Last Week of School

Friday, May 11: 5:45 Mrs. Hill in the dunk tank! So you think you can dunk me? I DON'T THINK SO!

Tuesday, May 15: Survivor Science Night (if you have RSVP'd)--6:00-8:00 PM in Cafeteria and Gym

Wednesday, May 16: 5th Grade Talent Show--9:15-10:15 and 1:45-2:45

Thursday, May 17: McCloud Field Trip--We leave at 9:15 and will return by 2:30

Friday, May 18: 5th grade awards in AM, 12:45-3:00 5th Grade Party in the Gym

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL IS MAY 18

Talent Show Update

Sign ups for the talent show will start today.

There WILL BE NO auditions--any fifth grader that wants to participate can do so, as long as he or she signs up!

Parents are welcome to attend the show--However, I cannot guarantee a specific time for each student or group. We will be presenting talents on the stage in the cafeteria, so there is officially space now!

The talents will take place Wednesday from 9:15-10:15 and 1:45-2:45 that day.

Students must bring their materials, music, etc. on the day of the event!

Thanks!

Reagan Can Win $10,000

Please help Reagan win over $10,000!

Go to http://givebacktoschools.avery.com/.

Register and vote daily from now until Sept 14. 

It is quick and painless; takes less than one minute of your time EVERY DAY!

Last year, Reagan made a good run for it, but we started voting too late to win anything.  This year we have a real shot if everyone will help us vote.  Bookmark the site on your computer so it is easy to just click and vote. 

Don't just vote once, we need YOUR VOTE EVERY DAY to WIN!  Please tell family members and friends so they can easily support our amazing school!

Thanks!

Dicesquad Talent Show

All year we've enjoyed singin', movin', and groovin' while learning skills such as the original 13 colonies, The Bill of Rights, and the 50 states and capitals to music! Now we'd LOVE to see the talent that exists in our own classroom! We will have a Dicesquad Talent Show on Wednesday, May 16 at various times throughout the day.

This is a simple show, but very important for all with any kind of talent. Even Mrs. Hill is participating in the show! From juggling to singing, we are a very talented crew, I'm certain!

We'd love to welcome parents, but there is very little room in our classroom at this time of year. Please wish your child good luck the day of the show, and we'll post some pictures of the event for parents to enjoy!

EMS Tour

Your child's tour of East Middle School will take place Monday, May 8th from 6:30-8:00. ENJOY!

Reminders

A special thanks to all families for their donations for ISTEP snacks and for the 5^th grade party! We even had one young man donate some of his allowance ($10) to help fund the exciting activities and events for the party!

This is a reminder that the below items are due as soon as possible so we are able to plan accordingly:

Field trip permission slip and $1 per student

Enrollment and transportation form

Survivor Science Night RSVP

Monetary donations for the 5^th grade party

Thank you!

Common "Cents"

We started a new behavior plan yesterday called "Common Cents." Each student started the afternoon yesterday with 20 pennies. Each student will keep each of his or her pennies if classroom and school rules are followed and homework and assignments are turned in on time. Basically, if the students do what they are asked and expected to do, they will keep their pennies, and therefore earn certain priveleges.

If one of these rules is broken or an assignment is late or not turned in at all, the students will lose pennies, one at at time. The goal is to have a certain number of pennies by a few diffferent end-of-the year event dates:

10 pennies by May 11 to attend field day
7 pennies by May 17 to attend field trip
5 pennies by May 18 to attend 5th grade party

Obviously, "we're almost 6th graders" personalities have surfaced for some of our classmates. Many of our old behavioral plans are no longer working. We're losing focus, disrepecting one another and the adults in the building, and either not doing or not turning in homework (of course, this is NOT everyone). This plan is in place to show the 5th graders that the above events are not part of our curriculum, and therefore must be earned by each student.

Please enforce respect, focus, and preparedness with your child tonight. I've asked them for just a few more weeks! We've all worked so hard throughout the year that I'm hopeful we'll be able to end on a good note!

Thanks for your support with this new plan!

ISTEP Snacks/Suggestions

Please send snacks next week for 25 hungry 5th graders! They will need the brain fuel to succeed in ISTEP! (Individually wrapped items are best, but not required).

Also, the kids are allowed to chew sugar free gum and/or mints during testing, and any time in the classroom (next week only). They must get rid of the gum or mints when we leave the classroom or testing lab. ***I would recommend minty gum or mints, as research shows peppermint stimulates the brain!!!

