FYI-----Academic Alerts and Grade Reports will go home tomorrow (May 1st) in the Thursday folder. Your child should receive one of these two reports.
The 5th Grade class picture (all of us) will be taken THIS FRIDAY (May 2nd). If you wish to purchase one, please send in the payment of $12.00 on or before Friday.
WE ARE READY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The CRCT will be administered this week and next. Please note the following testing schedule:
Wednesday, April 23--Reading
Thursday, April 24--Language Arts
Friday, April 25--Math
Monday, April 28--Science
Tuesday, April 29--Social Studies
**Testing will begin promptly at 8:00, and will conclude by 11:00 each day. Please make an extra effort to get to bed early, and arrive at school on time and happy each day!!! Well rested kids do well on tests!!! Also, don't forget to eat a healthy breakfast!! Our school serves breakfast if you don't have time to eat before you leave the house.
The Spring Carnival was a blast!!! Thanks to all who came out to enjoy the evening!! A BIG THANKS to our awesome room-parent, Mrs. Vella for putting together a fabulous "Backyard BBQ" basket!!! I hope you got in to see it at the auction. I appreciate your help and contributions to our basket!!
Everyone loves a pizza party!!!!
Our class won a Ci Ci's Pizza party for having the largest number of student participants at Authors' Night!!! We will enjoy pizza for lunch outside after the CRCT testing concludes!!! I will pass along the exact dates when it is scheduled!!!
What more can I say!???!???
Authors' Night--"Reading Road Trip" Was a huge success!!!! Our "Cowboys of the Chisholm Trail" were the main attraction!!! Let me give a "cowboy yeeee-haaawwww" to our finest for the EXCELLENT job they did on the cowboy journals. You were a HIT!!!!
Another big THANKS to all of the parents who helped by sending in props, food, costumes,... the list goes on and on!!! We also had many parents on hand the day of the event, helping set up and clean up. We could not have done it without you. Thanks to Mrs. Perez for being a "stage coach" (pardon the pun) during dress rehearsal!!! I was very proud to ride the trail with all of you!!!!!!!
WE WENT CAVING!!!!!!!!!!
Today was the BIG 5th grade field trip to Chattanooga,TN. A great time was had by ALL!!!! We explored a cave, and even got a little cozy with a brown bat or two!! We saw incredible limestone formations beneath the surface of the earth. It was amazing to say the least!!! We also visited the Chattanooga Aquarium. What a fabulous place!!! We began with a unique butterfly exhibit, and learned even more about life in salt and fresh water environments. VERY COOL!!! Another BIG THANKS to the parents that traveled with us, and made this a day to remember!!!
"WHAT'S NEXT?" YOU ASK??!!!??
Just tons of important and exciting stuff!!!
Keep an eye on those Thursday Folders!!! The end of the year is packed full of fun stuff!!! You won't want to miss any of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THE ONE YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!!!!!!!!!!!! FIELD TRIP INFORMATION!
We are so excited about our 5th Grade field trip to Chattanooga,TN on April 2nd! It will be a blast! We will visit Raccoon Mountain Caverns for a tour inside a mountain! It is just amazing to see what is hiding beneath the surface of the Earth! Then it is off to the Tennessee Aquarium to explore life under water! If you have not sent in your permission slip and $40.00 payment, please do so by THIS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29TH!!! Thanks for making this trip possible for our Big Shanty 5th Graders! It will be a trip to remember forever!!
YEEEE HAAAAWWWWWWWW!!!!!
Dust off your boots and spurs and get ready for a real cowboy adventure on the Chisholm Trail with Mrs. Hellman's class. We will be telling stories around a real open fire right on the trail at the Big Shanty Author's Night, to be held on Tuesday, April 1st! It will be fun for everyone and we will need your help!! Your cowboy will be filling you in on detailed information very soon. For now, start rounding up cowboy and Native American gear/costumes. You don't need to buy a thing! Just beg, borrow, and get creative with things you already have at home. I'll send home some ideas about gathering what we will need, but some dusty boots and a well-worn cowboy hat are a good start! WITH EVERYONE'S HELP, IT IS SURE TO DRAW A CROWD! INVITE YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS FOR THIS FUN EVENT!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for attending conferences!! It was a pleasure meeting with all of you!! I appreciate your continued support as we head into a very busy time of the school year! I also want to thank the many parents and 
students who purchased books at the book fair for our class library!! The students are really enjoying the new additions! 
