Happy New (School) Year

It's been a great first week- all classes have been so energetic and ready to work!  I will keep this newsletter brief- I'm not sure how many parents will have access as of yet.

Composition Books: There is always a little confusion about the composition books.  We need the students to have one composition book for each subject- which is a total of seven.  Most students will need more around February/March when they fill the composition books up.  Why do we like the composition books?  Papers don't get lost and the book becomes an automatic record of their work and progress in class.  They are much neater than spiral notebooks, which can become entangled with each other and pulled apart- not to mention the dreaded "rippy-bits".

Emergency Supplies:  Make sure you bring in earthquake supplies and backpacks.  Every child needs these in case of an emergency.  Check the information that was sent home during the summer for details on what should be in them.

AR: STAR Testing was done for 5th graders this week and today (Friday) I sent home the results and AR goals.  Please sign and return the single page by Tuesday.  Remember- READ!

Back to School Night: Please join us on Thursday, September 5 for Back to School Night.  I would like to be able to gather emails from parents for easier communication.

Class Dojo: I am implementing a computerized class management system.  Basically, it is a fun way of putting names on the board and acknowledging good behavior.  I placed a video below for you to view.  If that doesn't work, search youtube for "Class Dojo Student Introduction".  The students have class codes- parents can be invited by their children, or else I will have parent codes on Back to School Night.

Change in faculty: Mr. Hendricks has taken a teaching position in another school which should be a good opportunity to further his career.  We wish him good luck and pray for his success.  Mrs. Arias has hired Mrs. Alisa Covarrubias to teach computers, and to be the math instructor until Ms. Garcia returns in mid-September.  We welcome Mrs. C to our school!

Well, I wasn't brief but there is always something happening at our school.  Keep up-to-date by subscribing if you haven't done so already.  Enjoy the weekend, stay cool and hydrated, and of course READ!

Mrs. Becerra

Midsummer newsletter July 27

To the families of incoming sixth graders:

I have been working with a few students on their math packets and/or summer reading assignments.  What I have seen is that it is quite a bit of work, and some of the math is either hard for the students to remember or material not covered in the fifth grade math book.

Remind your child to use the website resources listed on the packet if they need help on the math problems.  Also remember that Mrs. Perez said the book list is only a suggestion.  Any chapter book or novel in the child's appropriate reading level is okay.

Please check with your child if they are progressing toward completing these activities.  I would expect that your child would be halfway or more through the math packet.  He/she should also have read one book at their reading level and completed an index card for this book.  We are halfway through summer already!

If you would like me to help your child with the math packet or reading project, please let me know.  Contact me by email or by phone.

Otherwise, enjoy the rest of summer.

Mrs. Becerra
(760) 989-1377
ckbecerra@gmail.com

PS: Every sixth grader needs a composition book for science.  Watch for sales!!

6th grade reading list

I know I haven't posted to the blog for a while, but I wanted to share this information.  Mrs. Perez told me that the books on the reading list are suggestions only.  The students can read other books and do the index cards and book project on those.  I suggest the kids choose books that they enjoy and understand easily, but that are in their reading level.  No comic books! :-).  Keep reading, and remember to work on the math packets.  If you have misplaced yours, I left extras in the school office.

Enjoy your summer!  See you in August!

Mrs. Becerra

January 24, 2013

I have not posted for a while- I apologize.  Between a healing finger, soccer playoffs, science fair preparations, etc, etc- it has been busy.  Here is the latest newsletter.

5th Grade Newsletter

Science Fair: Science Fair is DONE! I am so impressed with the work the students did in their projects. Thank you to the students, parents, and families- I know it is a group effort to support a successful science fair. Congratulations go especially to our ribbon winners:

• 3rd place: Growing Marigolds by Natalie Herrera

• 2nd place: Pop, Pop, Pop by Jacob Castaneda

• 1st place Average Reaction Time of an AlkaSeltzer Tablet by Justin McWay.

Justin’s project will be representing OLPH in the Elementary Division at the Inland Science and Engineering Fair in April. Congratulations!

SLEs: In fifth grade we are reviewing the SLEs for a writing project. The students will be writing an essay describing how OLPH School helps them become Faithful Catholics, Life Long Learners, Effective Communicators, Responsible People, and Worldwide Citizens. Please reinforce this at home with discussions with your child.

Catholic Schools Week: Please see the dates below for events in our Catholic Schools Week. On Sunday, January 27, we invite all families to attend Mass at OLPH. Students should wear their uniforms to this Mass. Support our school and Catholic education by attending! Remember to get pledges for Walkathon!!

 

Other reminders:

• January 27-February 1- Catholic Schools Week

• Sunday, January 27- Catholic Schools Week Sunday

• Tuesday, January 29- OLPH Spelling Bee

• Friday, February 1- Walkathon

• Saturday, February 9- Lenten Learning Center

• Tuesday, February 12- Mardi Gras

• Wednesday, February 13- Lent

• Monday, February 18- No School Presidents Holiday

• Monday, February 25- 3rd Parents Club Meeting, 7pm in the Parish Hall

Remember to earn your volunteer hours. Check with the office about Walkathon, and look for upcoming notices about Mardi Gras. We always need volunteers for these events.

Thank you,

Mrs. Becerra

December 4, 2012


5th Grade Newsletter

I have been out on Jury Duty, but I expect to be back in the classroom on Friday. Please keep myself and the other jury members in your prayers as we work on deciding the case before us.

