Hello Parents!

Today the students started their day off with a class discussion about what they did this weekend. Following that, we had a special presentation in the Auditorium! Earth Rangers came to our school today, and brought along some cool animals. Needless to say, the students really enjoyed it. (Please see below for pictures). After that, the students had gym, and then lunch.

They headed to music after that, and then we worked on our Speeches when they got back to class. At this point, students should be done paragraph 1, 2 and 3 (with peer- edits). Those students who are not finished paragraph 3 must complete it for homework. Tomorrow we will be working on our counterargument paragraphs!

After second break, the students worked on their UOI group assignment task, where they are brainstorming ideas about Biodiversity on chart paper. They will be presenting these ideas in front of the class, and they will be adding to these lists throughout the unit. After that, the students got out their Novel Study book and questions/ answers, and we discussed it as a class. They were instructed to read Chapter 4 (and answer the questions) for homework.

To wrap up our day, the students filled out their agendas, and I handed our numerous things. They received a trip form (details below), a movie night flyer, an Earth Ranger card, their Unit 6 math test, and their UOI (matter) summative rubric. These last two must be signed and returned.

Just a few important notes before I go:

1.       Novel Study: read Chapter 4, and answer the corresponding questions.

2.       Speeches: students who are not done paragraph 3 must complete it for homework. They will have some time to get it peer-edited (by 1 or 2 classmates) tomorrow.

3.       UOI: Biodiversity title page was due today. Those students who did not complete it must do it for homework, and hand it in tomorrow!

4.       Unit 6 math test must be signed and returned.

5.       UOI Matter Summative rubric must be signed and returned.

6.       We are taking a trip! On Wednesday, February 15^th, we will be going to Mountsberg Conservation Area, to learn about Biodiversity! Please fill out and sign the permission form, and hand it in with the $36 fee. These forms will be due on Monday, February 13^th (the latest!)

7.       Spelling Test (lesson 20) is on Friday.

8.       Mme. Stella has sent home permission forms for a French trip. Please sign and return these forms and hand in the money as soon as possible, as spaces are limited. These forms are due by Friday, February 10^th.

9.       Re-registration packages were sent home last month. If you are interested in registering your child at St. Jude’s Academy again next year (and I hope you are!), please be sure to fill out and send back the packages AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. The deadline for these packages will be THIS THURSDAY (February 9^th), and then after that date, spaces open up to the public. So, please don’t wait until last minute to make these important decisions!

10.   SJA’s Annual Poems and Speeches Competition is quickly approaching! The grade 5 class will be reciting their speeches in front of the grade 6 class, and the winners from that will go on to the schoolwide competition on Friday, February 24^th. The winners from that will go on to face the winners from The Maples on March 1^st. I have sent home the outline, rubric and package, so please take a look at it with your child. Students must come to school prepared (with their research and device), and should always bring all of their notes/ work.

11.   DRAs (Developmental Reading Assessment) will be sent home on Thursday,  February 9^th, so look out for that!

12.   Thursday, February 16^th, we will be celebrating “100 Days of School.”  If you would like to bring in anything that fits the theme of “100,” please let me know!

13.   Lastly, I would like to thank you (the parents) for your patience and understanding! I have completed my phone calls this weekend, and during this week, I will be sending out the emails to parents who requested that form of communication. It’s a tedious task, but it’s almost done!

That pretty much sums it up for today. I hope everyone has a wonderful night!

Ms. Ramnarine

Grade 5

St. Jude’s Academy