3/20/13 update

Literacy night and the after school book fair is tomorrow night from 6 -7:30. Come join us for a night of reading fun and adventure!

We have a change in our time for the May 3rd field trip to the Kalamazoo Rock in Mineral show. Due to the fact that the busses have to be back at 2:00.... we're going to eat lunch at 11:15.... board the busses at 11:20 to arrive at the rock and mineral show by noon. That will give the kids an hour and a half like we had previously planned.... just shifted back about an hour. We'll board the busses to return around 1:20.  So if you were planning on meeting us there, know that we're going a half hour early.  This is truly a GREAT show to go to!  Tons of rocks and fossils for very cheap, and lots of precious and semi precious stones at very reasonable prices.

The South Haven trip is still scheduled for May 17. Please put it on your calendar. Remember that this IS the trip where you can drive your own child to and from the locations. Please let us know if you will be doing this, so that we can get an accurate count of our peeps so we know not to mark those who are not riding the bus absent.

We have an entire 5th grade science lesson scheduled tentatively for May 24th (Friday) to be conducted in Clark Park at the creek.  During this lesson the kids will be in the creek using nets to catch critters to put in holding tanks. Then based on what they catch we can analyze the health and water quality of the creek and Sunset Lake that flows into it. This is a really fun lesson but its always good to have extra eyes and hands at this event!  Last year we walked down after recess and were there until about 3:00.... you are welcome to join us by either meeting us over at the park or by walking down with us! More information to come as the weeks progress.

5th grade graduation has been switched to Friday May 31st rather than Monday June 3rd. Graduation time will be at 9:10 and will take place in the cafeteria. Also on this day the 5th graders will enjoy a pizza lunch courtesy of the Fair Housing Committee as a reward for competing in their poster contest through art class. So on the 31st, if you normally pack a lunch for your child, you don't have to do so for that day.

Track and field day  is scheduled for Tuesday June 3rd.  Rain day Wednesday June 4th.

The end of the year is fast approaching (Yikes!)  I'll keep you as updated as I can on changing dates.
Spelling lists for this week cover "plurals" of words and are as follows:

List 1 - Square group
tactics
castanets
essays
ceramics
treaties
linguistics
luggage
mulitples
tropics
badges
oboes
palaces
galleries
gentlemen
latches
orchids
loaves
groceries
teenagers
diaries
secretaries

List 2 diamond group
soldiers
pianos
essays
chiefs
treaties
countries
luggage
skis
characters
badges
valleys
palaces
beliefs
gentlemen
latches
envelopes
loaves
groceries
heroes
diaries

list 3 circle group
soldiers
pianos
babies
chiefs
clothes
countries
 monkeys
skis
characters
pennies
valleys
teams
beliefs
envelopes
heroes

3/12/13

Comet watch 2013!
A comet named "Pan-STARRS" will be cruising through our atmosphere this weekend! Best viewing times and days will be March 12th - 18th. During this time the comet will be low in the western horizon. No one knows for certain how bright it will be but it may be viewable with the naked eye or with a small optical aid such as binoculars, or a small telescope.
The Kalamazoo Astronomical society invites the public to observe the comet at Richland Township park on Friday, March 15th AND Saturday March 16th. Weather permitting. This even will be cancelled if the sky is mostly cloudy or overcast. For more information please visit the website below:
     www.kasonline.org

Science students B and D have a test on Friday. The test covers the seasons, the solstice dates, equinox dates, what causes the seasons to change, the cycles of the moon, what causes the tides and the differences between a regular planet and a dwarf planet.  All warmup sheets from previous weeks have been handed back and can be used to study from. Additional sheets regarding seasons, the moon cycles etc, have also been passed back to be used to study. We will play review Jeopardy on Thursday to help get them ready for this test.

75% day was today. Ask your child how they are doing on their goal.

Spelling lists this week are as follows;
List 1 square group
1. autobiographer
2. geographer
3. commander
4. colonist
5. typist
6. oceanographer
7. visitor
8. homemaker
9. operator
10. geologist
11. aviator
12. instructor
13. discoverer
14. cartoonist
15. inventor
16 commentator
17. cyclist
18. adventurer
19. puiblisher
20. gardener

List 2 diamond group
1. director
2. pitcher
3. commander
4. colonist
5. typist
6. scientist
7. editor
8. homemaker
9. operator
10. professor
11. creditor
12. artist
13. instructor
14. passenger
15. inventor
16. tourist
17.cyclist
18. actor
19. publisher
20. gradener
List 3 circle group
1. director
2. pitcher
3. speaker
4. listener
5. leader
6. scientist
7. editor
8. farmer
9. camper
10. professor
11. creditor
12. artist
13. passenger
14. tourist
15. actor