Welcome back!

I hope you all had a relaxing summer and are ready for the new school year.  Can you believe your kiddos are fifth graders?  One more year at Alta Sierra, then off to middle school.  I hope to make this the best year ever!

Thank you for filling out the yellow card.  I took the liberty of subscribing you to my Edlio page. Once a week I will send home a newsletter.  This will have upcoming dates as well as activities we are working on in class. If you do not wish to receive these notifications, you can go to my webpage an unsubscribe.

Book Fair

The book fair is next week.  A flier was sent home on Thursday with information.  We will be going on Tuesday.  YOu can either send your child with money, or you can set up an eWallet using the QR code on the back of the flier.  

If you are available to help, please sign up.  There is a scan code for the sign up genius, or you can fill in the form that was sent home.  

Back to School Night

Back to school night will be Thursday, August 24.  The fifth grade presentation will be from 7:15-7:35.  This night is for parents only.  I will be going over the curriculum and answering any questions you may have.  I look forward to seeing you all.

Chromebooks

Your student received a chromebook today.  They were asked to charge it over the weekend and bring it back to school on Monday.  There is a contract for you and your student to sign.  Please return the signed contract as soon as possible.  

There is no insurance available so please make sure your student is being responsible with the chromebook.  They will be bringing it to and from school daily.  If you believe this is going to be an issue, please contact me.

We have had a great first week of school.  I am enjoying your students and look forward to getting to know them better.

Have a great weekend!

Upcoming Dates

Back To School Night. August 24

Labor Day September 4

PTC Meeting. September 13

School Pictures. September 18

Jog A Thon. September 22

Parent/Teacher Conferences. October 2- 6 (all minimum days this week)

Fall Break. October 16-20

Happy Friday!

It was so great seeing so many of you last night.  I am looking forward to working with you to make this a great year for your child.

Volunteers

If you are interested in being a classroom volunteer, I would love some help.  If you like planning parties, I have a job for you.  I would love someone to plan our clas parties.  If you are interested, please send me an email.  

Cross Country

Cross country practice will begin on Tuesday.  Practice will be after school from 2-3:00 on the lower field.  If your student is interested in participating make sure to fill out the paperwork and turn it in to the office or bring it to practice on Tuesday.

Math Link

Below is the link to a site that will help you and your student understand the math homework.  The videos are very useful and can be viewed at your own pace.  Sometimes it is helpful to hear the instruction for a second (or third) time.  Please make sure your student is keeping current with the Zearn lessons.  They align with the lessons we are covering in class.

https://embarc.online/course/view.php?id=3

Counseling Services

Michelle Neeb, our school counselor, will be offering small groups at Alta Sierra.  If you think your student may benefit, please contact Mrs. Neeb.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14SveaJ7UCPi6h4pGfbnjdEqnCAmMzxrD/view?usp=drive_link

Upcoming Dates

Labor Day September 4

PTC Meeting. September 13

School Pictures. September 18

Jog A Thon. September 22

Parent/Teacher Conferences. October 2- 6 (all minimum days this week)

Fall Break. October 16-20

Happy Friday!!!

Can you believe it is September already!  Those first few weeks of school just flew by.  It has been great getting better acquainted with this great group of students.  It is going to be a great year!

Skype with a Scientist

On Wednesday we participated in the “Skype with a Scientist” program.  Classrooms are matched with a real scientist who visits our classroom virtually and lets the students know a little bit about what they do.  We visited with Brooke, a scientist who studies specific flowers and their pollinators.  Ask your student what they remember from our visit.  She was very informative and the kids had lots of great questions for her.

Spirit Wear

Spirit wear orders are due by September 7.  Don’t miss out!

Yearbooks

Yearbooks are currently on sale.  Many fifth grade parents purchase a yearbook for their student.  It is a great keepsake of their time at Alta Sierra.  To purchase a yearbook go to www.treering.com/validate.  Our school passcode is 101408580424957.  If you purchase by September 30 you will save 10%.

Garden Cart

The garden cart is back.  It will be at lower pick up every Thursday for the next 6 weeks.  Come get fresh produce from our school garden as well as our garden partner.  Donations are accepted.

Lazy Dog Fundraiser

Treat yourself to a delicious sweet treat while you support our amazing PTC.  On Thursday , September 6 Lazy Dog in Grass Valley will donate 10% of each purchase to our PTC.  Bring the flier between the hours of 5-7:00PM and help support our PTC.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HAXbsY24zP94DnvHSCeo2p3DgtHD3Pge/view?usp=drive_link

Picture Day

Picture day will be Monday, September 18.  A flier was sent home in the Thursday folder.  You can send the form to school with your student or order online .  All students will have their picture taken even if you choose not to order pictures.

Student Council

All fifth graders are eligible to run for office and participate in Student council.  Information was sent home with students who expressed an interest in participating.  I have more forms if your student would like to participate.  The first form needs to be returned on Friday, September 8.

Don’t forget….Library is on Tuesday!

Have a great three day weekend!

