Completion Ceremony Reminder

Families of Room 31 -

First, Happy Father’s Day to all the dad’s out there.  I always stop to remember my dad on this special day.  There is a quote that I always use when referencing him that goes out to all of you -  "A dad is someone who wants to catch you before you fall but instead picks you up, brushes you off, and lets you try again.”  Thanks for always being there to “brush” us of and letting us try again!

Tomorrow, Monday June 18th, is an exciting day for fourth grade.  Our fourth grade Completion Ceremony begins at 9:30 tomorrow.  I’d like to highlight a few important pieces of the invitation:

• Family and friends are welcome to enter the gym no sooner than 9:00am. Please do not arrive any earlier than 9:00am as traffic will interfere with morning student drop-off. 
  
• Students are asked to dress appropriately for this special occasion. Please refrain from jeans, t-shirts, and tank tops. If your child would like to change after the ceremony he/she is welcome to bring a change of clothes.

The change of clothes is IMPORTANT for our class as we will have our final PE class at 12:00 today so they will need to change in play clothes and have sneakers!!!

Also, with the given HEAT, please  send your child to school with a water bottle or TWO.  Freezing them has helped to keep them cooler throughout the day.

I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow.

Kelly Finneran

Field Trip Reminder / Upcoming Dates

Families of Room 31 ~
Just a reminder that our field trip to Lowell Mills in Tuesday, June 5th.  Students need to be dropped off at the school at 7:45 AM with their bagged / disposable lunch.  The bus will leave at 8:00 AM.  We will return back to Coolidge for the usual dismissal time.  Please see the attached reminder that was sent home last week for more information.  We are going rain or shine.  Most of our day will be indoor, yet need to walk a distance to and from the bus.
LOWELL REMINDER.doc 

Upcoming Important Dates
Tuesday June 5^th – LOWELL MILLS FIELD TRIP – students need to arrive at Coolidge at 7:45 AM.  Buses leave at 8:00 AM.  We return for usual dismissal.  Look for more information in today’s communication folder.
 
Thursday June 7^th – PICTURES of students due for completion poster
 
Friday June 8^th  –  Tracks for Technology Fundraiser due.... Thanks to those who have already submitted their child's pledge sheet  ( a new pledge sheet is going home in the Monday Communication Folders for those who may need it.
 
Thursday June 14^th – Sherwood Ambassadors visit 4^th grade classes
 
Monday June 18^th – Completion Ceremony for 4^th grade   (9:30  AM- 11:00 AM)
 
Wednesday June 20^th – Ice Cream Social for 4^th grade (2:00 PM – students only)
 
Thursday June 21^st – Last day of school – Wear 4^th grade T-shirt!   Dismissal at 12:15
 
Just a shout out to the PTO for some recent activities.  Last Thursday we had the please of listening to and learning from non-fiction author Loree Griffin Burns.  She is a dynamic presenter and truly strikes a chord with the students about the importance of researching, writing and revising.   Also, Friday June 1st was our Field Day and Tracks for Technology.   A lot of hard work and planning happens behind the scenes to make events like this happen!  We are fortunate to have such an a group of hard working parents here at Coolidge working to provide the students with such wonderful experiences.  Speaking of great experiences, the PTO is sponsoring a school wide visit from character actress Cheryl Faye who will be visiting the school this Wednesday as Sally Ride!   Ask your child about her visit Wednesday evening.

As always, please reach out if you have any questions.

END OF YEAR REMINDERS / DATES

Families of Room 31 ~

I hope everyone enjoyed the “official” start to summer.  The year is quickly coming to an end and there is A LOT happening.  Below is a summary of some upcoming events / important dates for fourth grade.

SPIRIT WEEK  / IMPORTANT DATES

SPIRIT WEEK is this week May 29^th – June 1^st

Tuesday May 29^th – Sports Day – wear your favorite article of clothing (no hat) to represent your favorite sport team

Wednesday May 30^th – Crazy Hair Day

Wednesday May 30^th – SELCO is coming to 4^th grade to film a commercial.  Please have your child either WEAR or BRING their SELCO shirt that they received when we visited SELCO earlier this month

Thursday May 31^st – School Spirit Day – wear your Coolidge T-shirt or red and black

Thursday May 31^st – Author Loree Burns visiting 3^rd and 4^th grade

Friday June 1^st – Field Day / Color Day – 4^th grade color is blue!

Friday June 1^st – Tracks for Technology (after field day)

Tuesday June 5^th – LOWELL MILLS FIELD TRIP – students need to arrive at Coolidge at 7:45 AM.  Busses leave at 8:00 AM.  We return for usual dismissal.  Look for more information in today’s communication folder.

Thursday June 7^th – PICTURES of students due for completion poster

Friday June 8^th – RAINDATE - Field Day / Color Day – 4^th grade color is blue!

Friday June 8^th  – RAINDATE - Tracks for Technology (after field day)

Friday June 8th - TRACKS for TECHNOLOGY FUNDRAISER DUE!

Thursday June 14^th – Sherwood Ambassadors visit 4^th grade classes

Monday June 18^th – Completion Ceremony for 4^th grade

Wednesday June 20^th – Ice Cream Social for 4^th grade

                                      (2:00 PM – students only)

Thursday June 21^st – Last day of school – Wear 4^th grade T-shirt!  

