State testing is just around the corner

Just in case this letter does not make it home to every parent, I wanted to post the following letter about state testing. Download Parent_Letter

In short, math and reading assessments will take place next week, and science the following week. As usual there is nothing parents and students need to do other than make sure that students are well rested and have eaten breakfast.

Tomorrow, information will be coming home about Run For the Arts - a very important (and fun!) event coming up on Friday, April 16. Forms for Shape Up Across Oregon will also be headed home, with more information to come.

Thanks again to all of our parent volunteers for field trips, and those that will be joining us on Tuesday!

Backpack Lunch Program

  
A card was sent home with fifth grade students today announcing the Backpack Lunch Program, a program that we are participating in in conjunction with the Fifth Grade Legacy. Please click on the image at left to read more about how our families can help by donating nutritious foods.

Thank you.
  

Fifth Grade Update:

June 1, 2009

 

 

Dear Fifth Grade Parents,

 

As part of our ongoing efforts to foster a school climate of respect for oneself and others and as part of Portland Public Schools’ Fifth Grade Health curriculum, we have begun to teach a unit we call “Body Builders”. This unit focuses on the organs and systems (building blocks!) of the human body. It will include activities from a program entitled “Know Your Body” as well as several other sources. The reproductive system is an integral part of this program as we discuss the appropriate names/functions of all of the systems. Bodily changes brought on by puberty are outlined.

 

If you have any questions, please contact us via e-mail or by calling the school at 503-916-5400.  Parents may request that their child be excused from all or part of this Health unit.  Please state that request in writing prior to Friday, June 5^th, so we may make arrangements for your child.  Thank you!

 

 

Cordially,

 

Susan Greb Morris

Beth Gardner

Amy Robbins

David Wade

Grade Six Math Questions

Several parents have asked questions regarding math class assignments at East Sylvan. It is our understanding that each student's math class level is determined by his or her state assessment score. Because the final split will be made based on a percentile rating of this year's incoming sixth graders, no one at Forest Park knows exactly what the "cutoff" score is. We all understand that this is an important issue to some families at this time, and we regret that we cannot offer more insight or guidance. Please feel free to contact East Sylvan directly with any specific questions or concerns!

http://www.westsylvan.pps.k12.or.us/

Last Minute Opportunity!

Dear Grade Five Parents,

We just recieved this flier from Skyline, announcing their open house tonight. As you may know, Skyline's middle school program is relatively new, and offers an environment that is much smaller than conventional MS formats, public or private.

Download Skyline open house

In other sixth grade news, East/West Sylvan will be making their annual visit to the school on Thursday. This is a chance for students to meet the administrators and counselor, as well as hear the excellent band and choir. Fifth graders that are planning to attend East Sylvan will get forecasting forms, allowing them to select their elective classes for next year. These forms will come home Thursday, and will be due back prior to Spring Break.

Finally, Ms. Gardener received the paperwork from the Audubon yesterday, so we hope to have the packets home to families very soon. As a reminder, please notify your child's classroom teacher as soon as possible if you are able and willing to be a chaperone on the trip. Each class will be taking the trip seperately, and each class will need one chaperone of each gender. Thank you all in advance...the trip could not happen without dedicated parent help!

Audubon Society Trip: Parent Volunteers Needed

Audubon Society of Portland: The Science of Water Quality

The fifth grade classes are headed back into “the nature” to do more hands-on learning in their own backyards!

Mr. Wade’s class: Tuesday, March 31
Ms. Gardner’s class: Wednesday, April 1
Mrs. Morris’ class: Thursday, April 2
Ms. Robbins’ class: Tuesday, April 7

Each trip will depart from the Forest Park Elementary parking lot at 8:40 a.m., head to the Audubon Society of Portland on Cornell Road for a program that runs from 9:00 to 11:00, and return to school by about 11:20. Parents are encouraged to chaperone and enjoy the program; however we would also appreciate the transportation help from parents that are not able to stay.

Parent drivers and chaperones must have current background checks and driver/vehicle information on file in the office. If you think that you may have already provided this information, please call the office to check. Otherwise, please download the Application to Volunteer: Portland Public Schools (criminal records check) Download Application_Volunteer_E  and the Driver/Vehicle Statement of Qualification Download Driver_Vehicle_Qualification_Form (attach a copy of valid driver license and Declaration Page of auto insurance policy showing proof of auto insurance and present coverage), or pick up copies in the office. The Application to Volunteer must be returned to the office for processing as soon as possible.

Click here Download WaterQualityDrivers for blog  to download another copy of the form to sign up to drive or chaperone. Please print the form, fill in the information and send it back to school with your child.

Overnight Field Trip

The fifth grade trips to Marmot Cabin are coming up soon! Read the initial letter by clicking on this link:

Download Overnight letter1.09

More details, packing suggestions, and permission slips fill follow soon!

Election Photos

A few shots of today's elections(click on the shot for full size photo):

A long line of fifth graders wait to cast their ballots                      

A patient and thoughtful electorate          

The voting booth in Hut #8    

Fifth Grade Landslide

The results are in. The Democrats ran strong with the ten and eleven year old set, capturing 79% of the vote. The Republican ticket came in at a solid 20%, and Cynthia McKinney of the Pacific Green Party earned one percent of the vote.

The whole world wonders...

Results are being tallied right now in the fifth grade mock election. We enjoyed excellent voter turnout, but had to destroy a few ballots that were double-voted! Outcome to follow!