Monday, October 10, 2011

Good questions to ask your child....

When is the Dear Parent Spelling Letter due? (Answer: Thursday)

What activity are you participating in for MIM this week? (Answer: Nimble Noodle - If all of my work is turned in on time)

What story did you read today? (Answer: I'm New Here) Tell me about it? How do you pronounce the main character's name? (Answer: Haz- meen)

What math homework do you have for tonight? (Answer: Blue sheet 2.5)

How do you find the perimeter of a rectangle? (Answer: l + l + b + b = Perimeter)

How do you find the area of a rectangle? (Answer: l * b = Area)

How do you find the area of a parallelogram? (Answer: b * h = Area)

How do you find the perimeter? (Answer: l + l + b + b = Perimeter)

How many reading minutes do you need for the month of October? (Answer: 360 minutes minimum)

How many AR points do you need for the month of October? (Answer: 4 points)


Enjoy the sounds of the warm rainfall!

Friday, October 7, 2011

Levy News

In November voters will be asked to answer two questions concerning an operating levy.

If QUESTION 1 is approved, Sauk Rapids-Rice can maintain current class offerings and programming without raising class sizes.

*Tax impact: $4 per month or 14 cents a day for property value of $125,000.

If QUESTION 2 is approved, Sauk Rapids-Rice can update and maintain student technology required for access to curriculum and current software.

*The majority of student technology within Sauk Rapids-Rice is 7-10 years old and will not operate current software, which thus, limits student opportunities.

*Technology allows students immediate access to a wide variety of resources for learning, many of which, are only available online.

*Access to current curriculum and current software is necessary for our students to be successful in school and to prepare them for post-secondary success.

If QUESTION 2 is approved these additional funds will allow the district to:
* Update student technology
* Improve the network infrastucture
* Develop and maintain a 5-year replacement cycle for equipment

*Tax impact: $4 per month or 14 cents a day for property value of $125,000.

QUESTION 2 can pass ONLY IF QUESTION 1 passes.

See [ http://www.isd47.org ]www.isd47.org Operating Levy 2011 and the [ http://www.isd47.org/district-services/school-board-of-education/2011-2/weekly-update-newsletter/ ]Weekly Update for more information.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

The October Reading Contract was Sent Home Today!!!

Reading Contract
for October 2011

I, ______________________________ will read at home everyday and will keep a log of my daily reading minutes in my agenda. My goal is to read ___________________ minutes (minimum 360) for the month of October.

My parent(s) will check my reading minutes and sign my agenda at the end of everyday (recommended), week, or month. I will return my agenda to school daily so my teacher can check it. My reading minutes must be validated and verified, by the end of the contract date, with a parent signature to qualify as a completed contract. Example: On October 31st / 360 minutes written down and initialized by mom/dad/guardian.

I will need to earn ________4__________ Accelerated Reading (AR) points by 9:00 AM on October 31st. For the points to count toward a student’s AR accumulated total, the AR accuracy score on the AR test must be at least ______________% (minimum 60%). Again, students are required to pass all AR tests with a/an ________________% accuracy rate for the test to count toward their first trimester AR goal.

Also, I will complete a minimum of ____________ of the twenty items listed within the grid on the back of this contract. You may choose any twelve items and are certainly encouraged to complete more. Please have someone sign by each completed task.

Students that complete ______________ tasks and earn the necessary AR points with the appropriate accuracy rate will participate in a Fall Festival Goal Party. Students that do not successfully attempt to complete the necessary AR test(s) and activities within the reading grid will be considered to have missing work and will be in breach of this contract. They will use Fall Festival Goal Party time to complete their missing contract items and read.


Finally, I understand that to be eligible for an end of the month Fall Festival Goal Party, I must read, sign, and comply with the terms of this contract.


_______________________________
Student Signature

_______________________________
Parent Signature

______________________________
Teacher Signature


Note: Signed contracts are due back in school on or before October 7th. so Mr. Krupa can make a photocopy of them and give the original back to you.





Students need to complete twelve of the twenty activities. Underlined items are mandatory. Time will be given for most, but not all, of these activities to be researched in class. Therefore, students will want to get started early! Enjoy your discoveries!


Henry Ford introduced the Model T in Oct. of 1908. Access http://www.hfmgv.org/EXHIBITS/HF/ and answer the following questions. What was Henry Ford's dream? What do you think a car will look like in the year 2108? Draw a picture.


In Oct. of 1950, the Peanuts comic was introduced to the world. Access http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peanuts to discover who was the author and illustator. Create your own comic strip based on 2-3 characters. Make it large enough to read and display. PS



SOS was designated as the international distress code in Oct. of 1906. Access http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SOS and write down how SOS became the International Morse Code distress signal and write down the two commonly associated phrases for SOS



The founder of McDonalds was born in Oct. of 1902. Access this web address to list where the first McDonalds was located and the name of the person who was the founder of Mickey D's. http://www.eden.rutgers.edu/~fayl/



Access weather.com and write down the forecast for the next five days. Then Lay Out Clothes (LOC) for the next three days beginning tomorrow. PS_____



In Oct. of 1957, Sputnik I, the first space vehicle was launched. Access the website on our Blog (S1)to list the location of the country where this space vehicle was launched, how long it orbited the earth, and the name of the animal that was aboard.



