This time of year as the sun gets higher in the sky and the breeze has a sweet scent to it, it feels like we're rounding the corner of our 5th grade year. To do lists are getting longer and the calendar is filling up both at school and at home. We aren't quite in the home stretch as we still have a few projects to finish, units to get through and books to read but, each day, we're getting closer to the end.
Here are a few updates that I wanted to share with you:
State Tests
The NYS ELA test is set for this week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday). We are beginning the exam first thing in the morning each day, promptly at 8:00 AM. Please make every effort to make sure your child is at school, with a belly full of breakfast and a well rested brain. The tests are untimed this year so everyone has as much time as they need to do their best.
The NYS Math tests are set for next week (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday). The start times are the same (8:00 AM) each day.
I know these can be stressful days for all but I make every effort for the kids to stay positive, motivated and working hard. Homework will be a bit lighter as we will not have word study for the next couple of weeks and we are not switching for Social Studies and Science. Please expect Math review homework though.
SeeSaw
One of the things I struggle with each year is how to show off all the wonderful work your children do in writing workshop each year. You will certainly see many of the projects your child has completed at our end of year showcase but we want you to be in the loop all year. Ms. Richardson and Mrs. Martone taught the staff about SeeSaw, a digital portal where students can share all kinds of school related material with fellow classmates, teachers and parents. It operates like an academic Instagram or Facebook and so far, we LOVE it. An email was sent home last week about how to access your child's journal. Please let me know if you're having any trouble or didn't recieve the email. You can even share your child's journal with other family members! Thanks for your patience as we continue to experiment with this wonderful learning tool. Visit our
Seesaw blog to see our public published pieces!
End of Year Important Dates
If you haven't marked your calendars yet, please add the following very important 5th grade events
- 4/8- End of 3rd Quarter Marking Period
- 4/12- 7:30 AM; Maturity Video Parent Viewing in Mrs. Close's room (letter sent home last week)
- 4/14- 3rd Quarter progress report (comments only) available on SchoolTool
- 4/21-4/22- Maturity program for 5th graders happening during the school day
- 4/21- Bronx Zoo permission slip and money due at school ($20 per person)
- 4/25-4/29- Spring Break!
- 5/12- 5th Graders to visit FMS during the school day (details to follow)
- 5/20- 5th Grade Luau (drop off with permission- details to follow)
- 5/27- No School
- 5/30- No School
- 6/3- Bronx Zoo Field Trip
- 6/21- 5th Grade Picnic (volunteers needed!!)
- 6/22 Moving Up Ceremony & 5th Grade Open House in classroom (details to follow) 8:30 AM-10:00 AM; 11:30 Dismissal
- 6/23- Last Day of School! 11:30 Dismissal