Please provide your 5th grader with an amazing breakfast each day next week, too, and please be sure he or she gets plenty of sleep Sunday through Thursday nights next week!

Data/Book Fair Night

Our end-of-the-year showcase night (Data/Portfolion Night) takes place next Thursday, May 3. The classroom will be open from 6:00-7:30 for students to showcase their writing, math, and data pieces from the year to parents and other family members. The book fair will be open from 6:00-8:00. It's a BOGO event: Buy One, Get One Free!

***My son's data night is that same night at Eagle Elementary. Thankfully, his classroom is open until 8:00, so I am planning to leave Reagan promptly at 7:30. Please be mindful of this when you arrive. ALL materials for that night will go home with the students, so enjoying the showcase at home or at school is not an issue!

Thanks for understanding!

All Pro Dads Meeting 4/27

The next All Pro Dads' breakfast information to follow:

**"dads" are any male figure in a student's life - grandpa, uncle, dad, stepdad, foster dad, etc.  Here are the basics...

All Pro Dad Breakfast
Friday, April 27 at 7 a.m.
Reagan Elementary School Cafeteria
Speaker: Ronald Nored
Theme: Overcoming Obstacles
Must RSVP online at www.allprodad.com/dd/2980
Notes:
* Although there are no costs to attend, monetary donations are welcome to help cover expenses.
* Interested volunteers should contact Josh Laycock at josh@rowprinting.com or 317-796-3289

Penny War for a Cure

Reagan will be holding a Penny War competition the week of March 26-March 30.  Grade levels will be competing against each other to win a ROLLER SKATING PARTY at school, the week after spring break.

Here’s how it works:

1. Bring in your pennies and put them in your own grade level tub.  You get 1 point for every penny in your tub.

 2. Bring in your nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollars and put them in the other grade level tubs.  These coins and dollars will cancel out points earned by other grade levels.

  Ex:  1 dime = 10 cents and will erase 10 points from a tub

         1 dollar = 100 cents and will erase 100 points

 How many points could you erase with $5, or $10?!

3. The grade level with the most points at the end of the week WINS!

**All proceeds will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation

and the fight against breast cancer.**

Parent Volunteers/Chaperones

With the warm days comes field trips, Field Day, and other volunteer activities for parents and family members. Please read the following if you plan to join our class at any point for the remainder of the year. Thanks!

Parent Volunteers & Chaperones

 Any person wishing to volunteer in the classroom or chaperone on field trip must have a background check completed prior to doing so.

Volunteer forms may be picked up in the office or printed off the BCSC website. You can also let Mrs. Hill know, and she will send home a form with your child.

 
Parents who had a background check done last year are still ok for this year. If a parent is unsure whether he or she had one done, just email Mrs. Hill or Cristina Ehm and the list can be checked.  

Persons wishing to volunteer must attach a legible copy of their driver’s license.

A few new dates . . .

March
16: Report Cards available
19: International Journey research due
21: ISTEP practice testing on the computer
21: Unit 10 Everyday Math Post Test
21: Tri-fold poster board (one per country) needs to be at school
23: High Ability testing at school
23: 5th Grade Career Day
23: The Hunger Games debut!!!!!
31: First day of Spring Break!

April
9: Back to school
12: Reagan McTeacher Night 5-8 at McDonalds
30: ISTEP testing begins

May
3: Data Night at Reagan
11: Field Day
15: Survivor Science Night (5th graders and their families)
17: McCloud Field Trip
18: Tentative 5th Grade Party
18: Last day of 5th Grade

Xtra Math

After meeting with 6th grade math teachers, we were encouraged to spruce up speed and accuracy of math skills for all students entering 6th grade next year!

Therefore, we are starting a web-based program called XtraMath to increase speed and accuracy in arthimetic for the last eight weeks of school. Your 5th grader is invited to spend a few minutes each day practicing math on the computer. Information is coming home today with your child's Friday papers. This program is completely optional at home, but I will be tracking usage here at school.

International Journey Research Project

We started our "journey" around the world last week with the International Journey Research Project. The final due date for this project will be determined later, but the projected date will be Thursday and Friday, March 29 and 30, just before spring break.

Your child and his or her group has been and will be given time to complete ALL of his or her research here at school. The final product of the research project will be done at school, too, and should include:

• Tri-Fold project board (students need to provide one per group)
• Title
• Colored Map
• Travel brochure
• "Fast Facts"
• Food sampling and/or recipe
• Government information
• Flag of the country
• Climate
• Natural Resources
• Native clothing
• Fully-typed research report

If needed, the students will bring home their projects the last week before spring break to complete. However, I plan for students to complete over 95% of the project at school.

