Weekly Update

Dear Families,

This has been a very strange week for us in Summit’s 3rd and 4th grade classroom as I, unfortunately, have been out most of the week due to a bad back. I hurt my back earlier this week and was unable to recover as fast as I would have liked to, so I was forced to remain at home as it is very hard for me to walk and stand. Although I have not physically been in the classroom, I have been there with the help of technology as the students and I have e-mailed each other several times a day. The students have shared documents with me and they also shared their newly constructed google doc for our evolving Colonial Newspaper. I even received minute by minute updates from some students and I very much appreciate their dedication to academic endeavors (as well as keeping me in the loop!). Ms. Pivorotti joined the class in my stead and she and I have stayed in close contact throughout to ensure that our classroom routines and expectations remain intact. Thank you, Ms. Piv.; I don’t know what we would have done without you!

The students completed their Science NECAP practice test earlier this week and they will take the actual Science NECAP Assessment next week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning. This assessment next week is only for our 4th graders; 3rd graders will take it next year. Please make sure your child gets plenty of sleep and nutritious food before coming to school next week. Thank you.

3rd grade mathematicians joined the 7th and 8th grade probability fair this week as well. They learned many new concepts about this fascinating area of math as they had the opportunity to play games in various stations. 3rd graders will finish their study of probability in the next few classes. Our next, and last, unit will be on geometry. We are very excited to learn about perimeter, area and shapes.

News & Reminders:
• Science NECAP for 4th graders on 5/18, 5/19, and 5/20.
• HCS International Celebration, 5/25
• 3rd and 4th grade Science Fair, 5/26 between 5pm-6pm. Please note that projects and trifolds are due on Monday, 5/14/10.
• Library closed, 6/1. No more books can be taken out from the HCS school library as the construction of the primary wing starts.
• 3rd and 4th Grade End of the Year Celebration Picnic, 11:30-1:30pm. Please return the slip sent out earlier this week so we know how many people will be attending. Thank you!
• 3rd and 4th Grade End-of-the-Year Extended-Day Field Trip to Billings Farm and Museum, Woodstock, VT. Buses leave at 7:30 am and return to HCS at 4:00pm. Please return permission slips by Monday May 17th. Thank you!

Have a great weekend!
Regards,
Maria McCormack