5th Grade Haunted House

Remember the haunted house on the stage at the Monster Mash? Did you know that it's traditionally put on by the 5th graders?

Is anyone interested in working on it? It would be fun to do with a few creative kids. We could get some helpers from the Japanese 5th grade class as well.

The Monster Mash is Saturday night, October 27 from 6pm to about 8:30pm. Set-up for the MM and the haunted house is that Saturday afternoon.

Email me or the Monster Mash chair Sandi Olson sandrahowardolson@yahoo.com and let's scare those kindergarteners!!

Just for Math Geeks?

I received a notice about this document (see the link below) last week from the Washington State PTA Math/Science Advocacy Group. The Washington State Board of Education recently put together a panel of mathematicians and expert math teachers to review Washington State's math standards, and their report was released August 30.

Teachers use curriculum (books, worksheets and other materials) to teach to the "standards" in every subject. "Standards" are what kids are supposed to know in each grade level.

The document is about 50 pages, but it's relatively readable if you're interested in finding out what the panel thinks of Washington State's math standards.

http://www.sbe.wa.gov/documents/WAFinalRecommendationsMath8-30.pdf

For more information about how the report has been received (outside the PTA that is) see these newspaper articles from the State Board of Education website:

http://www.sbe.wa.gov/pressrelease/default.htm

And for more information about math, don't forget that Tuesday, October 23 is Math Curriculum Night at JSIS. I'm not sure the JSIS math teachers would be able to single-handedly fix any problems with the State standards, but I guess it's always worth asking!

Quick Curriculum Night Notes

Curriculum night was very well attended and we had a good visit with all the 5th grade teachers.

Both Brent and Nani prepared handouts, so if you missed last night's meeting, you can probably email either teacher for copies.

Nani mentioned the need for volunteers on several important projects. These include:
1) The annual 5th grade musical play. Sharon R. mentioned wanting to work on that, and she will need lots of help.
2) The graduation committee plans the 5th grade graduation ceremony and party in June. Nani has been very organized about this in the past, so you would be working closely with her.
3) Yearbooks. Barry W. (Seattle Times staff photographer and J-5th parent) expressed interest in doing photo work, along with Tami O. (she doesn't have a 5th grader, but she loves book-binding projects). They will need help organizing all of our JSIS memories.
4) Gardening. The 5th grade maintains the Northwest Native Plant Garden on the north side of JSIS. If you love to garden, this is the job for you! Jennifer V. (a 4th grade parent) is still actively involved in the garden, so you will have help and guidance about what to do. (I believe this involves working with the kids during the school day, but check with Nani.)

Also, Nani announced that the 5th graders will be going to camp on May 5, 6 and 7, 2008 (Monday through Wednesday).

Priscilla and Guiomar (the 2nd grade Spanish IA) will be adminstering a "homework club", Tuesday through Friday mornings from 8:45 to 9:15am in the cafeteria. Check with Brent or Priscilla for more information.

October 23 will be "Math Curriculum Night". Our math specialist Margreet DeLeew and principal Kelly Aramaki will explain all about the new Everyday Math curriculum that evening.

And last but not least, Nani notified us that our kids will have the Districts' Family Life and Sexual Health (FLASH) class this year. If you don't want you child to attend this class, pick up an exemption form from Nani ASAP.

Thanks to everyone who made time for curriculum night!

Curriculum Night Tonight

Curriculum night is tonight at 6:30. We go to Nani's class (402) first, then to Brent/Priscilla's (404) at 7:00. You can visit the "specialists" (music, P.E., computer class) from 7:30 to 8:00.

Kids aren't invited to Curriculum Night. This is mostly because the immersion teachers will speak English all evening, so they don't like the kids to be around. And since they expect probably 200 families to show up, the school doesn't have the resources to provide child care.

Good luck with the sitter, and see you tonight!

And Now We are 30!

Bienvenido to Eliseo, a new student in our classroom. He has been with us for about a week. Joe (my man on the inside) reports that Eliseo speaks both excellent Spanish and excellent English. Say HI if you see him!

