Hello All!
I hope everyone had a wonderful break and that you're all ready for the last nine weeks!
I imagine you're all feeling one of two ways:
OR 
I wanted to touch base about a few things - upcoming dates, classroom procedure update, and SOL tests.
Dates to Note:
4/27 - SOL Vocab list quiz
4/24 - Earth/Moon/Sun Test
4/26 - Report Cards sent home & Fitness Night @ 6:00pm
4/27 - Our class will have a PRACTICE session with TestNav (using the SOL test program, tools, etc.)
5/9 & 5/10 - Reading SOL Test
5/17 - Interims home
5/18 & 5/19 - Math SOL Test
5/24 - Bike Rodeo @ 6:00pm
5/29 - No School, Memorial Day
6/1 - Field Day Grades 3-5
6/2 - Volunteer Breakfast @ 8:30am & Ice Cream Social @ 6:00pm
6/6 - Field Day rain date
6/8 - 5th Grade Ceremony
6/9 - Last Day of School
Classroom Circle:
I have been working closely with our school counselor, Mrs. Ross, to implement aspects of restorative practice into our classroom. Restorative practice works hand-in-hand with PBIS (our school behavior initiative) to create a culture of respect and understanding amongst students, as well as with the adults they work closely with. Mrs. Ross and I have recently introduced one aspect of restorative practice in our room - classroom circles.
Circle talk can often be seen as "silly" or "fluffy" talk. However, I promise it is anything but this! Our students are just getting started using classroom circles, but they have already reported that they feel it is helpful and that they appreciate having this time to talk and share with one another. Circle times provide students with a safe environment to share their concerns, thoughts, and so on with the class and teacher. During circle I may present a questions or issue for the students to respond to, or I may ask the students to bring up anything they think needs to be talked about in the class. This is a great way to start the day and to help students set goals for behavior, friendships, or anything at all, as well as give them times to address things they want to discuss.
We will continue using classroom circle for the remainder of the year, and I will also be attending additional training on this practice. I encourage you to talk about circle at home with your student, and to encourage them to bring anything that comes up at school to our circle each day (such as problems with friends, questions or worries about school, issues they feel the class needs to talk about, etc). If you would like to know more about this, you may contact me or read some more information at these websites:
-http://www.umojacorporation.org/files/5413/5402/9632/Fact_Sheet_RestorativeJustice_PBIS.pdf
-http://www.iirp.edu/what-we-do/what-is-restorative-practices
SOL Tests:
It is that time of year - SOL tests are coming up quickly!
Our SOL tests are in Reading and Math. Both tests will be split into two testing sessions, each on a separate day. Our SOL tests are scheduled for the following dates:
Tuesday, May 9th - Reading SOL Part
Wednesday, May 10th - Reading SOL Part 2
Thursday, May 18th - Math SOL Part 1
Friday, May 19th - Math SOL Part 2
It is very important that your student be present, and on time, for school on these dates! It is in your child's best interest to take the test with our class during our scheduled time. If an absence is unavoidable, PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP so we can schedule a testing session for them. If they miss a date due to illness, we will schedule another test time afterward.
Reminder: Your student must finish their SOL Test on the day they begin. It is unlikely, but possible, that your student may need to be picked up from school if they do not finish their test during normal school hours.
Please refer to the packet of information that was sent home concerning the SOL Tests, or email me with any questions you have.
--
I hope everyone is enjoying returning to their normal routines!
Ms. Strong :)
I hope everyone had a wonderful break and that you're all ready for the last nine weeks!
I imagine you're all feeling one of two ways:
OR I wanted to touch base about a few things - upcoming dates, classroom procedure update, and SOL tests.
Dates to Note:
4/27 - SOL Vocab list quiz
4/24 - Earth/Moon/Sun Test
4/26 - Report Cards sent home & Fitness Night @ 6:00pm
4/27 - Our class will have a PRACTICE session with TestNav (using the SOL test program, tools, etc.)
5/9 & 5/10 - Reading SOL Test
5/17 - Interims home
5/18 & 5/19 - Math SOL Test
5/24 - Bike Rodeo @ 6:00pm
5/29 - No School, Memorial Day
6/1 - Field Day Grades 3-5
6/2 - Volunteer Breakfast @ 8:30am & Ice Cream Social @ 6:00pm
6/6 - Field Day rain date
6/8 - 5th Grade Ceremony
6/9 - Last Day of School
Classroom Circle:
I have been working closely with our school counselor, Mrs. Ross, to implement aspects of restorative practice into our classroom. Restorative practice works hand-in-hand with PBIS (our school behavior initiative) to create a culture of respect and understanding amongst students, as well as with the adults they work closely with. Mrs. Ross and I have recently introduced one aspect of restorative practice in our room - classroom circles.
Circle talk can often be seen as "silly" or "fluffy" talk. However, I promise it is anything but this! Our students are just getting started using classroom circles, but they have already reported that they feel it is helpful and that they appreciate having this time to talk and share with one another. Circle times provide students with a safe environment to share their concerns, thoughts, and so on with the class and teacher. During circle I may present a questions or issue for the students to respond to, or I may ask the students to bring up anything they think needs to be talked about in the class. This is a great way to start the day and to help students set goals for behavior, friendships, or anything at all, as well as give them times to address things they want to discuss.
We will continue using classroom circle for the remainder of the year, and I will also be attending additional training on this practice. I encourage you to talk about circle at home with your student, and to encourage them to bring anything that comes up at school to our circle each day (such as problems with friends, questions or worries about school, issues they feel the class needs to talk about, etc). If you would like to know more about this, you may contact me or read some more information at these websites:
-http://www.umojacorporation.org/files/5413/5402/9632/Fact_Sheet_RestorativeJustice_PBIS.pdf
-http://www.iirp.edu/what-we-do/what-is-restorative-practices
SOL Tests:
It is that time of year - SOL tests are coming up quickly!
Our SOL tests are in Reading and Math. Both tests will be split into two testing sessions, each on a separate day. Our SOL tests are scheduled for the following dates:
Tuesday, May 9th - Reading SOL Part
Wednesday, May 10th - Reading SOL Part 2
Thursday, May 18th - Math SOL Part 1
Friday, May 19th - Math SOL Part 2
It is very important that your student be present, and on time, for school on these dates! It is in your child's best interest to take the test with our class during our scheduled time. If an absence is unavoidable, PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP so we can schedule a testing session for them. If they miss a date due to illness, we will schedule another test time afterward.
Reminder: Your student must finish their SOL Test on the day they begin. It is unlikely, but possible, that your student may need to be picked up from school if they do not finish their test during normal school hours.
Please refer to the packet of information that was sent home concerning the SOL Tests, or email me with any questions you have.
--
I hope everyone is enjoying returning to their normal routines!
Ms. Strong :)
