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Mrs. Witters January 6, 2014

Dear Parents, January 6, 2014

We’re so glad to be back in school. What fun it is to learn so many different things!! For the next few months we will be learning quickly so ask lots of questions to see what we are learning!!

Our verse this week is, “O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.” Psalm 51:15. Our character trait is courage.

We are studying snow/winter this week. If you have a book to share or any winter items, we would love to have them!

Please remember that January 20 is Martin Luther King Day, and there is NO school.

Friday, January 17, is Cowboy Day! All week long we will be learning about cowboys and cowgirls! Friday morning we will dress up like cowboys and have a Rip-roaring time!!!!!

Remember… come from 8:00-12:00 on Wednesday, January 29th. Teachers have Inservice in the afternoon.

We think you are all brrrrry wonderful!! We love you!

Mrs. Witters,

and your Courageous Kindergartner

P.S. Homework folders are coming home today! Let’s get back in the swing of it!!!

Dates To Remember

January 20 Martin Luther King Day (NO school)

January 17 Cowboy Day (Morning)

January 29 1/2 Day (8 – 12.)

February 10 Lincoln’s Birthday (NO school)

February 14 Valentines Day Party and Red, White, Blue Show

February 17 President’s Day (NO school)

February 27 1/2 Day (8 – 12)

Mrs. Witters January 6, 2014PC Pierce2014-01-06T07:00:58-08:00

Mrs. R’s Super Stars January 6th, 2014

WELCOME BACK!!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!

I trust everyone had an enjoyable blessed 3 week vacation! I had a wonderful relaxing time with friends and family! I want to give a big thank you to all the parents for the wonderful gifts I was blessed with before Christmas break. I am happy to be back and tackle the second half of our year. By God’s grace I think we will have great improvement just like we did in the first semester.

This week in Mrs. R’s Super Stars:

Bible: This week we will be focusing on Gideon

Bible Verse: God blesses those who obey Him, happy is the man who puts his trust in the Lord. Proverbs 16:20 (20 pts)

Language Arts: This week we will pick up right where we left off. In our reading groups the students will be working on fluency, comprehension, setting, and main character. We will also be focusing on phonics work with blending words, sight word practice, and sentence structure. In spelling we will be focusing on the long “i” sound. Please be sure to review the spelling words with your child during the week.

Spelling Words

ride

bike

time

nine

dive

find

kind

them

would

winter

*Important Information*: The grading on our spelling tests will change. During the first semester no points were taken off if a student reverses letters such a “b, d” or “p, q”. However, now that we are getting into the 2nd half of our year that will change. If a student reverses a letter on their spelling test they will not get credit for that word, even if it is spelled correctly. This is to help the students remember which ways our letters go. We will also work on this in writing.In writing we will continue working on proper writing rules. We will also work on expanding our sentences and forming clear coherent sentences independently.

Math: This week we will be looking at telling time!

Social Science: We will be reading “All about people.”

health and nutrition: This week the students will also be learning about health and nutrition. We will be looking at the 4 food groups, and the importance of a healthy lifestyle. If you or any family members are in the health profession and would be willing to come speak to our kids about your career and the importance of nutrition please let me know! The kids love having their family come in!

Peach Blossom Festival

Once again Fresno Christian School will be participating in the Peach Blossom Festival to be held at California State University of Fresno. Please refer to the handout sent home before vacation for information.

The selection procedure is as follows:

All first and second grade children will memorize a poem. Please bring me a copy of the poem your child has selected.
Students will be given opportunities to work on their poems in class, but must also work on them at home if they wish to have them memorized.
Classroom evaluations will take place in January. Three or four children from each class will be chosen to participate in the Oral Interpretation Assembly. No parents will attend on this day.
Campus Oral Interpretation Assembly will be in January. At this time two children will be chosen to participate in Peach Blossom at Fresno State. Parents are welcome to attend.

The poem will be a minimum of 2 stanzas or 8 lines long. I can’t wait to hear them in January!

1- 6– School resumes – Happy New Year

1-14- EL Chapel (Mrs. Raymundo’s class in charge)

1-15-HALF DAY. School Dismissed at 12

1-20-Martin Luther King day-NO SCHOOL

1-27-State of the School Address. 7-8:30 in G.L. Johnson Chapel

1-28: EL Chapel

2/3-2/7 – Parent Teacher Conferences

2-10 – Lincoln’s Birthday. NO SCHOOL

2-17 – Washington’s Birthday. NO SCHOOL

2-26 – HALF DAY. School dismissed at 12

Mrs. R’s Super Stars January 6th, 2014PC Pierce2016-11-16T22:21:03-08:00

Mrs. Fraser, January 6, 2014

CHARACTER TRAIT: Encouragement

Reference: Romans 15:2

Bible Verse: Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

Definition: Supporting others in ways that inspire hope, courage, or confidence in others

Opposite: Gossiping

SPELLING

Lesson 17: Pattern Words–Words with the (o) Sound

1. loss

2. also

3. stall

4. haul

5. fault

6. often

7. rainfall

8. almost

9. always

10. caught

11. bought

12. lawyer

13. authors

14. naughty

15. yawned

16. daughter

17. awesome

18. thoughtful

High Frequency Words

19. beside

20. distance

Challenge Words

*presidio

*pueblo

Cursive: Beginning third quarter, students will start to take their spelling tests in printing and cursive. Third graders will be graded for spelling credit in printing and progress will be observed in cursive for handwriting. This week the first 5 spelling words will be required in printing and cursive. We will add 5 more words each week until we reach the required 20 words plus challenge words. After several weeks, the training wheels of printing will be removed and spelling tests will be in cursive only. You will be informed in a future newsletter which week the cursive-only requirement starts for spelling.

