Sept. 14, 2012

“WEEKEND NEWS”  

September 14, 2012

ELLIS MOTTO:   “I AM RESPONSIBLE AND ALWAYS LEARNING!!!”

Dear Parents,

·        Our 4^th Graders will be going to Swore Farms on Thursday, Sept. 27^th.  We will leave at 9:00 and return at 1:40.  The students will need to bring a sack lunch from home. Please sign and return the attached white bus permission slip.  If you would like to go with us, please sign and return the attached pink slip.  This field trip is sponsored by Bannock County Farm Bureau.  Thank you Farm Bureau!!

·        I’m sending home a set of Book Orders.  You may order out of any or all of them.  You will only need to write one check for all the book orders.  You can make checks payable to Scholastic Book Clubs.  The orders will be due back to school by Friday, September 28th.   You may also order on-line.  Please read the attached letter for directions.

·        PLEASE SEND IN A BAG OF SUCKERS FOR THE CARVNIVAL SUCKER TREE.

·        Our class is in 4th place for the PTA membership drive.  Join PTA and help us win a party from Kiwi Loco!!  The last day to sign up is Sept. 28^th.  Let me know if you need a new membership form.

·         Please read the attached green form from Mrs. Kinghorn.  Students will be allowed to bring in pets for the “Living Things” science unit.  Students will need to return the form to Mrs. Kinghorn.

·        I have also sent this “Weekend News” letter home via e-mail for those of you who have signed up for e-mail.  Please respond to the test e-mail so that I know you are able to receive the messages and open up the letter attachments.

THIS WEEK’S HOMEWORK:

·        Math: Drops In The Bucket #27

·        Language: Drops in the Bucket C3 

     Reading: read 15-30 minutes every night and fill in your reading log.  Remember to return daily because this is part of the reading grade!

Enjoy your family this weekend!                                                                       

Denise Thompson

Sept. 2012

                   WELCOME TO FOURTH GRADE!!!      

4^TH GRADE TEACHERS HAVE EXPECTATIONS FOR OUR STUDENTS!!!  We expect our students to behave in class, be great listeners, and achieve academically.  Students have agreed to work hard to meet these expectations.  We know this is going to be a TERRIFIC year for everyone!!

Ellis Elementary’s Mission Statement:  “I AM RESPONSIBLE AND ALWAYS LEARNING”

•      Homework Folders and Spelling lists are sent home on Fridays. Homework is due back by the following Friday.   There will 2 – 4 worksheets for students to complete.  They can do one a night, two a night, or all in one night as long as it gets back to school by Friday. 

•   Spelling Tests will be given on Fridays.  New words will be sent home in the Friday Homework Folder.

•    Daily Work that is not completed in class becomes homework and is expected to be finished and returned the following morning.  Please check your student’s backpack.

•     Volunteers in the Classroom:  We love and need volunteers in our rooms.  Please let us know if you would like to help out in our classrooms.  You can sign up on the volunteer sign-up sheet, send a note, call, or e-mail us.  You may also volunteer on the PTA survey form that was sent home last week.

•     Class Rotations:  Students will be switching classes in the afternoons.  Mrs. Kinghorn will teach Science, Mrs. Thompson will teach Language, and Mrs. Hymas will teach Idaho History.

•     AR (Accelerated Reader) Goals & Reading Homework Goals are set each 6 week grading period.  The goal is determined by their AR STAR reading level.  AR goals are averaged into your child's reading grade.  In order for students to meet their goals, they need to read an average of 20 - 30 min. each night. 

•     Grading System:  Student grades will be an averaged percent grade taken from their accumulated grades during the six week period.  The grade on the report card will be reported as an A, B, C, etc.

•     Infinite Campus:  Please check your child’s grades frequently.  Contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions or concerns.  Contact the office if you did not receive your username or password.

•     Parent Teacher Conferences will be held the afternoons of Nov. 12^th & 26^th as needed and an open house format on March 18^th.  In addition, we will stay in contact through phone calls, letters, e-mails, Infinite Campus, and teacher blogs.  Please feel to contact us at any time if you have any problems or concerns.

•     Teacher Blogs:  remember to check out the teacher blogs on our school web site. You can find the Ellis website under the “Schools” tab of the school district web site:  www.d25.k12.id.us . 

