May 22, 2012
First, I wanted to thank all the parents that chaperoned our buddy field trip to Strikes! The kids had a great time and it was so much fun to watch the interaction between the big and little buddies. They were so cute!!
Only 1 month left! Can you believe it? We have some very important project due dates coming up. This Friday, May 25th, state travel brochures are due. The kids should be fine tuning their brochures and making sure they meet all the criteria on the rubric that they were given 2 weeks ago. 
Book points are due next Friday, June 1st. We have 3 Math tests left to take - Chapter 12 part I, Chapter 12 part II, and the final Chapter 1-12 test. The Math tests will be administered in the next 2 weeks. We also have one last History test for Chapter 9 as well. Last, but not least, we will begin our final novel on Monday - Esperanza Rising.
Just a couple of important dates if you haven't calendared them already!
Friday, May 25th - Minimum Day - 8:00 - 12:40 (Finally, our last move!!! We'll be in C1)
Monday, May 28th - No School - Holiday - Memorial Day
Friday, June 1st - 20 Book Points due for Reading Log
Thursday, June 7th - Open House
Friday, June 8th - Jog-A-Thon... help earn money for our school to keep our Librarian and VAPA teacher!!!
Tuesday, June 12th - Space Shuttle Simulation Field Trip
Wednesday, June 20th - Last day of 5th Grade!! & Minimum Day - 8:00 - 12:40
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May 5, 2012
Hope everyone is having a nice Cinco de Mayo! First, I wanted to thank all the families that have dontated a gift card or $$ for our Ice Cream Social basket. If you still want to donate, please have your child bring it in by next Friday, May 11th. That will still give me enough time to make the basket by the 18th.
We start CST testing on May 14th and will finish on May 18th. It is very important that your child gets a good night sleep, a healthy breakfast, and comes to school for these 5 days. We will be starting with Science and ending with my favorite, Math. 
No homework will be assigned during the testing time - Yay!! The kids were definitely happy about that news.
Please see below for a few more dates to calendar and your kiddos will be off to 6th grade... still in shock that this year is almost over!
Tuesday, May 8th - Picture Day - flyer and price sheet was sent home last week
Monday, May 14th - Friday May 18th - CST Testing
Monday, May 21st - Buddy Walking Field Trip
Friday, May 25th - Minimum Day - 8:00 - 12:40 (Finally, our last move!!! We'll be in C1)
Friday, June 1st - 20 Book Points due for Reading Log
Thursday, June 7th - Open House
Friday, June 8th - Jog-A-Thon... help earn money for our school to keep our Librarian and VAPA teacher!!!
Tuesday, June 12th - Space Shuttle Simulation Field Trip
Wednesday, June 20th - Last day of 5th Grade!! & Minimum Day - 8:00 - 12:40
Have a great weekend!!
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April 30, 2012
Just a reminder that today is a minimum day - 8:00 - 12:40. We will be moving to C2 this afternoon. I also uploaded the grades that I have so far for this trimester. Official progress reports will be going home in 2 weeks. I can't believe we are almost halfway through our last trimester! Have a great week!!
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April 23, 2012
Hi Parents!! Just a reminder that Butter Braids are being delivered tomorrow - Wednesday 4/25. Please make sure that your child has transportation arrangements set up. The Butter Braids will need to be put in the freezer as soon as possible because it is so warm outside.
We are also going on our field trip Friday. Students do not need anything extra for the trip. We will be back in time to remain on our regular lunch schedule.
We will be changing rooms again on Monday, April 30th. We will be in C2. One more move in May, and we will be done packing up our stuff for the year! Yay!! April 30th is also the day we will be having our State Food Tasting Event. Students have been asked to research a popular food for their state and bring in a "taste" for each classmate - not a serving.
I have also asked them to make sure they bring an ingredient list with them so that we can make sure that our kiddos with allergies can have a "taste". They will also need to have a brief presentation prepared describing why they picked their food and how it is associated with their state. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please let me know.
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April 15, 2012
First, I would like to thank our chaperones that came with us to the Crocker. The kids had a great time touring the museum and creating their "Assemblage"! I heard a lot of the students talking about the "2801" future art piece and how excited they were to get a free pass to bring back their families.
We've been working on our state travel brochures, and I will continue to add a new "technology" piece until they have enough tools to create their own brochure. To try and curb the procrastinating, I've been having the students demonstrate the new skill they learned for homework each night. There are 6 panels that need to be completed for the brochure and 1 panel is due each week so the completed brochure will be due on May 21st. Please let me know if your child is having a lot of difficulty completing these tasks at home. They should be bringing home the notes they took so that they will be able to replicate what we did in class.
We will also have our State Food Tasting event on track change day - April 30th. Students have been asked to research a popular food for their state and bring in a "taste" for each classmate - not a serving. 
I have also asked them to make sure they bring an ingredient list with them so that we can make sure that our kiddos with allergies can have a "taste". They will also need to have a brief presentation prepared describing why they picked their food and how it is associated with their state.
Our PTO sponsored Ice Cream Social and Jog-a-thon are coming soon. I hope everyone can participate! I will also be sending home a request for restaurant gift cards for our basket donation. Our "Taste of Elk Grove" basket always seems to be a big hit each year because of all the fun gift cards that can be won. Any denomination for any restaurant in Elk Grove would be greatly appreciated!
Please don't forget that our Butterbraid sale ends this Friday. Sell! Sell! Sell! It is a great way to earn some more money towards your child's Science Camp trip in 6th grade.
Go to April 3rd's posting for our important dates if you haven't put them on your calendar yet...
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April 3, 2012
Happy Back on Track Day!!!
I am so happy to be back with the kids! I've missed them. 
We are going to be so busy for the next 3 months. Please encourage your kids to do some CST practice each night. I will be assigning this for homework as well. The websites are all under our "Student Links" page. It is a great way for them to get more familiar with the format and verbiage. They will also have their state travel brochure, state map, and state food dish to work on this month.
Below are some important dates for you to calendar. I will continue to add to the list as I get confirmation on some of the dates.
April 9 - 20th - Butter Braid Sale - $5 from each braid sold will be put into your child's science camp fund
April 11th - School-Wide Minimum Day - Staff Development Day 8:00 - 12:40
April 11th - Chick-fil-A Fundraiser 5-8pm - no flyer needed just tell the cashier that you are supporting Sims
April 13th - Field trip to museum - All students will need a sack lunch
April 27th - Field trip to movies - permission slips will be going home next week
April 30th - Track Change Day & State Food Dish Day - 8:00 - 12:40
May 14th - 18th - CST Testing
May 18th - Ice Cream Social!!!
May 21st - Buddy Bowling Trip
May 25th - Track Change Day - 8:00 - 12:40
June 7th - Open House
June 8th - Jog-A-Thon... help earn money for our school to keep our Librarian and VAPA teacher!!!
June 12th - Shuttle Simulation Field Trip
June 20th - Last Day of School - 8:00 - 12:40 
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March 1st - Dance Performance with Mrs. Bray! Students need to be here by 6 and parents can start lining up to get into the multi at that time. The actual performance starts at 6:30. Have your kiddos report to their designated rooms.
March 2nd– Track-off Minimum Day 8:00 – 12:40 (March 3rd- April 2nd) - Students can bring their electronics in on Friday!