Dear Parents and Portal Students,
Where did January go? The lunar new year has arrived, and we’re ready to celebrate the Year of the Ox with all of you who partake in this holiday! We wish all our families a wonderful, happy, and prosperous start to their year. Here at Portal, there are always many ways that our families contribute to the school’s well-being- monetary donations, gifts of needed class supplies, lunch-duty volunteer work, classroom assistance for activities like literature circles, chaperones for field trips, and school organization participation in PSCO, School Site Council, Family Fun Night, etc. President Obama has set the tone for the nation by stressing the importance of community involvement; think about what you are doing locally or here at Portal to be a part of this positive change!
Current Academics:
In language arts, we continue our in-depth reading of Island of the Blue Dolphins. In addition, we are reviewing summary writing this week, and we will venture into the realms of response to literature and persuasive writing in the next two weeks.
Math for 4th graders is currently focused on understanding and using decimals. Chapter 8 in our book contains the basic concepts that we’ll be covering. 5th graders are on to customary and metric units of measurement. Keep your eyes open for their “Bedroom Project.” The kids have their assignment, so ask them to give you the details about this home remodeling dream!
Social studies is preparing our classes well for their upcoming trip to Mission San Juan Batista, one of the most well-preserved California missions available to visit. Class activities are beginning that introduce the chain of missions throughout historic California, the lifestyles of the natives and missionaries, and the cultural changes that took place in this time.
One exciting new item is our Science Fair assignment that all students will be participating in. The assignment provides students with an opportunity to choose an experimental topic from one of our six grade-level science subject areas, and to use the scientific method to properly explore the question they have about their chosen topic. Complete information on this assignment has gone home with our students; their topic is due to us on Thursday! Please note: this is not a contest; it is a terrific way for students to demonstrate a logical approach to science in a creative setting. In class, our investigations of environments suitable for a variety of living organisms continues.
Mega Skill of the Month - Common Sense!
If I’m a kid, and I need to make sure I do all my homework, what should I do first? Hey- it’s common sense...fill out your homework sheet accurately during school time, then check it as soon as you get home to plan your time well. Just a little common sense reminder from your friendly teachers in Rooms 20 & 21 :)
Important Dates to Remember:
Jan 28 PSCO Meeting @6:30pm
Jan 29 Science Fair Topic due
Jan 30 Spirit Day- Career Day
Feb 3 5th grade measurement/integer test
Feb 4 Field Trip - Mission San Juan Bautista
Feb 11 First half of Scientific Fair Write Up due
Feb 11 Social Studies Test: Missions, Pueblos, and Presidios
California Trivia
Q: Disneyland opened in what year?
Good luck!
Mr. Roels & Miss Scourkes
Monday, January 26, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and more!
Dear Parents and Portal Students,
Here are the weekly reminders for next week, being sent to you a little early. We have so many events happening that we thought we’d make sure you had an early heads-up!
Current Academics:
Due to the short week, there will be no spelling.
Please check the dates below for upcoming tests and projects.
One exciting new item is our Science Fair assignment that all students will be participating in. The assignment provides students with an opportunity to choose an experimental topic from one of our six grade-level science subject areas, and to use the scientific method to properly explore the question they have about their chosen topic. Complete information on this assignment will go home next week with our students. This is not a contest; it is a terrific way for students to demonstrate a logical approach to science in a creative setting.
Mega Skill of the Month - Common Sense!
Common sense is the process of thinking before you act. If you see a car coming, you think to yourself, “I better wait for that car to pass before crossing the street.” Common sense means doing something that makes your life work smoothly, safely, and considerately for you and those around you. January is a great month to thoughtfully approach your activities at school and at home!
Important Dates to Remember:
Jan 20 Red, White, and Blue Day - Students show their patriotism by wearing red, white, and blue for the inauguration of our new President!
Jan 20-21 Cicero’s Pizza Nights for 4/5 families (4/5 teachers will be attending on Wednesday at 5:00)
Jan 21 5th Grade Algebra Test
Jan 22 Social Studies Explorer Quiz
Jan 22 School Site Council Meeting 3:00
Jan 23 4th Grade Math Fraction Test
Jan 27 Parent-Principal Exchange @8:15am
Jan 28 PSCO Meeting @6:30pm
Jan 29 Science Fair Topic due
Jan 30 Spirit Day- Career Day
California Trivia
Q: Construction of the 160-room Winchester Mystery House in San Jose began
in 1880 and continued for how many years?
Good luck!
Mr. Roels & Miss Scourkes
Here are the weekly reminders for next week, being sent to you a little early. We have so many events happening that we thought we’d make sure you had an early heads-up!
Current Academics:
Due to the short week, there will be no spelling.
Please check the dates below for upcoming tests and projects.
