UPDATE FROM MS. POLING

Dear Families,

I wanted to take a quick moment to let you know that my last day with your incredible kids will be tomorrow, Wednesday April 2 rather than Friday the 4th. All is well with baby, but my doctor would like to welcome our new son to the world a bit early! I will be induced on Friday. We will have a small farewell tomorrow afternoon. I am sad to say goodbye to this amazing group of kids. Just this afternoon we were discussing the Bill of Rights, specifically the Freedom of Expression. I was struck with their insightful comments, questions and reflections, so proud of their deep thinking, curiosity and interest in their world. They truly are a unique group and I feel privileged to have been their teacher.

I am so excited for the many highlights of fifth grade that are on the horizon. The Play, visiting the middle school and graduation, just to name a few. Beth Daniel has been eagerly waiting in the wings and is more than prepared for what I know will be a seamless transition.

Thank you all for your partnership this year. I have enjoyed getting to know your families and working collaboratively to support and nourish your children's growth.

I look forward to seeing you all at graduation and possible even the fifth grade play!

With gratitude,

Maia

NOTES:

• Beth will take over the weekly blog posts. Please continue to look check the blog for important updates and information.
• Please email Beth with questions or concerns. Her email is bdaniel@blakeschool.org
• I will check email occasionally if you have an important question for me.

I have reposted the information about how the play works in fifth grade. PLEASE CAREFULLY read over this information!

Play News from Ms. Hector

Ready: Prep week in the classroom

Monday, March 31- Friday, April 4

The week back from spring break is a critical one devoted to introducing the students to classroom work they will do independently and in small groups when they are not called down to play rehearsals. The learning curve is steep, but it leads to a sense of calmness and competence once rehearsals begin. (We'll dip into reading books designed to help students hone their comprehension skills and get ready for ERB’s, review math facts and large-number computation, work our way through math problems designed to get ready for ERB's, read and discuss social studies chapters about the Bill of Rights, and continue work on geography concepts and skills).

Set: Play rehearsal weeks at HC

Monday, April 7-Thursday, April 17

                       

First thing in the morning (starting right at 8:30) students will hand in homework, go over the classroom, drama, and music schedules for the day, and receive new work for that day. It is difficult for students to catch up when they are late or come in right at the bell. Having students to school no later than 8:20 is very helpful. 

Students go to regular specials unless they are called to drama and music. Students go to drama and music throughout the day for rehearsals. The schedule of who is called to rehearsals varies from day to day. 

When students are not in drama rehearsals, music rehearsals, or specials, they are in our fifth grade room working on independent and small group work. Beth Daniel will be evaluating work, working with individuals and small groups, and helping kids remember where to go when!

Students will be keeping all of their class work in a red folder. We'll store binders in cubbies for the duration of the play. A daily assignment sheet will substitute for their usual homework planner notebook. Students will need their red folder and play script each day. We recommend each student have a labeled, hard-sided water bottle.

During these two weeks, homework will consist of work not completed in the classroom, and reading. We will simplify homework as needed if students are out of the classroom most of the day for rehearsals. It’s going to vary a lot from night to night, depending on how much rehearsal time a student has on any given day. They should still be reading for homework. We do classroom work and homework while we are at HC. Once we move to Hopkins, classroom work and homework temporarily ends (with the exception of plenty of reading). 

What You Can Do:

This is a time to check your child’s homework each night. If your child is grumpy about this, then so be it. Make sure they get a good breakfast and enough sleep. Make sure your child has all of their homework and their script each and every day.

Go! Final rehearsal week at BC

Friday, April 18-Friday, April 25

Friday, April 18 will be our first day traveling to the MPAC, located at the Blake Campus in Hopkins. This will be our home away from home until we put on our play. We'll rehearse in the mornings, go to recess and lunch, and rehearse in the afternoons. Students will either be on stage, in the orchestra pit, or reading in the audience seats.

The bus leaves HC each day at 8:40 and returns to HC around 3:20.

We will return to HC earlier on the day of the play, Friday, April 25. (We’ll send more information about that later).

You have the option of dropping your child off at BC in the mornings. Students will wait in the Lower School Office or MPAC lobby, supervised by Ms. Senum. Our bus from HC will pull up around 9:00.  

You have the option of picking up your child at BC at the end of the day. You may do so at 3:00. Students will be waiting in the MPAC lobby with Ms. Senum. They are not allowed to wait in the Middle School. 

Please be crystal clear with your child if you are planning to pick them up from the MPAC at the end of the day. (We will assume you are meeting us at BC if your child is not on the HC bus by 8:40 and no notification is needed). Kids get easily confused and stressed about end-of-day transportation during this week, so just telling them about changes is not enough and "change of plans" e-mails to us during the day may not be read. An e-mail at the start of the day or a hand-written note keeps things clear. Students may not make alternate plans with friends during the day, and parents may not take home other children without your consent (communicated directly to us). When in doubt, students will accompany us back to HC at 3:00. 

Students should bring a book to read (e-reader or standard editions), script, pencil, water bottle, small clip-on book light (if they do not have a backlit e-reader), and a jacket every single day. It is often quite chilly at recess! They should bring everything in a backpack or bag that has a closed top. 

Students do not bring any kind of food or money. E-readers are acceptable but are only to be used for reading (not games). If your child must carry a cellphone, they must be turned off and stored during the day. You can always call the BC office in an emergency. They’ll get a message to us in the MPAC. 

What you can do: be crystal clear about transportation plans with your student and with us. Make sure they have a warm jacket for recess. Make sure they have their script and a book in a backpack/bag. Good breakfast and good sleep helps everyone a lot! Be alert for the day costumes are due. This is a stressor for students who come unprepared. Also, have your plans ready for Play Night and communicate them to your child. They get anxious if they don't know who is coming when. 

Thank you for being partners in this great adventure! The play is a lot of fun and an enormous learning opportunity on so many levels. The fifth grade team is thrilled to be part of it! (Look for us in the pit orchestra!)