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5th Grade Weekly Updates

5th Grade Weekly Updates
5th Grade WeeklyUpdates

August 28, 2026 August 28, 2026

Hello 5th grade families! Please see this week's updates below.


Sincerely, The 5th Grade Teachers

Ms. Taft, Ms. Stucky, Ms. Hormachea & Ms. Dunlap

Specials Next Week Specials Next Week

Week of August 31

Stucky and Hormachea Group 1: Spanish

Taft and Hormachea Group 2: STEM

Dunlap and Hormachea Group 3: Art

Upcoming Events Upcoming Events

September

  • Sept 2: Bear Brunch 8-9 AM (North Cafeteria)
  • Sept 3: 5th Grade Hearing & Vision Screening
  • Sept 3: PLUM Parent Information Meeting (6:00 - 7:30 PM in the South Gym)
  • Sept 7: Labor Day (No Students)
  • Sept 18: PLEA Bear Crawl Color Run
  • Sept 21: Professional Development Day (No Students)
  • Sept 24: PLEA Chick fil A
  • Sept 28: CHAP Homecoming Parade

PLUM Information Session PLUM Information Session

September 3 @ 6:00 PM

5th Grade Parents! We know you have lots of questions about PLUM in February, so please join us for an informational session on September 3 in the SOUTH GYM. We will begin the presentation at 6:00 PM and answer any remaining questions at the end. Please feel free to bring your 5th grader with you, so that they get all the information as well!

5th Grade Universal Hearing & Vision Screening 5th Grade Universal Hearing & Vision Screening

September 3

All 5th grade students will be universally screened for hearing and vision on September 3rd. Please see the attached letter from DCSD for more details. If your child has glasses, make sure they have them at school on that day. Thanks!

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Academic Updates Academic Updates

Literacy (Mrs. Taft & Ms. Hormachea)

🌽🌽🌽This week in literacy students began our super exciting corn unit! We read about the structures of a corn plant, discussed cause and effect, and making mental images. Students are also completing and editing task each day. Next week, we will begin our first essay and take the iReady Reading Assessment.

Math (Mrs. Stucky & Mrs. Dunlap)

This week students took the iReady Inform assessments in math. Next week, students begin working on 5th grade content in the iReady curriculum, beginning with multiplication and division of large-value whole numbers using the standard algorithms (what many people refer to as the "old way" of multiplication and long division).

Science (all 5th grade)

Students continued to develop their skills in writing CER (Claim-Evidence-Reasoning) assignments. We viewed a video from Bill Nye, and formed a claim that could be made based on the evidence Mr. Nye presented about forces. Then students used the evidence from the videos to make a scientific determination and reasoning to support their claim. Next week, we will begin our first full science units.

Here is what each homeroom will be learning about in science:

Dunlap/Stucky Homerooms: Space Systems

Hormachea/Taft Homerooms: Earth Systems

Before and After School Clubs Before and After School Clubs

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Battle of the Books

We're excited to invite your child to join Pine Lane's Battle of the Books (BOTB) club this year! BOTB is a team-based reading competition designed to build literacy skills, foster a love of reading, and encourage friendly collaboration among students. Participants will read a curated list of books together as a team, then compete against other teams by answering questions about the content—similar to a quiz bowl format. It's a wonderful opportunity for students in grades 3-6 to strengthen comprehension and critical thinking skills while making new friends who share their enthusiasm for reading.


The club meets every Monday morning from 8:00-8:55 AM, and the cost to participate is $30. We'll be hosting a Parent Info Meeting on September 8th at 8:00 AM in the North Library to share more details about the program, expectations, and how you can support your child throughout the season. Sign up and pay on MySchoolBucks. We hope you'll join us!


Questions? Reach out to Arin Simon or Lauren Hormachea

PLUM Updates PLUM Updates

What is PLUM?

PLUM is the annual Pine Lane Outdoor Education trip. PLUM (Pine Lane Up in the Mountains) takes students into the mountains for two nights to explore teamwork, new activities, and outdoor science concepts in action. This annual event is a major milestone for PLE students! Please see the website linked below for details. As we get closer to the trip, more and more details will be shared.

5th Grade PLUM Website
Dates, Pricing, and other important information

Friday Late Start Reminder Friday Late Start Reminder

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Pine Lane’s Friday start time: 9:55 AM

  • 9:45 students can arrive at school
  • 9:55 Final Bell rings
  • Breakfast will be available from 9:45 - 9:55 when the bell rings
  • 5th Grade has an alternate schedule on Fridays, and lunch/recess are at a different time.
Please plan accordingly and remember: Fridays = 9:55 AM start!

Teacher Websites & Email Contact Teacher Websites & Email Contact

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Ms. Dunlap's Website | Contact Ms. Dunlap

Ms. Hormachea's Website | Contact Ms. Hormachea

Ms. Stucky's Website | Contact Ms. Stucky

Ms. Taft's Website | Contact Ms. Taft

5th Grade Teachers
Pine Lane Elementary
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