Upcoming Dates

Labor Day September 4

Lazy Dog Fundraiser. September 6 5-7PM

PTC Meeting. September 13

School Pictures. September 18

Jog A Thon. September 22

Parent/Teacher Conferences. October 2- 6 (all minimum days this week)

Fall Break. October 16-20

Good Evening!

I am sorry I am getting this to you at such a late hour.  I had to have some emergency dental work done so I was out today.  I am feeling 11 times better and I am looking forward to working hard next week.

Scholastic Book Orders

Scholastic book orders were sent home in this week’s Thursday folders.  If you are interested you can order books online and use my class code WXPZ7.  You can select to have the books shipped to the school and there will be no shipping charges.  I will receive the books and send them home with your student.

Independent Reading

The students have been doing a great job with their independent reading.  I will remind them, but encourage them to take AR tests as they finish a book.  I will be talking to them next week, but we will be completing a book project on a book they have read independently at the end of the month.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Parent/Teacher Conferences will be here before we know it.  I will publish a link to a sign up genius next week.  If the time slots do not work for you, please reach out to me.  I think it is important to meet with all parents.

Constitution Day

Are you interested in history and looking for something to do with your family next weekend?  There will be Revolutionary War reenactments at Pioneer Park in Nevada City on Saturday from 10-5 and Sunday from 10-12.  On Sunday there will also be a parade on Broad Street where they reenact the signing on the Constitution.  The Parade begins at 2:00.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Upcoming Dates

PTC Meeting. September 13

School Pictures. September 18

Jog A Thon. September 22

Parent/Teacher Conferences. October 2- 6 (all minimum days this week)

Fall Break. October 16-20

Happy Friday!

Second Friday in a row that I have had to miss, I promise this will not be a pattern.  I look forward to seeing everyone again on Monday.  I got a great note from the substitute teacher, of course.  This is a great group of students!

Picture Day

Picture day is Monday, September 18.  Information was sent home a few weeks ago.  All students will have their photo taken and you can always order photos later.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled for the week of October 2.  We will be on a minimum day schedule the entire week.  I have attached a link for the Sign Up Genius.  If none of these times work for you, please let me know and I will find a time that will accommodate your schedule.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080C4EA8A72EA0FE3-44345232-parent

Jog-A-Thon- Volunteers Needed!

The jog-a-thon is Friday, September 22.  A flyer with information was sent home in the Thursday Folder.  This is a major fundraiser for our school and any contribution is greatly appreciated.  I need a few parents to help on the day of the event.  We will need help tallying laps during the event and totaling laps after the event.  We are scheduled to run from 9:15-9:45.  Please let me know, via email, if you can help us out on that day.

Math Practice

Automaticity of math facts will make your students’ math experience much easier.  Many students are still struggling with their facts.  If you could take a few minutes a day to practice, that would be great.  It doesn’t take long - practice in the car on the way to school, before dinner, or as you are traveling between family activities. 

It’s going to be another amazing weekend, go out and enjoy this beautiful area we live in!

Upcoming Dates

School Pictures. September 18

Jog A Thon. September 22

Parent/Teacher Conferences. October 2- 6 (all minimum days this week)

Fall Break. October 16-20

Picture Retakes. October 23

Halloween. October 31

Professional Development. November 1 No School

Veterans' Day. November 10. No School

End of First Trimester. November 17

Thanksgiving Holiday.       November 22-24

Report Cards sent home. November 30

Happy Friday!

It was great to be here every day this week.  We had lots of little interruptions during the week but were still able to get a lot of learning accomplished.  The students are doing a great job staying focused.

Jog-a-thon

Thank you to our parents who were able to come out and support our students today.  Pledge sheets are due next week.  Students who earn $50 in pledges will get to blast Mr. Bivens with a water gun, and those who raise $100 will be treated to a pizza lunch.  This is a great fundraiser for our school and any contribution you can make is appreciated.

Parent Conferences

Parent conferences are the week of October 2.  I have included the link to the signup genius.  If you are unable to make any of the times available, please contact me via email and we can arrange a time that accommodates both of our schedules

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080C4EA8A72EA0FE3-44345232-parent.

Book Reports

Students will be working on a book report in class the week of October 2.  Please make sure your student has completed a novel by next Friday, September 29.  One way to help them is to make a plan for reading - figure out how many days they will read and how many pages they will need to finish to reach their goal.

Facebook Page

Our PTC has a Facebook page. Use this link to stay informed about all the great things going on at Alta Sierra.                                 https://www.facebook.com/AltaSierraPTC/ or      https://www.facebook.com/groups/altasierraelementaryptc 

Volunteer Meetings

This year PTC is having volunteer meetings on the lawn in front of school on the Tuesdays prior to their Wednesday meetings. This is another way to be involved if you are unable to attend the evening meetings.

Upcoming Dates

Hearing/Vision Screening.     September 26

Parent/Teacher Conferences. October 2- 6 (all minimum days this week)

Fall Break. October 16-20

Picture Retakes. October 23

Halloween. October 31

Professional Development. November 1 No School

Veterans' Day. November 10. No School

End of First Trimester. November 17

Thanksgiving Holiday.       November 22-24

Report Cards sent home. November 30