February 22, 2024

Dear Parents,

Happy Thursday! What a great week of weather. I hope that it stays this way and doesn't give us a whammy of winter again. The kids are enjoying recess outside for sure. It is super nice to have the sun out. Everyone is feeling better with the sun shining. It makes me want to get out of here right at 3:45 then to work, which is not a good thing. I have been good and stayed at school to make sure my work is done. The kids tell me to go home and work later.

Language Arts

We finished taking the Module 5 Assessment. You will find all the score sheets for testing throughout module 5 in today's folder. We have moved on to work on informational writing. They are writing a short simple informational paper on an animal. They have done all the research already. We have written the first paragraph, which is the introductory paragraph. Tomorrow we will work on the body of the paper with the facts they have compiled. Then we will work on a closing paragraph. I hope to have this done next week. They will then share these with the class. After that and sharing their book reports which are due on Monday, we will get back into the textbook moving into Module 6.

Math

We are working on the review for Topic 4. The content was on double-digit multiplication. We learned 2 strategies: Area Model and Partial Product. They do not have me teaching the standard algorithm. We will test and after the test I will begin teaching the standard algorithm. In visiting with Ms. Surma and Mrs. Simmons we decided they need to know how to do it in 4th grade. So we are disagreeing with the book and I will be doing it anyway. We will learn it and practice it but we will not test over it Once we get it we will move on.

Social Studies

We are finishing up our chapter on the Southeast. They are learning about the cities and the effects of the Civil War. We will finish the last lesson this week and next week we will be working on a Study guide. Then we will move into the Midwest. We will cover this region a little more quickly to ensure we get into the West by the end of the year.

Silent Auction Item

We are putting together a framed item with a saying in the middle that says "Those who bring Sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves." The students will be painting their version of the sun in red, orange, and yellow colors. Each student will get a 4X4 square to paint. These will be placed in the frame with the saying. I think it will turn out super pretty. I will post it on the Facebook page when we are finished with it. It will be put together this weekend.

Auction Basket

Thank you so much for your generous donations to our basket. We plan to finish up the shopping this weekend and get the basket put together. The last day to donate is tomorrow. Again we are featuring the Bookstore in town called The Latest Edition. We are super excited for our Book Basket.

Dress-code

March 1 starts the ability to wear shorts to school. This is a gentle reminder that all shorts need to come to the bottom of the fingers when held next to the legs which is usually about mid-thigh. If shorts do not meet the requirement I will send home a dress code violation form. The consequences for offenses are on the back. I try to remind them that just because we can wear them does not mean we should. Weather needs to play an important role in clothing choices.

Conferences

It is time for you to sign up for a conference. Sign in to JMC. If you are having trouble let me know or call the office.

Spirit Day

Tomorrow Friday, the 23rd is a Spirit Day. The students can pay $1.00 to wear sweats or a hat for the day. The money raised always goes to a good cause.

End of Trimester

The end of the 2nd Trimester is tomorrow the 23rd. This means the late slips will go back to 0, this makes many happy. The last Trimester begins on Monday! It is hard to believe we are at this point.

Fish Fry

Knights of Columbus have their first Fry this Friday, February 23rd at St. Malachy School. They will have a drive up or dine in option. Meal is $12.00.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. I am going to hang out with my bestie in Adel. She has been unable to do much due to her dog having surgery so I am going to spend some time with her. We always find plenty to talk about. We share books and what we are reading and have read. I hope we get to go out for lunch to get away. Everyone needs their bestie to break up the monotony sometimes.

God Bless,

Mrs. Sickels