Weekly Reminders 2/13/12

Rockhopper Weekly Reminders
February 13-17


Mark Your Calendars:
Tuesday, February 14th: Happy Valentine’s Day!
Thursday, February 16th: Geography test!
Friday, February 17th: Spirit Day (Wear a pin or a ribbon)
Monday, February 20- 24: Mid-year recess
Monday, February 27th: School resumes
Tuesday, February 28th: Barnes and Noble Night
Thursday, March 1st: 7:00PM Miller Middle School Information Night


Portal Parent Survey:
All parents received a link to the survey in last week’s Penguin Press which is located here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/mpsurvey11-12. This survey is how we continue to provide the best possible, well-rounded experience for your child here at Portal. Please complete the survey by February 17th (This Friday!). It should only take 12+ minutes. Each child will receive a "penguin" pencil and get to add their name to a classroom poster upon completion. We hope to have 100% participation. Thank you!

Fifth Grade Math Placement Test:
Each year all CUSD fifth grade students are given a math placement test that determines their placement in middle school. This year, the test will be administered on Wednesday, March 21st. The District Office is responsible for grading these tests and deciding which students qualify to take the second level placement test. The second level test will be given two weeks after the first one, on Wednesday, April 4th. It tests students’ ability to extend the 5th grade standards. The district then considers the results of both these tests and places students accordingly. The results are sent home along with elective placements during the summer by the District Office. The middle schools and the district decide the criterion for placement.
Since this placement test is given for all school at this early time of the year, there is no expectation from the middle schools that we teach all the 5th concepts by the placement date. Another placement test is administered again in sixth grade, so your child is not tracked, but is given a chance to be successful at the level they are best suited.We find that the middle schools generally do a very good job of placing students so that they are successful.

Star and District Writing Tests:
On Tuesday, March 6th, fourth grade students will be taking the STAR writing test. The three possible genres on which they may be tested are: narrative, summary, or response to literature. We have spent time in class practicing all three of these styles of writing. Also, on March 6th, the fifth grade students will be taking their writing test. It will be a CUSD persuasive genre writing assessment.

Outdoor School:
Below are listed some answers In response to questions that have come up since the parent meeting.
a. The cost for Outdoor School is $310 and the check should be made out to Portal School.
b. Here is an explanation of what we require with the yellow form:
(copied from an email from the director of Outdoor School)
This form is two sided and we require each student to have SECTION I completed by the parent. We only require SECTION II to be completed by the physician if the student takes prescription medications or if the parent would like their child to have access to the over the counter medications listed on the form. The important thing to note is, in the case of over the counter medication, if a physician does not complete and sign SECTION II then we do not have authorization to administer over the counter medications to that student (this is new this year in order to be in compliance with ed code). If a parent would like their child to have the ability to receive over the counter medication listed while at outdoor science school then they must obtain a physician's signature for SECTION II. There are a few items listed on the form (rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Bactine, Vaseline, sunblock, saline eye wash, etc) that are not considered medications. We list these items so that parents are aware of everything that we have in stock in our health office and have the opportunity to indicate if they prefer their child NOT to be given those treatments (in a first aid situation, for example).

Help To Keep Our Computer Lab Germ Free... Our computer lab is in need of disinfectant wipes to help keep our computers as sanitary as possible. Germs can easily be spread on keyboards, so if you can send in a container of disinfectant wipes and/or hand sanitizer bottles, we would appreciate it. Thank you for your help!

Curriculum Flash!
Language Arts:
At this point in the year, writing tasks are dominating our language arts time. We now have enough experience writing rough drafts, revising and editing by ourselves and with peers, and producing final drafts to tackle a variety of writing genres. Presently, responses to literature, letters, and personal narratives are in the process of completion. Persuasive essays will be introduced next. More practice, with classroom grammatical mini-lessons as needed, is on our agenda.

Also this week, we hope to mail letters that students have written to chosen authors. We modeled this activity after the structure and content of Dear Mr. Henshaw. We will be working on proper letter format, using the correct tone once you know your audience, and how to address an envelope. Our hope is to put these in the mailbox before we leave for break.

Finally, our oral presentations are coming up, so students should being thinking about which book from their Reading Contract that they would like to present. The Reading Contract is due March 9th.

Math
4th grade: This week, students will be completing their Menu Math restaurant menus with their partners. On Friday, we will have the opportunity to try and SOLVE each other’s menu problems in a rotation between our three classes! We are also focusing on the visual representation of algebraic expressions and equations in function tables- we are identifying the rule shown by the function table, and we are constructing the table by following the rule. This should really solidify our algebraic thinking!

5th grade: This week, students continue to develop their understanding of fractions as we begin our study of decimals. We’re also making the connection between fractions and decimals, and their daily/ “real life” usage.

Science:
In Rooms 20 & 21, we are focusing on researching an element of our choice. The information we find will be incorportated into a Keynote presentation that we hope will go beyond the usual text/photo format. Linking information, audio input, and other “extras” will be encouraged in the construction of the students’ presentations. The students will also have a chance to do a little creative writing related to their element, which they will present orally to the rest of the class. The next couple of weeks should be a lot of fun (and enlightening at the same time!)

Social Studies:
Our quest for knowledge of the great Conquistadores continues. Cortes, Ponce de Leon, Pizzaro, and Coronado are up next. Be sure to ask your child about the exciting adventures of these great explorers! Our next geography test, including the Rocky Mountain States, will be on Thursday, February 16th.

Name that State!
A city in this state has the longest main street in the United States, 33 miles.
You can find this state at 45 degrees north latitude.
The Snake River flows through this state.
The logging industry is important to this state. As a matter of fact, some people note that the state is shaped like a logger's boot!
Which state is it?