PARENT CORNER

WINTER WELCOME!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! What a peaceful and restful Christmas with family and dear friends! I trust all of you had a wonderful Christmas vacation enjoying the holidays together. The class self-portrait quilt was absolutely INCREDIBLE!!!! I loved it! I consider it a magnificent keepsake from these special children. Their interpretations of themselves were adorable! A big, warm thank you to Emily Phillips for orchestrating this one of a kind quilt with our class. It is absolutely gorgeous!

I also want to thank all of the families in our classroom for the beautiful expression of love sent through your Christmas cards and precious, thoughtful holiday gifts. I felt so blessed and loved and the Christmas party was such a delight for all! Thank you Patty Steele and the many hands that lovingly prepared and provided for our celebration together. May God’s peace dwell in your hearts as we look forward to all that God has planned for us in 2014!

BIBLE

In January Unit 3 focuses on the start of the great nation of Israel, begins with the story of Jacob’s 12 sons and God’s blessings on Jacob with many sons. We will read the story of how Jacob flees from Laban to return to Canaan, the land God had promised to his family. God wrestles with Jacob at the Jabbok River as angels meet Jacob as he sets out on the final leg of his trip back to Canaan. It is here that Jacob receives his new identity–Israel (he who strives with God.) This week we will see how God heals broken hearts and Esau is able to embrace and forgive his brother, Jacob for stealing his birthright and blessing.

MATH

This week we will continue our study of measurement. We will explore customary units of weight comparing ounces and pounds. We will use benchmark temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit in ranges of COLD: 32 degrees Fahrenheit–when water freezes, COOL: 50 degrees Fahrenheit–a cool day when you need a jacket, WARM: 70 degrees Fahrenheit–a warm day, and HOT: 110 degrees Fahrenheit–a very hot day! We will study about metric units to measure greater lengths in meters and kilometers. We will learn about how centimeters are used to measure shorter things like a spoon or key and how decimeters are used to measure slightly longer things like a book, a vase, or a breadbox. We will also discovery metric units of capacity and how liters and milliters are used to measure liquids.

SPELLING

This quarter students will study the following phonics patterns:

Words with the /o/ sound

R-Controlled Vowels: ar, are, or, ore, our

R-Controlled Vowels: air, ear, er, ir

R-Controlled Vowels: eer, err, ur, ure

Contractions

Compound Words

Hard and Soft C

Hard and Soft G

Prefixes: a-, in-, pre-, re-, un-

LANGUAGE ARTS: PEACH BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

This week our third grade class will begin selecting poems to memorize for the class oral interpretation speech meet and advancement to the finalist round for selection as a representative to the Peach Blossom Festival in early spring. All students are expected to memorize a poem as part of their oral language grade for third quarter in language.

Requirements include:

A minimum of 12-16 lines (3-4 stanzas)

Choose selections that allow children to “bring to life” their pieces through their voice and and gestures

Poem of integrity and value

Humorous or serious

Appropriate selection for age

Identify the title and author at the beginning of the selection

Vocal variety in volume, rate, pitch

Expression of voice and face

Hand and/or Body Movements

Eye Contact

Creativity Utilized

Meaning and Emotion

Naturalness and Sincerity

SOURCES FOR POETRY

Students may select from a variety of sources. The school has a grade level resource book with Associated Christian Schools International collection of poems and elementary speech materials for third grade including classic poets and more contemporary poets like Robert Louis Stevenson, A. A. Milne, Helen Steiner Rice, David McCord. There are many poetry books at school in our classroom and in the library. Parents are welcome to look on-line for poems and have your child submit a copy for approval by this Friday, January 10.

We will read many poems together in class and students should have a poem selected by this Friday, January 10. We will all choose a different poem. Once selected, students should begin to memorize their poem on a daily basis at home with parental guidance. A “Helpful Hints” guide sheet for memorizing and presenting the poem will be sent home with the newsletter to assist parents on tips for a great, effective presentation. Please continue to work individually with your child on these steps. We look forward to sharing our favorite poems with our classmates. Thank you for your cooperation in helping your children learn their poems.

Our class oral interpretation speech meet will be on Friday, January 24. Guest judges will select 4 semifinalist on that day to participate in the finalist round with grades 1-6 Speech Assembly to be announced.

READING

There will be no book report project assigned this month as students will be memorizing poems for the oral presentation in Oral Language. Students will have the next 3 weeks to practice and prepare the presentations of their oral poetry.