One exciting new item is our Science Fair assignment that all students will be participating in. The assignment provides students with an opportunity to choose an experimental topic from one of our six grade-level science subject areas, and to use the scientific method to properly explore the question they have about their chosen topic. Complete information on this assignment will go home next week with our students. This is not a contest; it is a terrific way for students to demonstrate a logical approach to science in a creative setting.
Mega Skill of the Month - Common Sense!
Common sense is the process of thinking before you act. If you see a car coming, you think to yourself, “I better wait for that car to pass before crossing the street.” Common sense means doing something that makes your life work smoothly, safely, and considerately for you and those around you. January is a great month to thoughtfully approach your activities at school and at home!
Important Dates to Remember:
Jan 20 Red, White, and Blue Day - Students show their patriotism by wearing red, white, and blue for the inauguration of our new President!
Jan 20-21 Cicero’s Pizza Nights for 4/5 families (4/5 teachers will be attending on Wednesday at 5:00)
Jan 21 5th Grade Algebra Test
Jan 22 Social Studies Explorer Quiz
Jan 22 School Site Council Meeting 3:00
Jan 23 4th Grade Math Fraction Test
Jan 27 Parent-Principal Exchange @8:15am
Jan 28 PSCO Meeting @6:30pm
Jan 29 Science Fair Topic due
Jan 30 Spirit Day- Career Day
California Trivia
Q: Construction of the 160-room Winchester Mystery House in San Jose began
in 1880 and continued for how many years?
Good luck!
Mr. Roels & Miss Scourkes
Monday, January 12, 2009
Jan. 12-16 Happenings...
Dear Parents and Portal Students,
Happy Monday. We hope you had a nice weekend. With this beautiful weather, it sure seems like spring is here. With luck, you’ll have time to enjoy the great outdoors before our chilly winter comes back! Here are the weekly reminders.
Current Academics:
Language Arts
We’ve begun reading Island of the Blue Dolphins in language arts. Students have been responding to what we’ve read as well as taking written descriptions and turning them into visual representations. Students have been learning new vocabulary derived from the text.
Math
4th grade students are focusing on fractions and fractional concepts of equivalency and parts of whole. Later, we will move into addition and subtraction of fractions.
5th grade students are extending their algebra skills and will be solving multiplication and division equations with variables.
Social Studies
We are learning about early California explorers. Students will have a short quiz in two weeks on which they will be asked to identify different explorers and their goals and accomplishments. Students have a note taking sheet that is being filled out with this information as we read.
Science
We’ve begun our second unit, entitled Environments. We’ve created terrariums which contain both living and nonliving environmental factors. We’re spending time observing and recording the changes taking place and we’re reading about various Earth environments in our spare time.
Mega Skill of the Month - Common Sense!
Common sense is the process of thinking before you act. If you see a car coming, you think to yourself, “I better wait for that car to pass before crossing the street.” Common sense means doing something that makes your life work smoothly, safely, and considerately for you and those around you. January is a great month to thoughtfully approach your activities at school and at home!
Class Picture Day was today!
If your child wasn’t able to turn in their envelopes, they may still bring them tomorrow. Be sure to mark which package you’ve chosen.
Important Dates to Remember:
Jan 13 Math Olympiad @12:30pm
Jan 15 GATE Referrals- final day for submission
Jan 17 CEEF Gala- a nonprofit event benefitting Cupertino schools
Jan 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day- NO SCHOOL
Jan 20-21 Cicero’s Pizza Nights for 4/5 families
Jan 27 Parent-Principal Exchange @8:15am
Jan 28 PSCO Meeting @6:30pm
Jan 30 Spirit Day- Career Day
California Trivia
Q: “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was popularized by what singer?
Good luck!
Mr. Roels & Miss Scourkes
Happy Monday. We hope you had a nice weekend. With this beautiful weather, it sure seems like spring is here. With luck, you’ll have time to enjoy the great outdoors before our chilly winter comes back! Here are the weekly reminders.
Current Academics:
Language Arts
We’ve begun reading Island of the Blue Dolphins in language arts. Students have been responding to what we’ve read as well as taking written descriptions and turning them into visual representations. Students have been learning new vocabulary derived from the text.
Math
4th grade students are focusing on fractions and fractional concepts of equivalency and parts of whole. Later, we will move into addition and subtraction of fractions.
5th grade students are extending their algebra skills and will be solving multiplication and division equations with variables.
Social Studies
We are learning about early California explorers. Students will have a short quiz in two weeks on which they will be asked to identify different explorers and their goals and accomplishments. Students have a note taking sheet that is being filled out with this information as we read.
Science
We’ve begun our second unit, entitled Environments. We’ve created terrariums which contain both living and nonliving environmental factors. We’re spending time observing and recording the changes taking place and we’re reading about various Earth environments in our spare time.
Mega Skill of the Month - Common Sense!
