Intermediate School News
Intermediate School News
Dear Intermediate School Families,
We’ve had a productive and nice week here at GRAIS. ELA and math teachers were able to spend a good amount of time together looking at iReady assessment data that showed some very good academic growth on the part of students from fall to winter. Staff will spend some more time together during our professional development next Friday, the 7th, so please be reminded that student dismissal will be at 11:30 a.m.
The Action in the Gymnasium:
We've finished the cardiovascular portion of their fitness unit by completing the PACER test. Students applied their knowledge of the heart and lungs to their work on properly warming up and cooling down before pushing themselves to increase their aerobic capacity. We recently took a break from fitness for some fun teamwork and sportsmanship focused games. We will be returning to and then completing our fitness unit before February vacation while completing mini fitness challenges in muscular endurance, muscular strength, and flexibility. This will be a great lead into our nutrition component of class as we connect with information from the American Heart Association on how to keep our hearts and brains healthy, starting in February.
A Word from the Library:
Library classes have been learning the applications in Google Suite. Besides practicing touch typing, students use Google Docs to write responses to stories read in class and have discussed how to save their work in Google Drive. Our fourth and fifth graders are creating Google Slides to present topics to their classmates too. Students will later be learning how to use Google Sheets and Forms. These tools are very useful, they teach problem solving, use creativity, and facilitate collaboration, all of which will be important as students prepare for middle and high school, and beyond.
A Picture of Art Class:
Fourth graders are glazing their pinch pots, and fifth graders are beginning a new project. They're looking at the hyper-realistic work of Carly Waito, a Canadian artist who paints minerals, gems, and crystals. Students are drawing their own gems, then they are going to give their artwork to an adult (at home or school) considered a "gem" by them!
Campus Programs Opportunities:
https://www.freelake.org/documents/campus-programs/program-flyers/493196
GRAIS PTO News:
Stay tuned for information and volunteer/donation opportunities as we get closer to the following upcoming events below. Reach out to the board at graispto@gmail.com. Our next Zoom meeting is at 7 p.m. on March 18th.
February 14th: Sweets & Treats Staff Appreciation
May 12th - 16th: Buy One/Get One Book Fair
MCAS Dates:
If you would like a look at the types of questions asked by the state or if you’d like to practice with your student, please see the links here.
http://mcas.pearsonsupport.com/student/practice-tests-ela/
http://mcas.pearsonsupport.com/student/practice-tests-math/
http://mcas.pearsonsupport.com/student/practice-tests-science/
Spring Anticipated MCAS Dates for GRAIS:
March 31 and April 1–Grade Five ELA
April 2 & 3–Grade Four ELA
May 12 & 13–Grade Five Math
May 14 & 15–Grade Four Math
May 19 & 20–Grade Five Science
*Subject to Change
Dates to Remember:
February 7th - Superhero Shirt Day
February 7th - Early Dismissal at 11:30 a.m.
February 14th - PTO’s Sweet & Treats for Staff
February 17 - Winter Break Begins
February 24th - School Resumes
March 1st - PTO’s Catalog Fundraiser Begins
March 19th - Second Trimester Grades Post to Portal
April 7th - Early Dismissal at 11:30 a.m.
April 18th - Spring Break Begins
April 28th - School Resumes
May 6th - GRAIS Spring Chorus Performs at FLMS at 6:00 p.m.
May 12th - BOGO Book Fair Week Begins
May 26th - No School
June 18th - Anticipated Last Day with Early Dismissal at 11: 30 a.m.
June 18th - Anticipated PTO Farewell to Fifth Graders Morning Event
*Dates are subject to change.
With gratitude for your support,
Dr. Sullivan
508.923.3506 x 3150/esullivan@freelake.org