We will continue our leveled reading adventures and literature studies in reading groups. Please note that your child will have a recommended reading list attached to your newsletter today. These lists show the reading lexile comprehension level most recently received from the latest Scholastic Reading Inventory taken at the end of second quarter. Beginning third quarter, third graders should be checking out books in the lexile score range listed at the top of the Recommended Reading List. A list of books in your child’s interest areas are included as examples of matching their reading ability to books in the library. The goal is to move away from books less challenging or too easy to those those more closely matched to students’ reading abilities when choosing selections for READING COUNTS.

WRITING

This third quarter we will focus on learning to write fictional narratives or stories. We will study about story elements including characters (imaginary people, animals, or creatures), the setting (time and place), the plot (sequence of events), the villain (someone or something that causes a problem), the conflict (a problem), and the resolution (how the problem is solved).

Third graders will learn how to develop a plot with a beginning, middle, and end. They will also develop the characters and setting by using strategies like dress-ups, action, descriptive detail, and dialogue to make their stories interesting. We will also focus on correct grammar, capitalization, and punctuation.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We will begin Unit 3 Community History this week with Chapter 5 How Communities Began. Lesson 1 will include Exploring California and rulers who sent Spanish, English, and Russian explorers to California. We will follow routes on a map. We will learn about early communities including Spanish missions, presidios, and pueblos. We study how to read a time line.

HEALTH AND SCIENCE

Our class is starting a program to learn more about healthy eating and physical-activity choices called “Shaping Up My Choices.” We will discover how to:

Build balanced meals using a food grouping system

Name the nutrients of each food group

Balance breakfast, lunch, and snacks with healthy choices

Read the Nutrition Facts label on food packages

We will also:

Learn about serving sizes of foods

Learn about the benefits of being physically active

Learn about healthy beverage choices

*After some of the lessons, students will bring activities home that you as parents can do together. I would also like to invite any parent who is in the health or medical field to come and share with the children about their professions. Let me know if you would be willing to come and share with us. The children are so proud when mom or dad or grandma or grandpa come to our classroom and share.

BOX TOP TREASURE DAY

Just a reminder that this Friday, January 10 is a Box Top Collection Day so be sure to bring in your pre-counted boxtops on Friday.

SPIRIT DAY

Remember that every Friday is Spirit Day! So be sure to wear your favorite FCS spirit wear on Fridays!!

COMING ATTRACTIONS

JANUARY

Monday, January 6 – Happy New Year! School resumes

SUNDAY, JANUARY 12 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMA CALDERON!

MONDAY, JANUARY 13 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIC RUIZ!

Wednesday, January 15 – Half Day/Teacher In-Service /Release Time at 12:00 PM

Monday, January 20 – No School/ Martin Luther King Jr. Day

TUESDAY, JANUARY 21 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY CYMBRIE STEELE!

Friday, January 24 – Class Oral Interpretation Speech Meet

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAYLOR BECKWORTH!

Monday, January 27 – FCS State of the School Address in G.L. Johnson Chapel 7:00-8:30 PM

FEBRUARY

February 3-7 – Parent Teacher Conferences / Early Dismissal at 12:00 PM

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY SETH RADKE!

Monday, February 10 – No School / Lincoln’s Birthday

Friday, February 14 – Happy Valentine’s Day! / Party 1:30-2:40 PM

Monday, February 17 – No School / Washington’s Birthday

Wednesday, February 26 – Staff In-Service / 12:00 PM Dismissal

Mrs. Fraser, January 6, 2014PC Pierce2016-11-16T22:21:04-08:00

Mrs. Vander Kooi January 6, 2014

We Are One: Growing in Christ

Dear Families,

Happy New Year and welcome back! I’m looking forward to a fun and productive 3rd quarter with my awesome students. Thank you so much for the many Christmas gifts I received. You truly blessed my family and me with your thoughtfulness and generosity.

ORAL INTERPRETATION POEMS:

This week students will select poems to memorize for the class oral interpretation speech meet. Students may select poems from a variety of sources. There are many poetry books at school in our classroom and in the library and poems are also available on-line. Students should submit a copy of their poem for approval by this Friday, January 10. Once selected, students should begin to memorize their poems on a daily basis at home with parental guidance. Thank you for your cooperation in helping your children learn their poems.

All students are expected to memorize a poem as part of their oral language grade for third quarter in language. Grades will be based on rubric scores and advancements made by outside judges based on presentations and scoring. The top three students will advance to our school oral presentation chapel at the end of January and, if chosen, will then represent our school at the Peach Blossom Festival in early spring.

Requirements include:

1 1/2 to 2 minutes in length

Choose selections that allow children to “bring to life” their pieces through their voice and and gestures

Poem of integrity and value

Humorous or serious

Appropriate selection for age

Identify the title and author at the beginning of the selection

Vocal variety in volume, rate, pitch

Expression of voice and face

Hand and/or Body Movements

Eye Contact

Creativity Utilized

Meaning and Emotion

Naturalness and Sincerity

WRITING:

Students will write fictional narratives during the third quarter, focusing on story elements such as characters, setting, villain, conflict, rising action, climax and resolution. We will begin with reviewing and practicing writing dialogue.

