The Crocodilian

Coming up:

Thursday, Nov. 20th - Magnet & Choice applications open now through Jan. 28th, 2026

November 26th, 27th, & 28th - Thanksgiving Break, No School

Looking Ahead:

Monday, Dec. 1st - SIC Meeting, 4-5pm

Tuesday, Dec. 2nd - Winter MAP Testing (Reading)

Wednesday, Dec. 3rd - Winter MAP Testing (Reading)

Tuesday, Dec. 9th - Winter MAP Testing (Math)

Wednesday, Dec. 10th - Winter MAP Testing (Math)

Welcome Mrs. Spells!

Welcome Mrs. Maloney!

Habit 3: Put First Things First — Work First, Then Play

I spend my time on things that are most important.
I say no to things I know I should not do.
I set priorities, make a schedule, and follow my plan.
I am disciplined and organized.

Habit 3 reminds students that success comes from focusing on what matters most—doing the important things first and saving fun for later. When kids learn to prioritize, they become more independent and responsible.

Try these ideas to help your child practice Habit 3 at home:

List your most important jobs or responsibilities—making your bed, doing homework, taking out the trash—and talk about them with your family.
Tomorrow, surprise your parents by doing your chores before they even ask!
When you have a lot of homework, do the hardest part first.
Think of something you’ve been putting off, like cleaning your room or fixing a broken toy—and get it done today!

Show us how your child is putting first things first!
Email a photo of your child practicing Habit 3, along with their name, teacher, and grade, to Katye Wilkinson at kwilkinson@lexrich5.org by December 1st for a chance to be featured in The Crocodilian!

Mrs. Hiller's 3rd Grade Class

Students are putting Habit 2 – Begin with the End in Mind and Habit 3 – Put First Things First into practice! They planned ahead, set goals, and worked together to complete their tasks—whether building multiplication models with Skittles or tackling reading task cards as a team. These learners are showing that when you have a plan and focus on what matters most, great things happen!

Congratulations to these students for logging the most reading for their grade level!

Multi-Age Learning:

Multi-age groupings of children provide a heterogeneous mix in which children can collaborate and socialize. These inter-age relationships strengthen the entire community.Older children are seen as role models within the community. They support the growth and development of younger children through socialization, assisting with new work, or teaching skills they have mastered themselves.

They can also work with younger students in areas of the curriculum in which they themselves may need more practice, without stigma. Younger children follow the example set by the older students, and have peers to work with in areas of the curriculum in which they may be more advanced. This multi-age community provides opportunities for all individuals to learn from each other, at times leading, sharing, or serving as role models. It also develops an appreciation of differences.

Within this supportive, inclusive community, children work through the curriculum at their own pace, accelerating during some tasks or taking additional time with others.

Source: American Montessori Society.org

Building Math Fluency at Home

Math fluency is an essential part of your child’s success in the classroom. When students know their basic math facts automatically, they can focus more on problem-solving, reasoning, and higher-level thinking. This week, we sent home math fact cards with all students in 4K–5th grade to support quick, meaningful practice at home.

You can make this practice fun and stress-free by incorporating the cards into simple daily routines—try a 5-minute “flash round” before dinner, keep a small set in the car for wait times, or turn practice into a game of matching, speed challenges, or friendly family competitions. Short, consistent practice helps students gain confidence, build accuracy, and strengthen the foundational skills that support all future math learning.

Thank you for partnering with us to support strong math habits at home!

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Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 Tri-District Arts Consortium Summer Program. Students who attend the public schools of Lexington One, Lexington/Richland Five and Richland Two are eligible to participate.

The program is designed for artistically gifted and talented students currently in fifth through eighth grades. Students may audition in creative writing, dance, vocal, strings, band, theatre or visual art.

The Summer Program will take place at Richland Northeast High School June 8 through June 26, 2026 from 9:00 am until 3:15 pm each day, Monday through Friday. Meals and transportation are included. Anyone can nominate a student using this form. An application for audition will be sent to each student nominated. Deadline for nominations: December 5, 2025.

Audition Schedule at Richland Northeast High School:

February 28, 2026 - Strings, Vocal and Visual Art

March 7, 2026 - Band, Creative Writing, Dance, Theatre and Visual Art

For more information or questions, contact Shirley Cope at 476-8129 or sfcope@lexrich5.org

ID Required

To enter the school, have lunch with a student, or pick up a student, you must present a valid, current driver’s license or state-issued ID.

Parents of preschool and kindergarten students should walk tardy students to class and present ID to sign in.

Thank you for helping us keep our school safe!