May 22
Wednesday, the students may bring in a board game for our last 'Wacky Wednesday' as a reward for good behavior. They may also bring in their yearbooks for signatures if they purchased one. It is also time to bring a sack to school to pack up all of their belongings for the end of the year.
May 17
Tomorrow in the library from 7:30-8:30am is the Parent Appreciation Tea. There will be refreshments! All are welcome! It is our small token of appreciation to those who do so much for Spicewood.
May 8
R
emember to pick up your fundraiser today!
May 3
Reminder for field day! We will have field day the first part of the day from 8:00 - 9:45. There will be water activities. The students need to bring a COMPLETE CHANGE OF CLOTHES. It will not be fun to spend the rest of the day in wet undergarments or shoes!
Our lunch will be moved to 10:49 tomorrow. We will probably be eating in the room. Some kids might need an afternoon snack since we are eating so early.
Ms. Williams
May 2
Just a reminder for this afternoon:
Fourth Grade would like to invite you to the classroom on the early release day, May 2, from 12:45-2:00. The purpose is to have an opportunity to look through your child’s work with him/her.
This is not a formal conference, just a time to share!
Ms. Williams
April 30
Dear Parents,
May is almost here! The year seems to be speeding up!
Here is some important information about the fund raiser:
We are scheduled for our fundraiser items to be delivered next Tuesday the 8th. Please send a News Flash to parents letting them know they will need to pick up products that day.
I also need some volunteers to come to the cafeteria to help organize products for pick up. We will start at 9:30. Parents can send me an email to let me know they are available.
Thank you,
Stephanie Gillispie
egillispie@austin.rr.com
512-335-3589 hm.
512-529-4355 cell
I look forward to seeing you Wednesday afternoon.
Ms. Williams
Dear Parents,
We have survived! The STAAR test over and we are ready to move on!
Fourth Grade would like to invite you to the classroom on the early release day, May 2, from 12:45-2:00. The purpose is to have an opportunity to look through your child’s work with him/her.
Additionally, your child will be choosing one piece of writing to read to you as the culminating activity to our earlier PYP Unit, How We Express Ourselves. This was the unit during which the students learned so many writing techniques. It was thought that instead of sharing the best piece written by the end of October, we would set a later date and have many more writing pieces from which to choose.
Your child will be bringing home all his/her work at the end of the year, but sometimes things just get set aside after school is out, and we’d like to offer this time for a visit while the year is still progressing.
May 2nd is also 5th Grades PYP Exhibition Day.
Here is an easy fund raiser for the school:
Pampered Chef Online Fundraiser to Benefit Spicewood PTA
You can help the Spicewood Elementary PTA raise funds by stocking your kitchen with time-saving products. Hetal Desai (hetal258@gmail.com) is organizing an online Pampered Chef Fundraiser from which Spicewood PTA receives 23% of the proceeds. To place an online order please visit thePampered Chef web site. If you are requested to enter a host name, enter "Spicewood" for the first name and "Elementary" for the last name.
The deadline to order is coming up on Saturday, April 28th.Look at the online catalog and Purchase great kitchen items for yourself, and help raise funds for your children at Spicewood.
Guest Special: Free Bamboo Products - view here....
http://bit.ly/INox0N
Ms. Williams
Dear Parents,
This is the week we have been waiting for! Tuesday, we will have the STAAR math test, and Wednesday, we will have the reading STAAR test. I feel we are all prepared and ready to go! Please remember:
There may be no cell phones in backpacks on these days for any reason. Also, parents, we would like to start reading the instructions right after the 7:45 bell. It will help if your child is in the room hanging backpacks, ordering lunch, and getting things ready for the day by 7:40. Those who always get here earlier may still do so. Please make certain that they have a healthy, non-messy snack. We will be eating a later lunch (12:35pm) to accommodate the four hour time limit, so a snack will be very important.
No homework, except to get a good night's rest!
Ms. Williams
Dear Parents,
STAAR: Here are some reminders for tomorrow and the next day! There may be
no cell phones in backpacks on these days for any reason. Also, parents, we would like to start reading the instructions right after the 7:45 bell. It will help if your child is in the room hanging backpacks, ordering lunch, and getting things ready for the day by 7:40. Those who always get here earlier may still do so. Please make certain that they have a healthy, non-messy snack. We will be eating a later lunch (12:35pm) to accommodate the four hour time limit, so a snack will be very important.
Notice:
Start date for Outdoor School Fundraiser has been postponed to Thursday, March 29th.
Students will bring order forms home on Thursday and will still have two weeks to sell products.
Questions: Stephanie Gillispie 335-3589 or egillispie@austin.rr.com
Special Notice from Spicewood Elementary PTA
Attention Panther parents,
There will be a special BRIEF PTA meeting on Friday, 3/23, at 5:20PM, directly before the screening of the documentary, "Race to Nowhere." At the PTA meeting, we will be electing our nominating committee and we need your vote. Please attend the PTA meeting and cast your vote!
After the PTA meeting, stick around for the documentary screening and take part in the open discussion that will follow.
For more information about the PTA meeting, contact Claudine Paccio (cpaccio@austin.rr.com). For more information about the "Race to Nowhere" documentary and to RSVP to the event, contact Tara Muldrow (tfmuldrow@gmail.com).