Please encourage your child to use the CRCT Practice Testing on line. Hang on to the log-in and student password information sheet handed out at conferences. I have the same information at school so that students can practice as time allows, but I would encourage students to take two or three practice tests each week from home. Parents can take the tests with students, talking them through the use of important testing strategies. These practice test build confidence as well. Please let me know if you have any questions about this great resource!!
LOVE IS IN THE AIR!!!
We will exchange Valentines on Thursday, February 14th at the end of the school day. It will be great fun!!! A class list will be sent home in Thursday Folders. Participation is optional, but it is an "all or none" deal. You may not exclude anyone if you participate. Valentine's Day is a celebration of friendship and should not cause hurt feelings. I will provide bags for you to collect your cards, and we will enjoy light refreshments.
Just around the corner!!
5th grade Atlanta Symphony Orchestra field trip---Tuesday, February 12th. This is part of our Performing Arts program. Look for more information in theThursday folder!
Big Shanty Writing Fair entries are due Friday, February 15th. Participation is required, and it is a great opportunity for our class to show off our writing talent! Check out the school web site for more information on PRIZES!!! I'm looking for some winners from our class, so get those pencils moving!!!!
IMPORTANT DATE!!!!!
The Georgia Writing Assessment will be administered on March 5th. We have been working hard all year preparing for this important test, and will continue to do so! Watch for more detailed information about the test in the weeks to come. I will share important strategies with the students and we will even have some practice sessions in class. Look for a copy of the scoring rubric in your child's writing folder soon!! They will become very familiar with it as we head towards March 5th!
AN IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR PARENTS!
Please keep a very close eye on the papers coming home in the Thursday Folder each week. It includes many important notices about events/dates/deadlines that relate directly to our 5th graders, especially during this VERY busy time of the year! This is our primary home-school communication tool. I really encourage students to go through the folder WITH you instead of tossing it at you as they walk in the door!! The papers are important to them, and to you as parents. Some require a signature, or response of some kind. Please set aside some extra time on Thursday evenings for this. I don't want anyone to miss out on the many fantastic opportunities our school has to offer!
Planning for our BIG 5th grade field trip has begun!! This is always an exciting event for our students!! It is always great fun, but it is not free, so start saving money now!! More details about our destination, date, and cost will be sent home very soon!! Look for it in the Thursday folders!
Welcome Back!!! I hope you had a fabulous Holiday!! I want to extend my thanks to all of you for the gift basket. It included all of my favorite things! The goodies and treats were enjoyed by the entire Hellman family! The Target Gift card allowed me to indulge in some awesome bargain shopping the day after Christmas. The books have already been added to my classroom collection for all to enjoy. And the best gift of all......... the photo album, made by the class!! It was such fun to look through it over the break! I will treasure it! I will also have it outside my classroom during Conference Week for everyone to see!
I also want to thank Mrs. Vella, our fantastic Room Mom for coordinating a GREAT Holiday party!! It was lots of fun!! Thanks to the many parents who contributed to this event!
PLEASE NOTE THIS IMPORTANT CHANGE: Report cards will NOT be sent home Friday, Jan. 11th as originally scheduled. Cobb County schools has directed that report cards will be given out at your scheduled conference during the week of January 22-28. If you are unable to attend a conference, your child's report card will go home on Tuesday, Jan. 29.
I look forward to meeting with all of you at conferences. We will discuss and share many important topics such as preparation for the CRCT, report card grades, social growth, Independent Reading at home and school, and making a smooth transition into middle school.
Our school Writing Fair has started. Please pay close attention to the notice that (will be)was sent home in Thursday Folders. I would like every student to submit an entry. Students my use writing that we have done in school or at home. All entries are due FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH!!!!!
