Ms. Timoney

Almost May

      May arrives this week. This is it!!!  It's almost impossible to believe there are only four weeks of school left.  CRCT is just about over. Your children have really worked hard and tried their best.  I think they did very well.

A SPECIAL MESSAGE

I wanted to share with you about my future plans since some of you have been asking or have already heard.  I am retiring at the end of this school year.  I feel like the coach going out on a championship season.  I can't think of a better class of children and group of supportive/involved parents to have had in my final year.  I've taught for over thirty years and I know you don't realize just how special you are.  Thank you so much for all you have done this year.  I feel blessed to have shared this year with all of you.

I am not, however, leaving teaching altogether.  I  will be job sharing in 3rd grade next year at Kincaid Elementary School with Mrs. Meisch.  We previously taught together for many years both here and at Garrison Mill.  Since I will only be working half the time, I am really looking forward to spending more time with family and persuing my many other interests.

Here we go into a very busy month...

4/28-29     CRCT / Science, Social Studies

4/30         Art Master

5/2           Open House/ McCleskey 7-8PM

5/6-7        Healthwise(Growth/Development classes)

5/12         Visit McCleskey 9:30-11:15

5/16         Field Day

5/21         Awards & Reception 8:15-10:00

5/22         5th Grade BBQ(students only)

               Laughing Matters

5/23         Last Day of School

               Walk of Honor 2:10

THIS & THAT

    * The last day to check out books is Fri., May 2nd.

    * All books need to be returned by Fri., May 9th.

    * Please return all progress reports ASAP.

    * Lots of permission forms are going home this week.  Please be looking for them.         

    * We had a great 70th birthday celebration for Mrs. Turner, our beloved art teacher.  She did her annual headstand as she does every year on her birthday. Can you do one???  The children decorated a tile for a wall decoration in her honor.  Even Mr. Thompson came back for this special event.

Language Arts

We will finish our outlines and begin our rough drafts for our state reports.  Final writing will begin soon after.

The children have become very involved in their WWII novels.  I'm enjoying the great discussions and thought provoking questions asked in their groups.

Social studies

We begin this week learning about the Cold War time period.  This unit includes the civil rights era and Vietnam War time period.

Science and Health

We continue doing activities about constructive and destructive forces in science.  In health, we will have our growth and development sessions and then do a brief unit about tobacco and alcohol use/abuse.

Math

All math classes have been learning about volume and capacity.  Our last few weeks will be investigating circles and this strange word called "pi".

Already April

     I hope everyone had an enjoyable Spring Break.  I usually go to Florida to visit family, but this year went with friends to the North Carolina mountains.  Getting away from all the traffic and crowds I usually experience was great.  I will be seeing family both in May and June, so they were understanding of my change of plans. 

We have six weeks of school left, so hold onto your hats as we continue through April...

4/19     Great Nicholson Clean Up  9-12

4/21     Volunteer Brunch  8-10

4/22     Tue. at Moe's  5th Grade

4/23     Administrative Professionals Day

4/25     School Spirit Day

CRCT   April 23, 24, 25, 28, & 29;  Make-ups 4/30, 5/1, & 5/2

THIS AND THAT

*     Thanks to all the parents who went with us on our trip to Callaway and Warm Springs.  Your help was greatly appreciated.  The weather wasn't great, but the children were!!!  All the 5th grade teachers agreed that this was definitely the best, most well behaved group we've taken on this full day trip.  Parents, you definitely make a difference, and we are so thankful for you.

*     Art Enrichment Day was wonderful as always.  Your child may have come tap dancing home!  There were so many inspiring artists sharing their talents with us.

*     Progress reports will sent out the week of the 21st.

Language Arts

We continue with informational reading and writing.  Students recently became experts on one of three self-selected topics(hurricanes, glaciers, or earthquakes) and wrote an essay on their chosen topic.  Cause/effect and fact/opinion statements were part of their requirements. 

State report notecards have been turned in and students will be learning how to organize them and produce an outline for their report. They did a great job on their notecards!

The children will be selecting a novel to read that has a WWII theme.  All three choices deal with children's experiences in Europe during the war.

Social Studies

We're finishing our study of World War II as we move from Europe to the Pacific.  We will then be learning about the Cold War time period.

Science

We are just beginning our unit on constructive and destructive forces.  There are many great hands-on activities to help understanding concepts in this unit.

Health

We had some outstanding nutrition projects handed in.  We all enjoyed the sharing time.  Lots of learning took place.  Let's all hope we can continue with healthy eating habits.

Our "Growth and Development" classes will be May 6th and 7th.  You will be receiving more information later this month.