READING:

The required reading for January will be a genre of the student’s choice. Students will write a Response to Literature which is due on Friday, January 31. Class time will be given every day for silent reading and students are expected to read a minimum of 10 pages a day. If they are unable to complete this in class, then reading becomes homework.

MATH:

The 5th grade will begin Chapter 5: Measurement and Integers. The 6th grade will begin Chapter 4: Operations with Fractions.

SCIENCE:

We begin studying nutrition and the digestive system this week. Students are asked to cut out magazine pictures of food or coupons with food pictures and bring them to class this Friday.

BIBLE: We continue Unit 4 which focuses on Gospel Writings: Jesus’ Birth and Early Ministry.

BIBLE MEMORY VERSE:

The memory verse for this week is Matthew 7: 7-8 and the test will be this Friday, January 10. Students will be graded on writing the verse accurately, including correct wording, spelling, grammar, punctuation and the scripture reference.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matthew 7: 7-8

SPELLING: Lesson 16 test will be on Friday, January 10.

Lesson 16

Words with Suffixes –ant, -ent, -ist

All Students

diligent
contestant
immigrant
informant
inhabitant
significant
irritant
observant
resident
panelist
participant
scientist
biologist
columnist
medalist

6^th Grade Only

cartoonist
efficient
pollutant
obedient
confident

Challenge Words for All

idealist
sufficient
lieutenant
persistent
complainant

DATES TO REMEMBER:

School Resumes: Monday, January 6
Chapel: Tuesday, January 7, 8-8:45
Half Day: Wednesday, January 15 – Dismissal at 12:00 noon
Happy Birthday Angelique Camacho: January 20
No School: Martin Luther King Day – Monday, January 20
Happy Birthday Toryn Triplitt: January 22
Superintendent’s State of the School Address: January 27, 7:00-8:30 PM – G.L. Johnson Chapel
Chapel: Tuesday, January 28, 8-8:45
Parent Teacher Conferences: February 3-7 – Dismissal at 12:00 noon
No School: Lincoln’s Birthday – Monday, February 10
Chapel: Tuesday, February 11, 8-8:45
No School: President’s Day – Monday, February 17
Happy Birthday Vijay Stephen: February 24
Chapel: Tuesday, February 25, 8-8:45
Half Day: Wednesday, February 26 – Dismissal at 12:00 noon
Happy Birthday Mitchell Mar: March 1
Elementary Spring Pictures: Tuesday, March 4
End of 2nd Semester: Friday, March 14
FCS Auction: Saturday, March 15
Half Day: Wednesday, March 19 – Dismissal at 12:00 noon

Mrs. Vander Kooi January 6, 2014PC Pierce2016-11-16T22:21:05-08:00

Mrs. Tally – January 6, 2014

Dear Families,

Happy New Year to You and Those You Love!!! I trust you had a very relaxing vacation with wonderful, memory making moments. I pray 2014 will be a great year of rich blessings for you and your family. We are very excited to begin the second half of our year. Lots of curriculum and many standards will be covered in the next few months and you will see incredible growth in your child.

LANGUAGE ARTS – We will continue working in our Anthology book, as well as begin some short literature studies. For comprehension we will continue on informational text and how to answer questions in complete sentences.

MATH – We will will begin Chapter 7, a unit on Geometry, Fractions and Probability. Remember to faithfully do 4 minute math drills at home. We will take our Chapter test on Money when we take the test on Chapter 7. Please continue to practice counting change at home as well.

HEALTH AND NUTRITION -We will be starting a unit on Health and Nutrition. We will be studying the four food groups and what constitutes healthy eating. If you have any magazines with pictures of food items in them that we could use to cut out and categorize, please send with your child. Many thanks! I would also like to invite any parent who is in the health or medical field to come and share with the children about their professions. Let me know if you would be willing to come and share with us. The children are so proud when mom or dad or grandma or grandpa come to our classroom and share.

SOCIAL SCIENCE – We will will start Unit 1, Families Now and Long Ago and will also focus on the contributions of Martin Luther King Jr. and what God’s Word says about discrimination.

BIBLE – We will be studying Gideon.

SCIENCE – We will begin a unit on Weather and Seasons.

PEACH BLOSSOM – You have received the requirements for Peach Blossom before Christmas break. I have also included the handout in Monday’s take home packet, as well as tips for learning your selection.. Your child needs to choose a poem, and send it to school by Fri., Jan. 10th. I received several before Christmas vacation. Your child should practice his/her poem a few minutes each day. The date for classroom evaluations and the final assembly will be announced soon. It will be at the end of January.

SHOW AND TELL – This week will be Team A.

WORLD’S FINEST CHOCOLATES – PTF will start distributing boxes of THE WORLD’S FINEST CHOCOLATE on Thursday, January 9th for our New Year’s Fundraiser. It will run through January 30th. The prizes will again be Weeples, however, they will only be distributed on Fridays. Students will only receive their Weeples AFTER their money has been turned in, NOT when they check out a new box. Easy to sell and still only $1.00 each! Parents MUST sign for the boxes of chocolate. Students cannot sign them out on their own. (Once opened, the boxes CANNOT be returned.) More details will be given to the students this week. Have fun selling lots of chocolate!!!!!

