Weekly Newsletter 4/28/25 - Week 31

🌞 Happy Sunday, Families!

I hope you are all having a restful and enjoyable weekend. Here is our weekly update for the week beginning Monday, April 28th, 2025 (Week 31 of Instruction):

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🚌 Field Trip Reminder:
Field trip permission slips and payments are due by this Friday, May 2nd. Please note that we are unable to accept any forms or money after this date. Thank you for helping us stay organized!

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📝 NWEA Testing: 
This week, students will complete their final round of NWEA testing. To help set them up for success, please make sure they get plenty of rest, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive to school on time. This is our last major test of the year — let’s finish strong together!

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🎂 May Birthday Shout-Outs: 
Happy early birthday to Paityn LeFlore (May 14th)! We will celebrate Paityn’s special day on Friday, May 30th. If you would like to send in treats for the class, feel free to do so on that date.

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📚 Curriculum Highlights: 

• ELA: We will be wrapping up From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler this week.

• Math: Students will continue working on multiplying by powers of ten and multiplying decimals.

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👞 Classroom Supplies Needed: 
As we approach the final stretch of the school year, we’re in need of a few classroom supplies. If you're able to contribute, we would be so grateful! Here are the most needed items (in order of priority):

• Facial Tissue

• Lysol Disinfecting Spray

• Pre-Sharpened #2 Pencils

• Clorox Wipes

Thank you in advance for your generosity—it truly makes a difference!

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🗓️ Important Dates to Remember: 

• May 5–9: Teacher Appreciation Week

• Monday, May 5: Kindergarten and 8th Grade Cap & Gown Pictures

• Monday, May 12: Staff Meeting – End-of-Year Information (3:35 PM)

• Friday, May 16: MSTEP Testing Ends

• Wednesday, May 21: Morning Fire Drill

• Thursday, May 22: 8th Grade Breakfast; 8th Grade Prom (5:00–7:00 PM); 3rd–7th Grade Step Up Day (11:30–1:30)

• Friday–Monday, May 23–26: No School – Memorial Day Weekend

• Monday, June 9: 8th Grade Graduation

• Wednesday, June 10: Kindergarten Step-Up Day

• Tuesday, June 12: Grades 1–7 Field Day

• Friday, June 13: Half Day – Last Day of School & Report Cards Sent Home

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💬 Stay Connected:
As always, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions, concerns, or just want to check in on how your child is doing. I truly appreciate all of your support — it makes a world of difference in our classroom community. I’m looking forward to another wonderful week ahead!

Warmly,
Ms. Winter

Weekly Newsletter 4/21/25 - Week 30

5th Grade Newsletter – Week 30

Week of April 23, 2025

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter break and enjoyed some quality time with your families. We’re excited to jump back into learning tomorrow, Wednesday, April 23, as we begin Week 30 of instruction. Here’s what’s happening in our class during this short but productive week:

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📝 MSTEP Make-Ups
MSTEP make-up testing will take place throughout the week. If your child is scheduled to complete any remaining tests, please help them come to school well-rested, having eaten breakfast, and on time. These assessments are important, and we want every student to feel confident and ready to do their best.

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📚 Curriculum Overview
ELA: We’re continuing our journey through From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Students will focus on identifying character motivation and using correct verb tense in their writing. There will be a comprehension and grammar quiz on Thursday.

Math: This week, we’ll explore exponents and tackle division word problems. We’ll spend time reviewing on Wednesday to prepare for a math quiz on Thursday.

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💵 $2 Dress Down Day – Friday, April 25
Students may participate in a $2 Dress Down Day this Friday. If your child would like to dress down, please send them in with $2. As always, attire should be school-appropriate. Thank you for your continued support of our school events!

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🚌 Field Trip Permission Slips – Due Friday, May 2
A quick reminder that field trip permission slips and payment are due by Friday, May 2. Please be sure to sign and return the forms along with the money as soon as possible. We’re looking forward to a fun and educational outing, and we want to make sure everyone is able to attend!

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🎒 Supplies Needed
As we approach the final stretch of the school year, we’re in need of a few classroom supplies. If you're able to contribute, we would be so grateful! Here are the most needed items (in order of priority):

1. Facial Tissue

2. Lysol Disinfecting Spray

3. Pre-Sharpened #2 Pencils

4. Clorox Wipes

Thank you in advance for your generosity—it truly makes a difference!

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📆 Important Dates to Remember

• Wednesday, April 23 – Classes Resume; 8th Grade Science MSTEP Make-Ups

• Thursday, April 24 – 8th Grade Social Studies MSTEP Make-Ups

• Friday, April 25 – MSTEP Make-Ups; $2 Dress Down Day; Progress Reports Sent Home;
  Blue Ribbon & NJHS Earth Day Beautification Project; IAT Meeting Day

• Monday, April 28 – Friday, May 2 – MSTEP Testing for Grades 4 & 7;
  NWEA Testing for Grades 5 & 8

• Wednesday, April 23 – Administrative Professionals Day
  Let’s take a moment to recognize and appreciate Ms. Mitchell, Ms. Garrett, and Ms. Hall
  for all they do for our students, families, and school community!