Dear Parents, March 9, 2012
Please read the following message from Ms. Gillispie. The Outdoor School is a great 5th grade experience! I went a few years ago and saw just how wonderful it was!
I wanted to ask each of you to please send a News Flash reminder of the Parent Fundraising Meeting which will be held Tuesday, March 20th at 6:30 in the library. This is the Tuesday after spring break. This is a quick & informative meeting led by Mrs. Morley to give parents information about Outdoor School and the optional fundraising their child can participate in to help with the cost. If parents have questions, they can call me. Thank you
Stephanie Gillispie
335-3589
I hope everyone has a fabulous Spring Break!
Ms. Williams
Dear Parents, March 7, 2012
Read Across America: On Friday, March 9, fourth grade will participate in Read Across America! The official national celebration day was last Friday, but because we were “camping”, this coming Friday is ourread-in.
Students may wear appropriate pajamas and slippers to school. They will need to have regular shoes for recess and/or PE, however. Students MAY bring a pillow; however, because of head lice concern, I have cautioned (and you should reiterate) that they not touch any pillow but their own. If you would rather your child not even bring a pillow, tell him/her so.
Of course, they should also bring books! We shall set aside one period of time when comics and graphic novels may be read (usually these are to be read at home but not at school or for reading log). It should be a relaxing, fun last day before Spring Break!
March 2, 2012
Dear Parents,
We had a great Camp Write Along. Thanks to all who volunteered to make this a great few days. I see such improvement in everyone's writing. I feel confident as testing time draws nearer.
We had beautiful weather for our class ice cream party. We won the party through the generosity of the students in bringing in 53 coats for the needy.
Remember that we have an early dismissal next Wednesday, March 7th.
Have the kids take a look at my new "Cool Science" link on the homepage.
Have a great weekend.
Ms. Williams
Dear Parents,
On Wednesday, Feb. 29--Friday, March 2,all of the fourth grade will participate in an event called Camp Write Along to help prepare our students for the writing STAAR test. Camp will include camp songs, activities, snacks, and of course, writing! We will start each day with a writing pep rally in the cafeteria and then spend the rest of the day working on our writing skills. To make it special, students may bring in a pillow, blanketORsleeping bag, and ball cap or camp-like hat. They may leave these items here at school each day.
On Friday, parent volunteers are welcome to come from 10:30-lunch (fourth grade lunch begins at 11:50) to listen to and help students revise their writing. If you happen to be available, it would be nice to have four or five volunteers per classroom so each child has an opportunity to be heard by an adult.
Parent volunteers are planning snacks and decorating bulletin boards to help create a camp spirit and get the kids excited about writing. We appreciate all of your support and help in making Camp Write Along a big success!
Sincerely,
The Fourth Grade Teachers
2/27/12
Our Ice Cream Party is this Friday after school at 2:45! Our class earned this party because of our efforts in bringing in coats for the needy. The party will be held at the pavillion next to the track. Please make any necessary arrangements for student pick up after the party.
Ms. Williams
Dear Parents,
First, thanks so much to Mrs. Kaliyur for being our Junior Achievement volunteer! She has guided the students through excellent lessons on how business works. The class looks forward to her lessons.
On Tuesday, February 14, we will have a low-key Valentine Party. The students will be given a white bag this week that they can decorate or not, their choice. Remember, bringing valentines is optional. If your child chooses to bring valentines, please have him/her bring twenty-two so each person receives the same number of valentines. We shall quickly drop these into the bags before the school day starts. Later, we will open the valentines and have a treat provided by the homeroom parents. This is just a small student party, no parents needed on this one! Thanks. By the way, the kids are always so sweet; I enjoy cards immensely, but please know that I have NO will power around chocolate and candy and prefer not having the temptation!
Camp Write Along is February 29, March 1, and March 2 this year. A letter with all the details will be sent home in a couple of weeks. Writing Camp is an intensive, fun event that helps prepare the students for the Fourth Grade Writing Test which will be a two-day test this year.
The Read to Succeed contest is over on February 27th. If the students do the reading and recording, they will receive a free ticket to Six Flags!
Thank you all so much for all the support you give your kids!
Ms. Williams
Also, exciting news!!!
Dear Spicewood Families, Teachers and Staff,
I have been apart of the Spicewood Family for over eight years. During that time Spicewood has always answered the call for help. The Rally for Recess contest was certainly no different. Everyone answered loud and clear!
I am SO excited to say, as of last night it looks likeWe Have Won A Playground!The deadline to submit codes ended at 11pm on 2/8/12. At that time we were still in First Place! Our final confirmation will come at the end of this month.
We had so many volunteers donating codes, stamps, index cards, envelopes and their time. So many of you also helped with filling out cards, stuffing envelopes and entering codes. It was amazing the support that came pouring in!
Many, Many Thanks to ALL of you! You have given so generously with your resources and time. I wish I could thank each of you personally. Know your generosity and time helping were greatly appreciated.
Special Thank You's go out to Anne Marie Cote, Lisa Revelett and Amy Copeland for leading us to Victory! They donated their personal resources, endless hours of their time, ideas and energy. All of which got us to First Place!
I'm so happy for our students and teachers! They made this journey well worth it!
Once again Thank You for your support!
Congratulations Spicewood!
Michele Bassett