Important Reminders!

Hello 5th Grade Families,

As we near the end of the year, things start to become really busy in 5th grade.  Please make sure you are checking Friday Folders, emails, and the blog to ensure you are informed!  Below are a few important reminders:

MAP Testing

MAP testing will begin Tuesday, April 18 and go until Wednesday, April 26. We have a school-wide schedule that spreads out the different sessions to give students a break between sessions. Please make sure that your student gets plenty of sleep and eats breakfast during this week. If you would be willing to donate a bag of hard candy to share with the class that week, please let me know.

Baby Pictures!!

Don't forget to send in/email a baby picture of your child!  We are using these pictures for a special slideshow at 5th grade graduation.  The pictures should be given to me no later than Friday, April 21st!

5th Grade Graduation

The date for 5th grade graduation has been set for Wednesday, May 24th.  Please look in your child's Friday Folder for more information on this important event.

Literary Scholar Award

Many students have been working throughout the year to earn the Literary Scholar Award.  To earn this award at graduation, students must have read and turned in reports for at least 10 books throughout the year.  Of these 10 books, students should have read at least 5 different genres.  This is something we have talked about frequently throughout the year.  If your child is working to earn this honor, please remind them that all book reports need to be turned in to me by Friday, April 28th.

Pics from the Literacy Festival

Pictures from our Colonial Live Museum

Thank you to everyone who was able to visit our Live Museum.  I was very proud of the class and how they worked to research and present their information.  Check out some pictures below!

Famous African American Musicians

Jazzy Morning

We are spending some time this morning learning about the history of Jazz and Blues music by researching some famous African American musicians.  Students chose a musician to research, and they will share what they learned with the class.  We had a little music playing on the vinyl to set the mood.  Check out the video!

Music Morning

BizTown Fun and Showcase Day

We had such a great time at Junior Achievement's BizTown last week.  I took a lot of pictures...check them out below!

Also, I wanted to remind everyone about our upcoming RBE Showcase Day (Friends and Family Day).  This year parents, grandparents, or any other special guests are invited to see what your child has been working on in the Specialist Classes.  Come join your child on Tuesday, February 14th from 10:10-11:00 to check out their work!  Mark your calendars!

BizTown field trip on Monday!

BizTown Field Trip Info:

We're getting ready for our BizTown field trip on Monday, Januaryy 23rd. Here is some info to help students and families prepare for the trip.

• Students may bring something to do on the bus...an electronic device (students will not be able to use the internet, text, etc. Devices will remain on airplane mode), drawing paper, notebook, markers, book, magazine, etc. All items need to fit in their backpack and they will be responsible for them.
• Everyone needs to bring a lunch labeled with his/her name. We recommend keeping your lunch in a paper/plastic bag that can be thrown away. Do not bring a drink...drinks will be available from Biztown.
• All children will need to be picked up from RBE at 4:30...buses will be gone and everyone will need a ride home. Please make arrangements with other parents if your child will be riding with another family. If you are riding home with another family, you must have a note. 
• We will be leaving quickly in the morning. Be sure that students are on time to school that day.

If you are a parent volunteer, you will meet us at BizTown. If you have not received a training email, please let me know ASAP so I can contact the volunteer coordinator at BizTown. Students must ride the bus TO BizTown, but you have the option to take your student home with you at the end of the day. You may take another student home as well, but you must have a signed note from that parent giving you permission to take their child. You will have to sign your student(s) out before you leave.

I can't wait!

Info from the Fine Arts Department:

If your 5^th grader is interested in playing an instrument in 6^th grade band please attend the Instrument Try Me Out Night at Gentry, next Thursday, January 12^th, at 6:30 . If you are unable to be there on the 19^th, you may attend one of the other nights at a different school. Be sure to tell them that your child will attend Gentry. Note the dates and times for each Middle School.

TODAY, January 12, Lange Middle School, 6:30-9:00pm

Tuesday, January 17,  Smithton Middle School, 6:30-9:00 pm 

Thursday, January 19,  Gentry Middle School, 6:30-9:00pm

Pictures from our field trip yesterday:

5th Grade Fine Arts Extravaganza

This Wednesday, January 11th, 5th grade will be taking a field trip to Rock Bridge High School and Jesse Auditorium where I our students will listen and participate in presentations that will teach them about the fine art opportunities (band, orchestra, choir, art, and theater) that will be available to them as upcoming middle school students.  I wanted to share a few reminders about the trip.

- Unless your child signed up to get a school sack lunch, please bring a lunch and drink for the day in a labled paper sack that can be thrown away. (if you don't have a paper bag, I have extras at school)

- Encourage your child to wear RBE attire if they have it.

- Students will be responsible for keeping track of their lunch and other belongings all day.

- Since they weather appears that it will be warmer, I would suggest just wearing a light jacket or sweatshirt.  This way your child won't have to keep track of a bulky coat all day.

- We will be loading the buses at 8:20 and returning to school around 2:00.  Don't be late!

Let me know if you have any questions!