Newsletter

Dear Parents,
I was sitting in our weekly staff meeting about to start compiling my daily list when I heard my name. My first thought was, “What did I do now?” Then I realized they were announcing which class made the highest growth thus far this year in reading and it was my class! Not only is the class average already well above where we should be, we have already made almost two years growth. It is only February! Wait, it gets even better. In math, the class has made 3.9 years growth! Okay, so what does this mean to you as parents? It means the kids are learning at an amazing pace! This is fantastic news! I am so proud of the kids. They work so hard and it shows. Your child’s information on the STAR Math and STAR Reading assessments will be included with their report cards. If you want to know sooner, please feel free to email me.
CSAP Breakfast

We will once again be having CSAP potlucks each day of the exams. I will be assigning items for each of you to bring. If this is an issue, please let me know. The assignment sheet will be sent home next week in Thursday folders. I will also post it on the blog for those of you that never see your Thursday folder because your child leaves it at school every week.


Cast of Characters


Your child should be well underway with their Cast of Characters project. I have read most of the essays on the author’s influences/inspirations and they are awesome! All the kids are creating animoto videos on this topic as well. I will be posting them on the blog as soon as more of them are done. Your child will have ample time to create all technology components of this project in class. I am finalizing the “performance” date this week and I will let you know soon.


Young Ameritowne


Young Ameritowne is scheduled for March 23. This event is one of the coolest things your kids will participate in while they are in elementary school. It is so much fun! The kids actually get to “run” a town for the day. This town has shops, a bank, and other offices that one would find in a city. They will have interviewed for the various jobs at Young Ameritowne and will receive a salary. Throughout the day, the students will have to do “real life activities” like pay taxes and bills. Don’t worry they do get a break to spend their hard earned money on snacks and souvenirs. Overall, the kids absolutely adore it and will talk about for years to come. Another great thing about Young Ameritowne is that parents can volunteer to help run the shops with the kids. Let me know if you are interested.


Ipad


The ipad has arrived! It should be up and running for kids next week. The kids will each get turns using it in reading groups next week. Each group will create a project on the books that they are reading. Two groups will create a Google Earth tour with embedded pictures, videos and text from their current books. The other group will make an online newspaper/presentation on theirs. Don’t worry this will all be done in class with no extra work at home, I promise!


Have a great weekend,
Jen


P.S. Don’t forget about the Valentine’s Day party on Monday! Hook the class up with some sugary treats!