Reading Logs over Christmas Break

I am not requiring students to complete any reading logs over the holiday break. That of course, does not mean they shouldn't be reading!!! I will collect reading logs tomorrow for this week, those will only be worth 3 points instead of the usual 6 points.

Secret Santa

I have received all but 3 forms for secret santas. If you are one of those 3, please DO NOT forget them tomorrow!

Science Test

We will be having a Science test this Thursday (12-15), over Unit B - Chapter 1. Students received their study guides today, and we will go over them tomorrow!

Secret Santas

Today I am sending home a note about secret santas. This is an activity that will be done with my homeroom only. Students DO NOT have to participate but either way, please fill out the form I have provided and return it to school.

JHGBB

Tomorrow (Dec. 1) will be the last game for B and C team girls. Beginning on Friday, only the girls on the tournament team will be going to practices and suiting up for games. However, I encourage all of the girls to attend all four of next weeks games to support their team.

Count Down

We only have three and a half weeks before winter break begins. During this time it is easy for students to get distracted, so it is important that we keep the students focused on their schoolwork! :)

Hats on Day

Last week, notes were sent home for "Hats on Day"... This day will be Tuesday, November 22. Students may bring $1 and wear a hat of their choice. The purpose is to raise cancer awareness. Students may pay their dollar in advance if they wish!

JHGBB

There is no C game Thursday vs. Valley Falls and no C game Monday vs. Xavier.

Social Studies Test - Lorenz Homeroom

I have told the students, but just to be clear, the social studies test my homeroom will be taking this week is open book!

JHGBB

Calendar Update - I am sending home an updated November/December calendar. Some game times have changed, and I also posted which evenings we will have C team games.

Picture Retakes

Picture retakes are Thursday, November 3.

JHGBB

If you have found an extra pair of black uniform shorts please return them to me. We are missing one pair (size small).

Experiment

Be sure to ask about the experiment done in class today! It was a lot of fun, and the students really enjoyed themselves!

JHGBB - Friday's Practice

Instead of having a morning practice on Friday, we will have practice immeadiately after school. Friday is an early out, so practice will be from 12:30 - 2:30.

JHGBB - Thursday Start Time

Our basketball game will begin at 5:00 not 5:30 on Thursday. Also, there will be no C game played.

Red Ribbon Week

Please refer to the red notes that went home regarding red ribbon week activities. Mrs. Thomas and Ms. Winder has worked very hard to get next week organized!

Science Test

I have tentatively set the next science test date for Monday. This may get pushed back to Tuesday, depending on what is completed on Thursday and Friday.

JHGBB - Monday's game @ Everest

I have on the schedule that Monday's game time is 5:30. It is actually 5:00, and there WILL be a C team game. The order of games is B, C and then A.

JHGBB - Home Game Start Time

On the activity calendar the time of each JHGBB game, is 5:30. The administration has moved this start time up to 5:00, because of so many C team games.

No School

This is just a reminder, that there is no school tomorrow, October 14th.

Conferences

I want to extend a big thank you to the parents we visited with yesterday evening. I hope we were able to answer your questions and give you the information and suggestions you needed. I am looking forward to visiting with the remainder of you this evening!

JHGBB - Schedule Change

We have already had a change in our basketball schedule. The bye that was scheduled for November 21st is now an away game at KSD at 4:30.

P/T Conferences

Notes will be going home today with a scheduled time for your parent-teacher conference. Please be sure to ask your child for it! If the time does not work, please feel free to call the school and reschedule.

Parade

We will be traveling to the west campus on Friday the 7th at 1:45 for the parade. Please refer to the blue note that went home with students this week for details.

Book Fairs

There has been an adjustment in the book fair schedule. The east campus book fair will be October 3 -7 while the west campus book fair will be October 7 - 14 (during P/T conferences).

Another Chance on the Microscope Quiz

For the students who do not feel they performed the best on last weeks microscope quiz, they will have the opportunity to retake the quiz tomorrow (Tuesday).

School Pictures

School pictures are scheduled for tomorrow, September 27. Packets went home on Thursday or Friday.

Microscope Quiz

Students were given a diagram of a microscope last week, when they learned how to use them. On Thursday they will be given that same diagram, and need to fill in all the bold terms.

T-Shirt Orders

The RHS Cheerleaders are selling t-shirts as a fundraiser. There are many shirts to choose from, along with scarves and sweatpants. If you choose to order please send the form and the money back to the school by this Friday (the 16th).

