Week 33

Nature Art created by students during ECO this week.

We were back together this week after what I hope was a wonderful break for all.  Several children shared about their travels while others stayed close to home and enjoyed all that our local area has to offer.  The weather was somewhat cloudy, wet, and cool this week, but we managed to have quite a bit of outdoor time this week including recesses and ECO.  Next week promises to be more seasonable with warmer, sunny weather.

Lego creation

We are now in the home stretch with just 51/2 weeks left in the school year.  The school board met this week and agreed to waive making up the last canceled day before break, so our last day of school will still be June 14.  This will also be the day of our 3rd Grade Graduation and Elmore School Family Picnic.  The next few weeks will be packed with activities as we have several trips to MES for special events planned as well as a field trip to the Echo Leahy Center.  

This week during literacy students wrote persuasive essays, worked on phonemic awareness, and phonics,  spelling words with silent letters.  Younger students spelled words with double consonant letters at the end of words (ss, zz, ff, ll).  I've also begun our last round of reading assessments (F&P's) of the year.  

In Math we all worked on beginning concepts of rounding numbers this week.  In doing so all students worked on renaming tens into ones and hundreds into tens.  Then, third graders began rounding numbers to the nearest ten.  

In science, we embarked on our last unit of the year : "Wonders of Water", which will have a focus on the effects of water on shaping the earth.  This week during ECO, students learned about watersheds.  Then they built models of a watershed (mountains and valleys) and explored how water flows and moves sediment into lower areas.  On the way back to the school, we spent some extra time helping to Green Up. Each student also brought home a green up bag this week which we hope you will use to help green up near your home.

Watershed model created during ECO on Thursday.

Next week third graders embark on The VTCAP testing known as Cognia (formerly SBAC).  They will be testing over two days next week (Tuesday and Wednesday).  Each test will take approximately 60-120 minutes depending on the student.  Parents should assure that students are well rested and at school (unless they are sick).  Please do not schedule appointments during the mornings on Tuesday and Wednesday for the next two weeks.

In your Friday folders, please find a permission slip for upcoming bus trips to MES.  There are four dates on this permission slip.  Please return it to school before Friday, May 12 (our first trip).

Thank you to Heather Hill for the delicious Tacos and "dirt" for dessert for Hot Lunch on Friday.  Next Friday, hot lunch will be brought to us by Deidra Keith (chicken Drumsticks & Thighs and a veggie platter.

Please email you school lunch orders for the week.

Other Announcements:

• School Banking is Monday - bring your deposits!
• Library is Monday - remember to bring your books!
• PE is Thursday  - Students need their sneakers
• ECO - Thursday, May 11 from 9-12.  Let me know if you would like to volunteer.
• Friday, May 12 - Circus and a Suitcase Assembly @ MES
• Monday May 22nd  - Author Visit (Natalie Kinsley Worlock) @ MES
• Wednesday, May 24th - TIGER Anti-bullying production @ MES
• Friday, May 26th - Memorial Day Observance @ Peoples Academy Bandshell
• No School Monday, May 29th to observe Memorial Day
• Field Trip to the ECHO Center in Burlington - Wednesday, May 31, 2021
• Friday June 2nd - 3rd graders visit MES /  Elmore Kindergarten / new students visit Elmore School
• Wednesday, June 7th -  4th grade production of FROZEN @MES
• Wednesday, June 14th - LAST DAY of SCHOOL - Early release
• Wednesday, June 14th - Third Grade Graduation and family Picnic 5:30 - 7:00 pm