Social Studies Bonus Project

Might you have a little extra time over Christmas vacation to work on a bonus project? If so, here's a fun and easy one from our SS book, P277. Make a Model: Imagine that you are taking part in a Fourth of July celebration. Build a model for a parade float that shows an important event of the American Revolution. Use chapters 7 and 8 for event ideas.

Nutcracker Ballet Field Trip on Dec. 12

We have a field trip scheduled for this Friday, December 12 to see the Nutcracker ballet at the PAC with our fourth grade students. We will leave promptly at 10:10 AM. The performance begins at 11:00 AM. We hope to arrive back at school about 1:30 PM.

Students will NOT be able to order hot lunch. Each student should bring a lunch from home that has several parts, so that we can eat some of it just before we go and have the rest when we return. Milk will be ordered in the morning and will be available during our afternoon lunch.

Chaperones who signed up and paid for this trip on registration day are Mrs. Smrz, Mrs. Neils, Mrs. Olson, Mr. Pajot, and Mrs. Kaminski. If you are no longer able to chaperone, please let me know ASAP, since we have a waiting list of others who would be happy to buy your ticket from you. Chaperones should meet us in the front entrance lobby at 10:05 AM.

Christmas Gifts for Others

In Acts 20:35, St. Paul reminds us that “we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Traditionally each year at Christmas students exchange names and buy a gift for one an-other. We will not be following that practice this year, but instead we are going to think of those who have real needs. Our children have so many things to be thankful for, blessings too numerous to count. To help them recognize how blessed they are and demonstrate our love for our Savior this year the class will take a collection for the St. Jacobi Almoners’ fund. These gifts are used to help both St. Jacobi members as well as those in need from the community who request help with food, fuel, and the like. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to show Christian love to others during a difficult time in their lives. Your gifts can be brought to school any time through December 15. If you’d like to participate in this collection, your gift should be placed into a sealed envelope clearly labeled something to the effect of “Grade 5 Almoners’ Fund”.

Our collection goal is $150. With your help, we can reach this goal quite easily.

Thank you so very much for supporting the things we do here at school in your home. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Serving the Savior with you,

Mr. Scharf

Great Time to Follow Up...

Now is a great time to follow up from our recent PT conferences by checking your child's progress on PowerSchool. In general, there has been a huge advance in students' motivation and work ethic, which often results in increased scores and improved grades. Many students who were "sliding" during our first quarter have sparked a blaze and are beginning to turn in much better quality work. They are fired up about getting their school work done and staying on top of their assignments. This shows the beginnings of real growth. I'm hoping to soon shift the informal classroom theme from "Completion" (Get it done) to "Pursue Excellence" (Do your best in everything you do)!

Special Theater Troupe presents "Aladdin"

We have the special treat of watching some live actors present "Aladdin" on Monday afternoon. The Windy City Players often select additional actors from the audience, so volunteer if you'd like to be a part of the action. Our afternoon schedule will change slightly. The performance is from 2:00 to about 2:45PM. We will have to miss music and science classes.

Complete the Survey

Fifth graders, be sure to complete the brief survey at the bottom of the blog. You only have one week. :)

Drawing Assignment Link

Students who want more practice drawing the horse, eagle, or super hero can visit the following link to again view the artists drawing them: http://www.professorgarfield.org/pgf_ArtBot.html

Bring Your 5th Grader to P-T Conferences

It's nearly parent-teacher conference time again! Parents, as you consider scheduling a time to meet with me, please choose a time when your fifth grade child will be able to attend our conference. I would strongly urge you to bring your fifth grade child along. Having your child attend our conference will better enable you, me, and your child a chance to discuss issues from each of our unique perspectives. We are also better able to discuss not only academic performance, but also behavioral issues, social growth, and organizational skills.

Thank you so much for your continued support and cooperation.

Mission Festival 2008

This Sunday, October 12, is Mission Festival here at St. Jacobi. Students are to be in their seats on the bleachers in the gym by 12:25PM.

I am unable to be at Mission Festival this year. Mt. Calvary-Grace Lutheran School in La Crosse, one of the schools I served for 19 years, is celebrating their 50th anniversary. I have four parents who will help chaperon the fifth graders. Please listen to Mr. & Mrs. Stuedemann, Mrs. Daniels, and Mrs. Plaski.

