Happy February! I can’t believe that we are already into February! We are moving along at a quick pace, and the students are doing great keeping up with everything. This month, in Language Arts, we are continuing to learn all about figurative language, and it’s been determined that I speak in hyperbole, or extreme exaggeration, most of the time. We also are learning more about the City of Ember and what’s like to live in Lina and Doon’s world. We are also working on our books for Young Author’s fair. In Math, we get to say goodbye to fractions for a while, and we are starting the unit on multiplying whole numbers and decimals. The students were very happy about the change. In Social Studies, we are learning all about the Colonies and are writing Colonial Picture Books as our next Writer’s Workshop project. In Science, we are still in our unit about Earth’s place in the Universe and are learning about the Earth’s rotations, seasons, stars, and other solar systems. Students are also working on their Science Showcase projects due on March 1, 2023. Our class project was whether or not temperature affected the bounce height of a bouncy ball. We discovered that it didn’t have any impact. All of the information regarding their Science Showcase Slideshow is in our Google Classroom, so they can access it at any time.
There are a few important reminders for this month:
Talent Show-February 8th and 9th, 2023- The major fundraiser the 5th grade has for Promotion is the Talent Show Snack Bar. We need any parent or family who can help with this event to volunteer to help either work the snack bar or donate items. If you can help, here’s the link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080e45aaae28a7fb6-fifth2#/
Valentine’s Day Party- The class party will be on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, from 11:00-12:00p.m. Students are welcome to bring in valentines for their classmates, but if they decide to bring them in, they have to bring in 1 for everyone. They can be store-bought or homemade; it’s up to them. Also, The class has voted, and they all want Chinese Food for the party. To make it easy for everyone, we will order from Panda Express and are asking for an $8 donation from each student to help cover the cost. Please send in the donation by February 13, 2023. We will also need one parent who would be willing to pick up the food and deliver it to us. If you can help, please let me know.
Walker Creek Paperwork- Please send in your Walker Creek paperwork no later than Monday, February 6, 2023. We have extra copies if you need any. Also, don’t forget to write your student letters for Walker Creek. I know they don’t always act like it, but they really do LOVE getting letters from home. You can either give them to me the morning we leave, or you can mail them to:
Attn: YOUR CHILDS NAME and SCHOOL Marin County Outdoor School Walker Creek Ranch 1700 Marshall/Petaluma Road Petaluma, CA 94952 The dates you can send your letters to Walker Creek are Monday, February 27 - Monday, March 6, 2023 to make sure they arrive at Walker Creek while our classes are in attendance.
Science Showcase Night- Students will be showing off their awesome project on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, from 6:00-7:00 pm. Students are expected to be on hand to explain their project to visitors. Family and Friends are welcome!
Promotion Planning: We had the first Promotion Planning meeting last week. We have already reserved the Pool and BBQ area, so the next steps will be to have another meeting where parents can decide what committees they would like to join to help plan promotion. We will need parent volunteers to help decorate the MPR, food and drinks, fundraising, class gifts, and special things at the Pool Party- like a photo booth or DJ. Please be on the lookout for an email about the next Zoom meeting.
Emails: If you have not received any emails from Cassie Bettis-Reno or Lisa Maibaum, our Room Moms, please let me know so I can make sure we have your email address. Cassie and Lisa will be sending out information regarding Promotion and other events.
Important Dates: I don’t know about you, but my calendar is starting to become full, so I thought I would give you the events and dates for the rest of the year. Please note these dates are tentative and can change. February 20-24, 2023- Mid-Winter Break March 6-9, 2023- Walker Creek Outdoor Ed April 3-7, 2023- Young Author’s Fair April 10-14, 2023- Spring Break May 1, 2023- Walk Through Revolution- We are the 12:00-2:30 showtime, and parents are welcome to come to watch. May 2-5, 2023- 5th Grade CAST testing ( Science Test) May 8-12, 2023- 5th Grade CAASPP Language Arts Tests May 15-19, 2023- 5th Grade CAASPP Math Tests (Please make every effort not to schedule appointments before lunch during the testing weeks.) May 25, 2023- Open House May 29, 2023- Memorial Day June 6, 2023- Project Recycled Runway- Parents and families are welcome. June 7, 2023- Field Day June 8, 2023- Promotion- 8:30-9:30 Pool Party 10:00-12:00 Lunch 12:00-1:00
I think that’s it for now. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Thanks, Alison Hutchens