                                     Dismissal at 12:15

MCAS Reminder - May 10th & 11th

MCAS REMINDER

Our fourth grade students will be taking the MATH portion of MCAS performance based 
assessments.  The students will be using the iPads for this test.  The students are well prepared and have certainly progressed in their math skills this year.    It is time for their talents to shine!

Finneran / Weagle – May 10^th & 11^th   (Thursday / Friday)

Cloyes / Rice – May 14^th & 15^th  (Monday / Tuesday)

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.   MCAS testing is scheduled to begin at 9:15. It is important that we have some time to talk with the students prior to the beginning of the given day’s assessment.   

2.  Get a good night’s sleep!

3.  Eat a filling, healthy breakfast.

4.  Bring TWO SNACKS and a WATER BOTTLE to school!

      * First snack will be eaten prior to testing and the second snack needs to be able to be eaten quickly (3 to 5 minutes).

5.  Wear comfortable, appropriate layered clothing.

6.  Any ELECTRONIC devices such as smart watches / cell phones, etc. should either be kept at home or will be kept on the teacher’s desk.

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

 

 

UPCOMING INFORMATION

Families of Room 31 -
Just a few reminders -
1.  Tomorrow, Tuesday May 1st is a 1/2 day.  Dismissal begins at 12:10.

2.  SELCO permission slips are due by Thursday, May 3rd.

3.  MUSIC  - Concert forms were sent home on Friday.  Please complete these and send them back with your child by WEDNESDAY, May 2nd.  Our music teacher needs to know whom is planning on attending the concert that is happening on Wednesday evening May 23rd.

4.  HEALTH POSTERS - Mrs. Current, our health teacher, assigned a health poster that the students need to complete and turn in by Friday.  She gave them the paper and the topic.  Some students have already handed their colored poster in.  Please check with your child to see if they need to complete theirs.

5.  SOCIAL STUDIES - WEST MAP QUIZ - Don't for get the Friday, May 4th the students will take their WEST MAP QUIZ.  They need know the states, land forms and waterways.  Capitals are a bonus.

6.  MATH MCAS - Students from our class and Mrs. Weagle's class will be taking their MATH MCAS on Thursday, May 10th and Friday, May 11th.  We will send reminders home about snack, water bottles and timely arrival closer to this date.  Please refrain form making any appointments on these days.

7.  Chaperones - First, than you all so much for having so many volunteers for out field trip to Lowell.  We are only able to take four so I have chosen names out of a hat and have made contact with those parents whom are attending.  Those whom I did not contact, I'd like to place on a reserve list in case a parent has to back out.  (It has happened to me several times!).  It is important to know that in order to chaperone, OR VOLUNTEER (field day!), you need to have a completed CORI.  Some of my parents who are on a reserve list for chaperoning do not have a CORI for the school and would need to have this to attend if called upon.  

8.  CORI'S -   Anyone volunteering at our school must participate in the Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check before volunteering.  Volunteering includes classroom volunteering, field trips, field day, etc.  Once a CORI check has been completed, your ‘CORI’ is valid for 3 years.  CORI checks are applicable to any volunteering in the Shrewsbury Public Schools.  Unfortunately, CORIs completed elsewhere are not valid for Shrewsbury Public Schools.  Please come to school and see to Mrs. Cairns, our secretary, with your license to complete the CORI form and have it processed.  It you need it processed quicker, you can stop up at Central Office and complete this process.  Please allow for at least 2 weeks for CORI checks to be completed before participating in any volunteer activities at our school.  Volunteers without a completed and processed CORI will be unable to volunteer until the process is complete.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation. 

 

Upcoming Dates:
May 10th / 11th   - Math MCAS
May 18th - SELCO field trip (2 hours during the day)
May 23rd - Chorus Concert
June 1st - Field Day
June 5th - Field trip to Lowell
June 8th - Field Day rain date
June 18th - Completion Ceremony
June 21st - Last day of school (1/2 Day)

Please be in touch if you have any questions.

Job Well Done

Families of Room 31 ~

I'd like to send my congratulations to your children.  I am so proud of the effort that they put forth during our ELA MCAS these past two days.  I wish I could grade on effort alone.

Although I am unable to read what the children write or even check their work, but I can say that they took their work seriously, planned their answers using pillars,T-charts, or diamonds.  I saw them checking and rechecking their work.  Many were very proud to share that while they were checking, they found their own mistakes!  What more can you ask for!

It will be good to get back into a normal routine these last few days before April vacation.

Don't forget that there is a measurement quiz on Friday!

MCAS DAY ONE UPDATE

Families of Room 31 ~

 Watching the kids work today through their ELA MCAS truly brought tears to my eyes!    The effort that they put forth was outstanding! I watched the students follow all the strategies, highlight key words, find the answer in the text and highlight it as well as  plan out their open response / essays using pillars and writing diamonds to answer their essays.     They should all have huge smiles on their faces based on their effort, yet they will be tired.   Many students worked past lunch, yet all finished and were able to have at least part of their gym class this afternoon!  They deserve a GIGANTIC round of applause!!! 

Let's hope the same effort is put forth tomorrow!   Remember... a good night's sleep, a hearty, healthy breakfast, water and TWO healty snack will help ensure their energy for the day!
Congratulations on a job well done

Don't forget that FIELD TRIP permission and money is due this Wednesday.  Also, tomorrow the students should return their media books and bring their recorders.