Non-Bus Riders

A note went home concerning student pickup. Students will not be released to anyone but legal parents, unless a note is written with your signature, or you contact the school over the phone.

Welcome back to the 6th Grade at Riverside! The first three days of school flew by. Please let me know if you have any questions. Everything is very new to all of us, and now is the time to ask.

Extra Credit

Where did the year go?! I just wanted to let you know I have extra credit points to put in for both math and science. Some students received a lot of extra credit, so this should help to improve their final grades. I will be putting these in either this afternoon or tomorrow, that way you can look at your students final grades before grade cards come out.

Library Books

Students got notices yesterday, if they still have a library book checked out. These books need to be returned as soon as possible. Many students turned theirs in this morning, but if they are not turned in, students will be expected to pay the school back for the missing book(s).

Final Project

Yesterday, students received their last project for the 6th grade. Many students have already completed this project! Students will be interviewing you about their birth, and presenting their birth story on Monday. We will be have ice cream and celebrate everyone's "birth"-day.

Field Trip

The field trip that was scheduled for Friday will now be on Tuesday. We will leave at 10:30 instead of 11:30, so a sack lunch will still be necessary for tomorrow! Please let me know if you have questions!

Extra Credit

All extra credit will be due tomorrow. I originally told the students it would be due today, but I will extend it one more day!

Science Unit

Next week we will start a unit on Sex Education. A note was sent home yesterday explaining topics that will be covered. In case the note didn't make it home to you, it stated the following:

Dear Parents / Guardians,

The Board of Education requires that programs in human sexuality and AIDS education be provided at both the elementary and secondary level. During the week of May 16^th, the sixth grade class will begin a unit on sex education. Topics we plan to cover include self-esteem and relationships, the reproductive system, fetal development, childbirth and STD’s. We will also review the changes that occur with puberty. Several films will be presented, with discussion to follow. I will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have. If you do not want your child to be involved please contact me. I can be reached at school (989-4425) or by e-mail at alorenz@usd114.org.

                                                            Thank You,

                                                           

                                                           

                                                            Andrea Lorenz  

Field Trip

Please do not forget, a sack lunch is necessary for tomorrow!

Scale Drawings

The scale drawings will be due on Tuesday. Don't forget, if students choose to present their poster they will receive 5 points of extra credit.

Permission Slips

Please be sure that your child gets their field trip permission slip and money turned in by Monday. Only about half of the students have turned theirs in.

Red Cross

There is a collection can in my classroom to donate money to the red cross. The money will be used in the relief efforts for the Alabama Tornadoes.

Pizza Party

The pizza party for students who achieved 'exceeds standards' or above on at least one of the Kansas Assessments, will be tomorrow at 1:00. Students should know who they are, as Mrs. Murphy visited with every student individually about their KCA scores.

Field Day T-Shirts

Tomorrow is the last day to purchase field day t-shirts!

Field Trip - May 13

Permission slips are coming home today for the field trip on May 13. We will be going to the St. Joe Golf Club at 11:30. Students need to return the permission slip along with $4 by Monday, May 9.

Field Day T-Shirts

Order forms went home yesterday for field day t-shirts. This needs to be returned to the school by Wednesday, May 4. You have the option of ordering t-shirts, long sleeve t-shirts, crew-neck sweatshirts or hoodies. I do have extra forms if anyone has lost theirs.

Extra Credit

Students have plenty of chances for extra credit. Yesterday we went over their activity options, and some activities do require the internet.

Science Test

Our test over the Nervous System will be Tuesday (May 3). Students will need to turn in their G.O. and vocabulary before the test.

Have a fabulous spring break! See you on the 26th!

Extra Credit

If your student has received extra credit this quarter, it was not figured into their grade yet. I will be doing this in May, so that they may choose which grade they want it on.

Progress Reports

Progress reports are being sent home with students today.

Spring Break

We do not have school at all next week. We will also have the following Monday off. Our first day of school after the long break will be Tuesday, April 26.

Marble Party

The students have been working for months to earn their spring marble party. This will take place on Friday. They may bring a drink if they wish, but please make sure it has a screw on lid. It is also an option to bring a snack. If students choose to bring something to eat it needs to be for them only, or enough to share with the entire class. This party is a reward for their hard work over the past few months, and it is well deserved!

Math Test

Our chapter 12 math test will be tomorrow.

