End of Year/Promotion Info

Dear Fifth Grade Families,

We know this is a very exciting time of year for our fifth grade students.  There are several fun activities about to take place and we want to let you know about them.

• June 4 – June 14 (the last 2 weeks of school) = 1:50 dismissal

• June 6, Wednesday, 10:00 = Hornet Hustle

• June 13, Wednesday, 12:30 = Kickball Game, Staff vs. 5^th Grade

• June 14, Thursday, 8:45 – 1:50 = Promotion Ceremony and Swim Party

• Bay-O-Vista is located at 1881 Astor Drive in San Leandro. It is directly off of Lake Chabot Road,   1.6 miles from Roosevelt.  

Please have your student in class at 8:10 so we can take attendance and organize ourselves.  The Promotion Ceremony begins at 8:45 in the Multi-Purpose Room.  Seats go fast so we recommend being seated by 8:30.  The students are asked to wear clothing that is at least a step-up from school clothes for the ceremony.  The program lasts about 40 minutes.  There will be many photo opportunities after the ceremony and before we change clothes and head to Bay-O-Vista Swim Club for our party.  We’ll return to the classrooms by 1:40 to allow students time to collect their belongings, stay good-bye, and head off for the summer.  

Thank you for your patience and support all year.  If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you,

Mrs. Lipka, Ms. Julin, Ms. Augusta, and Mr. Fishbaugh

2012 Fifth Grade Promotion News

It's time to start planning the 5^th grade promotion and party! Please take the time to read this and return the bottom portion by Friday, June 1.

The Roosevelt PTA provides funds for the end of the year celebration. With these funds we are able to pay for everyone to attend the promotion field trip to Bay-0-Vista Swim and Fitness Club, hire life guards, and provide pizza for lunch. These funds also provide for a few decorations at the promotion and party.

Please go over the Bay-O-Vista rules with your students BEFORE the field trip.

       RINSE off in the outside shower BEFORE entering the pool;

       WALK around the pool area;

       TAKE the swim test BEFORE entering the big pool (5.5 ft deep);

       EAT food in the designated area ONLY;

       PLACE all perishables in PLASTIC container, not glass; and

       RESPECT the club's property.

Please remember that this is a school sponsored field trip. Siblings are NOT allowed to attend.

How can you help?

1. Complete the form sent home by the teachers indicating whether or not you can drive on the field trip.
Please indicate if you are able to provide snacks for the field trip.

My child, __________________ has permission to attend the Bay-O-Vista Swim and Tennis Club field trip on June 14, 2012.  I have reviewed the above rules with my child.

____ Yes, I can drive. My car holds ______children.

____ Yes, we are Bay-O-Vista members. Our member number is ____________.

____ Yes, my child will be taking the swim test.

____ Yes, we can provide       (Please Circle the item)

Mr. Fishbaugh's Class: Salty Treats (chips, pretzels, other ___________)

Ms. Julin's Class: Healthy Treats (strawberries, blueberries, cherries, other ____)

Ms. Lipka's Class: Healthy Treats (red peppers, carrots, cucumber, other ____)

Ms. Thomas’ Class: Sweet Treats (cupcakes, rice crispie treats, cookies, other____)

_______________________             ____________                __________

       Parent signature                              phone                      date

5/15

Thank you for a wonderful Teacher Appreciation Week. I really enjoyed the daily deliveries of tea and pastries, the beautiful and fragrant flowers, the sweet notes from the students and the “little extras.”  

I was very proud of how hard the students worked on their CST.  Way to go!

Important Schedule change

Beginning June 4 all days will be early out days.  A note will be sent home soon in regards to what day your child’s reading will be assessed.

May 29-June 1 we will be dismissed at our usual time.

Also note - we will return to school on May 31 at around 6pm

Family Life curriculum will begin May 29.

Several students received notices that they have not verified their residency for Bancroft. These students will not receive a schedule for 6 th grade. Please ask your child if they received one of these.

In class right now

Math – We are doing an exciting unit about algebra (that I love) using the hands on equations materials. Students are solving equations like 8+2x+3-x=2x+1. The students are amazed at the advanced math that they can do and I have heard from former students that it helps them when they take Algebra in the later grades.

Science – We are learning about the scientific method and how to create our own science fair projects using an Interact unit. The students are learning and working together as they solve a mystery based at a school.

Reading – Theme 5 – One Land, Many Trails

Story – Pioneer Girl

Strategy Focus- Questions

Comprehension Skill – Propaganda

Word Work – Suffixes, Possessive Pronouns, Contractions with Pronouns

Writing – Persuasive Essay

Students have an opportunity to give a speech at the 5^th grade promotion

Students also have the opportunity to apply for the Ed Cerf Award

May 16            Multi Cultural Event

May17                        Bancroft Musical Theater Field trip

May 18            Band performance 10am

May 23            Open House 6-7:30

May 24            Early Dismissal

May 25            No School – Furlough Day

May 28            No School – Memorial Day

May 31            Marine Science Institute Field Trip (returning at 6pm)

June 6                        Hornet Hustle

June 14             Promotion 8:45am/Bay o Vista Swim Party 

Promotion Speech

2012 Promotion Speech Guidelines

·               Your speech should include the following parts:

o   a brief introduction (who you are, how long you've been at Roosevelt)

o   An “I’ll always remember” and/or “I’ll never forget” section that covers some of the “highlights” of your time at Roosevelt

o   Thank you’s (teachers, other staff, family-not classmates)

o   A closing that states your wishes for the class of 2012

·               Your family may help you brainstorm ideas, but the actual speech must be written by you (I will help you proofread and edit).

