Monday, February 19, 2018

5th Grade Newsletter- Feb. 19, 2018
Upcoming Dates       
* Feb 22                        5th Grade Symphony Field Trip + lunch at Pizza Ranch
* Feb 23                        Read-a-Thon Prize Donations are Due
* March 2                      Read-a-Thon, pledge forms and money due
* March 9                      Early Release
* March 19 & 21           Parent Teacher Conferences
* March 30-April 6        Spring Break
* April 10                       5th Grade M-Step

Read-a-Thon
The Read-a-Thon is Friday, March 2nd. All pledges and the green pledge form are due that day (these were optional).  We encouraged each student to try and raise $40.50 in pledges to pay for the balance of camp.  Along with lots of independent reading and some mystery readers, a pizza lunch will also be provided that day for all 5th graders. Finally, students will have an opportunity to earn prizes that day. If you are interested in donating a prize or a few dollars to purchase some prizes, please send them on or before Feb 23rd.


Camp’s Winning Picks
Last week during a 5th grade meeting, we held a drawing for a fully paid camp tuition and 2 Camp Pendalouan t-shirts.  Names were put in the bucket based on help that was provided during the can drives.  And the winners are…..tuition paid plus a t-shirt: Abrie, t-shirt: Danica and Jovaan !  Congratulations everyone!


Symphony Field Trip
On Thursday, February 22, we will be heading to the Grand Rapids Symphony. For this trip we do not need any chaperones.  We will be leaving at 10:00 am for an 11:15 performance. Since we will not return to school until after lunch, we will be stopping at Pizza Ranch in Hudsonville to have lunch. Please send in $5 on or before Wednesday,  Feb. 21st.  If this doesn’t appeal to your fifth grader, he/she can also bring a lunch.


Middle School Transition 
On March 1st, students will be heading to the high school for a Middle School Kick-Off assembly. This assembly will include a showcase of our secondary music programs and provide the 5th graders a brief video overview of the courses available to them next year.  Stay tuned for more information regarding the rest of the transitional timeline; we will keep you informed as soon as we hear more.


What’s happening in…
Reading:  Students are finishing up their Historical fiction book clubs this week.
Writing: Students are drafting personal narrative stories, using many great strategies
Math: Students will be tested on Unit 5 on division of whole numbers on Thursday.
SS: Students are studying Colonization and Settlement.  Any extra time studying their social studies flip book will help them on the assessment. 



Computers
Study Island is a great resource for students to review material for a test at home.  The question format will continue to give additional practice for the M-STEP test, and the content will prepare them for the unit test. In order to find the website, your child will need to first log into www.clever.com.  They just need their school e-mail and school password. Their e-mail is their username@hpsstudents.net. Their password is whatever they use to log onto the computers at school. They can then get to Study Island from that website. Students should know where to go from there.  However, if they forget, have them click on MI Programs, 5th grade.

Friday, February 2, 2018

5th Grade Newsletter- Feb. 2, 2018

Upcoming Dates       
* Feb 2                Health Video/Early Release Day
* Feb 5 & 6         No School, winter break
* Feb 8                 Skating Party
* Feb 17                Father/Daughter Bowling
* Feb 22                5th Grade Symphony Field Trip


Book Clubs
We have been enjoying our Book Clubs and are halfway through them.  Our Book Club books have students mixed between rooms, which has been fun for them.  Students are responsible for reading and responding every two days in preparation of meeting with their book club members to discuss and share thoughts and ideas.  Students are given time in our classrooms each day, as well as being able to use their reading time at home.  Ask to see your child’s Book Club packet and book and ask what they are learning about!


Volunteers for Read-a-Thon/Camp Update
We are in NEED of a few parents to help get prizes and serve lunch for our upcoming Read-a-Thon, which takes place Friday, March 2nd. This is the last fundraiser for camp!!!  Please let us know as soon as you can if you can help!


Between the two can drives, we’ve raised enough to cover $59.50 for each student!!!!! We are so excited about this!  Way to go!   The remaining portion for Camp Pendalouan can be covered by funds raised in reading pledges for the Read-a-thon, or you can write a check for  $41.  More information to come on Feb 16th.


Valentine Cards
We will be passing out Valentine cards on Wednesday, Feb. 14th. It is optional; however, we ask that your child hands one out to everyone in the class if he/she participates. Then for the party, the 5th graders will be planning it. Along with the snacks they plan, they will pick a movie to watch. We will give them some movie choices that are either G or PG rating. Please let us know if you have ideas of some good movies or any concerns.


Upcoming Field Trip
On Thursday, February 22, we will be heading to the Grand Rapids Symphony. For this trip we do not need any chaperones.  We will be leaving at 10:00 for an 11:15 performance. Since we will not return to school until after lunch, we will be stopping at McDonalds/Taco Bell/KFC in Jenison to have lunch.  If this doesn’t appeal to your fifth grader, he/she can also bring a lunch.


Be. Kind. Service Project
Weather permitting, our 5th graders will soon have the opportunity to use their time/talents to venture out and shovel some driveways in our school’s neighborhood.  Be on the lookout for more info regarding this service project!


What’s happening in… 
Reading:  Students will be continuing Historical fiction book clubs for the next 2 weeks.
Writing: Students have completed their Native American writing projects and we will be venturing in to our next unit of instruction. 
Math: Students will be continuing Unit 5 on division of whole numbers during the next 2 weeks.
SS: Students will be studying Colonization and Settlement. 


Computers
Study Island is a great resource for students to review material for a test at home.  The question format will continue to give additional practice for the M-STEP test, and the content will prepare them for the unit test. In order to find the website, your child will need to first log into www.clever.com.  They just need their school e-mail and school password. Their e-mail is their username@hpsstudents.net. Their password is whatever they use to log onto the computers at school. They can then get to Study Island from that website. Students should know where to go from there.  However, if they forget, have them click on MI Programs, 5th grade.