Weekly Newsletter 2/24/25 - Week 23

Happy Sunday, parents and guardians. We are in the MSTEP and Interim 3 push! Our curriculum and schedule will shift a bit over the next several weeks as we focus on preparing students for these tests. We will be incorporating MSTEP Mondays, where our curriculum will focus on MSTEP prep in ELA and math. We really need students to lean in these these next several weeks, as this prep is incredibly important! That being said, please continue to make sure your child is present EVERY DAY and ALL DAY when possible. However, if your child is sick, please DO NOT HESITATE to keep them home until they feel better. With flu and COVID cases on the rise, we want the class to stay healthy! We appreciate your help and cooperation! Here is our weekly newsletter for the week beginning February 24th, 2025 (week 23 of instruction):

Tutoring: Tutoring continues this week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Tutoring runs from 3:30-4:30 pm. Dismissal is at 4:30 pm sharp. 

BHM Projects: BHM Wax Museum projects are due tomorrow, Monday, February 24th. All students MUST bring in their note cards, research packets, and poster board. Students will present/practice their presentations for a grade. They do not need to dress up for their presentations until Wednesday. Students missing any part of their project will be marked down. I cannot stress the importance of this project. Students will be presenting to parents, families, other students, teachers, and administration. It is imperative that all students are prepared. I look forward to seeing the hard work and creativity that they have put into these projects! Also, please come up and see our class, as well as other classes, present on Wednesday (February 26th) from 1:30-2:30pm. You may take your child (and their supplies/costumes) home with you after the presentation if you would like. I know the students LOVE having their families come in and support them! I look forward to seeing you there!

Birthday Celebration: Our February birthday celebration will be this Friday, February 28th at 2:00pm. If you would like to send in any treats for the celebration, please feel free to do so on this date. There are 33 students in the class.

Homework Packets: Homework packets will go home on Monday and will be due next Monday (3/3/25). Students will get the week 23 spelling list with their homework packets. Our spelling test will be next Monday, March 3rd. That will give the class a full week to study. Depending on the results, I may switch our spelling tests to Mondays, permanently. Please be sure your child is studying the spelling list. Also, it was brought to my attention that there was a spelling error on the week 21 spelling list. Due to this error, I credited all students an extra point on their overall grade. Grades have been updated in gradebook. I appreciate it being brought to my attention! As much as I try, I must admit I am imperfect, but I am always happy to correct any mistakes that I am made aware of. Thank you for your help and understanding!

Student Parent Teacher Conferences (SPTCs): SPTCs will be the week of March 10th. It is mandatory that I meet will ALL parents/guardians. It is required that both student and parent attend these meetings. Report cards will be handed out at conferences. They will not be sent home with students. I posted a sign-up link for the conferences in a SchoolConnect. Please be sure you sign up for a time that both you AND your child can attend. If a phone meeting is necessary, please include/message me a phone number that you would like to be reached at. Thank you for your time and cooperation. I look forward to meeting with you all!

Curriculum: Our curriculum this week will focus on ELA and math MSTEP prep. In ELA, students will work on comparing and contrasting text structures. There will be a comp and grammar quiz on Thursday. The spelling test will be next Monday (3/3/25). In math, students will work with multiplying and dividing fractions. There will be a math quiz on Tuesday that we will review for on Monday. In science, students will continue to explore the topic of gravity. There will be a quiz in science on Thursday. In social studies, students will continue to investigate our great state of Michigan and what makes us unique. There will not be a quiz in social studies. 

Important Dates (Mark Your Calendar):

Monday, February 24 - BHM Wax Museum projects due (notecards, packet, posterboard)

Tuesday Feb. 25 -  K-2 Black History Wax Museum 1:30 - 2:30

Wednesday, Feb. 26 -   3-5 Black History Wax Museum 1:30-2:30

Thursday, Feb. 27 -  6-8 Black History Wax Museum 1:30-2:30

Friday, February 28 - Daddy Daughter Dance (Informal)  5:00 - 7:00 pm; 10:00 am Cookie Fundraiser Assembly; February Birthday Celebration 2:00 pm; GRADEBOOK CLOSES - last day to accept missing/make up work

Friday, March 7 - Trimester 2 Ends

Monday-Friday, March 10 - 14  - Parent Teacher Conference Week/REPORT CARDS passed out during conferences

Monday - Friday, March 10-14 - 3-8 Grades INTERIM 3 Assessment Week

Wednesday, March 12 - HALF DAY for Students-DISMISSAL at 11:00 am/Parent Teacher Conferences until 3:00 pm

As always, please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, comments, concerns, or just want to see how your child is doing during the school day/week. I am here for all of you, as well! Also, as always, thank you for your continued support from home. It makes all the difference in the classroom. Have a great Sunday!

