Valentine's Day List

Room 5A

Alex

Aniya

Annie

Ava

Benny

Brandon

Chance

Cole

Cooper

Curran

Estefanie

Gavin

John

Kai

Lily

Lynn

Maddie

Maria

Mason

Maxine

Nancy

Peyton

Quinn

Sevin

Skyler

Sophia

Timothy

Yaren

12/16/15

Hi Families-

Science fair packets came home today for all the 4th and 5th graders.  Don’t panic- we have plenty of time. :)  Our school science fair is January 28th.  We thought it would be best to get it done before science camp.  I created a calendar based on the county’s recommendation.  Students may work alone, or in groups of no more than 3.  The deal is as long as all the parents of the group agree they can help coordinate to get the kids together- then they may work with whomever they choose.  We looked at the website- www.sciencebuddies.com today to get them thinking about possible experiments.  Their proposals are due the Thursday we get back after winter break. Having the chrome books in our classroom will be helpful for research.  They can even create google docs they can work on at home, in class, and share with their partners so they can both contribute to each step. (I am loving google docs:)

Science camp is rapidly approaching.  If you already paid, the office will be contacting you since the amount has changed.  Thanks to all of you who contributed to fundraising efforts.  The new cost is $188.52.  We ask that all payments and paperwork be turned in no later than January 15th.  A form will be coming home soon with more info. Again- thank to Home and School Club and everyone who helped!

Holiday Plans for this Friday- We will be making gingerbread houses with our little buddies Friday morning in the MU.  Thanks for all your donations.  (Please no M&Ms or any other products containing nuts.)  Please read below from Mary. I will talk to the class tomorrow if they want to do anything special that day also- like pajama day.

Hello Room 5A,

     Our class party will be at 2pm on Friday the 18th.
We have a few parents that have offered to bring in snacks and treats.
If anyone else would like to donate, that would be great.
Thanks again for your help this year.
Hope you all have a good winter break. Happy Holidays!!!
Mary

I hope you are all having a great week!

Jaime

12/1/15

December 1, 2015

Hi Families,

First of all- I can’t believe it’s December!  I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  December is a busy month!  (Not that we ever have a mellow school monthJ.) I wanted to thank you for taking the time to come to your child’s conference.  If you have any questions or concerns about their report card or progress, please let me know and I’d be happy to meet with you.  I’m always available for homework help too if you have questions.

We will start doing our Scholastic News in class as part of our Social Studies/Science instead of part of our homework.  That way we can have valuable conversations about the news topics.   We just started informational reading and writing units, so this will fit right in.  If you have any non-fiction books at home you’d like to loan or donate, please send them in.  I would like to see Dreambox used more at home.  If students do not have a device to do so, please let me know and they can come in before school to complete lessons.  The program is designed for students to spend at least 60 minutes a week online.  That way we can be sure it’s a true learning tool. https://play.dreambox.com/login/ymdg/soquelue

We are also starting a new math unit.  I’ll send home paperwork letting you know what we are learning about.  It will help you and your child with their homework.  I believe in Common Core.  We have to work together to make sure students don’t give up too easily because it looks different.  Teachers were afraid of it too at first!  But please keep an open mind set and encourage your child to do the same.  The 5^th grade team works together to ensure that we give our students extra support since they didn’t get Common Core instruction throughout their elementary years.  Here is the publisher’s website: http://investigations.terc.edu

This week is the Book Fair in the MU.  Please buy books for your home or our classroom library.  There are some great deals.  Thank you Catherine for organizing.  On this Thursday, December 4^th-  we have Bed Time Story night from 6-7:30.  We will also have a bake sale to help raise money for Science Camp.  Please donate time and or baked goods if you can.

Please bring in all Science Camp money and forms as soon as possible.  If we could get everything in before we go to Winter Break- that would be awesome.  Thank you in advance for all of your help in fundraising also.  I am so glad that every 5^th grader gets this amazing experience! http://www.osp.santacruz.k12.ca.us

Next Friday- is Fancy Day.  We also thought it might be fun to make Stone Soup with our little buddies.  Last year was a beautiful disaster but we figured this time if we did it on a long day the soup might actual cook and not be so gross and crunchy.  (Hey- we tried. J)

But-the kiddos all wanted to do it again- so Mrs. Weisel and I will send out more info soon.

