Volume 8 Issue 3 August 31, 2010
Invest In ExcellenceÉ
We are into our annual Invest in Excellence Campaign. MMS Spirit Week will be the week of September 20-24. The theme days being considered are ÒTacky Day,Ó ÒNerd Day,Ó ÒPJ Day,Ó and ÒDress Up Day.Ó The super fun week is set up to get families into the SPIRIT to donate to our PTO. Remember 100% of the funds go to our kids! Thanks to those of you that have already turned in your pledge cards: Dallas, Elizabeth, Ryan, Catherine, Noah H., Noah L., Chris, Jack, Rob, Augusto, and Corey.
Class ShirtsÉ
We will re-order class shirts for the new school year for anyone who has outgrown last yearÕs shirts or may just want an extra or two. The order for will be sent home so that you may select shirts you may wish to purchase. Look for that form as soon as we have our paperwork approved. The prices are as follows: burgundy class polo shirt---(youth: $12 each) (adult: $15 each) and class t-shirts (youth or adult)---$7 each.
Field TripsÉ
There are two
trips in September to put on your calendars. The science camp trip is in two
weeks. ItÕs September 15-17. Please return all forms and camp fees as soon as
possible. The deadline for forms and fees is September 10. The parent meeting
is tonight in the cafeteria at 5:30PM.
We will go to the ChildrenÕs Theatre on September 29 to see Bud, Not Buddy. A permission form will be sent home for that trip once our bus approval is back. The cost will be approximately $12.00. Chaperones will also be needed for that endeavor. Check out the NCTÕs website at: http://www.nashvillechildrenstheatre.org/show1.htm
Scholastic Book OrderÉ
Our scholastic book order is due this Friday. To order books, go to: www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. Enter our class code GLW2M. ItÕs that simple!
Weekly ReaderÉ
Mr. P has already ordered this yearÕs Weekly Reader subscription via credit card. The cost per student subscription is $4.00. You may send a cash donation for the subscription to Mr. P. Thanks to those who have already taken care of this subscription. Class Wish ListÉ
Our clickers and TI-Nspire calculators are in need of power. AA batteries are needed for the clickers and AAA batteries are needed for the calculators. We also need items for the general store and sports equipment for recess. If you are able to donate, please send those to school at your earliest convenience. Another way to donate is www.digitalwish.com. The website has our class is registered complete with a wish list. Anyone may donate to the site to purchase electronic equipment for our class. Many of you ask from time to time, Òwhat do we need.Ó HereÕs a site to be able to do just that!
Thanks!
Thanks to the students in class that had all assignments completed and turned in on time over the first two weeks of school. ThereÕs extra Meigs Moolah in it for you at the General Store this Friday! Thanks also goes to the anonymous donors who have helped out with camp scholarships, invest pledges, and classroom supplies. You are appreciated so very much!
Mr. PÕs Student of the WeekÉ
¥August 30 – September 3, 2010
Jaylon Cunningham
Be sure to read about Jaylon on the electronic ÒStudent of WeekÓ board in Mr. ParsonsÕ room and on the web in the password protected area soon.
Next weekÕs student of the week. . . Jack Brandes
Items to Bring. . .
Ÿ Red Tuesday Folder Signature ChartÉ
Ÿ CORRECTED WORKÉ
Dates to RememberÉ
08.31.10 CAMP parent meeting @ 5:30PM in cafeteriaÉ
09.01.10 School Picture DayÉ
09.03.10 GENERAL STORE & BINDER CHECKÉ
09.06.10 NO SCHOOLÉ
09.07.10 Bud Caldwell & Kenny Watson comparison essay final draft DUEÉ
25pts: Secret Word = ¥see the websiteÉ
For Additional News Items & Info Check:
On The WEBSITE ONLY:
EXTRA EXTRA EXTRAÉ
It pays to check the website, tooÉ
This WeekÕs SECRET WORD (August 31):
25pts: Note Home Secret Word = ÒhumanoidÓ
Mr. PÕs SECRET INFORMATION LEAK:
www.flyparsons.org/everybodysomebody.html
TEAM SHIRTSÉ
As always, please watch the website to know which days our class will wear our class shirts in the future! The next date to wear class t-shirts is Thursday, September 2, and maroon class shirts is Friday, September 3.
[GRADESPEED]: Check it OutÉ
UPDATE! Gradespeed.com will update on Wednesday instead of Tuesday this week. The updates will reflect the past week. Late work has been recorded as of August 23. Notice any missing assignments. Please submit them each week with the Tuesday Folder Sheet.
A Special CouponÉ
Print and clip this coupon below for a special REWARD. To get the reward, please obtain a parentÕs signature that states your parent has checked gradespeed.com.