In Oct. of 1889, Thomas Edison showed the 1st motion picture using a Kinetoscope. Some people may argue that this was one of the most important inventions in history...hmm? Google, 'most important invention ever' and list your #1 choice and explain why.



In Oct. of 1876, the first two-way telephone conversation took place. Access http://bnrg.eecs.berkeley.edu/~randy/Courses/CS39C.S97/telephone/telephone.html to find out who was speaking to whom? If you could call anyone, who would it be and why?



First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt was born in Oct. of 1884.  She was quoted as saying, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”  What do you think she meant by that statement? Write your response with a minimum of 50 words.


Make a list of your next two books that your are going to read. Place your list in your agenda and three ring writing binder. Earn 4 AR points at your accuracy rate. PS____________




In Oct. of 1860, the first aerial photo in the US was taken from a balloon in Boston.  Draw a 'bird's eye view' of your neighborhood.



Dwight David Eisenhower, the 34th President, was born in Oct. of 1890.  If you were asked to redesign the one dollar coin, who would you put on the coin and why?


Access http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween and list what three words the name Halloween is derived from and how it got shortened to Halloween.



Take the Math Addition and Subtraction and the Multiplication Facts Pretests. Then take the 15 question '+' and '-' and 30 question Multiplication Study Island tests. Continue testing until you earn at least 70% PS _____



Take the Antonyms, Synonyms, and Homonyms Pretest. Then take the ten question A and S Study Island test. Continue testing until you earn at least 70% PS _____


International Red Cross was organized in Geneva, Switzerland in Oct. of 1863.  This is an organization that helps people in need.  Make a list of at least three (3) ways that you can help people around you.


Juliette Gordon Low, the woman who started Girl Scouting in the United States, was born in Oct. of 1860.  The Girl Scouts are an organization that helps others.  In 2-3 paragraphs, explain why it’s important that kids get involved with helping others.



Soccer player, Edison Pele, was born in Oct. of 1940.  In order to become such an incredible soccer player, he had to practice. What is something that you would like to become better at ?  Explain what you will need to do in order to improve your skills.


Many baseball fans were surprised when the Oct. World Series game they were watching was interrupted by the 1989 San Francisco Earthquake.  Using the internet, learn two (2) facts about the cause of earthquakes and summarize them in your own words.


Take the Fact and Opinion Pretest. Then take the ten question Fact and Opinion Study Island test. Continue testing until you earn at least 70% PS______






Place your responses in your accordian folder. Have a parent or teacher initialize each square after you complete it. Mr. Krupa wiould once again like to make a copy of your signed contract . Your original will not need to be turned in until its due date.

Just a Clarification / Reminder

The permission slip for the movie, October Sky, was only to be signed if you did not want your child to view this 'PG' movie. If you are okay with your child viewing it, you did not need to sign the form.


Here is a link for a summary of the movie: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0132477/plotsummary

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Science Day -October 7th

As part of our Science Day, we will be viewing the movie 'October Sky'. Hopefully, it will encourage our fourth graders to begin thinking about the Invention Unit and what they may decide to create for their project. 'October Sky' is rated 'PG' so we as a fourth grade staff are sending home a parent letter which would give permission for your child to opt out of viewing this movie. If you do not allow your child to view 'PG' rated movies, please return this form with your signature. If you have no issues with your child viewing this movie with the rest of us, you do not need to return the form.



Happy Inventing!

October 26th - Field Trip to the Paramount to see The Wiz - Cost is $8 and we will need a bag lunch

Permission slips were sent home today.

This Month's School to Home Responsibility Connection is ....

.... to organize an area of the home. Here at school we need to keep our desks and lockers organized so we are quickly able to find the items that we need to be successful. Being organized allows us to feel less stress and frustration in our lives. When we are organized, we are able to enjoy a more relaxed and hectic free environment. I am suggesting that the students organize their closets and keep it organized for the entire month. However, students may choose to organize and maintain another area of the house such as the silverware drawer, the towel cabinet, under the kitchen sink, the refrigerator, the back seat of the car, or anywhere that you and your child agree upon. In their agendas they should label this activity as OTC (Organize the Closet) or some other acronym that they come up with and can remember. Please find a time in the next week that they can begin this project and start marking 'yes' in their agenda, if they are fulling the requirements of keeping it organized. Again, if this 'connection' does not work for you and your child, you may certainly trade it for another activity that represents the idea of becoming and remaining organized. Just let me know what you have decided.

