clayton

Newsletter for May 4-11th

Language Arts

We are reading "Julius, a fascinating story about a pig, who is a gift from Maya's grandfather.  Julius arrives at Maya's house with absolutely no manners, so Maya teaches him how to behave.  Students always enjoy reading about Julius.  He also loves Jazz music.

Math

We are continuing to work with non-standard measurement units for length and width.

First Grade Awards Day- May 14th

You will be notified if your child is to receive a good citizenship award or an award for attendance.  The students in First Grade select the Boy and Girl Good Citizen for each class.

Penny Wars Have Started

We are having a contest to collect "Pennies for Cancer" as part of Relay For Life.  Students may bring in pennies to place in our class collection box.  We can also bring other coins to drop in other classes' collections to "subtract their pennies."  For example, if Class A has 30 pennies and we give them a quarter, then they really only have 5 cents because the quarter subtracts from their total.  This is a lot of fun and all the money goes to "Relay For Life".

Class T-Shirts

Please have your child wear their class t-shirt on Field Day, May 8th.  If it rains, we will do Field Day next Wednesday, May 13th.

Updates

Thursday, May 7th from 9:00- 10:30 - Kindergarten Sneak a Peek.

If you or someone you know is a parent of a rising Kindergartner, please be sure to join us for the Kindergarten Sneak a Peek.

The student will get a taste of what his/her new school will be like while parents will be given the opportunity to learn more about Sope Creek and all it has to offer.

Friday, May 8th is Field Day.

The week of May 4th - 8th is "Eat Your Fruits and Veggies Week" at Sope Creek. Students will have an opportunity to track their fruit and vegetable intake and enter the results into a drawing for a special prize. One winner per grade level will be announced on Monday, May 11th. During the week of May 4th - 8th, students should track their fruit and veggie consumption. Tracking forms are available on both the Sope Creek blog and the Sope Creek PTA blog. All forms should be turned into the front office on the morning of Monday, May 11th. Please contact Natalie Rogers,

fluffyjune@yahoo.com or Robin Zeldin, rrzeldin@aol.com with any questions.

The Sope Creek Community Outreach PTA Committee is currently taking applications for the Dr. Karen Looft Memorial Scholarship. Any Walton or Wheeler graduating senior who is also a Sope Creek alumni is eligible to receive this award. Additional details as well as the application are available on the following site: http://sopecreeklibrary.typepad.com/pta_events/2008/03/community-outre.html. The due date is May 15th.

CALENDAR UPDATES!

As the year has progressed, we have had to make some changes to the published PTA Calendar. Please make the following revisions:

Thursday, May 7th: Kindergarten Sneak-a-Peek 9:00- 10:30

Friday, May 8th: Field Day | Rain Date: Wednesday, May 13th

Awards Days:

Thursday, May 14th: 1st & 2nd Grades

Monday, May 18th: 3rd & 4th Grades

Wednesday, May 20th: 5th Grade

Newsletter for April 13 - 24th, 2009

Welcome Back,Comets!

This week we are concentrating on practicing our paper and pencil CRCT Practice Tests.  We are also working on how to sit quietly, follow directions, and how to be ready for the "real" CRCT next week.  We will not have a weekly story this week nor will we be bringing home lots of math papers.  After we finish sections of the CRCT Practice Test, we are reviewing the answers to make sure we understand the skills involved.

Please  make sure your child is not late for school on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday of next week (April 21-23).  Testing begins promptly at 8:00 AM and your child will not be allowed into my classroom.  If your child is late they will be placed in the Media Center (with supervision), and they will have to take a make-up test later with another certified teacher.  Let's all be on time.

Newsletter for March 30 - April 10th

Language Arts

This week we are reading a non-fiction story about "Planets".  We can compare and contrast this story with last week's "Adventures of Snail in School."  Today I introduced our class to the NASA website:  www.nasa.gov and we watched a recent launch of the Kepler space probe.  Students can also access the NASA Kids' Club for fun games and other activities.