1-5 – Happy 8th Birthday Tryphena Gunawan

1-6 – School resumes – Happy New Year!!!

1-7 – Happy 8th Birthday Caleb Mynderup

1-15 – Teacher Inservice – School dismissed at 12:00 PM

1-20 – Martin Luther King Holiday – No School

1-27 – State of the School Address – 7-8:30 PM – G.L. Johnson Chapel

2-3 – 2-7 – Parent Teacher Conferences -School dismissed at 12:00 PM

2-10 – Lincoln’s Birthday – No School

2-14 – Happy Valentine’s Day!! Party 1:20 – 2:40 PM

2-17 – President’s Day – No School

2-26 – Teacher Inservice – School dismissed at 12:00 PM

Spirit Day is every Friday. Please wear one of your favorite FCS shirts.

Bible Verse – Jan. 6-10

God blesses those who obey Him, happy is the man who puts his trust in the Lord. Proverbs 16:20 20 pts.

Spelling – Jan. 6-10 – Lesson 19

he’s

it’s

I’m

I’ll

she’s

can’t

let’s

you’ll

didn’t

they’ll

haven’t

couldn’t

doesn’t

wouldn’t

its

said

faithfulness

healthy

Mrs. Tally – January 6, 2014PC Pierce2016-11-16T22:21:06-08:00

Mrs. Hancox January 6, 2014

Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome back to all of our classmates! My heart rejoices with the peace of knowing Jesus. Thank you so much for showering both myself and our school staff with love through gifts and donations. Your giving has blessed my family and I. We appreciate you!

I’ve prepared and am ready to kick off a great new year with our class! The following is an overview of goals and objectives as we start the month of January.

January Standards Overview-

Communication folder (blue)-Student will continue to place daily work and assignments in their communication folders. Graded work will continue to go home on Mondays. All students will need to utilize a planner to record weekly assignments. This will allow you the opportunity to check in on the work assigned.

Language Arts: Students should have chosen a poem during the month of December and started memorizing it over Christmas break. We will have the next two weeks to practice and prepare the presentations of their oral poetry. Presentations will be given in class and the top three students will be awarded advancement to our school oral presentation chapel. Grades will be based on a rubric scores and advancements made by outside judges based on presentations and scoring.Standard: L05S2.3 – Oral responses

Writing-During this third quarter, students will learn how to write creative short stories by using the Excellence in Writing techniques. In February, students will become Young Authors and create their own stories. Standards: L05W1.1 – Multiple-paragraph narrative compositions, L05W1.1.a – Establish and develop a situation or plot, L05W1.1.b – Describe the setting, L05W1.1.c – Present an ending

Reading-

1. Teacher read aloud: Timothy of the Cay

2. Independent Reading: Biography

Students will have the opportunity to create a Biography book cube. The rubric will go home on Monday.

Bible: Study of the Four Gospels

Memory Verse test on 1/18/2013 1 John 3:17-18. “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need and has not pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.”

Math:

Common Core: Week #1. Penny puzzles

Unit of Study: Geometry and Measurements (5th grade will include multiply/divide of fractions)

Science 3rd Quarter: Nutritional studies and the digestive system. Students will incorporate AIMS and Healthyhabits/CA. Please have your child cut out a few magazine pictures or coupons with food pictures and bring to class on Monday or Tuesday.

Social Studies:

5th grade will begin a study on US States and Capitals.

6th grade will be given a World Map and begin a study on countries.

There are many ways for students to study: flash cards, interactive web based programs, puzzles, ect. An assessment will be given at the end of the 3rd quarter. I will incorporate five states or countries each week or learning.

Spelling and Vocabulary:

Spelling Unit 19 “Silent Letters”

1. limb

2. crumb

3. gnaw

4. plumber

5. tomb

6. foreign

7. column

8. campaign

9. hymn

10. salmon

11. design

12. palm

13. yolk

14. chalk

15. calm

16. assign

17. autumn

18. reign

19. resign

20. soleman

Vocabulary: cent, centi=hundred, dec-, deca- ten

centennial
centimeter
centipede
century
decade
decagon
decathlon
decimal

January Calendar:

School resumes-Monday, Jan. 6

Chapel-Tuesday, Jan. 7, 8-8:45

1/2 Day Teacher Inservice-Wed., Jan. 15

Martin Luther King Remembrance-Jan.20 No School

Teacher In-service Jan. -Half Day 12:00 Dismissal

Mrs. Hancox January 6, 2014PC Pierce2016-11-16T22:21:07-08:00

Mrs. Witters December 9, 2013

Merry Christmas Everyone, December 9, 2013

We are soooo excited!!! Christmas is almost here!!!

There is no verse or homework this week. (YEAH!) Report cards will be sent home Thursday. Look for a brown envelope in your child’s backpack.

Thursday is the day of our Christmas party. If you would like to come to the party, YOU ARE WELCOME!! It goes pretty much all morning!

Wednesday is half day – come 8:00 -12:00. Teachers have an inservice.

Friday, come in the morning from 8:00 –12:00. Christmas vacation begins at 12:00 SHARP!!!

