (no “N” in her address).
A group of parents are arranging an “Island Party” as a celebration for the fifth graders.  If you’d like more information, you can contact the parent volunteers at islandzach2017@gmail.com.
Would you like to see pictures of the things we do in our classroom?  You can find all the newsletters for the year and other fun pictures including a video of Ryan’s “Who Knew” at our classroom blog http://khalesclass.blogspot.com/ and at our classroom twitter account @HalesHomeroom.  

Dates to Remember
Canned Food Drive - April 3rd - 10th
Graduation Pictures - April 3rd
No School - Friday, April 7th
Arbor Day Presentation - Monday, April 20th at 2:00
End of Year Planning Parent meeting - Thursday, April 27th at 3:45 in Mrs. Oster’s room.
Middle School Visit - May 5th in the morning
Train OC Obstacle Course - May 10th at Lunch Recess
Amazing Race - Wednesday, May 24th in the morning
Graduation - Thursday, May 25th in the morning
Field Days - Thursday, May 25th in the afternoon

Friday, March 24, 2017

Newsletter, March 24th

A Peek At What We are Doing in Fifth Grade
 
I hope everyone enjoyed their Spring Break.  The kids have been amazing this week getting right back into our regular routine.  Unfortunately, since we start CMAS testing next week, the next three weeks will be kind of crazy.  Below I have included our CMAS schedule just in case you didn’t get the copy I sent home with students.  If you have any questions, please let me know.   
Yearbook order forms were included in Friday folders before Spring Break. To order please go to www.community.pcitavo.com.  Click “Shop” & Find Zach Elementary School.  The deadline for ordering is Friday, March 31st.
I know it seems a long way away, but your child has started working on his or her slide for graduation.  Your student needs two (2) pictures - a little kid picture and a current picture of him or her doing something he or she enjoys!! Bring pictures in to be scanned, on a flash drive or email them to Mrs. Roberson anytime - rroberso@psdschools.org (no “N” in her address).
Would you like to see pictures of the things we do in our classroom?  You can find all the newsletters for the year and other fun pictures including at our classroom blog http://khalesclass.blogspot.com/ and at our classroom twitter account @HalesHomeroom.  

Dates to Remember
Yearbook Orders Due - March 31st
Graduation Pictures - April 3rd
No School - Friday, April 7th
Arbor Day Presentation - Monday, April 20th at 2:00
End of Year Planning Parent meeting - Thursday, April 27th at 3:45 in Mrs. Oster’s room.
Middle School Visit - May 5th in the morning
Train OC Obstacle Course - May 10th at Lunch Recess
Amazing Race - Wednesday, May 24th in the morning
Graduation - Thursday, May 25th in the morning
Field Days - Thursday, May 25th in the afternoon


5th Grade CMAS Schedule
Tuesday, March 28th,
Wednesday, March 29th
Thursday, March 30th
9:15 - 10:00 Specials
10:00 - 11:10 Block 1
11:10 - 11:35 Lunch
11:35 - 11:55 Recess
12:00 - 1:10 Block 2
(12:30 – 3:30 – Extended Testing)
1:10 – 3:30
ELA Testing – 90 minute session
Monday, April 3rd,
Tuesday, April 4th, Wednesday, April 5th,
Thursday, April 6th
Regular Schedule
12:40 – 1:05 – Lunch
1:05 to 1:30 – Recess
1:30 to 3:30
Math Testing – 60 minute session
Monday, April 10th
Regular Schedule
12:40 – 1:05 – Lunch
1:05 to 1:30 - Recess
No CMAS in the afternoon
Tuesday, April 11th,
Wednesday, April 12th
Thursday, April 13th
Regular Schedule
12:40 – 1:05 – Lunch
1:05 to 1:30 – Recess
1:30 to 3:30
Science Testing – 80 minute session

Sunday, March 5, 2017