BOOK IT! Begins October 1!

Our annual BOOK IT! program begins October 1. Parents, for more information, please review the parent letter at: http://www.bookitprogram.com/teachers/0809/reproducibles/08BIParentLetter.pdf. Students were sent home with a "By the Minute Reading Log" sheet that they are to use to track their reading minutes. Students should be sure to add their silent reading time from class to these sheets. Each student who returns a signed sheet totaling at least 200 minutes on or before November 3 will receive a Reading Award certificate, entitling that student to a free one-topping Personal Pan Pizza to celebrate their reading accomplishment. Each student who fulfills the requirements for all six months of the BOOK IT! program will receive an All-Star Reader voucher. Happy reading!

Standardized Testing This Week

Standardized testing is taking place this week. It is important that your child not miss school if at all possible during testing time.

There are several things you can do to aid your child. Help your child to relax. These tests are not going to determine grades of any kind. There is no way to study for them, either. You should also ensure that your child has a good night's sleep. Be sure that your child eats a healthful breakfast each morning, with plenty of protein. The rest is up to your child. Our teachers encourage students to do their best with the gifts and abilities that God has given each of them.

Congrats to Gr 5 WLHS Spelling Qualifiers

The following fifth grade students have qualified to participate in the WLHS Spelling Competition scheduled for Saturday, October 4:

• Brooke
• Mackenzie
• Nate
• AJO
• Analysia

Congratulations to all students who gave it their best! Come cheer these and other St. Jacobi spellers on at WLHS on Saturday, October 4.

Social Studies Test Scores Posted

Scores of the first social studies test have been posted. Four students earned a perfect score of 20! Kudos to those students! Our class average is a C, so there is still much room for improvement. Log on to PowerSchool to see your child's test score, along with all scores from all the classes.

Remember, students, that your Ch1 Social Studies Review & Study Guide packet corrections are due on Monday! Remember those five things every sentence must have...subject, verb, complete sense, capital letter, and an end mark! (Yes, I can almost hear you reciting the jingle!)

Science Unit Topics

Parents,
The next unit in our science curriculum deals with reproduction. Within these lessons we’ll be studying and discussing the following areas: cell division, flower reproduction, inheriting traits, genes and chromosomes.

Each of these topics, as always, will be taught and discussed in the light of the Word of God.

Please consider this as a simple reminder of my role in assisting you in your God-given responsibilities and privileges in raising your child. I have no intention of replacing your one-on-one interaction with your child regarding any of these topics, but this may be a prime opportunity for you to further discuss these items at home.

Who's checking PowerSchool?

I was a little curious to see who's monitoring grades, and I found something interesting. A few students are looking more than parents! We are beginning the third week, and if you have not yet checked, this might be a great time to look. Congrats to ZZ for checking a record 8 times since the beginning of the year!

Book Covers...For Free

Remember to have all your books covered by Friday. I see such a variety in book cover techniques, that I thought I would share a very simple and practical way to cover your books for free. Click here for this technique: http://www.ehow.com/how_8583_make-paper-book.html. Never tape your book cover to your book! Following the instructions in the link will allow you to tape your book cover to itself, making a sturdy, free cover.

The First Day is History

We survived the first day quite well! At the end of the day, I was thrilled to hear some students tell me they were looking forward to the second day! I am, too! We have lots to learn, and so little time to do it all! I'm looking forward to a great year! I'll see you all tomorrow. :)

Classroom Visits (Home Visits at School)

I'm doing something a bit different this year for home visits. Instead of me coming to your home, I'm inviting you to the classroom. Dates and times are:

Monday, Aug. 11, 3:30PM & 5PM
Tuesday, Aug. 12, 1PM & 3PM
Thursday, Aug. 14, 5:30 & 7 PM

I'm planning for families to come to the fifth grade classroom and acquaint them to the new school year by explaining many aspects of fifth grade with the help of the SMART board. I'd like sessions to be completed within one hour.

Many, many thanks to Mrs. Olson and Mrs. Davidson for contacting families and extending this invitation.

I'm very excited about the new school year and look forward to seeing you at one of these sessions.

I can't wait for school to begin!

Are you almost ready? There isn't much time before we begin our school year. I hope you are as excited about the year as I am! Enjoy your last few weeks of summer vacation! See you soon!