School resumes on January 6. We will be observing Martin Luther King Day on January 20. On Wednesday, January 29, come in the morning from 8:00 – 12:00. It is Teacher Inservice Day! Thank you!

January 17^th is Cowboy Day in the morning! Be ready to Hee Haw!!!

I pray you all have a blessed, restful Christmas vacation. I love you all and will MISS you!!!!!!!!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY

NEW YEAR!!!!!!

Mrs. Witters December 9, 2013PC Pierce2013-12-09T07:00:19-08:00

Mrs. R’s Super Stars December 9th, 2013

Hello Parents,

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend! This is our last week until Christmas break, and a busy week we have! We have lots of fun activities planned for the kids. Last week we had our benchmark testing. I will be making up any testing that was missed last week.

*Important Information*: When we return from our Christmas vacation the grading on our spelling tests will change. As of now I have not taken any points off if a student reverses letters such a “b, d” or “p, q”. However, now that we are getting into the 2nd half of our year that will change. If a student reverses a letter on their spelling test they will not get credit for that word, even if it is spelled correctly. This is to help the students remember which ways our letters go. We will also work on this in writing.

*Peach Blossom Festival*: Fresno Christian will be participating in the Peach Blossom Festival held at Fresno State. 2 Students grades 1-2 will be chosen to represent our school. Please be sure to check the note sent home on Monday for more detailed information. If stduents wish to participate they must submit a poem by January 10th.

This week in Mrs. R’s Super Stars:

This week will be a fun and easy week for our class.

Monday December 9th & Tuesday December 10th: Monday and Tuesday will be a normal schedule. We will work in our reading groups and continue on in our math packet! In the afternoon students will practice writing in their writing journals.

Wednesday December 11th: Wednesday is a half day due to teacher inservice. School will be dismissed @ 12 We also have our kids Christmas concert!!

Fresno Christian Music Department Presents:

“A Candlelight Christmas”

Kindergarten through Fourth Grades

Elementary Choir

Junior High Choir

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

5:30 pm

Fresno Christian Gym

Please drop your child off in the music suite prior to the performance. I will be in there waiting. When the kids are done performing they will go back to the music suite. You can pick them up there when the concert is over.

Thursday December 12th Class Christmas Party: We will be celebrating our class party on Thursday December 12th. The party will begin at 11:00am with lunch for the kiddos. There was an invite sent out in regards to items needed for our class party. If you have not gotten a chance to see it please do so! The kids will be having pizza that day. If your child does not want pizza you must send them with a lunch. After lunch we will begin our party. We will be doing various crafts for the kids after lunch!!

Friday December 13th Skate Party:

CHRISTMAS SKATING PARTY!!

Its time to make plans for our annual skating party! Students may bring spending money to the rink to purchase snacks and drinks. Cal Skate allows no food/drink brought into the skating rink. The student admission cost is included in their class fee.

Fees for parents and siblings will be collected at the door:

Parents/sibling skate for only 1 of the parties (and leaving after party) ………. $6.50

Parents/sibling skating for both parties…………………………………………….. $ 13.00

Parents/sibling spectators for one party & skating at the other………………… $ 9.50

Parents/siblings as spectators only for one or both parties…………………….. $ 3.00

Please respond to the transportation letter being sent home in regards to the plans for your child. Return that sheet no later than Friday December 6th!

IMPORTANT DATES:

12-10: EL Chapel

12-11 – Christmas Program – FC Gym @ 5:30

12-11 – School dismissed @ 12:00 PM – Teacher Inservice

12-12 – Report cards go home

12-13 – End of 1st Semester – School dismissed at 12:00 PM

12-13: Skating party @ Cal Skate 8:15-9:55

12-16– 1-3 – Christmas Vacation – Happy Birthday Jesus!!!

1- 6– School resumes – Happy New Year

1-14- EL Chapel (Mrs. Raymundo’s class in charge)

1-20-Martin Luther King day-NO SCHOOL

1-27-State of the School Address. 7-8:30 in G.L. Johnson Chapel

1-28: EL Chapel

Mrs. R’s Super Stars December 9th, 2013PC Pierce2016-11-16T22:21:08-08:00

Mrs. Fraser, December 9, 2013

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

There will be no Spelling Test or Bible Verse Test this week. Due to the flurry of math, reading, writing assessments last week, we were unable to take our Bible Verse test on Friday so we will review it and write it together as practice this week.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus in our homes with family, may we all enjoy the PEACE OF GOD and this beautiful reason for the season. Have a wonderful, restful vacation!!!

SERVICE PROJECT: TOGETHER WE CAN

Thank you for all who have given so generously to the food drive for the community service project. Our children had the privilege to help families of Pinedale this Christmas season. It has been wonderful to see the buckets fill up, knowing we are helping those in need, all in the name of JESUS!

SERVICE PROJECT: FLEECE BLANKETS

What a tremendous response we received for the fleece fabric to make and tie soft, warm blankets for the homeless and for women and children in shelters for the abused!! WOW!! On Monday, December 9, Mrs. Mary Lou Savage will be working at the far west end of Building 5 cutting and preparing the blankets for tying. If you would like to stop by and help her, you are welcome to join her at the tables in the hallway.