-Ms. Winter

Weekly Newsletter 2/17/25 - Week 22

Happy Sunday, parents and guardians! I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend. We're back at it with another short week ahead of us. We will not have school tomorrow (Monday, February 17th). Here is our newsletter for the week beginning Monday, February 17th, 2025 (week 22 of instruction):

No School on Monday: Tomorrow is the last day of our Mid-Winter break. As such, we will not have school on Monday. School will resume on Tuesday, February 18th.

Spirit Week: This week, beginning on Tuesday, we will have our Black History Spirit Week! The week is $2/ day or $5 for the week. If your child chooses to participate, they MUST dress within the theme of the day. Free Dress is NOT ALLOWED. Students who are not participating in the theme will be asked to call home for a uniform. The themes are as follows:

    -Tuesday, Feb. 18      - Black Love Day         Wear Red or Black

    -Wednesday, Feb. 19 - Inspired By Day        Dress like a famous Black Icon who inspires you

    -Thursday, Feb. 20    - Fast Forward Day      Dress to impress or Dress as your future self

    -Friday, Feb. 21          -Pan African Day         Wear Red, Green and/or Black or your favorite HBCU, Fraternity or Sorority colors

Again, participation costs $2 per day or $5 for the week. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out!

Tutoring: Tutoring will be held this week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:30-4:30 pm. Please be advised that pick-up is at 4:30 pm sharp. Please be on-time for dismissal. Thank you!

Curriculum: This week in ELA, students will learn how to use key ideas and accurately quote important details to determine the main idea of a text. There will be a comp and grammar test on Thursday and a spelling test on Friday. In math, students will work on multiplication of fractions. There will be a math quiz on Thursday. In science, students will finish their investigation of objects in the sky and begin learning about gravity. For social studies, students will continue to explore the American Revolution as well as our great state of Michigan. 

Homework Packets: Due to the short week, there will not be a homework packet this week. Homework packets will resume next Monday.

BHM Project: Students should be working on their BHM Projects at home. I allow time in class, occasionally, for students to use the internet to look-up information about their writer/poet. However, students need to be working on their time-lines and poster-boards at home! These need to be completed, along with their script, and brought in on Monday, February 24th. We will practice our speeches and I will grade their presentations on this date. This is an important grade and I want all students to do well. Please ensure they are working on this project at home. Thank you for your support.

Daddy-Daughter Dance Ticket Sales: Due to the inclement weather, Daddy-Daughter Dance ticket sales will resume on Tuesday, February 18th. The dance is informal. Tickets are $30 a couple and $5 for each additional child. Light snacks and refreshments will be served. The dance is on February 28th.

Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences: We are approaching student-parent-teacher conferences. I will post a link for the sign-ups. Please sign up for a slot that both you and your student can attend. If you need to schedule a phone conference, please be sure to include a good number to contact you at in your sign-up slot. I look forward to meeting with you all, again! 

Important Dates (Mark Your Calendar): 

Monday, February 17- Mid-Winter Break

Tuesday, February 18 - Daddy-Daughter Dance Ticket Sale Days

                                                              $30.00/couple, $5.00 each additional child

                                                              No Early Sales, No Extensions, No Exceptions

                                                              CASH Sales only (no apps)

Tuesday - Friday, Feb. 18 - 21 - Black History Spirit Week  $2.00/day or $5.00/week

    -Tuesday, Feb. 18      - Black Love Day         Wear Red or Black

    -Wednesday, Feb. 19 - Inspired By Day        Dress like a famous Black Icon who inspires you

    -Thursday, Feb. 20    - Fast Forward Day      Dress to impress or Dress as your future self

    -Friday, Feb. 21          -Pan African Day         Wear Red, Green and/or Black or your favorite HBCU, Fraternity or Sorority colors