JSIS Student Directory -- Please Respond to Be Included

Please remember to turn in your JSIS PTSA Student Directory "intake" form. It came in the 1st day packet. No problem if you've lost the form, just email me (Isabel, n.dambrosia@comcast.net) with the information.

Information that gets published in the Student Directory must be re-submitted by each family every year. So if we don't receive a release from you, we'll probably give you a call. Students and families cannot be included in the Directory without at least a verbal release of the information.

You can submit all, or part of these items: home address (both/all parents/guardians), home phone(s), cell phone(s), work phone(s) and email addresses.

Remember, the JSIS PTSA Student Directory is shared ONLY with JSIS students, their families and JSIS staff.

Advanced Learning Applications Due

JSIS doesn't offer advanced learning classes ("Spectrum" or honors), but many middle schools do. If you think your child may be interested in advanced learning classes next year in 6th grade, then they must apply and be tested this fall.

APP/Spectrum/Advanced Learning application packets are now available. The forms will not be automatically sent home; you must pick one up at the school office. Forms are due back to the office Oct. 8; but don't wait till the last minute, because a teacher form must be submitted along with the parent application.

Hamilton Information Nite

Thinking about next year? Get ready for a Hamilton Information Night ---

Every year for the last three years several Hamilton staff members have made time for an evening presentation to JSIS 5th grade families. The event also typically includes a panel discussion with former JSIS/now Hamilton parents. It's usually scheduled for mid-November.

Planning for the event is starting now, so contact me if you would like to help. Sharon Rodgers reports that there are many great new initiatives at Hamilton this year, including the remodel, which is scheduled to start next fall (Hamilton kids will go to school in the Lincoln building next fall). The remodel will be complete when our kids are in 8th grade.

Isabel -- n.dambrosia@comcast.net

Class Email from Sharon R., Sept. 20

ESPANOL
La informacion en el paquete de miercoles 9/19 (que su hijo/a debe haber traido a casa ayer):
* Carta semenal del director Sr. Aramaki (en espanol): http://www.jsisweb.com/jsis/current_events/carta_de_la_director.pdf
* “Our World” El boletin del centro de padres de la escuela (PTSA) con muchos articulos traducidos al espanol.
* Pronto reciberemos los resultados de los examenes WASL del ano pasado.
* Pongan el nombre de su hijo en TODO que viene a la escuela (loncheras, abrigos, etc.)
* Informacion Personal del Estudiante: Recuerdan corrijirla y enviarla a la escuela, aún se todo está correcto.
* El Centro de Padres de la escuela publica una guia de estudiantes para las familias. Si quieren que algunos o todos los datos de su familia salgan en la guia, envia la informacion a Isabel (mama de Joe) a n.dambrosia@comcast.net. Se puede incluir: Nombre del nino y grado en la escuela / Nombres de los padres / Direccion(es) de los padres o guardianos) / Numeros de telefono de casa de los padres o guardianos / Numeros de telefono de trabajo de los padres o guardianos / Numeros de telefonos moviles / “E-mail” donde contactar los padres/guardianos.
* Recuerden firmar la hoja azul para las tareas de casa (preguntale a su hijo/a!)

ENGLISH
Your student should have brought home a packet yesterday with the following information:
* Principal Aramaki’s weekly letter: http://www.jsisweb.com/jsis/current_events/archive/principals_letter_09-19-07.pdf
* Our World PTSA newsletter http://www.jsisweb.com/jsis/current_events/our_world.pdf
* Individual WASL results will come home soon.
* Write your student’s name on EVERYTHING that comes to school.
* Remember to sign and return to school the district’s information sheet – even if all the information is correct.
* The PTSA publishes a student directory each year. If you want all or some of your family’s information to appear please send the information to Isabel (Joe’s mom) at: n.dambrosia@comcast.net. You can include: Child’s name and grade / Parent/Guardian Names and Address(es) / Home Telephone Number(s) / Work number(s) / Cell Phone Number(s).
* Remember to sign the blue homework sheet (ask your student!)

