LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL

I refuse to allow the kindertartners to move onto 1st grade.  I am so sad that this year is ending.  I have enjoyed this year too much.  

Monday, May 31:  No School Memorial Day
Tuesday, June 1:  Normal School Day
Wednesday, June 2:  Last Day for Backpacks!!!!  Normal School Day
Thursday, June 3:  Field Day The time for both classes is 8:10 - 11:15 AM. Also, I will need a ton of parental help with this.  So parents, if you are available please consider volunteering.  
Friday, June 4: Last Day of School  Both classes are to be at school from 8:10 - 10:15 AM.  You will be receiving report cards today.  

If you have any questions, please ask!!!!

Beach Party!!!

I am so pleased with how well the Beach Party turned out.  The kids enjoyed themselves and overall had a wonderful time.  It was fun to get our inner surfer dudes and dudettes come out.  What a blast!!!!!

Thank you to the parents who volunteered to come and help!!!!!

Surf On!!!!

Beach Party Thursday!!!

Just checked the weather and it is supposed to be 78 degrees on Thursday.  Perfect weather for the Beach party.  Please remember to send your child to school with a beach towel and their "treat" needs to come to school with them on Wednesday so I can put the snack sacks together for each child. 

Let's get ready to Party!!!!!!

Thank you for coming to kindergarten testing!!!!

Your kindergartners are fabulous!!!!  I hope you enjoyed coming in and seeing what your child has learned this year!  I was very impressed with their test scores.  We had 86% of all parents come.  That is a great turn out.  Thank you for your support through the year, and good job kindergartners. 

Let's gear up for the Beach Party to celebrate the successes. 

Mrs.  Polteno

Remember Testing This week!!!

Please remember your testing time this week.  If you have question about when your time is, please click on the link at the top of the page.  This will take you to the class calendar.  Click on each day of testing and find your child's name. 

Mrs.  Polteno

Schedule of coming events the last few weeks of school!!!!

Monday, May 17 - Friday, May 21:  Kindergarten Testing.  Please refer to the newsletter sent home to find your child's testing time!!!
Thursday, May 27:  Short Day and Beach Party.  Please bring a beach towel today and sign up for a snack to bring to share with the rest of the class.  I will need some parent volunteers for this!  : ) 
Friday, May 28:  No School
Monday, May 31:  No School Memorial Day
Tuesday, June 1:  Normal School Day
Wednesday, June 2:  Last Day for Backpacks!!!!  Normal School Day
Thursday, June 3:  Field Day (I am double checking with the principal to make sure that the afternoon class can come in the morning to join in the festivities)  If that happens the time for both classes would be 8:10 - 11:15 AM. Also, I will need a ton of parental help with this if it happens.  So parents, if you are available please consider volunteering.  
Friday, June 4: Last Day of School  Both classes are to be at school from 8:10 - 10:15 AM.  You will be receiving report cards today.  

If you have any questions, please ask!!!!


Mrs.  Polteno

Lunch was a success!!!

Parents,

It was so fun seeing the students on Wednesday eat lunch at school.  They were so excited.  It was definitely a success.  A special thank you goes out to Milena Pehar, who was in charge of sending the notes home and organizing the lunch!!!!

Mrs.  Polteno

Gone Monday, May 10th

Parents:

I will be absent Monday, May 10, 2010.  I personally selected the substitute that will be teaching on Monday.  Her name is Angelina Jacobsen and she is wonderful.  Your children will be in great hands!!!!

Mrs.  Polteno

Why is there a week off for kindergarten testing? And why are there not more fun projects the last few weeks of school.

Before I answer the question, "Why is there a week off for kindergarten testing?", I have to tell you that the last few weeks we have been working so hard at getting ready for the testing to happen.  Your kids have asked me during class, "again?" in reply to reviewing concepts necessary for the end of year test again and again.  There has not been too much time to do much else except for reviewing the concepts we have learned over the past year.  Parents, think back on your school years whether it be Jr. High, High School, or College.  Remember that big end of term test that you needed to study hours and hours for?  Think of these last few weeks of school before testing as your children studying for their big test.  So, the fun projects that I would like to do before Holidays, such as Mother's Day, there is not time for.   Being a half day kindergarten, there is only so much time in the day to fill with as much learning as possible.  Believe me, I wish I could do more, but I want your children to learn as much as possible so they are more prepared for the test and 1st grade. 

No on to the question at hand, "Why is there a week off for kindergarten testing?"

I have had some parents asking why there is a full week off for kindergarten testing.  That is definitely a valid question.  It may seem like a long time for the kindergarteners to have school off.  It is important for this to happen.  At the beginning of the year we did an assessment on all incoming kindergartners.  This assessment showed what the children know at the beginning of the year and the same test is given at the end of the school year to show the growth each student has made.  Each test takes about 20 to 30 minutes per child.  Each test is done on an individual basis.  I as a teacher, need a full week for the assessments to ensure that every child is tested.  If you add up 20 to 30 minutes per child that adds up to about 800 minutes (13 hours and 20 minutes) to 1200 minutes (20 hours)  to test every child.  The whole week is essential for me as a teacher to test, fill out district bubble sheets, report cards, cumulative evaluation folders to be passed on through the 12th grade, and placement cards.  That is why the full week is required to do the testing.

I am grateful to have the opportunity to test each child individually.  It is a great culminating moment to celebrate the growth that each child has made.

 I look forward to meeting with you on your assigned assessment day. 

Mrs.  Polteno

Lunch on Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Please make sure that you pay the money necessary for your child to eat lunch at school on Wednesday, May 12, 2010.  This is a fun day to get your child ready for first grade and experience eating lunch at school for the first time!!!  It is so much fun!!  If you have any questions, please contact Mrs.  Pehar at the office.  385-646-4894.

Thank you!!!!!

Mrs.  Polteno