Book Character Dress Up Day

I left this date off the calendar--Book Character Dress Up day will be this Friday, March 2^nd. Friday is officially Read Across America Day and the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Extra credit if students attempt to dress like your favorite book characters!

 The Lorax movie arrives in theaters on Friday, too.

Mark Your Calendars

With the busy days of spring quickly approaching, I wanted to be sure families had as many dates on their calendars as I have available as of today. I will, of course, add dates as they arrive!

February
27: Middle school counselor visits our classroom
27: Pajama Day (Box Tops winner reward)
29: Chapter 9 Social Studies test
29: Hat day (Box Tops winner reward)

March
2: TOP SECRET LETTERS due to Mrs. Hill
2: The Lorax debut!!!!!
5-8: ISTEP TESTING (before noon each of these days)
9: End of 3rd Nine Week's Grading Period
16: Report Cards available
15: Challenger Learning Center field trip--permission slips coming home soon
23: The Hunger Games debut!!!!!
31: First day of Spring Break!

April
9: Return from Spring Break
25-May 4: ISTEP testing window (more details later)

May
3: Data Night at Reagan Elementary
18: Last day of 5th grade

Box Tops Celebrations

Our class will participate in a Pajama Day on Monday, February 27 for bringing over 500 Box Tops for Education dollars to our school!

We will also particpate in a Hat Day on Wednesday, February 29 for bringing 250 Box Tops!

Thank you to all families for donating!

All Pro Dad's Meeting

Message from Mr. Laycock:

The 3rd All Pro Dad breakfast is this Friday at 7 a.m. in the school cafeteria.  Racecar driver Dillon Welch and Sheltering Wings CEO Maria Larrison will be the guest speakers to discuss this month's theme of Being Courageous.  Each student was given an event flyer and one of Dillon's autograph cards to take home a few weeks ago.

All Pro Dad Breakfast
Day/Time: Friday, Feb. 24, 7-8:15 a.m.
Location: Reagan Elementary School Cafeteria
Theme: Being Courageous
Guest Speakers: Racecar driver Dillon Welch, Sheltering Wings CEO Maria Larrison
Web sites: www.dillonwelch.com, www.shelteringwings.org
Food: Light breakfast
Cost: $0
RSVP online at www.allprodad.com/dd/2980

Call or write with any questions. Last breakfast, every person got a free lower-level ticket to a Pacers game.  What is this month's surprise?!?

Thanks,

Josh Laycock
317-796-3289

Riley Caring and Sharing Week

From Mr. Chambers:

Kids Caring & Sharing for Riley Hospital is February 21-24.  Riley Hospital offers amazing services and support children around the world.  In fact, we currently have a Reagan student that is receiving care from the staff and doctors at Riley.  What they give to children touches so many lives, including ours, and the Reagan Student Council would like to sponsor and Spirit Week for Riley Hospital.  We are asking families to voluntarily send in monetary donations which benefit the patients of Riley Hospital in many ways.  To show our school spirit we will have a color theme each day.  All children can participate in the Spirit Week Color Days.  We will have daily prizes for the class that brings in the most money each day.  The grade level that raises the most money during the week will receive a pizza party on March 2^nd!

The color and prizes for the week are:

Tuesday:  Red Day – The class raising the most donations will receive a Rice Krispies treat.

Wednesday:  Green Day – The class raising the most donations may each a “Hat Day” on Thursday.

Thursday:  Blue Day – For all you Butler and Colts fans (Mr. Chambers is both)…..  The class raising the most donations will receive an extra gym time with Mr. Chambers at the end of the day.

Friday:  Purple – The class raising the most donations will receive a special visitor in the class at the end of the day…… Mr. Chambers will be dressing in some humiliating way!  Details to come!

We appreciate your support during our upcoming Spirit Week to support Riley!  We are looking forward to an enjoyable week.

ISTEP Snacks

We have been preparing for ISTEP and LIFE all year! It's almost time to SHOW WHAT WE KNOW! In order to provide plenty of brain fuel for our class that week, I'm requesting a different snack for each day for the week of March 5-9.  We have 25 eager learners! Please be sure to abide by the healthy guidelines for our snacks. Please also consider choosing one of the following items so EVERYONE in our class can enjoy a treat each day:

Cheez-Its
Cheese Balls
Fruit Roll Ups
Peanut packs
Pretzels
Lays potato chips
Bugles
Pringles original

PLEASE DO NOT SEND:
Goldfish
Fruit snacks
Rice Krispie treats
Ritz crackers

2/1 Update

We have NO math homework tonight! We do have a spelling test tomorrow and our story quiz on Friday.

