Weekly Citizenship Grade

In an effort to prepare students for the many expectations, responsibilities, and privileges that come with moving on to fifth grade, each student will receive one citizenship grade per week for the next four weeks in both Social Studies and Health. We will no longer be flipping cards.

Many of the kids are no longer affected by merely flipping their cards and I think this will really help challenge and motivate them to be the best they can be. The kids are all ready for summer break to begin and we still have four weeks of teaching and learning to do. Therefore, I truly believe this will help those who continue to push the limits with the classroom and school rules.

My hope is that this new system will stress to the students that fun activities, such as Field Day and end of the year celebrations are privileges, or rewards, for students who follow classroom and school expectations as well as give their best effort in and out of the classroom each day.

Fifth grade is just around the corner and the kids will discover the importance of being good citizens and role models for one another, because each year they are given more responsibility. I am doing this because I adore these kids and want to provide them with every opportunity to discover their potential as lifelong learners.

Each student will begin with a 100% A+ for the week in Social Studies and Health. The following are possible reasons for the grade to decrease by 5% for each issue:
v Not following classroom rules/expectations
v Using inappropriate language or tone
v Being unkind to others
v Being told more than two times to do something
v Not following hallway or lunchroom and recess rules
v Not following specials’ class rules
v Failure to turn in work on time

This new system will take affect immediately! Please review and discuss with your child. I appreciate all your support in this new plan.

Thank you,
Mrs. Hill

Summer Lunch Bunch Reading Program

Brownsburg children are invited to come to the Brownsburg Town Hall gazebo every Tuesday at noon beginning June 8 through July 27. The sessions are FREE. No registration is required. Every child will be allowed to choose a book for summer reading from boxes of gently used books that have been given to the program. A sack lunch will be given to every child. Various special visitors will attend to interact with children each week. This program is sponsored by Brownsburg businesses, community groups and churches. Hope to see you there!

Grandparents Breakfast: May 7

The PSG announced a GRAND(parent) breakfast on Friday, May 7 in a blue form that was sent home yesterday (April 27) with the kids. Students need to return the form indicating the number of attendants.

The breakfast will begin at 8:00 AM in the Brown cafeteria. The entrance fee is $5 per family and will be divided among the Brown families that were affected by the fire at Brownsburg Crossing Apartments last week, as well as the Brown Media Center. After breakfast, the Scholastic Book Fair will be open for browsing and/or purchasing until 9:00 AM.

If you have any questions, please contact Angela Falcone at falcone5@me.com.

Portfolio/Data Night

Please plan to attend our Portfolio/Data Night on Thursday, May 6 from 6:00-7:00 PM in our classroom. Students will walk parents and family members through their writings, class data, and other portfolio pieces throughout the year.

Please plan to visit the Book Fair in the cafeteria that night as well from 6:00-7:30 PM! The PSG gives money from their various fund raisers back to the kids' classrooms throughout the year!

Book Fair Review

Our class will review the book fair on Tuesday, May 4 at 10:20 in the morning. Students are welcome to bring money during this time to purchase books and other Scholastic items for sale. Students may also fill out a wish list to bring on Thursday, May 6 to Portfolio/Data Binder night and Book Fair, too.

Chick-Fil-A Thursday, April 22

Help us celebrate Earth Day tonight and let Chick-Fil-A cook for you! Tonight is Brown Elementary's spirit night at Chick-Fil-A in Avon. With your purchase and a flyer, 10% of all purchases from 5-8 pm will go to our Brown PSG for various needs at our school.

The class with the most attendance, as well, will receive an ice cream party with the Chick-Fil-A cow in the weeks to come!

I hope to see you there! Good excuse NOT to cook tonight!

Spring Pictures

Spring pictures went home on Tuesday of this week from Life Touch. If you choose to purchase a package of pictures, please return the payment as soon as possible. If you choose NOT to purchase any pictures, please return the pictures as soon as possible. Thank you!

Talent Show

Please come support Abby, Blake, and Joel tonight in Brown's 1st Annual Talent Show! The show starts at 6 PM in the gymnasium and will last for about 1 1/2 hours. The cost is $3 per person or $10 for a family (maximum). There will be popcorn and cement bulldogs for sale, as well as some great talents!

Hope to see you there!

All proceeds go toward Komen Research for Breast Cancer!

ISM Field Trip

Our field trip to the Indiana State Museum is tomorrow, Friday, April 16. Please wear walking shoes and clothing, as well as a completely disposable sack lunch and drink.

Parent volunteers can come with their child at 8:40 or by 9:00 tomorrow.

If it rains, we're still going on the trip, but our schedule will change a bit.

Looking forward to this trip into Indiana's history!

Works in Progress . . . and Dates

1. Reading and Math Contracts are due Monday, 4/12. The Reading Contract is what its always been: 120 minutes of reading for the week. The Math Contract is the "Math Menu" for data gathering. I cannot attach it to my website for copy right reasons, therefore I double checked with the students today and everyone assured me they had a copy.
2. Trash to Treasure projects are due Monday, 4/12, as well. The link to the assignment is on our class website at http://staffweb.brownsburg.k12.in.us/~lhill. The students are to invent or create something using old CDs.
3. Monday, April 12 will be our final NWEA test in reading! Just do your best!
4. April Timed Tests for all basic math facts will be on Thursday, April 15. Each of these tests will be taken for an individual math grade.
5. Friday, April 16 is our field trip to the Indiana State Museum. Students MUST bring a disposal sack lunch (unless purchasing a sack lunch from the cafe as indicated on the permission slip) and wear walking shoes and clothing.
6. We are working on Famous Hoosier biography projects at school ONLY. The final product will be a tri-fold display board. However, I am NOT asking parents to purchase the boards. I will provide butcher paper or boards here at school. There is no due date for this project as of now.
7. We are also working on Autobiography scrapbooks. Students were to bring in pictures or other artifacts to place into their scrapbooks. Each student will also learn about the journaling process for their scrapbooks. There is no due date for this project as of now.
8. ISTEP testing will resume the week of April 27.

First Annual Brown Elementary Talent Show

Thursday, April 15 at Brown Elementaryn at 6:00PM

Come see Mrs. Hill and the other 4th grade teachers perform, as well!

Cost for entry is $3 per person and all proceeds will go to Komen--Please read the Brown Barker last week and this week for more information.

Talent Show Auditions

- Auditions right after school until 5:30 THIS Thursday, April 8
- Performers must be present at auditions (unless special arrangements made with parents and Ms. Franklin or Ms. Snodgrass)
- Auditions should be a maximum of 2 minutes
- Any necessary music and/or props need to be brought to auditions
- If performer is wearing a costume or outfit, it must be worn to be "OK"d for appropriateness
- Parents should pick students up PROMPTLY at 5:30 at front of building
- Students should bring something to do while others audition