Nov. 14 , 2008

Dear Parents and Students,

             The fourth graders had a great time at the La Brea Tar Pits!  It was a beautiful day, and the museum was not crowded at all, so the students got to look at all the exhibits and find the answers to their scavenger hunt questions.  I appreciate Mrs. Gale, Mrs. Clonts, and Mrs. Ruiz, who were excellent parent chaperones!  The fifth graders had a productive day with Mrs. Dieken and Mr. Dahl.  Both teachers reported that the students’ behavior was excellent.  Bravo, fifth graders!

              Cans continue to pour into Room 14!  So far we have 146 – and I’m giving table groups 5 points per can.  Thanks to Audrey and Justyn for counting the new cans every day.  The canned food drive ends next Thursday, November 20th.

              Yesterday our school participated in a statewide disaster drill.  All the Chaparral students were patient and calm while the staff “rehearsed” their roles in case of a real emergency.  Our “student runners”, Eileen and Rory, did an excellent job!

              Social Studies chapter 2 projects are graded and in the fifth graders’ Friday Folders today.  We will go on to chapter 3 – explorers.  The fifth graders will do a small explorer report.  Most of it will be done in the computer lab after Thanksgiving.  The fourth graders started chapter 3 in their social studies books.  This is the beginning of their study of the California missions.  They will do a mission project, and the requirements will be given out after Thanksgiving.  This is an in-class project.  Mrs. Rivasplata will have lessons in the computer lab which are related to Father Serra and the missions.

              The fifth graders took a chapter 4 science test yesterday, and those are graded and in the Friday Folders today.  Mrs. Wolfinbarger and Mr. Olson will start science with the fourth graders again after Thanksgiving.

              We are continuing to read Sign of the Beaver (5th grade), and Island of the Blue Dolphins (4th grade).  We will watch the movie version of each when we finish the books.

              Math groups are going well.  I see very good test scores from students in Mr. Olson, Mr. Dahl, and Mrs. Dieken’s classes.  My math group is in the middle of chapter 2.  We will be ready for a test before the Thanksgiving holiday.

              For the next week and a half, Chaparral will have minimum days to accommodate parent-teacher conferences.  Most of you have scheduled a conference time.  If you haven’t, just send a note with 3 choices of times to school and I will confirm one of them.  Students are invited to attend the conference if the parents want them to.  I know some parents prefer to talk privately, while others would rather their child hear the discussion.  Whichever you prefer is fine with me.  You will receive your student’s first trimester progress report at the conference.  Dismissal time for the next two weeks is 1:00.

              Enjoy your weekend!  I’m looking forward to talking with you next week.