Upcoming Field Trips!

Wow! Hard to believe that we have a little over 6 weeks left until the end of school! With that in mind, we have a ton to fit in, in a very short amount of time!

Our first field trip is this Friday to the Kalamazoo county rock and mineral show at the kalamazoo county fairgrounds in the exihition building. There will be a main room filled with dealers on the edges of the room who will be selling everything from rare and unique mineral combinations to the center of the room that will be lined with tables of rocks for the kids to buy for 10 cents to $2.00. There is a mine car they can pay $1.00 for and then "wash out" rocks and minerals. Geodes will also be on sale for $3.00 - $20.00 depending on size. They will crack them open for the kids there. This is a great show for parents to come too as well... lots of jewelry and unique stone gifts made out of all natural stones.

Our next trip is the following week on May 7th to Wolf Lake. Should be a blast, just pray for warm weather!

A.R.

With only 6 weeks left, the time in between A.R. goals is shorter. Please make sure your child is reading enough to make their goal. They set their goal with me last week.. so they should know what it is. 25% day is today..... 50% day is May 7th... the day of the field trip! I want everyone to go to the game on June 9th so please encourge them to read read read!

Report Cards

These went home last night. Please sign and send back the orange slip asap.

Science

In science we are focusing on systems, ecosystems and survival and adaptation of species. As spring is approaching and many animals are having their babies, please encourage your child to leave wild things be in their natural habitat. Often animals that "look" abandoned are in fact being watched over by a mom and just need to be left alone. We will be discussing in science ways to know if an animal is truly abandoned via dehydration tests etc. as well as when to know if a licensed rehabber needs to be called to take the abandoned animal off their hands and give it the help that it needs.

Our tree frogs are late and have yet to arrive... so we've been held up a bit with our critters,. but our discussions and classroom activities have been fun!

See you soon!

Middle School Meeting Update April 19th + 21st

The meeting time for the 6th grade sign up meeting has been changed. Sign up starts at 5:45 and goes until 6:45. We originally had this down from 4 - 6:00 but it doesn't start until 5:45. Our goof! You may choose to go either night but not both. If you are unable to attend either meeting, please contact the middle school and let them know when you will be able to come in and sign your student up for classes next year.

News Letter

A fifth grade newsletter was put in each child's mailbox last night. The letter details all the trips and events that will take us up to the end of the year as well as all of the permisson slips for those events. Please make sure that this page of permission slips is signed and back to us by Monday the 19th.

Music Fittings

Today music representatives came into our school and allowed students who are interested in band to try instruments. On the slips they are bringing home is the representatives "suggestions" for instruments. This does NOT however HAVE to be the instrument that you student plays. They may choose whatever they wish, and I encourage you to go with what they want rather than what they are "given". They going to work a whole lot harder with something they want to play than something that they are told to.

Instruments

The last group that we worked with had a payment plan for anyone wanting to purchase/rent an instrument for their student. However... I have another suggestion! Due to the economy, instruments are going for rediculously low prices on the internet, specifically Ebay and craigslist. I won't even sell my trumpet right bow because I wouldn't be able to get more than $30.00 for it and the case. The last time I looked a few weeks ago, they had brand new silver plated trumpets for $75 - $150.00. Clarinets were going for $20.00 - $50.00 many brand new or barely used with cases. With so many people getting desperate for money, it is amazing me what they are letting even brand new instruments go for. Good brands for Brass instruments are Conn, Yamaha and Bach. I don't know brands for woodwinds or saxophones but I'm sure the band teacher at the highschool could provide you with those best brand names to search for with no problems. If I were looking for an instrument for my student.. this is the first place I would go.

Weather

As always, Michigan weather is unpredictable. Please keep an eye on what your child walks out the door in as some of them are coming in from a 45 degree recess with shorts, short sleeves and flip flops and not coats! Layers is always the best policy!

Pictures!

Life Touch is offering spring pictures to anyone interested tomorrow April 14th.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to our class for not only hitting but for far exceeding our March is reading month goal! In total.. our class read a combined total of 72,800 minutes!!!!! Mrs Schabes baked them all gormet cupcakes as a reward! Were they ever yummy! The top three winners will enjoy a pizza lunch with friends they choose at the end of next week. Congrats!