Tuesday Feb. 25 -  K-2 Black History Wax Museum 1:30 - 2:30

Wednesday, Feb. 26 -   3-5 Black History Wax Museum 1:30-2:30

Thursday, Feb. 27 -  6-8 Black History Wax Museum 1:30-2:30

Friday, February 28 - February Birthday Classroom Celebration (2:00-2:30pm), Daddy Daughter Dance (Informal)  5:00 - 7:00 pm

As always, please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, comments, concerns, or just want to see how your child is doing during the school day/week. I am here for all of you, as well! Also, as always, thank you for your continued support from home. It makes all the difference in the classroom. Have a great Sunday and Monday!

-Ms. Winter

Weekly Newsletter 2/10/25 - Week 21

Happy Sunday, parents and guardians! I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend. We're back at it with another short week ahead of us. Monday is a late start and we have no school on Friday for Mid-Winter break. Here is our newsletter for the week beginning Monday, February 10th, 2025 (week 21 of instruction):

Late-Start on Monday: Tomorrow is a late start. Doors open at 9:55 am for students. School begins at 10 am. There is no breakfast and no latch-key before school. Please be sure to have arrangements in place.

No School Friday: Mid-Winter break is Friday, February 14th-Monday, February 17th. As such, there is no school this Friday and next Monday.

Tutoring: Tutoring will be held this week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:30-4:30 pm. Please be advised that pick-up is at 4:30 pm sharp. Please be on-time for dismissal. Thank you!

Curriculum: This week, students will have a spelling test, comp quiz, and grammar quiz on Monday. This will be on week 20 material. Thursday, students will have their week 21 comp and grammar quiz. In math, students will continue to work on multiplying whole numbers by fractions with a quiz on Wednesday. We will review for the quiz on Tuesday. In science, students will have a quiz on Earth's rotation on Monday. Next, students will explore objects in our sky and learn about constellations! For social studies, students will continue to investigate why the colonists wanted to succeed from Britain and decided to write the Declaration of Independence. Students will also continue to discover information about our state of Michigan and makes us unique. All week 20 quizzes must be completed by Tuesday, so please be sure your child is present!

Homework Packets: Homework packets will go home on Thursday, February 13th. They will be due the following Friday, February 21st. There will be a spelling list included for the spelling test on Thursday, February 20th. 

BHM Project: Students should be working on their BHM Projects at home. I allow time in class, occasionally, for students to use the internet to look-up information about their writer/poet. However, students need to be working on their time-lines and poster-boards at home! These need to be completed, along with their script, and brought in on Monday, February 24th. We will practice our speeches and I will grade their presentations on this date. This is an important grade and I want all students to do well. Please ensure they are working on this project at home. Thank you for your support.

Daddy-Daughter Dance Ticket Sales: Daddy-Daughter Dance tickets go on sale this Wednesday-Thursday ONLY. The dance is informal. Tickets are $30 a couple and $5 for each additional child. Light snacks and refreshments will be served. The dance is on February 28th.

Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences: We are approaching student-parent-teacher conferences. I will post a link for the sign-ups. Please sign up for a slot that both you and your student can attend. If you need to schedule a phone conference, please be sure to include a good number to contact you at in your sign-up slot. I look forward to meeting with you all, again! 

Free Dress for Count Day: Wednesday, February 12th is count day! It is very important that ALL students are in attendance on this day. There will be FREE DRESS on Wednesday, for ALL students who attend. Please be sure your child is present. Again, free dress is at no charge on Wednesday.

Important Dates (Mark Your Calendar): 

Monday, February 10 - LATE START DAY - 10:00 am (school begins) Staff must report at 8:00 am for a Data PD.  NO MORNING LATCH KEY AVAILABLE; Doors open for students at 9:55 am.  No Breakfast provided.

