As our year winds down, it is time to reflect on the highs and lows of the year. Certainly the progress these third graders have made is tremendous. They worked so hard and really rose to the expectations of all the end of the year assessments. They took it so serious, and took their time. I was very proud of them.

I must also commend you parents for your support all year long whether it be field trips, homework, donations, etc. You showed your child the value of all of us working together and importance in education.

I am sure your child has mentioned to you that I will be retiring this year. After 40 years in education, it is time for me to take on a new challenge. My mom has poor health, and I feel very lucky to say she will be 94 this month. My daughter just moved back from North Carolina after 6 years. My son and his wife are having twin boys, so I will be a grandma. My husband, too, will be retiring so perhaps we may even get some traveling in.

It has been a privilege teaching your child. Thank you for giving me this opportunity and trusting me with their learning. Education has and will always be a part of my life.

Have a wonderful summer. Please keep your child reading, writing and practicing math skills.

—Mrs. McBain

Yes, it is that time of the year when we assess…assess…and more assessments. We will be taking the M-Step this week in ELA on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 7-8. We will be taking the M-Step Math on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 14-15. The following week, we will be taking the spring NWEA in Reading, Math, Language, and Science. In between that, we will be assessing Writing and any unit tests that we complete in Science and Social Studies. Yes, it is a lot of testing!!!! I also realize that it is Ramadan and some of the students will be fasting. It is crucial that our students get as much sleep as possible and eat a good breakfast. We are all doing the best we can under these circumstances. Let’s pull together and end this year on a successful note.

It has been quite a while since I did any blogging. However, most of you have been kept up to  date with Class DoJo. Since my last post on this blog much  has happened.

We completed the mid-year NWEA. We have completed WIDA. We are in the midst of March is Reading Month. Keep Reading!!!

The 3rd quarter will be ending in the beginning of April. Only 8 conferences will be set up. I am only planning to meet with parents whose child shows a concern in progress. If you are not asked to come in for a conference, but would like to see me, please contact me.

We do still have M-Step and the final NWEA at the end of the year. Please stay tune for updates.

Spirit Week:

Monday 12/17 – Favorite Sports Team Day

Tuesday 12/18 – Red/White/Blue Day

Wednesday 12/19 Camouflage Day

Thursday 12/20 Wacky Hair / Silly Hat Day

Friday 12/21 Ugly Sweater Day

Hello December…

Just want to thank everyone who for donations for the Friends  Feast… it was great fun! Pictures were sent through Class Dojo. We have started Module 2 in Math. We are  all working hard and hopefully the students are using the strategies to solve problems. Please continue to work with your child as needed. In Social Studies we are studying Michigan’s History. In Science we are getting closer to planning & cresting our gliders. We just finished a compare & contrast paper on recycling. Also, we started on writing opinion pieces. Your child has one of each due on Monday December 10. We have been working on them in class. Please read with your child every night. It is important for our kids to develop good reading habits. They have made such progress, we want them to maintain their success and continue to soar.

Conference notes will go home this week, Thursday, November 1. With all the Halloween festivities, I figured I would wait until November. Conferences are:  November 8, 13, and 15. f you do not receive one a conference note by Friday,  please let me know.

Monday, Oct. 29 – Boo Bash

Wednesday, Oct. 31 -Halloween. If you are sending any thing in, please remember we are a peanut free zone. Also, Town Hall.

Friday, Nov. 2 – Half Day – Dismissal at 11:10

I’d like to also recognize Madeena El-Mubarak participated in the Young Author’s Writing Festival. She came in first place. She will be recognized for her composition. She showed great skill, responsibility and leadership. Below is a link to read her composition.

https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3A6015bc2d-edba-4626-9f27-79003bbb7124

Please continue working with your child every day. I need your support and help, especially if your child is struggling. They have a lot of growth to make. They should be reading and writing every night. They need to practice Math, too. If you help your child, which I encourage, please make sure they understand what steps you take and why you took these steps. Often, as parents we help our child get homework done, but the students don’t always understand the thinking behind the work.

We will be collecting bags of candy for the Boo Bash which is on October 29, 2018 from 4-6. Please try to donate individually wrapped candy. Send the candy in any time. I will have a box in my room.

We are also looking for 1-2 volunteers as Room Parents. This person would help and support me during holiday activities, March is Reading Month, and other school activities. Please consider this and let me know if you are interested.

Where does the time go? It is October already. It is Fire Prevention Month and our field trip is next week, October 18, from 12:30-2:30. We have 3 parents going and myself. The students are very excited about it.

We are half way through the first Module in Math. Therefore, we will be taking a mid-module assessment this week. We are reviewing in class. Students could look over their homework if you want to study.

Also we are having a quiz on our first few lessons in Social Studies. We filled out a study guide, so please remind your child to practice every night.

Your child has reading every night. Try to sit and listen to them read. They have books at their level.

PLEASE SIGN PLANNERS EVERY DAY...

Last Friday, we had a visit from a firefighter from Dearborn. It was an introduction to a field trip we will be having later this  month. Permission slips will be coming home this week. It was very interesting and I think the students were impressed. Bottom line – if you don’t have a smoke alarm in each bedroom, the fire department will come and install one for you.

New websites have been given out to your child that align with our new Math program and will support Language too. The sights are: Zearn and Education City. I taped your child’s user name and password in their planner.

I want to remind you that I am trying to help students to be more independent and responsible. They need to bring homework home if it is not completed in class. Also, planners need to be signed each day. If you need to get ahold of me, you can contact me through Class Dojo (please sign up if you haven’t done so) or email me at mcbainc@dearbornschools.org.

Thanks to all the parents who attended Open House. Thanks to all those who have signed up to Class Dojo. If you have not signed up, it is not too late. You can check on how your child is doing and I will send you pictures and updates of your child during school.

NWEA Math and Reading Scores have been shared with you. If you didn’t receive yours, see me. I stapled it to your child’s planner. We have a lot of work to do. It is only one assessment, but it is our starting point. Students need to make a year’s growth. It also reveals your child’s strengths and weaknesses.  We will be taking the Language this week and Science next week.

Parents ask me all the time how to help their child. My response is “Turn off the TV and Video Games.” Of course, it is difficult. Try to limit the time and please monitor what they are watching  and playing.