Science Fair: Science Fair is a few weeks earlier this year (January 23, 2013), so we are already on a roll. The students have already turned in to me their research reports, question, variables, hypothesis, list of materials, and procedure. PLEASE KEEP YOUR COMPUTER FILE FOR THESE- THEY MUST BE RESUBMITTED IN JANUARY FOR SCIENCE FAIR.

The next date for Science Fair is January 8. This is when I start working with the students on formatting their data into tables on Excel and using Excel to create graphs. The experiment should be done by January 8 so students can use their actual data. If a student does not have their data, I will give that student practice data.

Science Fair Presentations will be January 14-18. For the presentation, a report and board must be completed, and each student will have an assigned day to present the project to me and the class. More information on the report and board requirements will be given on Friday when I return from Jury Duty.

Christian Service: Our school is participating in a Christian service project. We are having a mite box project to support the Holy Childhood Association. The fifth grade students are required to participate. They must return their box to me NO LATER THAN December 21 with at least one coin or dollar in the box. Please encourage your child to earn coins or dollars by doing chores or sacrificing extra snacks to give to these boxes. If you need extra boxes (some students fill multiple boxes), please let me know.

Christmas: The Christmas Cantata is December 20 at 7pm in the Church. This is a required activity so please add this to your schedule. There is a dress requirement for the Cantata: black socks, black pants, and a white shirt or blouse.

Other reminders:

• Wednesday, December 05, 2012: Second Parents’ Club Meeting in the Parish Hall 7pm

• Friday, December 7: Minimum Day, Faculty Meeting

• December 10-14: Scholastic book fair

• Friday, December 21: Minimum Day NO EXTENDED CARE THIS DAY. Last day before Christmas Break

• Monday, January 7: School resumes after Christmas Break

• Visit my blog at http://mrsbecerrasclass.blogspot.com/. You can submit your email and receive all updates- including this newsletter- in electronic form.

October 26 Newsletter

October 26, 2012


5th Grade Newsletter

Carnival: Thank you so much to everyone for making our Halloween Carnival a success. The success is due to all the donated items and hard work the families put forth. Special thanks go to Mr. Watson, who organized the booths, and to Mrs. Watson, Mrs. Luis, and Mrs. Aceves for helping apply zombie makeup. Also, congratulations to the fifth grade students, who were given an honorable mention for their dance, earning themselves not only free dress but ice cream (date TBA). I know everyone worked very hard on the Carnival; I apologize if I missed any important names.

Science Fair: Science Fair is a few weeks earlier this year (January 23, 2013), so we are starting now. I have given the students a Science Project Proposal Form and Research Paper Information. By Friday, November 2, students need to turn in their final draft of the science research. It should be 200 words or more and relate to their science fair project. For instance, a student doing a project on plant growth would research the structure of plants and how plants grow. They have received their rough draft back, with suggestions from me for improvements.

I noticed several students did not include a header. To do this (at least in Windows 2007), click on the insert tab. Then click on “page number”. Choose “Top of the Page”, then “Plain Number 3”. This puts the page number in the upper left hand corner. Then put your cursor to the left of the number 1 on the first page, and type your last name. This should automatically put the correct page number next to your last name on each page.

I also noticed several students did not have the bibliography. I am sending home the instructions again on how to format this.

Also, students must give me a rough draft of their procedure by November 9. This is easier. More information on this assignment will be coming to you next week.

Other reminders:

• Monday, October 29: No School, Teacher Inservice Day

• Friday, November 2: Minimum Day, Faculty Meeting

• Saturday, November 3: Second Parents’ Maintenance Day 7:30am- 1:00pm

• Tuesday, November 20: First Trimester Ends

• Wednesday, November 21: Minimum Day, also Thanksgiving Liturgy 8:30am in the church.

• Thursday-Friday, November 22-23: No School, Thanksgiving

October 10, 2012


5th Grade Newsletter



Field Trip: We are going to the McCallum Theater October 16 at 9:30 am to see the Shaolin Warriors. We have enough drivers for this trip already- thank you very much!!! Some students still need to turn in the permission form.

Progress Reports: Progress reports are going out today. I apologize for the delay- I did not review the reports and have them stuffed in envelopes before the end of the day yesterday.

Iowa Assessments: Testing has been completed. Results will be shared with parents at the Conference following the end of the First Trimester.

Science Fair: Science Fair is a few weeks earlier this year (January 23, 2013), so we are starting now. I have given the students a Science Project Proposal Form and Research Paper Information. By Friday, October 12, students need to know their question/topic and turn in the completed form. Please review this with your child, then sign and return the forms. I will give these back to the students for your records

Carnival: Mr. Watson sent a letter home earlier this week to remind parents to sign up for the Carnival booth and for all families to donate $5 to purchase supplies. Please do so by Friday October 12. Also, 5th grade will be performing a dance to Oingo Boingo’s “Dead Man’s Party” at the Carnival. The theme is zombie party- so students can be in zombie costume or any other costume. The common feature will be faces painted with zombie/skull face, so they can be zombie (head to toe), zombie/doctor, zombie/ballerina, zombie/soccer player, etc. I only ask that the costume is easy to dance in (no zombie/banana or zombie/phone booth, for example). Students will have faces painted here at school so that all fifth grade faces look similar. I need a team of parents that day painting zombie/skull faces on the students. The time is yet to be determined.



Other reminders:

• Saturday, October 20: set up for Halloween Carnival

• Sunday, October 21: Halloween Carnival

• Monday, October 22: No School, Carnival Clean Up Day

• Monday, October 29: No School, Teacher Inservice Day

• Visit my blog at http://mrsbecerrasclass.blogspot.com/. You can submit your email and receive all updates- including this newsletter- in electronic form.



Thank you!

Mrs. Becerra