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.