Career Day - Friday

We have 4 speakers coming on Friday afternoon to talk about their jobs. So please ask your students what they learned! :)

Please support our athletes!

A Wathena High School student is up for athlete of the week. Conner broke the record for the long jump at the Panther Relays last week. Please click on the following link to vote for her.
http://www.newspressnow.com/surveypopup/athlete-of-the-week/27411052/detail.html

Math Test - Monday

We will have a math test on Monday. This will be over, collecting and organizing data. (chapter 11)

Thank You PTO

We use mini whiteboards in our class several times a week. Unfortunately the dry erase markers can get very expensive,  as we use them up very quickly! The PTO was able to purchase markers for us, that will hopefully last through the end of the year. They also were able to purchase other items for other classrooms in our school! We just wanted to take a second to say THANKS!

Assessments are OVER!!

We took our final Kansas Assessment yesterday! I appreciate all the hard work and the positive attitudes that the 6th grade has shown over the last 2 1/2 weeks.

Last Chance for Yearbooks!!!

This years Wathena Elementary Yearbook will be the final Wildcat yearbook to buy! If you have not ordered, but would like to they will be $20 and sold through the month of April. Once their quantities are spoken for, there will not be another chance to buy. If you cannot remember of you ordered one or not, please ask me, as I have the list of who has already placed their order.

Thank You

Thank you to the students who participated in the 3 on 3 tournament this weekend. It sounds like it was successful in raising money for the 8th grade Washington DC trip!

Math Assessments

Please do not forget about math assessments which take place Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 9:30. Students need plenty of rest and a healthy breakfast! :)

Presentations

Students will be giving their group PowerPoint presentations on Monday. (This may spill over to Tuesday.) These were completed in class.

3 on 3 Tournament

They will be taking entries for the 3 on 3 basketball tournament until tomorrow instead of today! Please have a form filled out for each player along with their money tomorrow morning.

Reading assessments are over!!! Students will get several days to relax before math assessments begin on Monday.

Monday and Tuesday

We will be taking the reading assessments Monday and Tuesday morning at 9:30. Please be sure that students get a plenty of sleep the night before and a healthy breakfast!

Kansas Assessments

Tomorrow is the start of the reading assessments for the sixth grade. Please be sure that your child gets plenty of sleep and a healthy breakfast in the morning! They will continue their assessments on Monday and Tuesday of next week.

PowerPoints

Today we are beginning PowerPoints for our next science activity. This is a group project, so everything will be done in class. I will be posting the rubric on my website this week.

Sack Lunch

All students going to Kansas City tomorrow must bring their own sack lunch. They are more than welcome to bring money to buy additional snacks if they'd like. I do warn you that prices at the concession are very high!   

What does the "X" mean?

If you look online at your child's grade and see an "x" for an assignment grade, it just means that your child used a free assignment coupon. They received two for math and two for science. They may only use one each quarter for each subject. (they do have validity dates on them)

Extra Credit

My afternoon class got their books to do the extra credit summary on Thursday. These are due on Wednesday for 15 points!

No Science Test on Wednesday!!!

I have decided to use the students' posters as a test grade for this chapter. So, don't expect to see a study guide this week.

Science Test

Our final science test before the quarter ends will be next Wednesday.

Win for KC

Yesterday permission slips went home, for Tuesday's Win for KC trip. I have already gotten several back, but this is just a reminder that they need to be handed in by Monday.

Lunch Menu Change

Tomorrow  Chicken Quesadillas will be served instead of Ravioli.  

Extra Credit

Last Thursday I gave my morning class the opportunity for 15 points extra credit that they may apply to either math or science. They must read a small book about planets and write a summary. It will be due this Wednesday. My afternoon class will have the same opportunity, but theirs will be due next Wednesday as I do not have enough books for both classes at the same time.

New Due Date

The due date for the science posters will be Friday (March 4). Students will have some time to work on their posters over the next couple of days in class.

Science Poster

We were shooting for March 1st as a due date for weather posters, but I am sure we will push it back at least a day or two. I'll let you know when I decide for sure. (We'll see how this week goes.) The rubric is posted on my website under "my resources". Please note that the students must have a specific example and four resources, at least one of those resources need to be out of a book. Our library has plenty of books, so this should not be a problem. If your child does any research at home, make sure they write down the title, website, author and copyright date (if available) down so they can site their sources.

Thank You

Thank you to all of you that participated in the 6th grade basket. Ours raised $60 for the PTO!

