Hi there. It was a great Monday, oops, I mean Tuesday! :0)
Today, we talked about why we were off yesterday. President's Day!!! Rusty told us that the holiday really is more than great sales and lots of commercials on TV. We read a fun book about President Obama's dog Bo. I also shared other books that can be read throughout the week about different presidents.
Next, we shared our drawings of our people that work with fossils. While sharing them, we compiled a list of attributes that belong to this occupation. It was quite the list. We then went into how a fossil really becomes a fossil. The organism has to be buried quickly under sediments and it has to wait over a thousand years. So, we talked about how things that die today, can't become fossils tomorrow.
After that, we had our NAEP testing. It went very well, and all kids did their best. Ask your child what they thought of the test and if they took the math or the reading session. One thing I did notice is how many kiddos don't have water bottles. Water has oxygen, and out brains need oxygen to work to their full potential. Please ask your child if they are in need of one tonight. Those that have them here, labeled, and ready to go tomorrow will earn $100. Those that don't will have to pay $100 for a new one from me. It is that important, especially when testing. Gotta keep that brain hydrated!
In math today, we did three different skills. We learned how to order fractions with uncommon denominators from least to greatest. Fun! We then practiced our multiplication (3 by 2 digit) and our long division. They are getting better and better at both these skills. They had a crossword puzzle to do in class. Many of the kids did not finish it, so that is their homework tonight. They also need to study those spelling words.
We continued on in MT History today. We added our pages about Clark, Lewis, Sacajawea, and another crew member of their choice. Kids had to share what they have learned about each corp member thus far. We also added in pictures of different items that the corp took along to give as gifts to American Indians and to trade with. Ask your child which gift they would have liked to get from the Corp. Write what they say in the planner for $20 tomorrow.
We also started our SW tour today. We did our geography challenge for this region. There are only 4 states and capitals in this region, so the test SHOULD be super easy, but they still need to study them!!!
Midterms came home today. If your child has a missing assignment, I also attached that sheet. Grades bottom out when kids have missing assignments. They need to get them turned in right away. I don't do make up work for absences, but kids need to remember to turn in assignments that they were here for upon their return. Math grades also went down a little bit due to some poor success maker grades. Kids need to really buckle down on those computer sessions, use their white boards instead of doing math in their head, and ask for help when they get a problem they don't know. Those that guess, have a low score over and over again. The system is set up to continue to present the same types of problems to kids until they show mastery of them. This program is done on each student individual level. So, if they are below or above grade level they are shown those types of problems. I am here to help. They just have to ask for it. You DON'T have to return the midterm. Just write the word MIDTERM in the planner and I will know that you saw it. Kids that have that in their parent's handwriting will earn $50 tomorrow.
The assembly for the Read-A-Thon was a hoot! As you can see, we did a great job turning Mr. English into a human banana split! Our class won a banana split party on Friday for having 100% participation! Alexis also won the nook for being the top reader in all of the 3rd and 4th grades!!!! WoooHoooo! We will celebrate with her upon her return as she is in Helena cheering on her sister as she has won a very special award there! What a family!!!! Proud, proud. Miss. Natalie took second place for overall reading as well. Well done E4! I am very proud of all our readers, and it was fun to celebrate it together today.
Tomorrow is PE, so remember those shoes. We also have music, so recorders need to come to school as well.
I have noticed a lot of coughing in class. Please feel free to send cough drops with kids as long as they have a note (or hard candies). They need to keep them on my desk. If your child has a fever and a cough, please keep them HOME! That nasty noro virus is going around and it wipes kids out in numbers and is very contagious. No fever though...send them please. It is important to be here every day! Thanks!
Lastly, here is a note from Mr. English and Mrs. Zimmerman regarding a favor they need to ask of you.
THIS MESSAGE IS TIME SENSITIVE
FALL 2013 Kindergarten Registration:
Dear Bitterroot Families,
The demographics study done for the district as part of the facility planning process indicates a significant increase in Kindergarten through 3rd grade students coming to Bitterroot in the Fall of 2013. In order for us to plan classroom spaces and staffing we need to get a handle on the number of new students as soon as possible. You can help us by registering your incoming Kindergarten students now. All new registrations will be marked by Christy with date and time of registration just in case "first come, first served" becomes part of the classroom placement process.
Also, I will be grateful if you help us get the word out to families you know have Kindergartners starting but for some reason haven’t received this notice.
Gratefully,
John English
Principal,
Bitterroot School
From Mrs. Zimmerman:
Child must have turned 5 by 9/10/13
Enrollment Form - Into the office ASAP
Before the child can attend their first day of school, these items must also be turned in to the office:
A Copy of a Certified Birth Certificate
A Copy of Immunizations
Must include:
4 DPT
3 Polio
2MMR
Thanks and have a great night!
