5^th Grade Newsletter

December 18^th, 2008

Virtue for the Month: This month our virtue is Service. We will be working on this virtue this month, along with the previous virtues of Stewardship, Perseverance, Respect and Responsibility.

Dates for your calendar:

Friday, December 19 – No School – Teacher Work Day

Monday, January 5^th – Begin 3^rd Quarter

Friday, January 9^th – Testing Day 8:25-11:00

Math - This week we worked on writing quotients with mixed numbers, subtracting a fraction from 1, and finding a fraction to complete a whole. We also had a cumulative test on Wednesday.

Language Arts- This week we did not work on Treasures because of the short week and all the activities going on! We worked on the final draft of our Maya, Aztec, Inca writing this week and will begin Unit 3, Week 3 of Treasures after our break.

Book Report - The guidelines for the next book report will be given to the students when they return in January!

Core – This week we finished our unit on the Maya, Aztec, and Inca with a unit test. We also worked on finishing our Maya, Aztec, and Inca 5 paragraph writing.

Dress Code Reminder – As the weather is changing, we wanted to remind you that if your students wear snow boots to school, they will need to bring a change of shoes. Boots are not allowed to be worn at school. In addition, when it snows, if they want to play on the field or playground, they will need boots.

Auction – Thank you to all of the students and parents who brought in items for our auction! The students enjoyed spending their hard-earned bucks for reward items. We appreciate your support with this!

Science Fair – The science fair is planned for February, February 20^th and students have started talking about Science Fair projects with Mrs. James. Information is also posted outside of her door and on her website. If you have questions, please contact her at jamesa@academycharter.org.

Testing Day – Testing Day is Friday, January 9^th. We will be taking the Treasures Benchmark test to monitor student progress in reading, spelling, grammar, and writing. All students will come to school at the normal starting time and the test will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. Students will need to be picked up at 11:00 a.m. Teachers will walk the students to the front of the building to be picked up at 11:00. If students are not picked up by 11:15, they will go to Academy Kids.

ACS-PTO DIRECT DONATION DRIVE - Get a head start on your deductions for 2009! January 20th - 23^rd at Drop-off and Pick-up. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted.

SAVE YOUR COFFEE MONEY FOR FRIDAY, JANUARY 23rd from 7:30a.m.-9:30a.m. - The Funky Brewster will be selling coffee ($4) and non-coffee ($3) drinks to benefit ACS-PTO. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted.

Special Thanks – A special thank you to students and parents for the holiday gifts! It is so thoughtful of you all to think of us this holiday season and we greatly appreciate it! We also wanted to thank parents for all the help and donations for the classroom parties. We had a great time! Thanks again!

Have a wonderful holiday and a happy new year! Best wishes!

Mrs. Bigbey, Mrs. Gauer, Mrs. Kelly