Monday - No School

Just a reminder that there is no school on Monday!

Valentine Party

Our Valentine party will be Monday at 2:00. This will be a combined party with both classes. We will have a movie going in Mrs. Montford's room and games in my room. Students will be able to choose which they would like to participate in.

With all the snow days we do not have time to make boxes at school, so if students want to have one for their cards, they need to make it at home. Students are not obligated to bring cards or boxes. If you would like to send treats with your child, that would be appreciated. Students may also bring a drink for the party, but we do ask that they have a screw on lid to eliminate spills.

Math Test

We are going to shoot for next Wednesday for our test on Probability!

P/T Conference

If you missed your conference with me on Tuesday, please feel free to call and reschedule.

PTO Basket

What we have so far....

Several Puzzles
Games including, Snakes and Ladders, Checkers, Tic-Tac-Toe & Bingo
Card games (Old Maid, Crazy Eights, Go Fish & War)
Sponge Bob Dominoes
Yahtzee
Krazy Sting
Hyper Jump
Cookie Delights
Would you Rather.....? Game

Reminders

Wow! Where did January go? This is just a couple of reminders.....
1) If your child is planning on doing Win for KC, the deadline is tomorrow morning.
2) Because of the snow days we haven't had much time to prepare but the PTO silent auction is this Friday. Therefor, all basket items need to be at school by Thursday. The 6th grade is doing a "Family Fun Night" theme. So far we have nothing for our basket, so we would appreciate any donations!

Snow Creek

Please make sure that your child is equipped for tomorrow. (hat, gloves, etc.) If they only have cloth gloves, be sure to wrap them in duct tape otherwise they will be eaten up by the tow rope. A hot dog, chips and a drink is what they will get for lunch, if they want anything else they will need to bring money. Electronics may be taken but they will need to be left on the bus. I caution you because the bus will not be locked.

Win for KC

If your child is participating in this, everything is due on Tuesday (February 1).

Launch of Magazine Sales

Today students got a booklet and a note explaining the magazine sales. If they fill this out and bring it back tomorrow, they will get 2 prizes. I know it seems like a lot to do it in one evening but they do need to be turned in tomorrow. Students do not have to sell ANYTHING, simply fill out the booklet and your job is done!

PTO Basket

The sixth grade has spoken! They have chosen to collect items for a "Family Fun Night" basket, to auction off at the Basketball game on February 11th. (Baskets need to be ready by the 10th.) The money raised will go to the PTO. If it is possible, we would love it if you could donate items or money for the basket. You may donate anything from movies and games to drinks and snacks. We have had many students say they would like to bring popcorn, this is fine but we don't want to have 35 students bringing popcorn.

We will be sending notes home this week!

I forgot to mention...

If you wanted to meet with both of us 6th grade teachers, you may call Phyllis and set up another time as well as your original time.

Parent Teacher Conferences

You should be receiving your scheduled time for parent teacher conferences this afternoon, as we are sending them home with students today. If the scheduled does not work, please call the office and reschedule a time that works better for you.

Vocabulary Test

With all of these snow days I feel like we are way behind! With that being said and with the assumption that we are done with snow days for the year, (hopefully) we will be having our next science test on Thursday, January 27th. This is the day before we go skiing next week, so hopefully that will help keep the kids focused next week! This will only be over the vocabulary of this chapter. Please help your student remember key words in the definitions rather than verbatim memorization. Have great weekend!

Slideshow

I have spent this snow day working on the website! Students have been asking me since we got back from Christmas break if I had gotten their Geometry Pictures on the website yet! I finally figured it out and I finally get to tell them YES! :) If you go to my website (http://www.usd486.org/webpages/alorenz/index.cfm) and click on "slideshows" one will pop up. You do need a password to look at it, that password is "lorenz". I will try to post some new slideshows soon! Enjoy! :)

MAP Testing

Tomorrow begins our MAP testing for sixth grade! The following are the dates and times:

Wednesday (1/19) - 1:30 Reading
Thursday (1/20) - 1:30 Math
Wednesday (1/26) - 1:30 Language

Snow Creek

Forms and money to go to Snow Creek need to be at school by tomorrow! If you have any questions on this please email or call the school or myself.

Yearbooks

There has been an extension to buy a yearbook at the discounted price of $17 until Monday.

Graphic Organizer

There will not be a G.O. for the chapter we are on in Science.

Yearbook

The final day to order a yearbook at the discounted price of $17 is January 6.