June 1st Update / Field Day lunch

This time of year can be very hectic for fourth grade.  Just a few reminders:

Field Day Lunch:  Field day is schedule for Friday June 5th (rain date: June 12th).  A notice went home on Friday regarding lunches.  If your child wants to purchase a lunch on Field Day,you need to send in money or a ticket on MONDAY, JUNE 1st.  If they do not pay by this day, they have to bring their lunch on field day.  The notice should be in their homework folder.

Spirit Week:  The memo went home on Friday in their homework folder.  Please refer to memo for the theme of the day.

Chorus Concert: Please refer to Ms. Fallis's recent email about the upcoming concert Thursday June 4th.  I look forward to seeing everyone!

Sherwood Tour: Sherwood Middle has invited all Coolidge 4th grade students to tour the building Wednesday June 3rd from 4:30 - 5:45.  I recommend that you take advantage of this opportunity with your child.
 
Completion Ceremony:  Tuesday, June 16th at 9:30.  Please join us at celebrate with all the 4th graders and their families.  Children may bring cloths to change into after the ceremony.

Last day of school - Wednesday, June 17th.  Dismissal will be at 12:15.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Field Trip - Thursday, May 28th

LOWELL MILLS FIELD TRIP 

Thursday, May 28^th 

Students must be dropped off at school at 7:45 A.M.

The buses will be leaving at 8:00 A.M.

•   The students and chaperones need to report directly to their classrooms when they arrive.  

•  Chaperones are to check in at the office.  The buses will be leaving at 8:00 AM sharp!  We will return to Coolidge for the usual dismissal time.

•  Pack a bag lunch that can be completely thrown away when finished.   Lunches need to be in a plastic bag  with a name and teacher’s name clearly printed on it BEFORE arriving at school.  NO GLASS containers please!!  Backpacks are NOT allowed in the museums. Students should only bring what is reasonable for them to carry and eat in a limited time. 

•  We will NOT be stopping at the gift store so there is NO need for money.

•  Cameras are allowed.  Rules of the museum regarding photography will have to be followed.

•  Electronic devices (smartphones, DSI’s, iPods, etc.) are okay to bring.   The following rules

        will be strictly enforced.

         ~  All music MUST be appropriate

         ~  The device may be used ONLY as a camera in the museum. 

         ~  No taking pictures while the tour guide is speaking.

         ~  No texting or phone calling in the museum or on the bus.

         ~  No videotaping

         ~  Students will be responsible for all items brought.  Remember, we are not 

              allowed to have backpacks in the museum.

         ~  If your electronic device does not have a camera, it will be left on the bus – at 

              your own risk!

•  Wear comfortable shoes / sneakers as there will be a lot of walking!!

•  We will return to school in time for usual dismissal.

  

SELCO / PARCC

SELCO - Just a reminder that tomorrow the students will be heading to SELCO during the school day.  We will be there for about 2 hours.  We will leave close to 10:15 and return around 12:30.  If you child is not going to have the snack SELCO provides, please make sure you send them to school with a snack in a disposable container / bag.

PARCC - The final testing dates for PARCC are Monday, May 18th and Tuesday the 19th.  The focus of the tests these days will be math.  Please make sure the students have a good night's rest on Sunday, a healthy breakfast on Monday morning and that they come to school on time with a water bottle.

Thanks for your support!!

Kelly Finneran

PARCC reminder

PARCC REMINDER

Tuesday May 12th, our fourth grade students will be taking the ELA portion of the PARCC performance based assessments.  The students are well prepared and have certainly progressed in their reading and writing skills throughout the year.  It is time for their talents to shine!

Here are a few reminders that we’ve discussed with the students:

1.  ARRIVE TO SCHOOL ON TIME! 

This is key for those students that do not take the bus.  PARCC  testing is scheduled to begin shortly after 9:15 on each of the days.  It is important that we have time to talk with the students prior to beginning the day’s assessment, so arriving on time is essential.

2.  Get a good night’s sleep!

3.  Eat a healthy breakfast.

4.  Bring a WATER BOTTLE to school!

5.  Wear comfortable, appropriate layered clothing.

6.  Remember to use all the strategies that they have learned and practiced.

Next scheduled PARCC –  MATH

~  Monday, May 18^th and Tuesday, May 19^th

End of the Year Updates

 Now that April vacation is over ~ we are in the home stretch!  I hope your family enjoyed this past April vacation!   (Warmer weather would have been nice!?!?!)    I look forward to seeing the students and hearing about their break when we return to school on Monday. 

This time of year becomes very hectic for us all.  Please keep an eye on deadlines and important dates.    With upcoming field trips, field day, Relay for Life, completion ceremony…. It will be important to keep your calendars up to date.  Please refer back to the blog or email me if you have any questions regarding any of the upcoming events.

~  RELAY for LIFE slips and SELCO permission slips are due on Friday, May 1^st.  These will be coming home with your child on Monday.