COUPON
StudentÕs Name ______________________________________________________________
ParentÕs Signature ______________________________________________________________
Date: _____________________ Secret Word: _______________________________________
Classroom RemindersÉ
1). Click on the button labeled ÒGRADE 6Ó for links to our
on-line textbooks!
2). Check the HOMEWORK webpage nightly!
3). Link to thte blog at http://www.flyparsons.com/blog
4). Go online to order books at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs Use our class code GLW2M
5). Bring running shoes and water to drink on Fridays for Move and Groove in the gym!
6). Personal Narrative Writing begins September 7.
7). Study geography land/map features - test September 10.
8). AUGUST BOOK: Holes due September 3. Freak the Mighty continues until 9/24.
9). Our class is studying large numbers in a unit called 6,000,000 paper lips!
More About Which to Mark Your CalendarÉ
CAMP parent meeting: 08.31.10
School Picture Day: 09.01.10
SCHOLASTIC BOOK ORDER DUE: 09.03.10
General Store: 09.03.10
BINDER CHECK: 09.03.10
NO SCHOOL: 09.06.10
SCIENCE CAMP: 09.15.10 – 09.17.10
FIELD TRIP to CHILDRENÕS THEATRE: 09.29.10
MMS Sixth Grade HighlightsÉ
Check out a few of the academic opportunities that are in store for Mr. PÕs class in the first nine weeks of 6th grade! Kids should be able to talk about each of these to their parents!
¯ Science Camp – September 15-17
¯ 6,000,000 Paper Clips – study of place value
¯ Ancient Egypt
¯ National History Day
Tech TaskÉ
The tech tasks on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays will now be done solely through the www.meigsmail.org Google Document features. Each student has practiced and taken notes about how to use the very intuitive features. Students should be using his/her MeigsMail account by this point!
[BLOG]: Weekly Words on WednesdayÉ
This school year, Mr. P will blog weekly educational tips, classroom congrats, and maybe a few humorous stories each Wednesday at this new blog address: http://weeklywordsweblog.blogspot.com/
Freak the MightyÉ
We are reading
the Newberry book, Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. The book is one
of Mr. PÕs favorites chronicling the lives of two ÒmisfitsÓ who find they share
lots of similar values! There is a great plot twist to the story. Many
worthwhile themes are found in the selection! Once we have finished our study
of the book, we will do a comparison of the movie adaptation of the book
called, ÒThe Mighty.Ó The movie was made in 1997. Another noteworthy fact
about the book is the fact there is a sequel titled Max, the Mighty.
The August Monthly Book is Holes. Students are to read this Ònew classic,Ó for pleasure, by Friday, September 3.
Personal JournalsÉ
Monday, September 13 is the next date for personal journals to be checked. Entries #11-20 will be checked at that time. Remember, journal entries are modeled by Mr. P and then written during class time each day. Students who need extra time should finish at home that evening. Mr. P expects sixth grade, magnet school quality entries. All entries are to be at least the number of paragraphs assigned by Mr. P. Each entry is to be hand written in the personal journal composition notebook. Typed or lose papers will not be accepted – no exceptions. There will be no late journal grades this year. If a completed journal is not turned in on the Monday when it is due, a zero will be assigned. Please be diligent in staying caught up with complete, quality writing!
TuesdaysÉ
As always, Tuesdays are the day of the week for communication. Parents should receive corrected papers and a ÒMr. PÕs Note HomeÓ in the Red Tuesday Folder. Always look for those documents. If ever there is an exception to that weekly schedule, it will be noted on the website. To confirm that youÕve received everything, the ÒTuesday Signature SheetÓ will also be attached. Always fill this form out and return on Wednesday morning. Tuesday is also a good day to check GradeSpeed. Parents, once youÕve done that, fill in current averages on the Tuesday Signature Sheet. Attach any corrected work or missing assignments to the back of that sheet. Remember, students, making a low grade or a zero should never be acceptable!
https://gradespeed.mnps.orgÉ
Grades are on-line at gradespeed.mnps.org. Parents and students have a password to check each subject in order to view grades. This should be done each Tuesday.
TwitterÉ
Parents have another way of staying connected to our class. Log on to www.twitter.com on your computer or cell phone and follow our class. Mr. P posts daily updates about whatÕs happening at www.twitter.com/meigsmagnet. It is not necessary to sign up a twitter account to view our class tweets.
RRR/DemeritsÉ
Students, please be reminded about the three Rs! You must be respectful, responsible, and resourceful. The administration has reminded you on announcements about the dress code, tardies, and Mr. P is reminding you about listening in class and doing your work. Several students have received demerits lately as a consequence for continually breaking these rules in class. You must try your very best to be organized and responsible. We are approaching the end of fifth grade and your adjustment to middle school should include being on time with all of your work as well as giving 100% during class and with those heretofore mentioned assignments. Thanks! -- Mr. P
Bye ByeÉ