Updates Week of May 20-24

Well, here we are at the final stretch of the year.  I will have to say it has flown by!!! I can't believe we only have 3 weeks left!  There will be many fun events and activities coming up for the students to enjoy here at the end of the year.  They really deserve to have some fun because they have worked hard all year, however I have let students know that behavior is something that is still very important especially right here at the end of the year.  I have let the students know that, like other subjects, I have expected them to become better readers and writers through the year, I have also expected their behavior to get better, too.  Students know that if their conduct is not acceptable then they will not be allowed to participate in the end of the year festivities.  I look forward to a fun end of the year and have enjoyed working with each of the students throughout the year.

Reading
Students should still be reading and logging in daily for reading practice.  We are taking our tests on the computer so there have not been any papers to send home.  You can check their grades through the grade portal on the duval county website.  If you do not have your child's password, you can go to the main office to obtain it.  I can not give out the sign in and passwords only the front office can.  This is a great tool for keeping up with your child's grade and you will be able to continue using it when they go to middle school next year.

Writing
Students have been reading and learning about the Patriots and Loyalists in Social Studies.  They were assigned to write a paper explaining which they would have been if they had lived back in colonial times.  Ask your child which they would have been and why.

Spelling
We have not had a spelling list in language and will not have any for the rest of the year.  Spelling grades are being taken from their writing assignments.  Students are now being graded on their application of the spelling rules they have learned through their years in elementary school.

Important Dates
May 22................Last Early Dismissal
May 24................Sports Fest.*
May 27................Memorial Day-No School
May 28................Diamond D Ranch Field Trip*
May 30................Talent Show 6:00 p.m.
June 5..................End of the Year Awards Program*
June 6..................Faculty/5th Grade Kickball Game/End of the Year Party*
*please remember, if you plan on coming to school for any end of the end of the year events you will need to have filled out the volunteer application online through the duval county website.  All adults have to be approved through the front office to come to the classroom.  Just go to duvalschools.org and look for the drop down tab to find the online application.  It will stay good for 2 years from the date you submit it.

June 7................Last Day of school-12:00 dismissal

Until next time,
R. O'Steen