~ Tuesday, May 5  -  Early-Release Day.

       Dismissal for students will begin at 12:15pm.  Breakfast or lunch will NOT be served. 

~  Tuesday, May 12  - end of year English Language Arts PARCC exam.

~  Friday, May 15^th  - 2 hour field trip to SELCO.  (Permission slips are going home on Monday)

~   Monday, May 18  / Tuesday, May 19  - end of year Math PARCC exams.

~ Thursday, May 28^th – Field Trip to Lowell.  Students need to arrive to school early!

~  Saturday, May 30^th – 11:30 – 1:00    RELAY for LIFE!  Join us as Coolidge and Company 

   walks at Oak Middle School.  Fundraising for American Cancer Society.

~  Thursday, June 4th - 4th Grade Concert.  

~  Friday, June 5^th – Field Day

~  Tuesday, June 16^th – Completion Ceremony – more info to come.

Math: Monday we begin Chapter 11, "Squares and Rectangles.”  Students will learn the many properties of squares and rectangles. Students will apply their knowledge of angles and lines from the previous chapters.  Their Chapter 10 test is coming home on Monday to be signed.

Science – We have begun investigating Magnets.  The Boston Museum of Science presented a fantastic demonstration on Electromagnetism on Friday, April 17^th.     Shortly, we will move on to our experiments building electrical circuits.

Reading – All students are involved in a Literature Circle discussion group reading books by Kate DiCamillo.  The books we are reading are The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Because of Winn Dixie and The Tale of Despereaux.

~ Reading Takes you Places -  This program comes to an end later in May.    As of now, 90% of our class has completed the necessary steps  to receive their medals in June!  Please make sure your child is returning these slips.  The nightly reading I assign count for this program too!

Writing:  Our focus right now is on Opinion Writing.  It is amazing how many opinions 4^th graders have on various topics.  Right now, we are focusing on a group discussion as to whether there should be zoos!    It is tough being moderator on this one!

Social Studies – We are wrapping up the MidWest this week.  Our assessment on this region will be in the near future.  Once we wrap this region us, we are off to  the West! 

Thank your for your continued support!   As always, don’t hesitate to be in touch if you have any questions.

Updates / Save the Date!

Just a few important reminders / updates:

1.  Tuesday - April 7th is a 1/2 day of school. Dismissal is at 12:15.

2.  The students WILL have gym!  We usually miss gym on half days, yet Ms. Pacheco has worked it out for us to have our class at 9:15 in the AM.  Please make sure they are wearing their sneakers as they will take part in the PACER.  Also... a healthy breakfast may help!

3.  Field trip slips and money ($9.00) are due by Friday, April 10th.  I am in need of chaperones.  As of today, I only have 1 parent volunteer for this trip on May 28th to Lowell!

4.  SAVE THE DATE!  I know several parents have asked - The Fourth Grade Completion Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, June 16th in the morning.  More information to come after April vacation. 

5.  Please sign and return all report card envelopes at your earliest convenience.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions / concerns.

PARCC / Class Update

It is that time of year when the clocks change and warmer weather approaches!  It also means in fourth grade, there is a lot going on in the classroom and school that you should be aware of:

First round of PARCC testing:
PARCC testing – ELA dates:

Wednesday, March 25

Thursday, March 26

Friday, March 27.

Math testing are:

Wednesday, April 1

Thursday, April 2

We participated in a times MATH PARCC Mock test on Wednesday March 11^th and will have a MOCK ELA PARCC with the students on Wednesday, March 18^th.  Please see the letter send home with more information about PARCC.

Science: We are wrapping up our simple machine unit.  Students will take their test on Friday, March 20^th.  Please see their study guide and refer to sites on the class blog to help review study. 

Social Studies:   I was thrilled with the states and capitals test on the MidWest.  The students will soon be moving to various classrooms to explore the physical features, climate, natural resources and the economy of the Midwest.  Each region we move to the students expand their knowledge of each of these categories and compare what they have learned with what they are learning about the region.  Take some time to view the EDUPLACE interactive map site with your child and discuss what they are learning about.!

Math: We are midway through unit 8, Adding and Subtracting Decimals.  We move on to the final lesson of the week where the students need to apply their knowledge of decimals to solve real-world problems. It is our hope to wrap up this unit next Tuesday, March 24^th. 

Reading / Writing: The students recently completed their Trimester 2 writing pieces where they had to write an informational piece about a topic of choices.  I was so proud of their effort and stamina working for 1 ½ to 2 hours!  These will be coming home soon.  Please check them over with your child and return them.  Must of the focus has been on connecting the writing to reading via practice PARCC samples.  The children have worked to learn the format of the test, yet have realized that all we have been working on this year has helped prepare them for this assessment.

Spring Fling – Thanks to those who have sent in either their $5.00 or camping items!  All items or money are due by March 23^rd.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me!

Thank you for your continued support!