- What can I read for my Reading Log homework?
- When is homework due?
- What's an SRB? Can I Use it Online?
- What's the best way to contact Mr. Nakamura?
- What is Boot Camp?
- What if my child is physically unable to participate in Boot Camp?
- What are NEAs?
- What are No Excuse Words?
- What's a Writing Excursion?
- When are Literature Circle Assignments due?
- What is Personal Best Day?
- Should my child take an instrument?
- When are Reading Logs due?
- Are there any upcoming Field Trips?
- I'd like to donate to the classroom. What could the class use?
- Can I have copies of the student pictures displayed in the classroom?
- Can I order Scholastic Book Orders Online??
- How do I contact Mr. Ehling, the music teacher?
- How can I contact Mrs. Gray?
What can I read for my Reading Log homework?
Try to read CHAPTER books at your reading level. This should be the majority
of your reading time. However, you may spend about 20 minutes per week of your
reading time with a newspaper, comic
book, magazine, or reading to your parents or younger siblings.
When is homework due?
Homework is generally due the next day. Nightly math and spelling homework are
due the next day. Literature Circle assignments are due the day of the next
meeting (usually every Tuesday and Thursday). Reading Logs are due on
Fridays.
What's an SRB? Can I Use it Online?
The SRB is the Student Reference Book we use for the math program at Cipriani. The book is intended as a resource for both students and parents to help with
homework and review, especially for tests. Student Reference textbooks will be kept in class this year but an online version is available for use at home.
Go to: http://em-ccss.everydaymathonline.com/g_login.html
Students will need their username and password provided by their teacher. Please contact Mr. Nakamura if you have lost your username and password.
What's the best way to contact Mr. Nakamura?
One of the best ways to talk to him is to stop by the classroom before or
after school. However, email tends to be the most
efficient method for questions and/or concerns. Mr.Nakamura's email is
snakamura@brssd.org You can also call the classroom phone but it will
automatically transfer to voicemail during classroom hours. Mr. Nakamura's
phone/voicemail number is
650-637-4840 x1210 If there's an emergency, please contact the school office
at 650-637-4840.
What is Boot Camp?
Twice a week for about 30 minutes a day, the fourth and fifth graders
participate in an exercise program we call "Boot Camp". We begin by doing
various stretching exercises followed by running. This year, Boot Camp will be
every Tuesday and Thursday.
What if my child is physically unable to participate in Boot Camp?
If your child has a physical injury or illness, please write a note with the
date(s) to the teacher to excuse him or her from participating in the physical
aspects of Boot Camp. Students that can't participate in Boot Camp will not
participate in
physically strenuous activities during P.E. games and recess.
What are NEAs?
NEA stands for No
Excuses Accepted. On
the back of Writing
Excursion homework
as well as in class
writing assignments,
there is a list of
the NEAs. These
are basic writing
requirements that
should always be
followed when
turning in
a final draft. There
is a poster on the
classroom wall to
remind students of
these basic
requirements.
What are No Excuse Words?
No Excuse Words are
pretty much what the
name implies: very
basic words that
should never be
misspelled on final
work that's turned
in. If a "No
Excuse
Word" is
discovered on a
final assignment, it
will be returned to
the student
without a grade
until the assignment
is corrected and
turned back in.
What's a Writing Excursion?
A Writing Excursion
is writing homework
usually assigned on
a Monday and due
the following
Friday. Students
write to a prompt
and turn in any
planning
sheets and rough
drafts with the
final draft. Their
work is graded on
the
final draft. Writing
Excursions may be
hand written or
typed.
When are Literature Circle Assignments due?
Most weeks, we meet
for Literature
Circles twice a week
- every Tuesday and
Thursday so the
Literature Circle
assignments are due
on those two days.
On
occasion, due to
scheduling
conflicts, we may
meet on different
days. Changes to the
regular schedule
will be written in
the Student Planner
as well as on the
board in class.