Please enjoy this Life Skill!

Reminders:

The new October Contract will come out on Wednesday.

Picture Day is on Wed.

Ice Cream Social is on Thursday

News from the Office

Dear Parents,

It seems like yesterday that we began our 2011-2012 school year, but this morning as I was sitting in class with some first graders, I noticed some erasers had already been worn down to the metal! Time sure flies when you are working hard.

I wanted to send you a quick note to remind you of two upcoming events sponsored by the Pleasantview PTAC:

1. Thursday, October 6 - Ice Cream Social - 6-8 pm - Gym/Cafeteria: Come join us for ice cream, music, and the ever popular playground as we eat ice cream and socialize with others. It is a fun place to meet your child's friends and their parents.

2 . Tuesday, October 11 - PTAC Meeting - 7-8 pm - Staff Lounge: Join us for the second meeting of the year where we will discuss upcoming events. The superintendent, Dr. Bittman, will also be there to share information about the levy. We will meet in the lounge unless there are too many people (hopefully this is the case) and we need to move to the media center. This would be a good opportunity to get any questions you may have answered.

Thank you so much for your support of our wonderful school. Hope to see you at these events!

Nate Swenson
Principal

Pleasantview Elementary School
1009 Sixth Avenue North
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
nate.swenson@isd47.org
Phone: 320.253.0506
Fax: 320.253.1444

News from the Office

Dear Parents,

It seems like yesterday that we began our 2011-2012 school year, but this morning as I was sitting in class with some first graders, I noticed some erasers had already been worn down to the metal! Time sure flies when you are working hard.

I wanted to send you a quick note to remind you of two upcoming events sponsored by the Pleasantview PTAC:

1. Thursday, October 6 - Ice Cream Social - 6-8 pm - Gym/Cafeteria: Come join us for ice cream, music, and the ever popular playground as we eat ice cream and socialize with others. It is a fun place to meet your child's friends and their parents.

2 . Tuesday, October 11 - PTAC Meeting - 7-8 pm - Staff Lounge: Join us for the second meeting of the year where we will discuss upcoming events. The superintendent, Dr. Bittman, will also be there to share information about the levy. We will meet in the lounge unless there are too many people (hopefully this is the case) and we need to move to the media center. This would be a good opportunity to get any questions you may have answered.

Thank you so much for your support of our wonderful school. Hope to see you at these events!

Nate Swenson
Principal

Pleasantview Elementary School
1009 Sixth Avenue North
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
nate.swenson@isd47.org
Phone: 320.253.0506
Fax: 320.253.1444

Monday, October 3, 2011

Homework for tonight...

Our math lesson was interrupted by a fire drill, Watch Dog visitor, and some students were finishing up the MAP's test, so we have a little more math homework than usual. Please make sure students reread the directions before they begin each practice page. Thank you!

Friday, September 30, 2011

Playdoh Power!!!







Teamwork in Action!!!













Math test results were sent home today... if students get their papers signed by a parent and correct their errors (if they had any errors), they may return the test for five Krupa Bucks!

Also, the ALL About Me Posters were sent home. I enjoyed your pictures! Please put them back in a safe palce!

Lots of concentration and effort being put forth on today's End of the Month Notebook / Agenda Quiz






Way to be organized, Mr. Krupa's Class!!!



Ask your child if they made it to the Reward Event today. If they did not make it, it may have been because they didn't total their RM's or they didn't take a second AR test. If they did make it, they received a certificate of completion! Congratulations!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Good questions to ask your child....

When are school pictures and where is our order form? (Answer: Order forms were sent home today) Pictures are on October 5th.

When is the Ice Cream Social? (Answer: Thursday, October 6th)

Good luck on the spelling test! Hopefully, I'll have the math test scores ready to send home on Friday

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

REMINDER: SEPTEMBER READING CONTRACT IS DUE ON FRIDAY... ALSO, PLEASE ENTER THE NUMBER OF MINUTES YOUR CHILD HAS READ THIS MONTH IN THEIR AGENDA

Don't forget to verify the number of minutes read with your signature....THEN, CONGRATULATE YOUR CHILD ON A JOB WELL DONE!!! THANK YOU!

Good questions to ask your child....

Where was Mr. Krupa today? (Answer: He had a dentist appointment, his daughter had a doctor's appointment, and his wife's car had an auto appointment)

Is your Reading Contract completed? (Answer: It is due on Friday)

See you on Thursday!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Good questions to ask your child....

Who are the two main characters in the book, On My Honor?

What is the dilemma that one of the main characters is having with the other one?

How does he plan to solve this issue?

Does his plan work?

What benefit would he have had by telling the truth and his real feelings?

When is your first math test?

When is your September Open Notebook Quiz? Are your materials (agenda and notebook) organized and accurate?

Book Checkout is on Thursday of this week.