Tuesday, February 11 - Wheeler and Rogers out for Dean Day

Wednesday - Thursday, Feb. 12-13 - Daddy-Daughter Dance Ticket Sale Days

                                                              $30.00/couple, $5.00 each additional child

                                                              No Early Sales, No Extensions, No Exceptions

                                                              CASH Sales only (no apps)

Wednesday, February 12 - COUNT DAY; Free Dress Day; Schofield Out; Executive Principal Visit ( Gr. 3-5 Classroom Observations)

Thursday, February 13 - Westfield Dancers Black History Program Grades 6-8; PROGRESS REPORT DAY

Friday - Monday, Feb. 14-17 - Mid-Winter Break

Tuesday - Friday, Feb. 18 - 21 - Black History Spirit Week  $2.00/day or $5.00/week

    -Tuesday, Feb. 18      - Black Love Day         Wear Red or Black

    -Wednesday, Feb. 19 - Inspired By Day        Dress like a famous Black Icon who inspires you

    -Thursday, Feb. 20    - Fast Forward Day      Dress to impress or Dress as your future self

    -Friday, Feb. 21          -Pan African Day         Wear Red, Green and/or Black or your favorite HBCU, Fraternity or Sorority colors

Tuesday Feb. 25 -  K-2 Black History Wax Museum 1:30 - 2:30

Wednesday, Feb. 26 -   3-5 Black History Wax Museum 1:30-2:30

Thursday, Feb. 27 -  6-8 Black History Wax Museum 1:30-2:30

Friday, February 28 - February Birthday Classroom Celebration (2:00-2:30pm), Daddy Daughter Dance (Informal)  5:00 - 7:00 pm

As always, please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, comments, concerns, or just want to see how your child is doing during the school day/week. I am here for all of you, as well! Also, as always, thank you for your continued support from home. It makes all the difference in the classroom. Have a great Sunday!

-Ms. Winter

Weekly Newsletter 2/3/25 - Week 20

Happy Sunday, parents and guardians. We have A LOT going on this month, so PLEASE be sure to carefully and thoroughly read this newsletter. I will always send out more information and reminders for events as we move closer to each one. Again, for the shortest month, we have a lot happening and I want to make sure you are all aware. Here is our weekly newsletter for the week beginning February 3rd, 2025 (week 20 of instruction):

No School on Friday: There will be no school for students this Friday, as teachers have regional PD. Please be aware.

Tutoring: Tutoring continues this week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Tutoring runs from 3:30-4:30 pm with pick-up occurring promptly at 4:30 pm. Please ensure you have arrangements for your child to be picked up at 4:30 pm.

Late Start Next Monday (2/10): Next Monday, February 10th, will be a late start for students. Class begins at 10:00 am. Doors will open at 9:35 am. There will be NO LATCHKEY Monday morning, February 10th. Please see School Connect for more details.

$2 Dress Down: Thursday, February 6th will be a $2 Theme Dress Down. The theme is Lions Gear. If your child would like to dress down in Lions gear, please send them in with $2. This is NOT A FREE DRESS. Dress down must be in theme with Lions Gear or students will have to call home for a uniform. 

Birthday Shout-Outs!!: Happy February birthday to Olivia Turner (February 11th) and Mame Diallo (February 22nd)! We will celebrate our February birthdays on Friday, February 28th. If you would like to send in any treats for the class to help celebrate our birthdays, please feel free to do so on this date. Happy Birthday Olivia and Mame!

Interims: All interims have been completed and graded. Overall, the class did INCREDIBLE on their interims and I am SO proud of them. Please be sure to check their grades in the NHA Parent Portal.

Homework: Homework packets will resume this week along with spelling words. The spelling list will be included in the homework packet which will be sent home on Monday. The homework will be due next Monday, February 10th. This is when we will have our spelling test, as well.

Grades: Updated grades are available every Monday at 8 am. Please be sure you check your child's grades often. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Black History Month Project: We are excited to present the Black History Month Wax Museum Project for February 2025. The theme this year is "Generations of Greatness Rooted in Resilience”. This program is designed to honor the achievements, resilience, and contributions of African Americans throughout history while fostering creativity, research skills, and cultural awareness among our students. Each grade level has been assigned a unique theme that aligns with age-appropriate topics, allowing students to delve into history, art, leadership, and more.

