Weekly Reminders 6/1/09

Dear Parents and Portal Students,

It seems hard to believe that it’s already June! We’re finishing out the year with a bang! There are many fun activities both inside the classroom and around the school. Please read below to see what’s happening.

Thank You!

Thank you parent volunteers! So many of you have helped us throughout the year. We really appreciate all that you’ve done for us - both little and large. Our program is truly a partnership and we really do rely on parent volunteers to keep our program running smoothly. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank you by holding a brunch in your honor. Please join us on Tuesday at 9:50 in the courtyard by the office (next to the kindergarten playground). Enjoy great food and conversation with teachers and other school volunteers.

Cicero’s Nights

Our school is having three Cicero’s pizza nights this week to benefit our school. “Officially”, Monday (today) is Rockhopper night, Tuesday is the 2/3 night, and Wednesday is K/1 night, but of course, please go on ANY night to enjoy some good food and Portal company!

Room 20/21 DVD

This year, Rooms 20 & 21 will have an end-of-the-year DVD available for students to purchase. Approximate cost is $10 for the DVD (depending on our order quantity.) The DVD features video footage of our fine arts performance, some of our cool field trips, school activities, and a HUGE number of photographs from the many things we’ve done throughout the school year. Order forms will be available next week!

Recognition Ceremony

Each year, we recognize the great work of our departing 5th grade students by holding a “Recognition Ceremony” on the last day of school! This year, our ceremony will be held on Friday, June 19, beginning at approximately 8:15 am. Please plan on attending if your student is finishing their Portal career; it’s an extra-special moment for all of us. If you are interested in volunteering to help with snacks (donations, setup, or both), please contact either Miss Scourkes or Mr. Roels.

Language Arts:

We are continuing with our study of the novel, Bridge to Terabithia. The relationship between the main characters continues to deepen, so I’m sure our readers are beginning to wonder just what will happen next! Students are also beginning to organize their writing for the year and prepare work to be bound into their anthologies.

Math:

4th grade students are finishing analyzing different proposed “Game Factory” games this week. Our next step is to prepare our own fair game design! We’ll apply our understanding of fairness in our partner game boards and rules. Ask your student what fair games are really all about; I’m sure you’ll get some insightful answers....

In 5th grade math, students are continuing their Biz World Companies. Students have incorporated their companies and sold stock to raise money. They are now in the manufacturing stage of creating their product. In addition to Biz World, we have been reviewing geometry concepts with students and will reassess them this week on Thursday.

Social Studies:

We are wrapping up our studies of the California Gold Rush. Students are finalizing their essays and bibliographies for their anthologies.
Science:

Our investigations of electricity involve motors and lights this week to experience open and closed circuitry, as well as what items are conductors & insulators. I’ll also be collecting students’ notebooks to examine the quality and depth of their understanding of the concepts we’ve covered so far.

Important Dates to Remember:

6/2 Volunteer Appreciation Brunch - 9:50 am
6/4 5th grade math reassessment for geometry unit
6/5 Library Closes for the year. All books due
6/9 Lunch on the Lawn (tentative)
6/9 Spring Band Concert 7:00 p.m.
6/12 Spirit Day - Portal T-shirt Day
6/15 SSC Council Meeting 3:00
6/15 Field Day at Portal
6/18 PSCO Meeting
6/19 5th Grade Promotion 8:15 a.m.
6/19 Last Day of School - Dismissal at 11:20!

CALIFORNIA TRIVIA!

Q: What is the only species of turtle native to CA?



Good luck!

Mr. Roels & Miss Scourkes