The Big Shanty Author's Night will be held on Tuesday, April 1st. Our class will be hosting a station called "Cowboys of the Chisholm Trail". (You may remember it from last year, if you visited author's night! We are always a main attraction!!) It will be loads of fun, and we will need everyone's participation and lots of help, so mark your calenders now for this exciting event! You won't want to miss it. More information to follow soon!!!
Class Holiday Party--Friday, December 21st. Craft making 12:00-lunch; 1:20-refreshments!!
Holiday Break--Dec. 22-January 7th. Students return January 8th.
Friday, January 11th --report card distribution
Monday, January 21st--School Holiday for students and teachers
Tuesday, January 22nd-Monday January 28th--Conferences and early release for students
It seems impossible, but we are quickly approaching the highly anticipated Holiday Break!! This is a fun and busy time of the year. Let me update you on the "Fun Stuff"!
We are also working hard as we approach the Holidays. We are studying the Industrial Revolution and Immigration in Social Studies. Students are practicing effective persuasive writing techniques, and we continue to develop and practice many important non-fiction reading strategies. We are finishing up whole number and decimal computation and modeling in math. The fun never ends!!! I have included information below that I think will be helpful for you to know as we near the end of the second nine weeks of this school year!
As always, thanks for your continued support!!! Enjoy a wonderful Holiday Season!!!!!
November already???? Where has the time gone?? I have some important updates to share!!
I am proud to have so many students participating in activities and clubs outside of our classroom!!
Our Student Council Representative is Kelly Reidesel. She was also elected Student Council President! She is helping our class participate in the annual canned food drive. Please remember this worthy cause on your next trip to the store. The food collected goes directly to families from our Big Shanty. We hope to fill up our classroom collection boxes!!
CONGRATULATIONS to Caleb Perez for winning in multiple categories for the Reflections Contest, sponsored by the PTA!!! He won FIRST PLACE in video presentation and photography!!! He placed THIRD in the visual arts category!!! He will represent us well at the Tom Mathis level of this awesome competition!! GOOD JOB!!!!!
We have several students working hard to put together the best yearbook ever!! Na Yien, Danielle, Abbie, Hannah, Sarah, Alycia, and Michael W. are doing a great job on this important project!!! DON'T FORGET....Yearbooks are on sale NOW!!! Order yours before the price increase later in the school year!!
Our soon to be "American Idol" superstars are Jameela and Alycia. They are members of our school chorus.
Lucy Clay is a member of our Big Shanty Elementary News (BSEN) team. We enjoy their weekly broadcasts, and especially love seeing one of our very own on the team!
We have excellent representation on the Safety Patrol!! Connor, Ashleigh, and Josh keep the hallways safe both morning and afternoon!! They serve as role models for the student population as well!!!
The first year of Robotics has been quite a success so far!! Na Yien, Caleb, and Nicholas are members of this club. They are currently preparing for their first competition!
Our resident artist is Emily. She participates in the Young Rembrandt class. Her artistic talent is amazing!!
ADDITIONAL REMINDERS AND UPDATES:
Students received their first Reading Log this week. Reading Logs are designed to help students monitor their independent reading at home. They must be signed weekly by a parent to get full credit. I hope your child has shown you a copy of it. It is helpful to discuss and formulate a daily reading plan. The first Log is due Friday, November 2nd. New Reading Logs will be assigned each week, and are always due on Friday. Please let me know if you have any questions!! Remember--WE READ TO SUCCEED!!!!
Please help your child study basic multiplication facts. Memorization is essential for success in math. Everyone needs daily practice to develop and maintain skills.
I hope you all have a fun and safe Halloween!! It is a great time to be a kid, but please remember that costumes and accessories are not permitted at school!! Also, candy should not be eaten at school, even with lunch!!! We want to promote healthy eating habits.
There are two student Holidays coming up---November 5th and 6th. I hope you will take this opportunity do do something fun with your family, or simply rest up for the quickly approaching Holiday Season that is right around the corner!!!!