Please view the letter attached to an earlier email sent today regarding Acuity testing. This is a very important test that helps guide my instruction for preparing the kids for ISTEP. Our first round of ISTEP testing will be the week of March 5. The second round begins at the end of April.

Enjoy this amazing weather!

BEMS Band/Orchestra/Choir

Information and forms went home today with every 5th grader regarding their musical choice for middle school. These forms are due by Friday. The students will be assessed on an instrument mid-February. Please, please return your child's form by Friday.

Social Health Program

A Note from the Nurse

Attention: Parents of 4^th and 5^th graders

The Parent presentation for the Social Health Program is scheduled for February 9^th   at 7pm at Reagan Elementary.  This program focuses on the changes that occur with the student’s body during puberty. The film the students will view is being presented at this parent information meeting. We encourage all parents to attend to view the movie and ask questions.   Please contact me if you have any questions at 852-1060 ext.2656. I encourage all parents to talk with their children about the information they will learn during this presentation.

Thank you,

Kylene Touloukian, RN

Box Tops Competition

Contest

Deadline: Friday, February 17

Every class who brings in 250+ Box Tops will earn a crazy hat day. 

Every class who brings in 500+ Box Tops gets a crazy hat AND pajama day. 

The ONE class with the most Box Tops gets pizza.   

We WOULD LOVE to beat our December contest by bringing in more than 10,000 Box Tops! 

Bonus Box Tops

The Meijer Box Tops goldmine has returned!!  You can buy any 10 Box Tops items and receive a 70 Bonus Box Tops certificate.  This is available only from 1/26-2/1.  Each time you check out with 10 Box Tops items, you will get the bonus.  You can check out multiple times during one visit (buy 10, pay, get the 70, repeat)...the self check-out lanes make that a bit easier.  It's a great time to stock up on Ziploc baggies, Betty Crocker items, etc. 

Other ways to earn Box Tops

By visiting www.btfe.com/earn/bonus  you can enter daily in contests that could win up to 250,000 Box Tops!  The more that play, the better!

By visiting http://generalmills.promo.eprize.com/clickandearn/ you can earn Box Tops simply by watching a video or answering a few questions.  Again the more we can get to do this, the faster it adds up.

We are set to easily top $4000 in Box Tops funds this year! A huge thank you to families!!!

Update 1/26

WOW! That's all I can say about the week . . . it's been interesting, exciting, exhausting, emotional . . . my hope is for everyone to get a great night of sleep tonight and to come fresh tomorrow to enjoy our BEMS field trip and our winter party tomorrow afternoon.

Due to my absences this week, we WILL NOT have a story quiz tomorrow over this week's story in the green reader. We also DO NOT have math homework tonight--everyone take a break tonight and tomorrow night from homework, and we'll start fresh on Monday, in many ways!

I also have NOT updated Power School with current grades from the end of last week and this week as of today. My plan is to get that done by tomorrow or for sure by Monday afternoon. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

There are several pieces of information for our school that I need you to be aware. I will
post the information to the blog by tomorrow afternoon.

Update 1/17

I hope everyone enjoyed an extra day off from school! Did anyone serve in one way or another to celebrate MLK Jr. Day? I'd love to hear how!

A little "housekeeping":

• We have a mini-field trip on Friday, January 27 in the morning. We are headed to BEMS to watch the orchestra and band. This is a chance for ALL fifth graders heading to BEMS in the fall to see/hear the instruments in which they have a chance to play in middle school. Choosing these instruments and/or choir options will come at a later date. Please be sure to return your child's permission slip prior to that day. Another permission slip is going home today with those students that have not returned the slip as of today (Tuesday).
• Our winter class party will be Friday, January 27 in the afternoon. The party will take place in the room and then in the gym for a game. Mrs. Bronger is busy planning the "Beach Bash" themed party, but could really use your response to her letter regarding donations, volunteers, etc. Please contact me if you'd like to contact her directly, or turn in the letter that went home Friday.

Homework/Assessments:

• Math: Our Unit 12 math post-assessment will be Wednesday (tomorrow). We reviewed the study packet today, and all students should have taken notes on the packet during the review. I encourage ALL students to look over the problems in the packet to prepare for tomorrow's assessment.
• Reading: Our story quiz will take place on Friday, as always.
• Spelling: Due to the shortened week and the need to complete a few unfinished projects, we WILL NOT have a spelling list this week.
• Writing: All persuasive writing pieces are due (final draft) by Thursday. We have had a lot of time to work on these in class. The final DOES NOT need to be typed, but it MUST BE in best handwriting form.

