Mrs. Coulbourne's 6th Grade Humanities Class

                                                   WELCOME!!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Dear Parents,
We have a lot going on this month starting with CST testing next week.    I encourage you to have your child get plenty of sleep, eat a good breakfast, and come to school with a positive attitude.  In addition, Open House is May 22.  You will receive more information about that from the school at a later date.   The 22nd is a shortened day for students and teachers to prepare for Open House.  Students will be dismissed at 1:45 that day.  May 28th is Memorial Day.  There will be no school.
As the school year winds down, I want you to know what a pleasure it has been to have your children in my classroom this year.  They are polite, respectful, and enjoyable to teach.  Thank you for all you have done to support them and me.  I deeply appreciate it. 


Friday, April 20, 2012.

Dear Parents,

Please read the notice below about Rock Around the Block.  Also, thank you for attending your child's Student-Led Conference last evening.  It was wonderful to see all of you listening to and sharing your child's work. 

Rock Around the Block is next week - on Saturday 4/28 at Cabrillo.  White sponsor envelopes went out to your family before the spring break.  Please have children find their envelopes at home and return them by Wednesday, April 25.  A $25 donation earns them a wrist band for many fun activities and games (after the 25th, donations/pledges must be brought to day of registration - credit cards will be accepted). Rock Around the Block is a wonderful community event that raises necessary funds for the Wiseburn Education Foundation, which supports our music, arts and nutrition programs district-wide.  Thank you for your support!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012
     Tomorrow will be the end of the third quarter.  Amazing how quickly the time goes!  Students will receive progress reports for third quarter, and the final report card will be in June.  It is not uncommon for third-quarter grades to be somewhat lower than you may be expecting.  I see this happen most every year.  Students still have the next quarter to get things on track for a strong final report card. 
     Student-led conferences are coming up next month.  I know this will be a delightful experience for all of you, and I am excited for you and your child.  I will be sending home the confirmation of your date and time on April 5th.
Thank you again for all your concern and support.  These students have wonderful parents!

Friday, March 9, 2012
     This week, I sent home a notice for parents about a parent meeting on Thursday, March 15 from 6:30-7:30 in the MPR.
The meeting topics are bullying, responding to bullying, proactice parenting, positive parenting strategies, and parenting a 'tween (almost teenager).  This is an excellent opportunity for you to gather important information and to share ideas with other parents.  I hope you will be able to attend.

Wednesday, March 5, 2012
We have started a Greek simulation in both of my social studies classes.  Students are wearing Greek clothing (chitons), "living" in Greek city-states (Athens, Sparta, Argos, Megara, and Corinth) as well as choosing Greek names for themselves.  Each day city-states receive points for numerous behaviors in the classroom.  The city-state with the most points each week receives a small prize. 
On another note, the Wiseburn Technology Festival is this Saturday.  If you did not receive information, access the district website or call the school.
Third quarter is typically a time when student grades begin to slip.  I am seeing this pattern begin to repeat itself, so I am encouraging you to check Power School regularly and help your child stay focused on the goal, which we all know is the learning.
Thank you for all you do as parents.  Our job is not easy, but it is so important.

January 30, 2012
Just a reminder to parents that PowerSchool is not accessible while teachers are finalizing grades.  As soon as grades are done, the website will no longer be blocked.  Report cards are scheduled to be sent home February 3.  Please sign one copy and return it.  The other one is for your records.
Thank you once again for the support you give to your children and to me.  It is always appreciated!

January 10, 2012
I want to remind parents that there will be no school on Monday, January 16 due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.  Also, I will no longer be stamping student planners.  I will check daily to assure that students are writing their assignments down, but you will no long see a stamp each day.  Most students are doing a terrific job of keeping their planners up to date as well as turning work in on time.  What a great group of kids!!

January 3, 2012
Welcome back to a brand new year.  I hope you had a terrific holiday.  I enjoyed my time with family and friends, but I'm now eager to get back to work with your students.  January 27th marks the end of 1st semester.  That is four weeks away - can you believe it?  There is also a holiday on January 16 - so no school that day.
I hope all is well with you and yours and that your New Year is a great one!

December 7, 2011
Dear Parents,

The winter break is fast approaching.  Next week is a regular school week with 2:45 dismissal and a 1:45 dismissal on Friday.  Students will return to school on Tuesday, January 3, 2012.  I want to take a moment to again thank you for all you do to support your child and his/her learning.  You are such an integral part of the educational process.  It was a pleasure to meet those of you who were able to attend parent-teacher conferences. Thank you for your time.  I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday, and I look forward to working with your child again starting in January.  One more thing to note is that first semester ends on January 27.  Report cards will be coming home the first part of February. 

Dear Parents,
I hope you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday.  I want to remind you that students are dismissed at 12:45 all this week due to conferences.  Friday evening, there is a skating party at the Toyota Center.  Your child can give you more information. 

Dear Students and Parents,
Have wonderful Thanksgiving.  Be safe, be happy, be thankful. I will see you on November 28.  Parents - please remember that conferences start that week, so students will be dismissed at 12:45 all week.
Mrs. Coulbourne

Dear Parents,
Progress reports and conference letters went home today, November 10.  Please return the signed progress report and the conference letter no later than Tuesday, Nov. 15.
Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for the two weeks starting Nov. 28 and lasting until Dec. 9.  During the week of Nov. 28 - Dec. 2, students will be dismissed at 11:45.  Students will be dismissed at 1:45 during the week of Dec. 5-9.  We expect students to bring their binders with planners and attend the conference with their parents.
Thank you for all you do to support your child and us.  We are looking forward to meeting with you. 

Hi Parents,
Today starts our Thanksgiving food drive to benefit the Richstone Family Center.  A notice went home with my homeroom students today (Friday, 11/4).  Please look for the notice in your child's binder.  We are encouraging our students to participate in community service by donating at least one nonperishable item to our food baskets.  Thank you for anything you can do to help in this effort.

REMINDER:  Friday is Veteran's Day, so there will be no school.


Hi Parents,
Monday starts our Thanksgiving food drive to benefit the Richstone Family Center.  A notice went home with my homeroom students today (Friday, 11/4).  Please look for the notice in your child's binder.  We are encouraging our students to participate in community service by donating at least one nonperishable item to our food baskets.  Thank you for anything you can do to help in this effort. 



Wear your red shirt tomorrow for Red Ribbon Week.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

There is no school for students on Friday, October 21.

Dana's Fall Festival o' Fun will be on Friday, October 28 here on the Dana blacktop.  Students may enter the pumpkin carving contest and other Halloween themed games.  There will be other games and activities for students to enjoy.

I hope to see you at the MPR this evening - 6:30-7:30.

September 12, 2011

Tomorrow evening at 6:30 Mrs. Harbeck is hosting a Parent Information night for incoming 6th grade parents.  It will be in the Multipurpose Room.  She will be giving you information on a wide variety of subjects affecting 6th graders.  This information will help you to support your child in adjusting to middle school.  I hope you can attend.
Susan Coulbourne

First, let me say how pleased I am to have your child in my classroom this school year.  I look forward to working with both you and your child as the year progresses. I appreciate parent feedback and encourage you to email me at scoulbourne@wiseburn.k12.ca.us whenever you have a concern, a question, or information to share with me.

The "Announcements" page of my website will contain general information and announcements regarding various school events, opportunities, changes in the school schedule, or other information which may be of interest to you.  If you click on the ELA Learning Targets link, you will be taken to a list of the Learning Targets tied to CST Standards for English Language Arts.  I will place the social studies Learning Targets on my website soon. Please continue to check back for updates.