Friday, May 16, 2014

                                                                                                                         May 19, 2014

Dear Parents,

     Last week was an extremely busy week.  Thankfully this week things will slow down allowing the students the last bit of school to complete their projects for the units they are currently wrapping up.  The second graders are working on a Famous Places informational text.  The third graders are completing science experiments and investigations on force and motion.
     Please return the students library books they are due this week.  On Tuesday the students will have Aimsweb testing, their final progress monitoring probe for reading.  On Friday we have our annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast.  Please return your sheet if you plan on attending.  We need to have a final number by Tuesday.  As far as upcoming dates, we do not have school on Monday, May 26th due to Memorial Day and our final day of school is Friday, May 30th, which is a half day.  It's hard to imagine that we are so close.
     If you have any questions do not hesitate to let me know.  Time certainly is flying by, and the students are continuing to work hard.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Carrie Hepburn

Sunday, May 11, 2014

                                                                                                   May 11, 2014

Dear Parents,

     Our week is packed, more days than not have extra activities. On Tuesday the third grade students will attend FHSD Created for Spectra.  In the afternoon all of the students will attend an assembly titled Something Ridiculous.  Then on Wednesday we have book fair buying at 9:45 at the Buy One Get One Free book fair.  Feel free to send money in with your child, or meet us there.  They also have opportunities for after school buying, information was sent home last week.  On Thursday both grades will be attending field trips, second grade will head to the zoo, and third grade will go to Daniel Boone's home.  Finally, on Friday Mrs. Orzel will have a class counseling visit and the third graders have their MAP celebration from 2:00-3:30.  Whew!  Just explaining all of these changes is exhausting.

     The students will continue their research in Earth Science, conducting experiments, reading books and sites, along with creating projects to demonstrate their learning.  In math they will work on skills that will allow them to have a solid foundation for next year.  

Sincerely,
Mrs. Carrie Hepburn




Friday, May 2, 2014

May 5, 2014

Dear Parents,

     I wanted to take a moment to recognize that the students did a super job during MAP testing!  The second grade students have been very responsible during the transition, working independently, and moving through the hallways.  The third graders worked extremely hard on the test and always gave their best effort with a super attitude.  I could not have asked for a better couple of weeks.  The schedule for second grade will be switched one more week, due to the 5th graders taking the science portion of the MAP test.  Then things should return to normal.
     The third grade students have the career fair on Friday from 9:00-11:00.  It's an event they look forward to.  They have the opportunity to hear about various careers and interests.  The third grade students have their FHSD Creates field trip for Spectra coming up.  It will be on May 13th.  They will also go with third grade to Daniel Boone's home on May 15th.  Then the 16th of May they have their MAP celebration!  
     Information about the second grade field trip went home this week.  The students will go to the zoo on May, 15th.  If you haven't sent in the form please do so as soon as possible.  All parents are welcome to attend this field trip, but must provide their own transportation.
     The big buy one, get one free book fair is coming up.  It will take place from May 12th-15th.  Our buying day is the 14th.  Information about times will be sent home very soon.  It's going to be another busy week, but one that is full of learning!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Carrie Hepburn

Sunday, April 27, 2014

                                                                                                                 April 28, 2014

Dear Parents,

     I hope this note finds you well.  Last week was a tad chaotic with the change in schedule and MAP testing, but the students handled it beautifully.  We will continue this week with the schedule change while the third grade students continue to "ROAR" on the MAP test.  Third grade will take the math portion of the MAP on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  When this is complete they will be finished with the MAP test for 2014!  WOO-HOO!  I am proud of their hard work, and the second graders being cooperative with the schedule change, it truly is a team effort in our class!
     If you haven't heard Tommy welcomed a baby brother, Dominic, into his family on Thursday.  His mother and little brother are doing well.  It was an exciting event at home, but also at school!