Update 1/13

Happy Friday the 13th! It was definitely a "scary" day at school today . . . is it a full moon, too?

NO SCHOOL MONDAY! Ask your 5th grader what he or she learned about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this week!

We DO NOT officially have homework this weekend. It's the weekend, and I don't like to give out extra work. However, we do have a math test on Wednesday (no school Monday). I wanted to pass out the Unit 12 review packet today so any student that wanted to get a head start on it could do so. We will discuss the entire packet on Tuesday in class. If we don't get through every problem, it is my expectation that the packet be completed by Wednesday before the test.

Tuesday is the final collection for the Super Kids--Super Sharing collection. We have a few items here at Reagan already, but I know we can do more. I'd love to see each student bring in ONE item (see previous blog post or newsletter from Reagan) by Tuesday to donate. Remember, gently used or new items accepted. 

Enjoy the weekend! Stay warm!

Update 1/9

We've started off in an EXCELLENT way this morning! I can tell the New Year's fog has lifted, and that the kids are ready to "CHUG" along with me through these next nine weeks (ask your 5th grader about "CHUG" time!)

Upcoming events:
Starting this week through ? : Our school has teamed up with the National Football League, the Indianapolis Colts, and the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee and Martine University to be "Super Kids-Super Sharing!" Kids bring in gently used or NEW school supplies, sporting equipment, and/or books for local children and schools! What an amazing way to share the gifts of learning and sportsmanship with kids in Indiana!
Tuesday: Hendricks County Waster Management visit with Mrs. Archer
Friday: OWLS of Indiana visits from McCloud Park

Homework:
ANY UNFINISHED WORK IS ALWAYS DUE THE NEXT DAY! IT IS POSSIBLE YOUR CHILD HAS MORE WORK THAN WHAT IS LISTED DUE TO TIME MANAGEMENT.

Math: 12.4 and 12.5 Study Links (ODDS ONLY) due Tuesday
Social Studies: Chapter 7 Test Thursday (We will review in class this week, and the kids will receive a study guide to assist.)
Reading: MLK Jr. Fact and Opinion handout (We WILL NOT have a book quiz this week (normally on Friday!)
Spelling: Test Friday (this date is different than normal Thursday test dates)

Update 1/3

Our spelling test for Hattie's Birthday Box will be on Friday this week due to the short week. This will be the case during the week of January 16, too, since we do not have school that Monday.

Reading: Workbook page 70 to practice vocabulary is due Wednesday. The kids were given about 10 minutes to complete here at school otday.

Math: Study Link 12.1 is due Wednesday. The math group has page 349 due Wednesday. Please remember, students will receive one assignment grade for the math unit for completing nightly assignments. Since the students are provided with the answers, it's not necessary for me to take a grade. We will always go through the work here at school, but the homework in math is meant as extra pratice for reinforcing the day's skills.

We will take our reading quiz for Hattie's Birthday Box on Friday as we usually do.

A new month for Reading Counts quizzes starts NOW! I will extend December's deadline to Friday, January 6. Taking this quiz can only be done at school, however, the reading of the book at your child's level can be done at home and at school.

Happy New Year!

Welcome back! It will be a tough start since I'm sure everyone, like me, ate too much, slept too long, and did just about whatever we wanted throughout the break! Just think of all the ways you're ready to grow academically this semester!

We are starting a few new things, but keeping some of the old. It won't be anything new to homework, but rather some things we'll be doing in class. I'm just posting them all here because the tasks will reflect each student's reading and math grades.

Once a week, each student is required to complete a FASTTMath lesson. He or she when then check off the lesson each week on the sheet in our classroom. This can only be done at school, and time will be given throughout the week as long as good time management is utilized by the kids each day!

Once per month, each student is still required to complete one Reading Counts quiz for a grade using a book from his or her lexile reading level. Lexile levels can be found on many of the books you read by going to www.lexile.com.

Spelling tests will still continue in the same fashion as before break. We WILL NOT have contracts due each week. It's possible that various assignments will be given throughout the week, however. Keep in mind though, as with most homework (other than math), plenty of time is given to get a good start on the assignments if not completely done during the school day.

Let's get ready to CHUG (Choose How U Grow) through this semester! I'm so excited to see how you've all grown since August! I can only imagine how you'll continue to soar though May! See you Tuesday!