It's finally February!  We're a little bit closer to spring.  I'm sure we are all tired of the cold & snow, but it's nice & cozy in the 5th grade classroom.

Here is what's happening this week...

1) Interim Testing - Due to the snow, the Interim Tests have been pushed back.  ELA is Thursday, February 5 and Math is Friday, February 6.  Please send your child in with plenty of sharpened #2 pencils.

2) Frindle - please make sure your child has the novel Frindle by Monday, February 2.  I want to make sure all the students have the book before we start reading it.

3) Totem Pole Project - I will be giving out the guidelines for the totem pole project this week.  I have the cardboard rolls from paper towels that I will give out the students.  This project is due Friday, February 27.

4) International Lunch - This has been moved to Thursday, February 5.  If you are sending in a dish, please send it in Thursday morning.  If you want your Tupperware back, please label it with your child's name and grade.

5) 12:00 Dismissal - Friday, February 6.  Please pick up your child on time.  If your child is after-school, please send lunch.

6) Bake Sale - There is NO BAKE SALE on Friday, February 6!

7) Valentine's Day Dance - Friday, February 6.  Please send in the signed permission slip and money in by Thursday MORNING!  No money will be taken after this.  Please send in the money & slip in a labeled envelope.  I will not take any money or slip that is not in an envelope!

8) Midterms & Report Cards - Midterms are finally over!  The midterm exam grades & Quarter 2 grades are all in the SIS system for you to check.  Report Cards will be given out to the students on Wednesday, February 11.  I do not have to meet with all the parents for this report card, but there are some I definitely need to see.  Please make sure you take some time to meet with me in regards to your child.  Quarter 3 is here and goes quickly.  Before you know it, the year will be finished & I do not want you to deal with any surprises in June.

In regards to the Midterm Exams, I was disappointed with some of the results.  We reviewed everything and I gave the review sheets the week before.  There were absolutely no surprises.  The students really need to pick up their game for Quarter 3.  Like I said above, June will be here before you know it, and summer school & retention are a real possibility for some students.  6th grade is middle school and the year that high schools look at when making their decision to accept a student.  So I'm asking the parents, please get on your child in regards to putting 100% effort into their work, to not be lazy, and to do the best they can.  I can only do so much.  The students needs to be responsible for their behavior and their grades.

Also in regards to report cards, please make sure you are financially squared away with Mrs. Gwin.  If you owe any money, your child will not be able to get their report card or award.  So if you are unsure about what you owe, please see Mrs. Gwin as soon as possible!