Ms. Miller's 5th grade page

Dear Parents & Guardians,

With Thanksgiving so close, I wanted to send home an update with some information, reminders, and important dates for the next few weeks.

Report cards are coming home today. For the most part, grades were good. However, I just want to remind everyone that the beginning of the school year, time is spent reviewing some topics from last year as well as basic skills. That being said, it is important to note that things will get harder as the year goes on.

Attached to your child’s report card (in the brown envelope) is your child’s Spanish grade for the first trimester. Each child is graded in four different areas: Reading, Writing, Comprehension, and Speaking. The students did very well. If you have any questions about Spanish, please let me know and I can send the information on to Mr. Alex.

Inside the report card envelope, you will see that I have included a write envelope that should be sealed with a jungle sticker. This envelope has all of your child’s grading information for each subject. If something is marked “EXC,” it means your child was excused from the work (due to absence or serving).  If something is marked “MIS,” it means your child had something missing. You will also be able to see what lowest score was dropped from the different categories. Lowest grades will no longer be dropped. This is to help push your children to work harder and strive to do their very best on each assignment.

I have also included your child’s report from Reading Counts so you can see how they did at the end of the trimester. I am very proud of how hard every student worked during the first trimester. Of course, though, I am hoping that each and every student will raise their grades and do even better next trimester.

Parent Teacher Conferences are set for Tuesday, November 24^th. You should have received your times last week. If you have any issue with the time, please let me know….I’m sure we can work out a better time. In addition, if it is at all possible, I would really like the students to attend the conferences. I understand, however, if plans have already been made with a sitter.

This past Monday, a new start came for the Reading Counts requirement as well. Students need to earn points all over again for the second trimester. The class and I talked about this and everyone is working hard already to earn points and read good books. They know they are not allowed to take tests on books below 4^th grade reading level. I know they can do it with hard work and support from both their parents and me.

If your child has not told you yet…..the 5^th graders will be in the Christmas show this year. The show will be performed by students in grades 5-8. The play is about another king who is trying to reach Jesus in Bethlehem….but hits some bumps along the way. The entire class will sing a few songs and several of the students tried out for a speaking part. The students are looking forward to the show very much. As soon as I know the date, I will send the information home.

The students have finished their first novel of the school year. We have gone back into our textbook for the next few weeks. Following Christmas break, we will get into our next novel, Bridge to Terabithia. Students will work through the novel’s vocabulary, have a test or two, and complete assignments and projects along the way.

In case I forget at Conferences, I want to wish everyone a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving holiday. I hope you enjoy time with your families, doing fun activities,  and just relaxing. Have a wonderful couple of days off.  I will see you at Conferences.

 Important Dates:

·        November 20^th

o       Student Council Bake Sale to add to the  Thanksgiving Food Drive

§        Bring an item to donate, get a treat

§        Bring in money, buy a treat

·        November 24^th

o       Early Dismissal at 11:30

o       Parent Teacher Conferences (12-4 and 5-8:30)

·        November 25-29^th

o       “Vacation” for Thanksgiving holiday