Ms. Hewitt’s Fourth Grade Class Newsletter
Friday, May 13th, 2016
Good Afternoon Guardians and Students,
Looping: By now you have probably heard that I have the fortunate opportunity of looping up with your amazing children. Today the looping letters were sent home and need to be returned no later than Friday, May 20th. I would love to continue this amazing journey we have started together. There is so much benefit in a teacher looping because we get to pick up right where we left off! I know and adore each and every one of my students and hope all will join me on Pebblewood for 5th grade. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please feel free to email me. I will meet with anyone who would like to discuss this option before the 20th. Thank you for an amazing year and I hope to experience another one with you all.
Yearbooks are now on sale at westlakecharter.com! This year's book was designed and created entirely by students. The books are $20 each and our supply is limited! ORDER NOW by clicking here!
WCS Board Game Night is coming on Friday, May 20th at the Del Paso campus. We’re asking our families to bring a family favorite board game to host and play with other Explorer families. Please bring a game that can be played within a 20 – 30 minute time period. Look for more information coming home on Friday!
Ready, Set, Go: Phase 1 of our parking lot campaign is ready to launch on May 23rd! The focus of Phase 1 will be on student safety.
1. Let your students know where they are going after school. (BASE, walking or car pick-up) If this changes for some reason, call the school office at (916) 567-5760
2. Pick up walkers from their line their regular dismissal time.
Car pick-up and BASE pick-up will remain the same.
Infinite Campus: Thank you for taking the time to check Infinite Campus and signing their progress reports.
Spring NWEA Dates:
It is already that time to have student show their growth on all three NWEA tests.
Reading: Tuesday, May 17th 8:30-9:50
Language Arts: Thursday, May 19th 8:30-9:50
Math: Tuesday, May 24th 8:30-9:50
Open House: The day we welcome you on campus for students to showcase all that they have learned is coming up, May 25th! We will open the doors at 6:00 pm.
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Language Arts
- Spelling Test # 24. Be sure to complete the assigned activities throughout the week and come prepared to take the test Friday morning in class.
- Reading: By the Great Horn Spoon. Through this class novel we will engage in journal responses, learning and reflecting more about the Gold Rush and the travels on the sea route.
Math
IXL Strands- Complete IXL strands 30 minutes a week is the minimum requirement.
Encourage students to go on Front Row at home.
Over the remaining weeks we will be circling back to review some of the more challenging math standards covered this year. Next week's theme is long division. Daily, students will take a quick pre-assessment that will help me to determine the level at which they will be working for the day.
I have grouped IXL Strands into sets for students to work on if this concept isn't yet mastered: Set 1 - E.4, E.5, E.6; Set 2 - E.13, E.14, E.17, E.18; Set 3 - E.8, E.9, E.10 and Set 4 - E.7 and E.11.
Encourage your children to utilize our many math resources XtraMath, Mangahigh our school ID is 67993, McGraw Hill, Front Row, and Prodigy!
Social Studies
We will be finishing up our "Witnessing the Gold Rush" curriculum next week. I expect the assessment to be on Tuesday, May 24th. Students will be reviewing in class using this study guide next week. After the assessment, students will begin working on a play called "Villians in the Gold Field." We will also be exploring answers to the following essential questions:
- What impact did the Transcontinental Railroad have on western development?
- How did advancing methods of communication and transportation bring the east and west together?
Science with Mrs. Miksit
4th graders will experience "switching" classes for one hour three days a week for a single subject. Mrs. Miksits will be teaching our class a physical science unit about energy beginning the first week of May until mid-June. During this hour, I will be teaching a unit about the gold rush/transcontinental railroad period in California history.
Art
Check out Ms. Jackson's website to see what's currently happening in art. Tons of neat pictures of students work!
Each month Westlake celebrates a core value. Enjoy our school’s videos here by clicking on the link above.
Reminders/Mark Your Calendars-
- Friday, May 20, looping letters need to be returned.
- Friday, May 20, 2016: Spirit Day - Mix and Match and Del Paso Vision and Hearing Screening
- Wednesday, May 25: Open House
- Monday, May 30: Memorial Day, No School!
- 8th Grade Promotion - Wednesday, June 15th - 4:00 pm
- June 15: Last Day of School
- Pioneer Day Information: volunteer for the event or like to know more about it please click here to access our presentation we shared on Monday evening. There is a link in the presentation to sign up for day of or take home projects. Pioneer square dancing will take place Tuesday and Thursday mornings with all of 4th graders to prepare for our Pioneer Day! I can not wait!
- Our grade level is working on our Spring Pioneer Day which is happening on June 7th. We are so excited for this field lesson experience for our students. This field lesson costs around $1500 all together and we are hoping to offset that with your donations. If you can help us make Pioneer Day a huge success for our students by donating any amount that works for your family please click in this link https://westlakecharter.com/about/supply-field-trip-and-t-shirt-donations/ and use the student scholarship option.
Rivercat’s game on Sunday, June 5th at 1pm! Our own WCS Glee Club will be performing the National Anthem. A percentage of the ticket sales will be coming back to WCS. All orders must be received by Monday, 5/23 and can be done online at: www.rivercats.com/gamelink , be sure to use promo code: WCS. Click here to view the flyer.
