Rockets Report

April Newsletter

Principal's Post

Dear Rocket Parents,

“Testing” time is here! This affects students of every age. By helping your child be physically and mentally prepared for a test, you are helping them lower the feeling of anxiety that often follows. Test anxiety is a very common experience. It can cause physical problems such as upset stomach or headaches as well as fear, anger, or even depression. This anxiety can prevent a student from being able to think, comprehend and learn.

Parents have the biggest positive impact on their children’s lives and how we handle our daily stress and how we respond to this stress teaches our children how to deal with tough situations. Research has shown that providing students with tools and strategies to deal with this overwhelming feeling can improve their ability to prepare and perform on tests.

Here are some tips to share with your child:

· Avoid cramming.

· Get a good night’s sleep, 8-10 hours.

· Eat a nutritious breakfast and dinner.

· Listen very close to directions.

· Follow the strategies provided by your teacher.

· Be on time the day(s) of testing.

· Take time to enjoy the completion of the test with your child afterwards.

· Discuss the test results with your child and make positive suggestions.

Confidence in test-taking skills can really cause your child to have less test anxiety and ultimately show what he/she has learned. We know our Rockets have been working very hard this year and I’m sure they are ready to SOAR!

“It’s not that I’m so smart; it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” -Albert Einstein

Sincerely,

Melody Marsh
Principal

EOG Proctors Needed

Each year, our 3rd through 5th graders participate in state standardized tests called End of Grade (EOGs). In order to run these tests successfully, we require proctors to assist the teachers throughout the testing session.

Please consider volunteering to proctor with our EOGs at the end of the year.

This year, we will have our EOGs on:

Tuesday, June 4th (ELA)
Thursday, June 6th (Math)
Monday, June 10th (5th Science and 3rd grade Read to Achieve)

If you are able to help, please visit: https://goo.gl/forms/Oigof1a4cC9kTwk53

Proctor Training Information can be found here.

Help Needed-PBIS Beach Party

We will be celebrating our students' amazing behavior for fourth quarter on June 12th. Please sign up to help us run these fun outdoor stations using this link:

PBIS Beach Party Sign Up

Volunteers must have an approved background check.

Curriculum At A Glance

Kindergarten:

In reading, students will compare and contrast characters in similar stories. Students will also identify how words and illustrations contribute to what is happening in a story.
In math, students will compose and decompose numbers 0-5. Students will also use equations to how the teen numbers are made up of tens and ones.

First Grade:

In reading, students will use context clues to help figure out the meaning on unknown words as they dive into their nonfiction reading unit. Students will also study realistic fiction texts.
In math, students will count the worth of a set of coins using what they have learned in the past few weeks. Students will also continue with solving word problems involving addition and subtraction.

Second Grade:

In reading, students will describe how characters respond to major events or challenges within a text.
In math, students will solve word problems involving money, addition and subtraction within 100 using a variety of problem solving strategies. Students will also begin their geometry unit focusing on naming and drawing shapes based on their attributes.

Third Grade:

In reading, students will dive into their Social Issues Book Clubs unit focusing on analyzing social issues that impact the main characters of their books. Students will be able to identify theme, problem and solution, and establish the main idea of the text.
In math, students will use measurement to determine nearest 1/4, 1/2, and whole inch. Students will also solve one step word problems involving whole number measurements in customary units.

Fourth Grade:

In reading, students will continue with their Civil War nonfiction unit focusing on identifying the cause and effect of events in their texts. Students will also explain how an author proves their point using specific evidence within the text.
In math, students will continue their work with measurement, focusing on measuring length, mass, liquid volume, and telling time. Students will also solve word problems involving various measurement units.

Fifth Grade:

In reading, students will continue with their Fantasy reading unit, focusing on identifying the theme and how characters respond to challenges within the story. Students will also begin their EOG prep unit, focusing on test-taking strategies they can use for their upcoming EOGs.
In math, students will use X and Y axes to identify coordinates on a coordinate plane. Students will also classify quadrilaterals using specific properties.

Upcoming Events

May

May 6th-May 24th-Reading 3D Testing for K-3 students
May 6th-4th Grade Field Trip to JA BizTown and 1st Grade Field Trip to Patterson Farms
May 10th-Yearbook Distribution
May 13th-SIT meeting at 3:15
May 14th-Progress Reports sent home
May 17th-Hat Day-Send in $1 donation to support our school
May 20th-June 7th-K-2 Math Assessment
May 20th-Parent Academy at 4:30
May 23rd-PBIS Paid Event (Cabarrus County Sheriff K9 Dog Show)
May 27th-No School; Memorial Day
May 28th-May 30th-BOGO(Buy One, Get One) Book Fair

June

June 4th-Reading EOG (3-5 students)
June 5th-Transportation Celebration (Water games)
June 6th-Math EOG (3-5 students)
June 7th-PBIS All Year Celebration (Field Trip to GEM Theater for all students who did not receive a referral this year)
June 10th-Science EOG (5th grade) and Read to Achieve Testing (Select 3rd graders only)
June 11th-Field Day
June 12th-PBIS Beach Party
June 13th-Last Day of School/Early Dismissal at 12:00

Staff Oscar Winner of the Month

Congratulations to Mrs. Sharon Willis, our wonderful Data Manager for winning our Staff Oscar this month! Not only is Mrs. Willis responsible for our day to day attendance records, our cumulative folders, enrollments, she is also responsible for our kindergarten registration. Mrs. Willis goes above and beyond to meet the needs of our staff, students, and parents in all that she does! We appreciate her willingness to work with our families in order to do what is right for our kids.