5th Grade Weekly Newsletter
9/28 - 10/2
Conversation Starter
Talk to your child about
- September assembly.
- The Hispanic Heritage Month and Mrs. Marla and the beautiful Punto Panameno dance in celebration of her Panamanian culture.
- SEL and what they have learnt from Mrs. Trammell.
- The Social Studies project Landforms of The United Stated and which one did they choose.
- The order of operations and the different Math activities we get to do.
- The Spooky story they are going to write.
- Their 2nd Grade and their Montessori buddies. All students were such great leaders.
Hospitality and Behavior Conversation
Dear Fifth-Grade Families,
As we reach our fifth week of school, we have been taking time to reflect on how our students are growing as learners, friends, and leaders. Overall, we have been so pleased with the wonderful community our fifth graders are building.We are so proud of the energy and enthusiasm they bring each day.
At the same time, we have noticed a few areas where we would like to encourage our students to grow, particularly in living out our Salesian virtue of Hospitality.
We have noticed that, at times, some students have struggled to be as inclusive and welcoming toward one another as we expect. We are encouraging our students to be kind, to include others, and to appreciate and respect each other's differences.
We have also noticed an increase in rough play and hands-on behavior, particularly among some of the boys. We want to remind our students that roughhousing, pushing, grabbing, or other physical play "tazing" is not permitted at school. Even when students intend for it to be playful, these situations can quickly get out of hand and can result in someone getting hurt or feeling uncomfortable.
Additional concerns include repeated classroom disruptions during instructional time, talking about peers behind their backs, and general moments of unkindness.
We have spoken with students individually and have made it clear that these behaviors do not meet our school expectations, and that our classroom should be a place where everyone feels that they belong and feel safe.
We would greatly appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to talk with your child about these expectations and reflect on how they can help create a kind, respectful, and welcoming community as well as why keeping their hands to themselves and respecting personal space is important at school.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support!
With gratitude,
5th Grade Team
Curriculum Connections
Religion: We learned about St. Peter Claver, the "Saint of Slaves".
Math:This week, we continued Chapter 2: The Four Operations with Whole Numbers. We learned about multiplying and dividing by 2 digit numbers. I am so proud of all the students, they work so hard and likes to be challenged. Next week we will wrap chapter 2, review, and take the chapter test.
Reading/Writing: This week in ELA we have had some fantastic discussions around Hello Universe, as well as continued to talk and learn about best practices on how to mitigate run-on sentences using conjunctions. Stepping into the month of October meant the introduction of our spooky story essays, which will be a highlight for the rest of the month. Spooky story rough draft due Friday 10/23 final draft due Thursday 10/29 with dramatic readings done on Friday the 30th.
Social Studies: This week, we continued learning how the physical features, climate, and vegetation of a place can influence where people choose to live. This week also we are starting the first social studies project. Students are assigned a landform of the United States and they will look up information, create slideshows, and present to their classmates.
Languages and specialists are moving at a great pace. Ask your students about those classes and their teachers!
Minnesota Institute of Talented Youth
Please click the link and attachment for a unique opportunity this fall!
Allergy Aware Snack and Water Bottles
We allow students to enjoy a brief snack time every day around 8:50. Students are responsible for bringing their own snacks.
We require an allergy aware healthy protein or fruit/veggie option. We encourage students to bring snacks that will not trigger nut allergies, and definitely do not share snacks if they do not know about the contents.
We love to see apples, oranges, bananas, cheese sticks, yogurt, hummus, pita, applesauce, etc.
Water: (only clear water please)
Students have access to water fountains and fill up stations. They are welcome to bring a water bottle. Please no straws/spill able bottles.
Popcorn Corner Is Back! - A message from the Global Girls
The Middle School Global Girls will be hosting a popcorn and cookie sale at the Popcorn Corner once a month! We will sell popcorn and cookies after school, just like Sister Mary Paula did years ago.
The Popcorn Corner began with Sister Mary Paula. She sold treats to anyone who wanted them, including students, families, and even teachers! Sister Mary Paula also founded VISTORY, a service program for students. She needed to raise money for VISTORY, so she started selling cookies and popcorn. The Sisters had the popcorn machines, and they loved to bake, so the cookies were always fresh!
Sister Mary Paula created a welcoming space and showed the virtue of hospitality by opening her heart, sharing what she had, and making others feel welcome.
We want to continue the Popcorn Corner to honor the Sisters, practice hospitality, and help others. All cookies and popcorn will be $1 each—cash only.
Where Will the Money Go?
This year, all of our proceeds will go to College Monfant, a Catholic school in Togo, West Africa.
Just like Visitation, College Monfant was founded by Catholics who believe in the importance of education. By supporting College Monfant, we can share our Visitation spirit of hospitality with students across the world.
Join us after school from 2:40–3:15 PM on these dates:
- Wednesday, September 30
- Friday, October 30
- Friday, November 20
- Friday, December 18
- Friday, January 29
- Friday, February 26
- Thursday, March 18
- Friday, April 23
- Friday, May 28
Visitor Badges:
Related to our morning routine, K–5 students should be walking independently into school each morning. This helps build confidence and allows students to transition smoothly into their school day.
If an adult needs to escort a child into the building, they will need to enter through Door #5 and check in at the front desk using our Raptor security system. For the safety of our students, no visitors or guests will be permitted into the building without a name tag and badge.
We greatly appreciate all families honoring these safety and security procedures and helping us maintain a welcoming environment for our students."
Rotation Days - Specialists schedule update
Mansour:
Blue Day: Art at 8:10, Spanish at 2:00
Red Day: Music at 8:10, library checkouts at 8:50 (first Red Day of the week), French at 2:00
Yellow Day: P.E. at 8:10, Stem at 1:00, Chinese at 2:00
Drake:
Blue Day: Music at 8:10, Chinese at 2:00
Red Day: P.E. at 8:10, library checkouts at 8:50 (first Red Day of the week), Spanish at 2:00
Yellow Day: Stem at 8:10, Art at 1:00, French at 2:00.
For Both Classes:
- Religion will be once or twice a week at 1:30.
- SEL is once a week for each class at 1:30
- Orchestra meets on Tuesdays at 11:30 and Ms. McGuire hosts an ensemble on Fridays at 2:45 regardless of rotation day. Questions: reach out to Jmcguire@vischool.org
- Vistory with Mrs. Hansen twice a month.
Important Dates
- October 14 - 16, Off, MEA Break
- Thursday October 22, Vis Give Day and Out of Uniform
- Wednesday October 28, All Saints Mass; Formal Uniform.
- Friday, October 30: Out of Uniform Day.