Math

We have finished our practice pages for double digit addition and subtraction in Chapter 24.  We will take our Chapter Test tomorrow and begin our study of "Weight, Length and Capacity."

Social Studies and Science

 Our radish and sugar snap peas are doing well in the garden outdoors.  We also planted seeds indoors and transplanted them to peat pots so we can bring these home this week.  In Social Studies we are reading different American Folktales and Tall Tales.  We have read stories about  "Mike Fink" and Johnny Appleseed."  On Friday we will have our indoor Field Trip with our animal friends.

CRCT Testing

We are practicing in class with paper and pencil to gain more experience in the different types of CRCT Test questions.  We have only been doing a few pages a day so we won't feel stressed or overloaded before the actual test in April.  We will have one week after returning from Spring Break before we actually administer the CRCT official test booklet.

Spring Break Countdown

There's much excitement in the air as we prepare for the upcoming Spring Break, April 6-10th.  We are striving to be diligent with helping everyone make good choices for the classroom and school.  Thanks for all of your help!

 

 

Thank You for My Teacher Appreciation Gifts!

Thanks again for the wonderful gifts I received for Teacher Appreciation Week.  The Class Gift Certificate was great and much appreciated.  Also, thank you for the lovely cards, flowers, cookies, gift certificates, lunch and iced tea, school supplies, and your many kind notes. 

Newsletter for February 24 - March 6, 2009

Language Arts

We are finishing our last story, "Jenny's Journey", in our Fourth Reading Book.  Next week we will begin our last First Grade Reading Book, All Smiles.  The first story will be "Dreams" by Ezra Jack Keats.

Math

We will finish "Time and Calendar" including schedules. to practice using our time skills this week.  Our next Chapters will focus on more addition and subtraction skills, including double digit addition.

Social Studies

We are still working on learning about Teddy Roosevelt.  The most important facts for the students to understand are that although President Roosevelt was a hunter, he spared the life of an old bear, so the Teddy Bear was named for him.  Also, he was a Conservationist who made it possible for people throughout the United States to save land for our national parks, and this led to other state and local parks being preserved.

Buddy Class

Our 4th Grade Buddies are working on a special project about the American Revolution and they will be inviting us to be their audience.  Mrs. Clayton donated a Walt Disney, "Johnny Tremain and the Boston Tea Party", she had saved over the years.  This fit in perfectly with the unit the Fourth Graders are studying.

Notes from Administration

On March 3rd, Sope Creek will be celebrating its "Go Green" initiative with a themed program for all grade levels. The kids will enjoy a morning of speakers and hands on activities both in the classroom and around the school. If you are interested in helping to plan activities or volunteering on the day of the program, please contact Monica Anschel, 404-277-2318 or

monica.anschel@pathbuilders.com.

Sope Creek and the PTA are now participating in the Coke Rewards for Schools programs. This is a great opportunity to earn art supplies, nutrition tools and PE equipment just by collecting codes off specially marked Coca-Cola products. Once collected, the codes can be dropped off in the PTA box in the front office, or you can go online to http://www.mycokerewards.com/schools and choose Sope Creek as the recipient of some or all of your points. For additional information visit the PTA blog or contact Pam Buffington, sopecreekrewards@googlegroups,com.

Our carpool line is a "No Idling Zone". As part of our "Going Green" campaign we have launched this "No Idling" zone to protect the health of our students. You received a green informational sheet on this topic last week. Please remember to turn off your car or truck if you are going to be sitting more then 30 seconds in the carpool line. This helps your car, saves gas, and protects lungs.

Newsletter for February 16 - 23, 2009

Picture Day- February 24th- 1:20 PM

Mark your calendars for this special date.  I will be sending home a reminder sheet to you as soon as possible.

Language Arts

This week's story is called, "Lionel in Winter."  Two good friends build a snowmen and have very creative ideas as they build it together.  We will also be writing about building our own snowmen.

Math

We are continuing to study Time and the Calendar in Chapter 20.  We started working with "time on the Hour", which is a review of a Kindergarten skills.  We will then move to "Time on the Half Hour."  These are the only requirements for First Grade CRCT, but we will continue to talk about other time measurements.