•   LUNCH: 12:25 – 1:00 Students may bring healthy snacks to eat during the morning recess.

•   LIBRARY:  every Tuesday morning. Remind your child to bring his/her books back on Monday.

• ISAT TESTING: Math, Reading, and Language tests will be given between April 9^th and May 10^th.

•   FIELD TRIPS: 

1.                  AG Days sponsored by Farm Bureau:  We will visit Swore Farm during the month of September.

2.                  Idaho History Rendezvous: activities at the end of the year relating to Idaho History.  This will take place at school. (TBA during the month of May)

•    CARNIVAL HELP:  Please sign up to help run our 4^th grade booths on Monday, Sept. 24^th.  PTA is also asking that each 4^th grader bring a sack of suckers for the carnival by Sept. 21^st.  Thanks for your help!

*If you ever have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call us at 237-4742.  Our e-mail addresses:

hymasje@sd25.us      kinghoci@sd25.us      thompsde@sd25.us

Thank you for allowing us to have the opportunity to be your child’s teacher!                                  

Sincerely,         

Denise Thompson, Cindy Kinghorn, and Jeanne Hymas                                                                                                               

WEEKEND NEWS

May 12, 2012

Dear Parents,

Thanks for all the help on our field trip!!  We had a great time!

UPCOMING EVENTS

·                    4^TH GRADE ISAT CELEBRATION on Friday, May 18^th  from 12:00-2:00!!  We will be walking to the park across from the school to spend time relaxing and playing with friends.  Students will need to bring a sack lunch from home or order one from the cafeteria.  We will need a lunch count for the cafeteria by Tuesday.

·                    TALENT SHOW:  4^th & 5^th Grades will have their talent show on Wed., May 16^th from 1:20-2:40.

·                    AWARDS ASSEMBLY:  3^rd-5^th Grades will be Friday, May 18^th at 9:45.

·                    Monday:  Super Hero Day:  Dress as your favorite super hero.

·                    Tuesday:  Future Job: Show us what job you want to have when you grow up.

·                    Wednesday: Favorite Book Character:  Dress as your favorite character.

·                    Thursday:  Decades Day: Dress in your favorite decade’s fashion.

·                    Friday:  Extreme Spirit Day:  Wear your Ellis colors!!!

·                    MEET NEW TEACHERS:  Monday, May 21^st from 1:25-1:49

·                    FIELD DAY:  Wed., May 23^rd, 3^rd & 4^th Grades after lunch.

·                    LAST DAY OF SCHOOL:  Wed., May 23^rd!!!

THIS WEEK’S HOMEWORK

*    Language:  Drops In The Bucket D16

*    Math:  Drops In The Bucket #16

*    Math:  Multi-Digit Multiplication Set F

*    Reading:  read nightly and fill out your reading log. 

Have a great weekend with your family, and enjoy the beautiful weather!            

Denise Thompson                                                                           

WEEKEND NEWS

May 4, 2012

                                                     

Dear Parents,

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

·                    We are finished with our ISAT tests!!!  The students did an amazing job on all of these tests.  They should be VERY proud of themselves.  I know I’m extremely proud of them.  I will send home all of their scores next Friday.  You will be receiving an official report in June.  The scores may increase or decrease by one or two points.  Thank you to everyone who sent in treats and water.  You are wonderful parents!

·                    If you were unable to attend the Art Fair last night, the PTA will have the artwork available for sale until May 22^nd.  All money raised by the sales will be used to continue the art program next year.

·                    FREE MATH APP!!:  There is an FREE Math App for practicing basic facts.  “Sushi Monster” is a Special iPad Preview that provides students with the opportunity to extend their knowledge beyond basic math fluency.  “Sushi Monster” is designed to meet the new Common Core State Standards.  Download for free in the App Store!

·                    EVACUATION DRILL:  please read the red note attached to the homework.  NO FLIP FLOPS PLEASE!!!!

·                    Field Trip Lunch Count:  Students need to know on Monday if they are bringing a lunch from home or ordering one from the cafeteria for our field trip on Thursday.

THIS WEEK’S HOMEWORK

*    Language:  Drops In The Bucket D15

*  Math:  Drops In The Bucket Number 15

*    Math:  Long Division Set C

*    Reading:  read nightly and fill out your reading log. 

Have a wonderful weekend,

Denise Thompson