Tuesday, December 10 the FCS high school choir will perform a live Christmas Concert in chapel for our Grades 1-6. Following chapel, third graders will be returning to our classroom to tie blanket knots and complete them. Mrs. Savage will lead us in a prayer to bless the blankets that will go out to serve and minister to those in need. If you would to join us and lend a helping hand with the children tying knots, you are very welcome!! Christmas Chapel begins at 8:10 AM and our service project will follow at 8:45 AM in our classroom.

LOST AND FOUND

Parents and students, you are welcome to please check the Lost and Found rack. Lots of nice items will be going to charity if not claimed by Friday the 13th. Thank you!

HALF DAY

Just a reminder that Wednesday, December 11 is a half day due to staff in-service with release time at 12:00 PM.

END OF SECOND QUARTER

Our second quarter ends on December 13th. Please check your child’s grades on Powerschool and send in any late work, missing assignments, re-do’s by Tuesday, December 10. Grades will be finalized and posted online in PowerSchool on Tuesday, December 17.

SECRET ANGEL

Today we will draw names for our secret angels. Monday, December 9th until Thursday, December 12th, third graders will be a secret angel to that special friend. Your child can draw a picture, write an encouraging note, bring a small sweet treat, pencil, sticker, eraser or any small token that says “I am thinking about you and praying for you.” The children should try to bring something every day.

On Thursday, December 12, when we have our Birthday Party for Jesus, students will bring a gift (no more than $5.00), for their secret friend and reveal the person they have been blessing. Above all, keep it a secret. Do not put the name of the child to whom the present goes, but put your own child’s name on the tag (who the gift is from.)

CLASS CHRISTMAS PARTY

Our third grade class will celebrate Christ’s birthday with a Christmas party on Thursday afternoon, December 12 from 1:30-2:30 PM. Please contact Patty Steele and Emily Phillips if you would like to help with the party.

ELEMENTARY CHRISTMAS SKATING PARTY

Grades 1-6 grades will be going skating on Friday, December 13 at Cal Skate of Clovis. Travel arrangements will be by CARPOOL. If you are transporting students I will need you to arrive at school at 8:00 AM. Thank you!

Reminder: You can go directly to Cal-Skate. You do not need to come to school first. Children are free to leave directly from Cal-Skate for Christmas vacation if that works best for you. School is dismissed at 12:00 PM.

1st Session – 8:15-9:55 AM / Classes: Tally, Raymundo, Weimer, Fraser

2nd Session – 10:15-11:30 AM / Classes: Ferguson, Hancox, Vander Kooi, Broersma

All skating fees for third grade students are pre-paid through our class account. Parents and siblings that skate will need to pay the $6.50 for each skating session at the door. Non-skating parents who would just like to come and watch kids skate will need to pay an entrance fee of $3.00 at the door. Parents that wish to be a spectator at one session and skate at the other session need to pay $9.50.

Roller blades may been worn but they must have flush bolts, (no sharp exposed bolts/screws). If your skates have a heel brake it must be in good condition, no screw showing. Roller blades will be inspected by Cal Skate employees, if they do not meet the standards you will need to use roller skates.

SKATING TRANSPORTATION

The following parents have volunteered to carpool students to and from the Christmas Skating Party:

Julia Retamora (Emma Calderon’s mom)

Jeanette Rylander

Jennifer Dansby

Lamberto Siquerios

See carpool permission form attached to the newsletter and graded work only for those needing a ride to and from the skating party from. Please return the form by Wednesday, December 11.

PEACH BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

Our class will be busy selecting poems to memorize for presentation in an Oral Interpretation Speech Meet which will take place in January. This is a FCS requirement for all 1st-6th classes. Each third grade student is required to memorize a NEW poem of at least three or four stanzas (12-16 lines.) We have a large and varied list of poems to select from in the classroom and library. Parents are welcome to help children select a poem from home. Please submit the poem to your child’s teacher for approval and provide a copy of the poem by January 10th.

Although this is not due until we come back from Christmas vacation, I strongly suggest you try and choose your poem before January. Students should begin to memorize their poem at home with parental guidance. A “Helpful Hints” guide sheet will be provided for an effective presentation. Please begin to work individually with your child on these 5 steps over Christmas vacation. Judging is based on expression, platform presence, voice, and speech. We will practice at school as well after Christmas vacation.

Parents are invited to the speech meet, as finalists from the 3rd and 4th grade competition will be selected to represent our school at the Peach Blossom Festival of Oral Interpretation. This is a citywide elementary speech meet held annually at California State University Fresno each spring. We look forward to sharing our favorite poems with classmates. Thank you for your cooperation in helping your child to learn his/her poem.

FRESNO CHRISTIAN MUSIC DEPARTMENT PRESENTS: “A CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS!”