Additional School News

Feb 17 – 20:  TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK!.  For more information, please contact your Room Rep or:  Kelli Evertsen { kellievertsen@comcast.net }  Susan Laug { susanlaug@msn.com } Lindsay Rodriguez { fbrodriguez@comcast.net }

COMING SOON:

 

The Six Flag Reading Logs are due Tuesday February 24th.  What a great way to receive a free ticket to Six Flags!  Students need to read 360 minutes and the form needs to be signed by a parent in order to qualify.  The Six Flax reading logs were handed out by the teachers about 5 weeks ago.  If you did not receive one, the children can log their time on a sheet of paper and have parents sign it.  Please return to your teachers.  For more information, please contact Jana Brubacher (brubacher@bellsouth.net)  or go to the PTA Education and Literacy blog:  http://sopecreeklibrary.typepad.com/pta_events/2008/03/education-liter.html

 

 

Honoring Our Heroes  Entry deadline is February24^th 2009

This program is designed to encourage students to discover "real life" heroes.

Our real heroes are grandparents, parents, siblings, doctors, policeman, soldiers, teachers and anyone else that has made a real and positive impact on a student's life.

Entries should be typed or handwritten on one single sheet of 8½ x 11 paper - double-sided is acceptable.

The entry form must be completed and submitted with each essay, along with a picture of the hero, with the student, if possible.  Entry forms are available at: http://www.ecccpta.org/PDFdocs/HoH/HOHEntryForm_2009.pdf

Please label the picture with the student's name.

Entries will be judged on the student's ability to articulate the qualities of the hero and to describe the manner in which the hero has impacted the student's life.

Please contact Tina Buitrago with further questions, tinastephenson@comcast.net

 

On March 3rd, Sope Creek will be celebrating its "Go Green" initiative with a themed program for all grade levels.  The kids will enjoy a morning of speakers and hands on activities both in the classroom and around the school.  If you are interested in helping to plan activities or volunteering on the day of the program, please contact Monica Anschel, 404-277-2318 or monica.anschel@pathbuilders.com.

 

Sope Creek Foundation Fun Run is Saturday, March 14th.  There are still many volunteer opportunities available for both before and the day of the race.  Please contact Tamara Karrh, tdkarrh@bellsouth.net, for more information or if you did not receive a race form this week.

 

Sally Foster gift wrap and accessories are available online, and purchases can still benefit our school.  To place your orders and have them attributed to Sope Creek, please follow this link: 

http://www.fundraising.entertainment.com/esale2.cfm?CI=499998&SI=664321&LI=1

We will not be selling Sally Foster (or wrapping paper of any kind) next year, so now is the time to stock up!  Thank you for your support.

 

Newsletter for February 1-8, 2009

Language Arts

This week's story is called, "Wonderful Worms."  We will read this story and discuss how worms help our environment.  Since we will be planting our First Grade Garden in March, this story is a great beginning for understanding how closely we are connected to nature and our food supply.

Math

We will finish Chapter 9 and take our Chapter Test on Tuesday.  We will also have a worm measurement project later this week with Gummy Worms.

Science

We will discuss light and shadows this week, especially with the prediction of whether General Beauregard Lee, our local groundhog at the Yellow River Game Ranch, will actually see his shadow and predict six more weeks of winter weather.  We have our prediction graph ready to go tomorrow.

School News Updates

Wednesday: Early Release 12:20pm

Thursday Feb 8:  PTA General Meeting 6:45pm Sope Creek Café – please join us to elect the PTA Nominating Committee.  The elected PTA Nominating Committee will be then be seeking candidates for the 2 PTA Executive Board positions which will come available in June – Co-President and Co-Vice President.  If you are want to serve on the PTA Nominating Committee or have questions about their mission, please contact Jonna Miller at Jonna Miller (jonnamiller@bellsouth.net).  The Nominating Committee does need volunteers and it is a one to two hour commitment.  We would appreciate your help!