Some classes have booked field trips to go to ATT&T Park.  They offer an amazing educational field trip experience.  Please look at the website. http://mlb.mlb.com/sf/ballpark/distance/index.jsp#educational_tours_distance I am in the process of booking a spot for us- but I will need your support as it costs $400.  (That includes our 28 students plus 12 adults- so 10 extra chaperones after you include Francesca and me.)  While I understand it’s a lot to ask because we are already fundraising for Science Camp- I just hate missing out on opportunities because of money.  There’s got to be sponsors, or other ways we can put our heads together to make it happen, right?   Let me know your thoughts.  Karen is already brainstorming and I know our village can make it happen.  Looks like it will happen in January if at all. 

Think that’s it for now.  Thanks again for all that you do for your child, our class, me, and our school.  Let’s make their last year at Soquel El the best ever!  I will try and keep my blog updated too! http://mrsmcmillan4.blogspot.com

Love, Mrs. Mc

PS- Encourage your child to go on google docs and work on their writing- they love it!  Ok-I promise that’s it! 

11/24/15

I know the holiday week is upon us- just wanted to resend this to 5th grade parents- we are in the final push of fundraising for Science Camp!

If you can help on Thursday, Dec. 3 with bedtime stories and/or bake, please let me know!

Thanks again and happy thanksgiving!

Kathleen

1. Wine Passports 

Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Passports
Great for the wine lover!
Regularly $55 online or at wineries, you can purchase them for $40 each.
The Passports are good for 2 years from date of purchase and will allow you a complimentary tasting at each of the 50 plus wineries in the passport booklet. Passport holders are also invited to attend the four passport days each year hosted by the SCMWA and wineries within the booklet. The next passport day is November 21! Email secretary@soquelpaws.org to order.
*50% of sales goes to Science Camp fundraising from now > Dec 7!

Push those passports- we get $20 for each one we sell!!

HELPERS & BAKERS NEEDED!!!

2. Bake Sale/Light up Sales/ Cocoa @ Bedtime Stories on Thursday, Dec. 3rd 6:00-7:30 PM in the MU

Bedtime Stories- bake/cocoa/light ups

Part of our book fair. Kids can come hear stories, buy cool items and Science Camp will be having a bake sale, sell light ups & cocoa.

We need bakers & helpers the night of. :)

Email kathleen@capitoladesign.com if you can help!!

Remember: all these proceeds go towards making Science Camp cost LESS!

Email if you can help! Thank you, 5th grade parents!!

Kathleen

11/10/15

Hi all 

So the website has been updated with the new url for dream box and I also put the new iPad school code.  We will be sending a edulink to parents with this info, but wanted to let you know the webpage is all working.

New url

https://play.dreambox.com/login/ymdg/soquelue

App code

Ymdg/soquelue

I am sorry for all this confusion

Gerri 

10/23/15

Hi! Tomorrow is mustache day! Last year I bought different stick on type but the students played with them, lost them, or complained they pulled out their actual hair...then I busted out eye liner and everyone was happy. So I stopped by target tonight and bought some black eyeliner and printed out some different mustache styles. During Word Work tomorrow morning I'll go around and make sure everyone that wants one gets one. If anyone wants to join in the fun- let me know!

Mrs.Mc

10/20/15

Hi Families,
Thanks to those of you who were able to join us.  For those who couldn’t make it last night- here’s the website with all the info.  
http://www.osp.santacruz.k12.ca.us
The packets are coming home today.  Please keep them in a safe place and return them when you’re done.  Julie Livingstone is helping keep track of what has been turned in, so please email her if you can help. tjam148@yahoo.com  We still need a lot of fundraising help too!
Jamie, Aniya’s mom, went to the camp when she was in school.  She had a great experience and would be willing to talk to any kids that are feeling nervous.  I am going to try to arrange a time for her to come and chat, along with Zoe Foster who went last year.  I think together the 3 of us can help calm any anxiety.
The pumpkin patch is this Friday.  Please bring in the permission slip and $2 for a pumpkin.  We have enough chaperones- so thanks!
Have a great day,
Jaime