Week of September 22-26

This week should be a lot calmer than last week! Today is the first Kearsarge Math League Meet at Simonds School!

Writing: We will be finishing up our Constitution Essays this week. Students will be looking deeper into their writing, focusing on complete sentences, and proper capitalization and punctuation.

Science: We will be starting experiments on acids and bases, as well as, physical and chemical changes. These activities should be fun!

Social Studies: We are hoping to finish up the writing of the Constitution and begin exploring the three branches of government.

Math: We have completed our first math topic! We are now starting in on adding and subtracting decimals. This week we will focus on rounding and estimating to add and subtract.

Reading: We are continuing to work on non-fiction texts. We are also beginning to have debates about what we are reading. Students are required to pick a side and tell why. Some students will be picking a side they are not truly for, and having to stand up for it.

Spelling: Many students have not been completing their spelling homework. Remember three 100's in a row moves you up to the next level!

Reminders about this week:
Friday we will be having the puberty talk. Boys will go with Mr.Shepherd and Mr.Vozzolo, and girls will be with Mrs.Richardson and Ms. Connor. Please do not hesitate to contact any of us if you have any questions.

Please be sure to pass in your child's vaccination permission slip if you would like to participate in the flu shot here at school.

Open House Tonight!

Don't forget to stop by Open House tonight! 

We will be having sign-ups for Parent-Teacher Conferences and showcasing some of your students' work.

We hope to see you tonight!

Week of September 15-19

A full group photo from the top of Mt. Kearsarge. Thank you to all parents and families that made it out after school on Friday, we had great weather!

A few reminders about this week:

Open House is Wednesday starting at 6:30 P.M. Hope to see you there!
Picture Day is Thursday 9/18. Don't forget to send in the photo packet.

What we are up to:

Science: We are finishing up our Periodic Table of the Elements - you will have to be sure to stop up and see it on Wednesday! We will be having our first science test next week.

Social Studies: We are finishing up the writing on the Constitution and will begin working on the Amendments.

Math: We are finishing up our topic 1 on Place Value and will be having our first Math test around the end of this week.

Writing: Students are working on Constitution Day essays, focusing on Cyber-bulling and about whether or not the First Amendment should be changed to help do something about Cyber-bulling.

Reading: Students continue to do independent reading, and will be adding to their reading blogs, as well as logging what they read. Please help your child keep a log of books they are reading at home so they can add it to their log. We will be doing logs and blogs each Friday, if your student misses that day, and you have internet easily accessible to you, please have your child update their blog and log over the weekend.

We are looking forward to another busy and successful learning week! We hope to see you all Wednesday at Open House! 

Simonds Climbs Kearsarge!

A view from the top! We had a great turn out this year!

All the fifth grade climbers! 

Letter Home

Below is a copy of the letter we sent home today with your student. Please be sure to read it over, and let us know if you have any questions.

SIMONDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

14 CHURCH STREET

WARNER, NH 03278

456-2241

Judith Pellettieri Jen Richardson

Principal School Nurse

September 10th, 2014

Dear Parents,

We are about to begin a very important segment of the health curriculum.  Mr. Vozzolo (PE teacher), Miss Connor, Mr. Shepherd, and I will begin team teaching in the month of September.  This will cover the physical, social, and emotional changes your child will be, or already is, experiencing.  It is children’s nature to have many questions about their growing body during puberty. They are curious about the changes that are occurring.   It is important for your child to have an accurate source of information so that he/she does not have to rely on friends to answer their questions.

Boys and girls in the 5th grade will have separate classes. Miss Connor and I will cover topics such as menstruation, feminine protection, female puberty, and personal hygiene.   For the 5th grade boys, Mr. Shepherd and Mr. Vozzolo will discuss male puberty and personal hygiene.

Parents can play an important role in helping children prepare for the changes and growth, which occur during puberty.  The program we teach at school provides your child with basic facts and reassurances about his/her growth and development.  We will also encourage your child to turn to you for further information and guidance.

This is the link to the video we will be showing: http://www.pgschoolprograms.com/programs.php?pid=1  

Please let us know if you have any concerns.

Sincerely,

Jen Richardson, RN

Simonds School Nurse

Week Of 9/8 to 9/12

Simonds Climbs Kearsarge is this FRIDAY! We hope to see you all hiking the mountain with us! 

Our first full week of the year is here!
Science: This week students will be picking three elements from the periodic table to become experts on. We will then be creating our own Periodic Table of the Elements for display in the hallway.

Social Studies: Students will continue to delve deeper into the Articles of Confederation and The Constitution.

Math: We are still working on place value up to the thousandths, and will begin to look at comparing and ordering decimals. We know that math is a stressful subject for students, and are trying to help ease the tension. If your student is having a lot of difficulty on the homework, please just send us an email or a note about it. We will work through the trouble problems together. Homework is not meant to be an overly stressful time!

Reading: Students continue to work on making connections to reading, as well as, looking at important text features of Non-Fiction text.

Writing: Students will be digging deep into their writing, and working on adding details, and grabber starting sentences.

Spelling: Students had their first spelling test today! If your student gets three 100's in a row, they move up to the next spelling group. They also have to get higher than a 70 to remain in the spelling group they are in. Students' were given a preliminary spelling test to find where they should be.

Week of 9/2-9/5

This week in fifth grade:
Science: Students will begin exploring aspects of the Periodic Table of the Elements.
Social Studies: Students are continuing to explore the Constitution.
Writing: Students are beginning their personal narrative writing, and learning about the writing process.
Math: We are talking about place value, and number relationships.
Reading: Students are continuing to work on comprehension strategies.

Be sure to send in any Scholastic Orders and money by Friday! Or order online, there are many more choices there!