CALENDARIO / CALENDAR21 de septiembre: Lanzamiento del Huevo @ 9:45 (opcional; para los ninos) / EGG DROP
26 de septiembre: 1:20 Salida del estudiantado / EARLY RELEASE 6:30 (Noche) explicación del currículo / CURRICULUM NIGHT
27 de septiembre: Toma de fotografías / PHOTO DAY
2 de octubre: Reunión del Centro de Padres 7:00 / PTSA MEETING
12 de octubre: No habrá clases. Desarrollo Profesional para los maestros. / NO CLASSES

Class Email from Sharon R., Friday Sept 14

Isabel D’Ambrosia and I have agreed to be the 5th grade room reps. I will be sending out a weekly e-mail (with occasional other e-mails for key reminders). I will try to highlight any requests from the teachers or important upcoming events.
Isabel D’Ambrosia y yo ayudaremos con la comunicación entre todos nosotros – los padres y madres de los alumnos de la clase de 5o grado de Español. Intentaremos recordarles también las fechas importantes.

Arboretum Field Trip / Excursión al jardín botánico: September 19
There is a yellow field trip form that needs to be returned. Chaperones who can drive/carpool are needed.
Hay una hoja amarilla para la excursión que tiene que llenar y devolver. (Fue enviado a casa con los niños). Necesitan adultos para ayudar.

October 8 deadline: Middle School Spectrum or APP programsProgramas Avanzadas en la Escuela Intermedia: Inscribirse antes del 8 de octubre
To be eligible for Spectrum or APP (at Washington Middle School) programs in Middle School, your student must participate in the Advanced Learning testing. Application forms will be available in the school next week but can also be downloaded from the district website. ALO and Honors programs do not require this formal testing process. http://www.seattleschools.org/area/advlearning/index.dxml.
Si piensas que tu hijo/a puede aprovechar de uno de los programas académicos avanzados en la escuela intermedia (Spectrum o APP) debe inscribirle a su hijo/a para los exámenes antes del día 8 de octubre. Las hojas de inscripción estarán dispuestas en la escuela la semana que viene. Para más información (en inglés) puedes ver la página web del Distrito (dirección arriba). Para los programas ALO y “honors” en la escuela intermedia, no hace falta tomar estos exámenes.

Fifth Grade activities / Eventos del Quinto Grado
Camp (beginning of May), Play, Graduation, Class Gift, and Yearbook are just some of the extra activities that 5th grade students are involved in and all of them use extra parent volunteers. Miss Nani will be posting sign-up sheets at Curriculum Night (September 26) but you could start thinking about where you’d like to help.
Siempre tenemos más eventos para marcar el último ano en la escuela primaria. Habrá hojas expuestas en la noche del currículo (26 de septiembre) donde se puede apuntarse para ayudar con: el campamento (los primeros de mayo), la obra de teatro, la ceremonia de graduación, el regalo de la clase a la escuela o el libro de memorias para los estudiantes. Es completamente voluntario pero ¡siempre necesitamos más ayuda!

Class count --

I think I count 29 students in our class now, which is down from 30 earlier last year.

Welcome back to Gabriel D. after his long trip to Puerto Rico during most of last year. And welcome to Madeline, who is a new student this year. I hear that Madeline speaks excellent Spanish!

And adios to Jessica A. and Salem A. Both moved away with their families this summer. We will miss them.

Welcome back to the JSIS Spanish Class of 2008 blog!

Sharon Rodgers (Claire M.’s mom) will be sending periodic emails about important 5th Grade Spanish information and news. I’ll post her emails on this blog, so you can easily refer back to them.

There will be lots of important 5th grade information coming soon. There are many things to think about this year – camp, yearbooks, graduation, and even a 5th grade play!

For more information you may contact Sharon Rodgers at Sharon@ohana.org, or Isabel D’Ambrosia at n.dambrosia@comcast.net.