·               The speech needs to be between 1 and 3 minutes (maximum) long .

·               You must rehearse your speech many times (at home in front of a mirror and/or family members or in front of friends) so that when you give it, you will be able to look at the audience and sound as if you are simply talking, not reading.

·               You will be asked to give your speech to your teacher several times in order to ensure your readiness.

You must have your finished speech by Wednesday, May 23^rd.  Four students from each classroom will be selected.  (Two students from Mr. Fishbaugh’s classroom.)

4/23

State Testing

We are reviewing intensely for the California State Tests. Here is the schedule of when the tests will be given. Please try to make sure that you child is in school on these days. The tests will be given from 10-12.

May 2, Tuesday            CST             English Language Arts

May 3, Wednesday            CST             English Language Arts

May 4, Thursday            CST             Science

May 5, Friday              CST             Science

May 8, Tuesday            CST             Math

May 9, Wednesday            CST             Math

If you would like to see a sample of the test you can do a google search of -  CST released test questions grade 5.

You child can also log on to study island to review and practice skills.

Other important dates

May 16             All School Assembly

May 16             Multicultural Event

May 17            Field Trip to Bancroft Musical Theater

May 23            Open House  6pm

May 25 and 28            No School

May 29-June 4                        Reading Fluency Testing Early Out

May 31            Field Trip Marine Science Institute (We will return late to school – estimated time 5pm)

Field Trips

May 17            Bancroft Musical Theater at SL High Performing Arts Center

This is a walking trip, but we still need a few chaperones to accompany us. Nora and Breanna will be performing in this show. We will leave at around 11:15.

May 31            Marine Science Institute - departing from Redwood City

We will take a 4 hour voyage on a 90 by 30 foot research vessel on the San Francisco Bay. Our voyage is from 1pm to 4 pm. It is a safe and stable vessel. Students will spend half a day as field researchers to discover the multitude of life in the bay. The students will rotate through several stations and use real research equipment to capture and examine plankton, collect water samples, and run tests. They will haul in a net to catch, identitfy, and then release a wide variety of fish species.

Permission slips will be sent home soon

Please let me know as soon as possible if you are interested in chaperoning for this excursion. We will leave around 11am and have lunch at the Marine Science Institute. I expect some traffic returning to school and so I estimate our arrival time to be approximately 5pm.

I used my gift certificate from the class for  Christmas and bought a lovely, soft and warm, wool blanket made by my favorite Norwegian sweater designer. Hooray! Thank you so much!

Last Book Project due May 18

Happy New Year

I hope that everyone had a wonderful winter break. I enjoyed a “staycation” eating lots of sweets.

I want to thank the class as a whole for the wonderful gift card that I received for a special store that sells my favorite sweaters. I haven’t purchased anything yet but will let you know when I do. Thanks also for the itunes gift card. This has come in handy for music and apps.

I look forward to seeing the sea creature reports and learning about all the creatures that we may see at Pigeon Point.

I hope that you are all excited and getting ready for our Pigeon Point trip. We leave this Wednesday. It looks like we will have pretty good weather, but remember we are right on the coast so please follow the packing suggestions.

Essential Equipment                                                                                       Optional Equipment

**Bring a bag lunch for the first day**                                                             Camera (please label and send 

Waterproof rain gear                             Water bottle                                          batteries)

Sleeping bag OR sheet + blanket           Warm Hat (preferably wool)                  Gloves or mittens

Garbage bag for wet clothes                  Day pack or book bag                            Pillow

Winter quality coat                                Sunscreen                                             Binoculars

Warm sweater or sweatshirt                   Ball cap or hat with visor                       Slippers

2 long-sleeve shirts                                Lip Balm                                              Stationery and stamps

3 pairs long pants                                  Toothbrush and toothpaste                   Watch

Warm sleepwear                                   Washcloth, towel and soap                    Sunglasses

3 t-shirts                                               Shampoo, comb or brush                      Shower sandals

4 pairs of socks                                     Flashlight with new batteries

4 sets underwear                                                                                  

1 pair comfortable walking shoes (close-toed)

1 or 2 pairs of close-toed shoes that can get wet  (for beach/tidepools)  

Laundry bag                                                                                         

Pillowcase (if you are not sending a pillow, please provide 1 case)

                                                           

Please DO NOT SEND OR BRING:

Food (except first lunch)    

Gum    Candy

Matches   Curling Irons

Money   Knives  or toys

ANY electronic item (except camera, flashlight and watch)