• Friday, May 2 – Field Trip Permission Slips & Payment Due

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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. Looking forward to a great week!

-Ms. Winter

Weekly Newsletter 4/14/25 - Week 29

Happy Sunday, parents and guardians! I want to take a moment to share how incredibly proud I am of our fifth graders! This week, they tackled both the ELA and Math MSTEP tests with such focus, determination, and a positive attitude. Their perseverance and courage truly stood out, and their hard work did not go unnoticed—both our deans and principal commented on how focused and engaged our students were throughout testing.

A big shout-out to you, the parents and guardians, for your support in making this happen. Thank you for ensuring your children were well-rested, fed breakfast, and arrived on time each day. It made a big difference, and we’re so grateful for your partnership. 

Here is our weekly newsletter for the week beginning Monday, April 14th, 2025 (week 29 of instruction):

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✨ No More Tutoring
Just a reminder that after-school tutoring has officially ended for the year. There will be no tutoring sessions this week or moving forward. Thank you for your support throughout the program!

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📝 MSTEP Testing Continues
Our students are doing a fantastic job with testing so far—thank you for helping them come to school prepared and ready to focus! This week’s schedule includes:

• Monday, April 14: 5th Grade Science

• Wednesday, April 16: MSTEP Make-Ups

• Thursday, April 17: 5th Grade Social Studies

Please continue to help your child get a good night’s sleep and arrive on time—it makes a huge difference!

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🌷 Easter Break
In observance of Easter, school will be closed Friday, April 18 through Tuesday, April 22. Classes will resume on Wednesday, April 23. We hope you enjoy this special time with your loved ones.

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📅 Important Dates to Remember

• Monday, April 14

  • MSTEP Testing Continues (see full schedule above)

• Tuesday, April 15

  • 8th Grade PSAT

• Wednesday, April 16

  • MSTEP Make-Up Testing

  • Otis Spunkmeyer Delivery: 1:30–4:00 p.m.
    ➤ All items must be picked up that day—there is no storage available at school.

• Thursday, April 17

  • 5th Grade Social Studies MSTEP

• Friday, April 18 – Tuesday, April 22

  • Easter Break – No School

• Wednesday, April 23

  • Classes Resume

  • 8th Grade Science/Make-Ups

  • Administrative Professionals Day
    ➤ Let’s show our appreciation for Ms. Mitchell, Ms. Garrett, and Ms. Hall for all the ways they support our school community!

• Thursday, April 24

  • 8th Grade Social Studies/Make-Ups

• Friday, April 25

  • MSTEP Make-Up

  • $2.00 Dress Down Day

  • Progress Report Day

  • Blue Ribbon & NJHS Earth Day Beautification Project

• April 28 – May 2

  • 4th & 7th Grade MSTEP Week

  • 5th & 8th Grade NWEA Testing

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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 4/7/25 - Week 28 MSTEP

Happy Sunday, parents and guardians. Here is our weekly newsletter for the week beginning April 7th, 2025 (week 28 of instruction):

MSTEP Begins: Fifth-Grade will sit for the ELA MSTEP on Tuesday and math MSTEP on Thursday. That being said, it is VITAL that students get a good night's rest (please, no all-night gaming), eat a good breakfast in the morning, and are on-time this coming week. Testing begins first thing in the morning, so I want to be sure all students are present and ready to test. As a reminder, Laurus serves free breakfast to ALL students from 7:35-7:55 am.

Tutoring: This is the FINAL week of tutoring. Tutoring will be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, from 3:30-4:30 pm. Pickup is at 4:30 pm sharp.

Curriculum: This week, the majority of our focus will be on MSTEP. We will continue reading From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler in ELA. For math, science, and social studies, we will be reviewing for the upcoming MSTEPs.

Uniforms: We are back to school uniforms this week, as there are no dress down days. Please remember, students are prohibited from wearing crocs. They need to be in closed-toe and closed-heel shoes. If your child is wearing crocs, they will be asked to call home for school appropriate shoes.

Homework: Due to MSTEP, there will be no homework or spelling lists this week.

Supplies: We are in need of the following classroom supplies. If you are able to send any of these items in, it would be greatly appreciated. The items we are in need of are:

-Facial Tissue

-#2 Pre-sharpened pencils

-Clorox wipes

-Lysol disinfecting spray

Thank you in advance for your help and support!

Important Dates (Mark Your Calendar):

Monday, April 7 - MSTEP Testing Begins (Please refer to the schedule passed out on Monday)

• Tuesday, April 8 - 5th Grade ELA MSTEP
• Thursday, April 10 - 5th Grade Math MSTEP
• Monday, April 14 - 5th Grade Science MSTEP
• Tuesday, April 15 - 8th Grade PSAT
• Wednesday, April 16 - MSTEP Make Up
• Thursday, April 17 - 5th Grade Social Studies MSTEP

Monday, April 7 - Committee Meetings 3:35 pm

Thursday, April 10 - Tutoring Ends

Monday, April 7 - Friday, May 16

• Lunch In Classrooms
• Art and Music on a cart - in Classrooms; gym in the Classroom

Friday, April 18-Tuesday, April 22 - Easter Break - NO SCHOOL

Friday, April 25 - $ 2.00 Dress Down; Progress Report Day

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