Our Christmas program is this Wednesday! The Christmas concert will be a beautiful celebration of traditional and modern carols, with the reading of the Biblical account of Jesus’ birth. Here are some important details:

WHO: Kindergarten through Fourth Grades, Elementary Choir, Junior High Choir

WHEN: Wednesday, December 11, 2013

TIME: 5:30 – 6:30 PM

WHERE: Fresno Christian Gym

Please drop your child off in the Music Suite (just to the right when you enter the gym.) I will be in there waiting for them. When the concert is over, third graders will be dismissed from the risers.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

DECEMBER

DECEMBER 7 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZOE BULL

Tuesday, December 10 – Christmas Chapel 8:10 AM

Tuesday, December 10 – Service Project/Tying and Blessing of the Fleece Blankets for the Homeless 8:45 AM

Wednesday, December 11 – Teacher Inservice – School dismissed at 12:00 PM

Wednesday December 11 – Christmas Program – 5:30 PM – FCS Gym

Thursday, December 12 – Class Christmas Party 1:30 – 2:30 PM

Friday, December 13 – Elementary Christmas Skating Party @ Cal Skate

Friday, December 13 – School dismissed at 12:00 PM

Friday, December 13 – End of Second Quarter

December 16 – January 3 – Christmas Vacation – Happy Birthday Jesus!

JANUARY

Monday, January 6 – School Resumes – Happy New Year!!

Mrs. Fraser, December 9, 2013PC Pierce2016-11-16T22:21:09-08:00

Mrs. Hancox December 9, 2013

Let us rejoice for the gift of Jesus! This week we will celebrate together and by serving our community in several ways:

First, on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 9th and 10th, the students will be working on a service project to give to a local shelter. We will be utilizing our afternoon block from 1:15-2:15. If you are available to assist with the tying of knots, please join us!

Second, we have the privilege to help the families of Pinedale this Christmas season! We will be collecting canned food Nov. 12th thru Dec. 6th to distribute through the Pinedale Book Buddies program. Our High School students are already volunteering as Book Buddies and we would like to continue our support for their programs. Please take a look at the list of needed items. If you are able too, please share in this opportunity to provide canned food to families in our community.

Third, we will celebrate the birth of Jesus on Friday, from 8:00-9:30 in our classroom. We will have fellowship, finger snacks, a cake for Jesus, and ornament exchange. Students are asked to bring in an ornament (purchased or homemade). At 9:30, we will prepare to carpool to Cal-Skate. The carpool drivers are: Mrs. Henderson, Mrs. Hwang, and Mrs. Cox I appreciate your prompt attention with the return of the skating form last week. For those who did not sign, please be sure to return on Monday. I am arranging carpools and skating based on the responses submitted on this form.

FRESNO CHRISTIAN MUSIC DEPARTMENT PRESENTS:

“A Candlelight Christmas”

Kindergarten through Fourth Grades

Elementary Choir

Junior High Choir

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

5:30 pm

Fresno Christian Gym

Grades K-4, 5/6 choir, 5/6 band, 7/8 choir

Elementary Choir members will wear their uniform. The skirt or vest will be handed out on Thursday. Please remember that these items will have to be turned in at the end of the school year to avoid a charge. Hopefully, you already have the other items of the uniform. The students wear it at all festivals and concerts this year.

Boys: black pants, shoes, socks. White, long sleeved shirt.

Girls: white blouse, black, closed toe shoes, black headband.

The program begins promptly at 5:30. The choir members will gather in the music classroom just inside the gym entrance, at 5:00. The band will begin playing at 5:15. The children will be dismissed from the risers at the end of the program.

FINAL WEEK 2ND QUARTER: students completed several end of the quarter tests last week. We were unable to complete the daily math/language seatwork tests or vocabulary. These will be given Monday morning. Here are the vocabulary words from last week:

VOCABULARY: hemi-, semi- (half, halfway)

hemisphere
semiannual
semiarid
semicircle
semiconscious
semiformal
semisweet
semiweekly

1. Writing assessments were complete last week.

2. Teacher will begin the sequel to The Cay. The title is: Timothy of The Cay

3. Bible: The birth of Jesus-John 3:16 (no test will be given)

4. No Spelling words this week. We will create crosswords puzzles with Christmas words the students come up with!

5. Math-This week we will utilize time each day to practice assessments in Khan Academy. Please be sure that your child has registered me as their coach: tonihancox.

6. Happy Birthdays! We have the opportunity to celebrate four student birthdays this week: David, Abbey, Brittany, and Isaac.

January:

Oral Poetry-students are to select and receive approval on a poem at least 1 min in length (1 1/2 for 6th). They will have an opportunity to present the poems in class. The top three students will participate in presenting of their poem during during an assembly in mid January. I encourage students to study over Christmas break!

5th grade will begin learning our 50 States and Capitals. They will be tested on locating the states in April. The 6th graders will be learning about countries.

6th grade-will study countries around the world

February-

Young Authors!

March/April-

Research reports: 5th States, 6th Country

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Half Day: December 11 – Dismissal at 12:00 noon
“A Candle light Christmas” Concert: December 11
End of 1st Semester: December 13
Half Day: December 13 – Dismissal at 12:00 noon
Christmas Break: December 16 – January 3
School Resumes: January 6, 2014

Mrs. Hancox December 9, 2013PC Pierce2016-11-16T22:21:10-08:00

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