What is Personal Best Day?
Once a month, the
students in 4th and
5th grade are tested
in their ability to
do push-ups, sit-ups
and run/walk a mile.
The aim is to help
students improve
their own physical
strength and
endurance - not to
encourage
competition with
each other. In fact,
students are
forbidden from
asking or telling
each
other's scores (a
"don't ask,
don't tell"
policy).
Should my child take an instrument?
This is something
that you and your
child need to
discuss carefully.
Instrument lessons
are a pull-out
program, meaning he
or she will miss
class
time once a week for
a 30 minute lesson.
It is expected that
every student
that misses part of
class to make up any
missed work. If your
child is
responsible,
dedicated,
independent, and
hard-working, he or
she should not
have a problem
keeping up. Also,
Mr. Bruce and Mrs.
MacAllister expect
each
instrumental student
to practice at home
for at least 20
minutes a day. Just
going to the 30
minute lesson once a
week will not be
nearly sufficient to
improve.
When are Reading Logs due?
The Reading Log Summary is assigned on Monday and due on Friday.
Are there any upcoming Field Trips?
Planned field trips - exact dates to be determined
Filoli - House and Garden Tour
San Mateo History Museum - focus on immigration in November
Mission Santa Clara in January
Sanchez Adobe Historical Site in Pacifica
If you'd like to volunteer for a field trip, please contact Mr. Nakamura.
I'd like to donate to the classroom. What could the class use?
Small Ziplock bags
preferably with the
Easy Zipper
Large Ziplock bags
preferably with the
Easy Zipper
Hand sanitizer
Tissue (ie
Kleenex)
White copy paper
White drawing
paper
Paper Towels
Black Dry Erase
markers
Can I have copies of the student pictures displayed in the classroom?
Yes, all the pictures taken are available for free download (at full resolution) at the photo website:
http://teachernakamura.smugmug.com/school
For security and privacy reasons, the photos cannot be seen by the public so please email Mr. Nakamura for the
password. Passwords will only be given out to known parent email
addresses.
Can I order Scholastic Book Orders Online??
Yes, you can order the monthly Scholastic Book Orders online.
*Note - I've set up online ordering for the September order. I'm not 100% sure
it works yet as the set up process with Scholastic was changed and very
complicated! Please let me know if you have any issues.
Online Ordering Information
Web address: scholastic.com/bookclubs
Class Activation Code: GRPLK
Dear Parent,
Now it's easier than ever to find the right books for your child — and help us
earn FREE books for our classroom library at the same time!
With new online ordering from Scholastic Book Clubs, you can choose from a
much wider selection of books than in the printed flyer. Plus, you can send
your orders directly to me online and use your credit card.
Best of all, our class earns a FREE book every time a parent places their
order online.
It's so simple! Here's how it works:
* SIGN UP at www.Scholastic.com/bookclubs. On the parent page, click the
"Don't have a User Name and Password?" link, then register for your own
username and password. When prompted, enter the one-time Class Activation Code
shown above. This code ensures that your order is sent to me.
* SELECT the books you'd like to order from over 500 titles available
online...and take advantage of online-only specials and discounts.
* SEND your order to me online by the due date. Books will be delivered
directly to our classroom, as always.
Of course, you can still order using the form from the printed flyer. But why
not experience for yourself how convenient it is to order online?
Ordering online is fast, easy, and secure. Plus our whole class benefits
thanks to the FREE books we'll earn with every parent online order.
Go to www.Scholastic.com/bookclubs now to get started.
Thank you,
How do I contact Mr. Ehling, the music teacher?
Mr. Ehling is on campus on Monday afternoons, Wednesdays, and Friday mornings. Please contact him if you have any questions or concerns.
aehling@brssd.org
Mr. Ehling also has a website: http://mrehlingsmusicclass.shutterfly.com/
How can I contact Mrs. Gray?
email: agray@brssd.org
phone/voicemail: 637-4840 x1203