Hi Parents, 

Off to a great start in the 3rd Trimester! Students are expected to be more self-sufficient and independent in their work with more self-starting as they should be attuned to grade-level expectations in each subject. They've had a taste of Middle School life a few times in the past week as we've had to tweak our schedule for various reasons. Also, less warnings will be coming for misbehavior and the Shambucks on the 3rd Trimester card have lessened. Students are aware that now 2 missed HW assignments = $1 and there are only $8 to start. 

Specials have been giving more assignments and these are expected to be completed - not optional. Ex. Mrs. Rupp and Mrs. Fagnani have assigned HW that is due next week. Mrs. Pugliese asked the kids to practice their recorders at home. Nothing specific, but there is a difference between those who have pulled it out to practice at home, and those who let the recorder live in their backpack from week to week. 

Reminder for the boys - if your uniform pants have loops, you need to wear a belt. 

Reminder for all - uniform expectations are that polo shirts are tucked in all day. I hate to have to say something that has been always been the rule, but there is a need for it. Intentional untucking - as trivial as it sounds - will now be viewed as a disregard for these expectations and rude to the teacher/staff member that asked the student to tuck it in.

The students were excited this week to start learning about Ancient Greece. We've moved into fraction operations in Math. In Religion, we are in between the Sacraments of Healing. In English, we are soon wrapping up with Adverbs and will begin our next writing sample. In Science, we are into Earth Science learning about the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere. 

We will be starting our COGATs testing the week of the 16th. My plan is to test Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Thursday and Friday are of course back-ups if something changes in our schedule. (March is still fickle with its weather...) Please help make sure your child gets adequate rest and a good breakfast to start the morning refreshed and ready to go. Everyone arriving to school on time will help us with punctuality as well. 

Next week: 

Monday - Wkd HW Due
Tuesday - Math Ch 8 Test
Wednesday - Rdg WLT 
Thursday - 
Friday - Spell 22
             Eng - Adverbs Test

Have a great weekend! 

God Bless You! 

Hi Parents! 

Another Trimester bites the dust! Onto #3! 

The newspaper book reports look great! We shared them today and practiced some oral Current Events with the report info. We have some creative minds in here! 

This week, the students also developed their own "Chunky Comics" as inspired by Andrew Clements Lunch Money. These were so much fun! 

We also started to work on Fractions this week. So many students have told me how much fun math was this week! Glad to hear it - I hope they enjoy fractions all the way through! 

Next Week: 
Monday - February Book It Reading Calendar due
Tuesday - SS Ch 6 Test
                 Religion Prayer to St. Francis Test
Wednesday - SS CE Due
                      Religion Ch 14 Test
Thursday - 
Friday - Spelling 21

Have a great weekend! Enjoy the bonus leap day!! 

Hi Parents! 

We've been dodging germs as best as we can here in 5th grade! But unfortunately, we didn't all come through unscathed. The kids did a good job of keeping up with our studies with the subs as I was down and out myself. We've been fast and furious with the Lysol around here and our tissue collection has taken a big hit. While we are still good with cleaning wipes, we are down to 2 tissue boxes and I don't think that'll get us to the end of February. If you'd like to send in some more, I certainly wouldn't turn them away. 

Also, since the business of CSW and so many absences, I didn't get out a test packet last week. (I'll still missing 2 from our last due date of 1/28 - please check and see if one is hiding in your child's folder.) I sent home another one today 2/7 to be due 2/11. The trimester will soon be coming to an end on 2/27 so the last grades are coming up in the next 2.5 weeks. 

I've added my remaining pictures to the CSW slideshow I made for the 5th grade webpage. Check them out when you get a chance. 

I'll also let you know that in the past 2 months, I've offered more opportunities for Extra Credit in various subjects. These are only advertised in the classroom, usually with directions/due dates on the HW board. I never advertise these to parents as I'd like to see the student take the initiative to try it out. These assignments are never required and would never detract from a grade. I have noticed only a few students taking advantage of these opportunities and while everyone is certainly welcome to complete them, I tend to see only students who maintain high caliber grades taking and returning them to me. My intent with these is to motivate those with grades that can be helped with these assignments. Please encourage your child to pick one up when available.  

We'll have time next Thursday for a Valentine's Day celebration. Students may bring Valentines for the class that day. We have 17 students. 

Next week: 

Tuesday - RDG - WLT #14
                 SS Ch 6 Less 1-2 Quiz
Wednesday - Religion Prayer to the HS Test
                      Eng Ch 4 Less 1-5 Verb Quiz
Thursday - Spell Less 18 Test
                  Math Dividing Decimals Test
Friday - NO SCHOOL

Have a good weekend! 

God Bless! 

Hi Parents! 

Here we go - Catholic School's Week is 2 days away! We will start CSW with our Opening Mass Sunday at 9:00. If your child is in the choir, they should report to the Music Room by 8:20. Book reports aren't due until next Friday, but may start to come to school on Monday to be on display for all to enjoy. 

We practiced our Spelling Bee in the classroom yesterday and today, and we will do the real thing on Tuesday. The top 3 students will go to the SJS finals Wednesday. 

We are also coming to the last few days of our study of the Parts of the Mass. We've been practicing the POM cards often and quizzing each other. 

Next week: 
Tuesday - Math Decimals Multiplication Test
                Spelling Bee*
Thursday - Rel POM Test
Friday - Rdg - Jan Bk Rep & Rdg Log Due

*There will be a grade for the Spelling Bee, however, it is not entirely based on accurate spelling. A student's grade will depend less on accuracy, and more on participation, cooperation, effort, and sportsmanship. 

Have a wonderful weekend! 

God Bless You!