2nd Grade Chorus Performance 7pm Sope Creek Café

Saturday Feb 7:  WINTER TALENT SHOW 3-5pm in the Sope Creek Café.  Sope Creek has talent!  Come for a fun afternoon of great entertainment.  Invite your family, friends and neighbors!  

Our carpool line is a “No Idling Zone”.  As part of our “Going Green” campaign we have launched this “No Idling” zone to protect the health of our students.  You received a green informational sheet on this topic last week.  Please remember to turn off your car or truck if you are going to be sitting more then 30 seconds in the carpool line.  This helps your car, saves gas, and protects lungs.

 

Newsletter for January 19th, 2009

Language Arts

We enjoyed reading an updated story based on the "Humpty Dumpty" nursery rhyme.  Little Lumpty learns a valuable lesson as his friends and family come to his rescue.  We discussed how important it is to always obey our parents' rules for safety.

Math

We took our Chapter 8 Test today over "Tens and Ones" and we will began our new chapter on Thursday.

Poptops

Student Council is collecting the little tab tops from soft drink cans for the "Ronald McDonald House".  Please place the tabs in a baggie or envelope for transporting to our classroom.

Presidential Inauguration

We watched the ceremony leading up to the President's Inauguration at lunch today, and also after our lunch, so we could see the President being sworn into office.  Since we have been learning about American Heroes such as Harriet Tubman and Dr. M.L. King, Jr., it was a very important for the children to realize the progress our country has made since Dr. King's death.

100th Day Celebration

Thank you for volunteering to send in our items for the 100th Day Celebration on Thursday, January 22nd.  We will rotate through all the First Grade Classes and work on our 100th Day Book during the morning.

Conference Week - January 26-30th

See you next week for your Conference Time!

Newsletter for December 7-14, 2008

Language Arts

This week we will read "Hop, Jump".  This is a wonderful story showing how we can all be the same or different and still have fun together.

Math

We will complete our Chapter Seven Test today and start our Chapter on Solids and Plane Figures tomorrow.

The Polar Express

On Friday we will have a special morning with a special reader for The Polar Express.  Children may wear "sweat clothes or their pajamas" as we pretend we are riding on the Polar Express train.  Please remember this is an option and if the weather is very cold, please make sure your child is dressed with appropriate warm clothing.  Please wear regular school shoes.

The Ducks are Coming, The Ducks are Coming!

THE DUCKS ARE COMING! On Wednesday, December 10th, the Kids Care Club will be selling adorable rubber ducks in the cafeteria before school. Each duck costs $1, and the money raised will benefit foster kids currently living in the Center for Children and Young Adults.

Tuesday, December 9th and Wednesday, December 10th are Sope Creek's annual Love Offering Days. A volunteer will be outside the cafeteria each of these days collecting donations as the kids come in to eat lunch. The money collected will be given to the Sope Creek custodians and the cafeteria workers (15 people total) as a "thank you" for their hard work and dedication.

If you are interested in serving on the nominating committee that will help to select the 2009 - 2010 PTA officers, please contact Jonna Miller, jonnamiller@bellsouth.net.

Newsletter for November 17-30, 2008

Language Arts

This week's story is called, "My Best Friend".  We will discuss friendship and write about our own best friends during the week.  We are also working on a chart to compare our "favorite things" to our best friend's choices.

Math

We are finishing Chapter Six today and we will take our Chapter Test tomorrow.  The next chapter will be over "Graphs and Tables".

Holiday Festival

Publix, located at the corner of Powers Ferry and Delk Road in the Delk Spectrum Shopping Center, (our Partner in Education) is having their Annual Holiday Fest on Tuesday, November 18th, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  This event kicks off the holiday season with staff from Sope Creek serving wonderful bites to eat and hosting/greeting shoppers from 4:00 - 5:30 PM.  Santa Claus will be there, too.  Our very own Sope Creek Chorus will sing at 5:00 PM.  So come on out to eat, drink, shop, and enjoy the festivities.

Holiday Countdown for Thanksgiving

Please remember that school will be closed all of next week so our families can travel to join their loved ones in many different places.  Please have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!