Wax Museum Dates and Times:

· K-2: Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 1:30-2:30 PM

· 3-5: Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 1:30-2:30 PM

· 6-8: Thursday, February 27, 2025, 1:30-2:30 PM

Each grade level will focus on a specific theme/topic to highlight the achievements, resilience and contributions. Students will “become” their chosen historical figures, presenting their research and creativity to their peers, families, and community members during the Wax Museum Presentation. This will be an engaging and memorable way to celebrate Black History Month! The topic for 5th grade this year is "Poetry and Prose—Celebrating Black Writers". The focus will be honoring African American authors. Students will read a short piece or poem by their chosen author and explain its significance. They may dress as the author and share a recitation. More details and assigned authors will go home on Monday, February 3rd. I have assigned all students an author or poet, so students will not have to scramble to find one. If your child has a specific author or poet of choice that they would prefer to be, please reach out so we can make arrangements. 

Daddy-Daughter Dance: This year, our Daddy-Daughter dance will be informal. Attendees may wear jeans and tennis-shoes. Also, there will not be a full dinner served. We will offer light snacks and refreshments. The dance will be February 28th, from 5-7 pm. Tickets will be on sale for two days only. Tickets are $30 a couple (one daddy and one daughter) and an additional $5 for each additional child. Ticket sales will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, February 12th and 13th. Tickets must be purchased with cash. No apps will be accepted.

Curriculum: This week in ELA, students will learn to use information from graphic features to support the main idea of text. They will also work on correct punctuation of quotations. There will be a comp and grammar quiz on Thursday. Our spelling test will be next Monday,  February 10th. In math, students will finish Unit 4 and begin multiplying whole numbers by fractions. There will be a math test on Tuesday which we will review for on Monday. In science, students will begin to explore the Earth's rotation and discover the impacts of our rotation. There will be a quiz on the Earth's rotation on Thursday. For social studies, students will investigate how the French and Indian War affected British policy toward the colonies and the subsequent colonial dissatisfaction with the new policy. There will not be a quiz in social studies.

Important Dates (Mark Your Calendar):

Monday, February 3 - Moral Focus Assembly 8:15 K-5, 1:30 6-8; Staff Meeting 3:35; 

Tuesday-Thursday, February 4-6 - Tutoring 3:30-4:30

Wednesday, February 5 - Lock Down PM

Thursday, February 6 - Lions Dress Down Day $2.00

Friday, February 7- REGIONAL PD DAY 7:45 am - 2:20 pm;  No School for Students

Monday, February 10 - LATE START DAY - 10:00 am (school begins) Staff must report at 8:00 am for a Data PD.  NO MORNING LATCH KEY AVAILABLE; Doors open for students at 9:55 am.  No Breakfast provided.

Tuesday, February 11 - Wheeler and Rogers out for Dean Day

Wednesday - Thursday, Feb. 12-13 - Daddy-Daughter Dance Ticket Sale Days

                                                              $30.00/couple, $5.00 each additional child

                                                              No Early Sales, No Extensions, No Exceptions

                                                              CASH Sales only (no apps)

Wednesday, February 12 - COUNT DAY; Free Dress Day; Schofield Out; Executive Principal Visit ( Gr. 3-5 Classroom Observations)

Thursday, February 13 - Westfield Dancers Black History Program Grades 6-8; PROGRESS REPORT DAY

Friday - Monday, Feb. 14-17 - Mid-Winter Break

Tuesday - Friday, Feb. 18 - 21 - Black History Spirit Week  $2.00/day or $5.00/week

    -Tuesday, Feb. 18      - Black Love Day         Wear Red or Black

    -Wednesday, Feb. 19 - Inspired By Day        Dress like a famous Black Icon who inspires you

    -Thursday, Feb. 20    - Fast Forward Day      Dress to impress or Dress as your future self

    -Friday, Feb. 21          -Pan African Day         Wear Red, Green and/or Black or your favorite HBCU, Fraternity or Sorority colors

Tuesday Feb. 25 -  K-2 Black History Wax Museum 1:30 - 2:30

Wednesday, Feb. 26 -   3-5 Black History Wax Museum 1:30-2:30

Thursday, Feb. 27 -  6-8 Black History Wax Museum 1:30-2:30

Friday, February 28 - February Birthday Classroom Celebration (2:00-2:30pm), Daddy Daughter Dance (Informal)  5:00 - 7:00 pm

As always, please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, comments, concerns, or just want to see how your child is doing during the school day/week. I am here for all of you, as well! Also, as always, thank you for your continued support from home. It makes all the difference in the classroom. Have a great Sunday!

-Ms. Winter