If you have any questions do not hesitate to let me know.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Carrie Hepburn

Sunday, April 20, 2014

                                                                                                       April 20, 2014
Dear Parents,

     This week the student's schedules will be much different than normal due to MAP testing.  I will do my best to keep things as status quo as possible, and make sure there are opportunities for breaks during the next couple of weeks.  The third graders will be testing Tuesday-Thursday in the morning.  During the first hour of the testing the second graders will be in Mrs. Parker's classroom working on their reading and spelling assignments.  The second hour of testing they will be in their specials (10:15-11:15).  When they return we will pick up where they left off.  The second graders will have recess and lunch at 12:35-1:25, so they will probably choose to have their snack earlier in the morning.  
     The third grade students will be taking the Communication Arts portion of the MAP test this week.  Only one of the days is strictly timed, the other days the students can take as much time as they need to complete the test.  As long as students are making adequate progress on the days that are not strictly timed they have the opportunity to continue working until they are finished.  The following week they will have the Math portion of the test.  On Monday afternoon they will have the MAP kickoff assembly, where they will hear the theme for the year "ROAR on the MAP!"  It's a fun opportunity for the kids to get excited about showcasing their knowledge and make it fun!  At the end of each day the students test they have an extra 20-minute recess.  I have goals set as far as academics, but depending on how the kids are feeling after the testing will determine how many of those goals we achieve, they are flexible over the next two weeks.  
     I am looking forward to a great week, if you have any questions let me know.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Carrie Hepburn

Sunday, April 13, 2014

                                                                                                                                   April 14, 2014

Dear Parents,

            Castlio’s Student Council has extended the spirit days to include this week.  We have almost reached the goal and they hope by extending the spirit days it will allow us to fulfill more wishes.  On Monday it will be Crazy Sock day, Tuesday is Neon Day, Wednesday is Wacky Wednesday and Thursday is Hat Day.  Keep supporting this wonderful event by either making a one time donation or send in the money each day. 
            The second graders have been working very hard on their songs and parts for the musical that takes place this week.  On Tuesday during their specials time they will perform the musical and during this time anyone can attend.  It’s also a great time to video the performance, because most of the people are sitting on the floor verses in chairs and moving around.  Then Tuesday evening they will perform for their families.  To attend the evening performance a ticket is required.  The tickets went home last week. 
            The only change to this week’s schedule is Friday.  We will not have school on Good Friday.  Then next week the new MAP schedule begins where second and fifth grade begin switching for specials/lunch.  The third graders will take the MAP test each morning and the second graders will hang in Mrs. Parker’s class the first hour of the day.  The next few weeks are challenging as the second graders schedule is different and the third graders are mentally tired due to testing, so we will take some time each day to take a break, either outside or inside to encourage all of them through the next few weeks.
            If you have any questions let me know.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Carrie Hepburn

Sunday, April 6, 2014

                                                                                                        April 6, 2014

Dear Parents,

     The students have been learning about the 7 Habits of Happy Kids.  I am hopeful you have heard about the first two habits:  Be Proactive and Keep the End in Mind.  It has been exciting to witness their transformation in class to put the two habits in effect.  This week they will learn about Habit #3, which is put first things first, work then play.  One of the lessons will include The Little Red Hen, a great story about doing the work, then reaping the rewards of a job well done.
     Our week has a couple of important announcements, the second graders will have Spectra on Tuesday, then third will have Spectra on Thursday.  The third grade students will visit the City Museum on Thursday for a Spectra field trip.  We will have counseling this week on Friday with Mrs. Orzel.  Also, the Student Council students are sponsoring a spirit week, each day a $1 donation for participation in the spirit week will be donated to the Children's Make a Wish Foundation.  The spirit days are as follows:  Monday-Cardinal's Day, Tuesday-Hawaiian Day, Wednesday-Twin Day, Thursday-Decade Day, and Friday-Disney Day.
     I am looking forward to a wonderful week of science with the students!  In second grade they are studying life cycles and observing the life cycle of a butterfly.  In third grade the students are studying weather and climates around the world.  They are documenting the weather in St. Charles and will begin documenting the weather of another part of the world. This information will be used to create graphs and charts for them to analyze various climates during the month of April.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Hepburn