Common sense is the process of thinking before you act. If you see a car coming, you think to yourself, “I better wait for that car to pass before crossing the street.” Common sense means doing something that makes your life work smoothly, safely, and considerately for you and those around you. January is a great month to thoughtfully approach your activities at school and at home!
Class Picture Day was today!
If your child wasn’t able to turn in their envelopes, they may still bring them tomorrow. Be sure to mark which package you’ve chosen.
Important Dates to Remember:
Jan 13 Math Olympiad @12:30pm
Jan 15 GATE Referrals- final day for submission
Jan 17 CEEF Gala- a nonprofit event benefitting Cupertino schools
Jan 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day- NO SCHOOL
Jan 20-21 Cicero’s Pizza Nights for 4/5 families
Jan 27 Parent-Principal Exchange @8:15am
Jan 28 PSCO Meeting @6:30pm
Jan 30 Spirit Day- Career Day
California Trivia
Q: “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was popularized by what singer?
Good luck!
Mr. Roels & Miss Scourkes
Monday, January 5, 2009
Weekly Reminders 1/5/09...
Dear Parents and Portal Students,
Welcome back to school! It’s 2009, and all of us are ready to begin the second part of our school year with vigor and enthusiasm. Students should make sure they have all the required class supplies in their pencil pockets, binders should be cleaned out of all nonessential, completed paperwork, and 50 sheets of binder paper should restocked. If your student is unsure about what to remove, please ask him/her to check with their teacher to be safe! January is a great time for all of us to concentrate on doing our personal best in all areas- social relationships, academics, and health and exercise. Make a commitment to yourself to be a well-rounded Penguin in 2009!
Mega Skill of the Month - Common Sense!
Common sense is the process of thinking before you act. If you see a car coming, you think to yourself, “I better wait for that car to pass before crossing the street.” Common sense means doing something that makes your life work smoothly, safely, and considerately for you and those around you. January is a great month to thoughtfully approach your activities at school and at home!
Photos and Videos Requested!
Do you have some great photos from our performance of “Geology Rocks”??? How about a super video of the final performance? If you do, we would LOVE to see them! Photos can be sent as an e-mail enclosure or on a CD; video recordings on a mini-DV tape (to be returned to you) or on a DVD can be copied by us. Thanks in advance if you’ve got something for us!
Important Dates to Remember:
Jan 12 Classroom Group Photos- dress appropriately!
Jan 13 Math Olympiad @12:30pm
Jan 15 GATE Referrals- final day for submission
Jan 17 CEEF Gala- a nonprofit event benefitting Cupertino schools
Jan 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day- NO SCHOOL
Jan 20-21 Cicero’s Pizza Nights for 4/5 families
Jan 27 Parent-Principal Exchange @8:15am
Jan 28 PSCO Meeting @6:30pm
Jan 30 Spirit Day- Career Day
California Trivia
Q: Which state produces substantially more gold than second-ranked CA?
Good luck!
Mr. Roels & Miss Scourkes
Welcome back to school! It’s 2009, and all of us are ready to begin the second part of our school year with vigor and enthusiasm. Students should make sure they have all the required class supplies in their pencil pockets, binders should be cleaned out of all nonessential, completed paperwork, and 50 sheets of binder paper should restocked. If your student is unsure about what to remove, please ask him/her to check with their teacher to be safe! January is a great time for all of us to concentrate on doing our personal best in all areas- social relationships, academics, and health and exercise. Make a commitment to yourself to be a well-rounded Penguin in 2009!
Mega Skill of the Month - Common Sense!
Common sense is the process of thinking before you act. If you see a car coming, you think to yourself, “I better wait for that car to pass before crossing the street.” Common sense means doing something that makes your life work smoothly, safely, and considerately for you and those around you. January is a great month to thoughtfully approach your activities at school and at home!
Photos and Videos Requested!
Do you have some great photos from our performance of “Geology Rocks”??? How about a super video of the final performance? If you do, we would LOVE to see them! Photos can be sent as an e-mail enclosure or on a CD; video recordings on a mini-DV tape (to be returned to you) or on a DVD can be copied by us. Thanks in advance if you’ve got something for us!
Important Dates to Remember:
Jan 12 Classroom Group Photos- dress appropriately!
Jan 13 Math Olympiad @12:30pm
Jan 15 GATE Referrals- final day for submission
Jan 17 CEEF Gala- a nonprofit event benefitting Cupertino schools
Jan 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day- NO SCHOOL
Jan 20-21 Cicero’s Pizza Nights for 4/5 families
Jan 27 Parent-Principal Exchange @8:15am
Jan 28 PSCO Meeting @6:30pm
Jan 30 Spirit Day- Career Day
California Trivia
Q: Which state produces substantially more gold than second-ranked CA?
Good luck!
Mr. Roels & Miss Scourkes
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