STAAR testing

Our STAAR Math and Reading tests are in 2 weeks!  gasp !!! We have been working very hard to prepare and review all objectives.  There are some things that you can do at home to prepare as well.  Please talk to your child about the importance of doing their best on the tests, without stressing them out too much!  Students must pass the Reading and Math STAAR in order to be promoted to 6th grade.  If by chance, they do not pass the April 2 or 3 test, round 2 is in May, then round 3 is in the summer.  Students will need to get to bed early the night before the tests.  Please try to keep the morning of the tests as calm as possible and feed your child a healthy breakfast such as eggs/sausage/juice/fruit or pancakes/bacon/milk.  Sugary cereals or donuts are not a good idea.  Also, I am asking each of you to write an encouraging note (or you can do 2 if you want since we have 2 days of testing) to your student.  Please send the note(s) to school next week in an envelope and I will have the note on their desk the morning of the test.  I did this last year, and the students really enjoyed and were inspired by the sweet notes from their parents. 

March 27th is the last day of the month to earn AR points for free dress.  Some students are still doing a fantastic job of reading and taking tests.   Please monitor your child's reading progress.

Friday is Pajama Day.  Students are encouraged to bring $1, a jar of peanut butter, jelly, or baggies in support of Lunches of Love.  A few students have brought in all 4 of the above items...awesome!


We will be participating in the Skeeters Reading Program.  Students will keep a log of 4 books that they have read.  Each student will have a bookmark to keep track of their books.  I will sign the bookmark each time a book is read and students will earn a free ticket to a Skeeters game.

Biography Night

Well, Biography Night was a huge success.  The students' efforts and creativity was astounding.  We hope that your child had fun AND learned something new!

Friday is Spring Picture Day.  Students may wear the outfit of their choice for their picture.  Please remember, girls, no tank tops or spaghetti strap shirts and shorts and skirts must be the appropriate length.

All money raised for Math-A-Thon is due on Friday.  Thank you to the students who are participating in this worthwhile fundraiser.

Students will be required to write an essay for our Kids and Cops program.  The essay will be written at home and due on March 25th.  The requirements of the essay are:
* 4 paragraphs
*introduction paragraph
*paragraph on how choosing to do drugs can affect family and friends
*paragraph on why it's important to stay drug free
*conclusion paragraph
The paper may be typed or handwritten and at least 1 page long, but no longer than 2 pages.

Pajama day will be on March 22nd.  Several 5th grade students bought a spot at the 5th grade breakfast for that morning.  We still have a few spots left.  If your child would like to attend, please send me an email.  The cost is $20.

Rodeo Roundup

Our Rodeo Roundup is on Saturday, February 23rd.  Please send checks for wristbands, dinner tickets, etc in the envelope that was provided to your child last week.  Also, we are in need of donations of baked goods for the Cake Walk.  Please refer to the flyer that will be sent home on Tuesday in Dolphin Folders.  I hope to see you all there on Saturday night!!

In preparation for Rodeo Roundup, students will be able to wear western wear on Friday.
All biography projects are due on Tuesday, February 19th.  Students will present their projects to parents and family members on Thursday night in the gym at 6 o'clock.  I am really looking forward to seeing their projects and their creativity when they dress up for Thursday night!!

Students were given a note today on bright yellow paper regarding drop off/pick up procedures.  If you drop off your child or pick up your child in the afternoon, please follow the directions in  the letter.  I'm sure none of you is a culprit, but it appears that we've been having some controversy ....

On Thursday, February 21st we are participating in "Go Houston Texan Day".  Students will be able to wear a Houston Texans jersey or tshirt.  (Texans only...no other team)

In preparation for Rodeo Roundup, students will be able to wear western wear on Friday.

6th grade course selection

This morning the 5th grade students heard a presentation from the new principal at Polly Ryon, the 6th grade counselor at Reading, and Mr. Nava, the current principal of Reading.  Each student received a course selection paper, which is due on February 22.  EVERY student will be required to complete the form and turn it in, regardless of where he/she will be attending school next year.  The electives for next year were discussed.  However, if a student does not make 110% on STAAR, the elective will be Math/Reading improvement.  On February 12th at 6:30 there will be a parent informational meeting at Reading regarding electives and procedures at Polly Ryon.

Feb. 15th is our Valentine Party!! It will be from 10:00-11:00 because this is an Early Release day at 11:30. Your child will be given a note with all their classmate's names and instruction for our Valentines. Please send $5 to help pay for the supplies for our party. If you would like to help with the party, please send me an email. I appreciate all the parents who can come and make our party extra special!!

 

February 18th (Monday) is a school holiday while teachers attend staff development.

Feb. 19th (Tuesday) - Biography Projects are due at school - Students are printing their report at school to bring home and mount on their project board. Timelines may be done at home along with one hand drawn picture and two other pictures. Please refer to project handout for specific instructions.

February 21st (Thursday) at 6:00 is 5th Grade Biography Night at Dickinson. Come and see your child shine as they dress the part of their person they researched. The students are so proud of showing their projects!!

February 23rd (Saturday) is our second annual Rodeo Roundup/Go Texan Day at Dickinson from 5:00-8:00. A flyer went home about this last week. Today students are receiving an envelope with the prices for the activities at the rodeo.  (dinner, dance, games)  We hope to see you there!

My students are quickly accumulating scholar dollars for following directions, taking pride in assignments, random acts of kindness, etc. Have they discussed what they want to create for Scholar Dollar Day? Please let me know if you have any questions regarding Scholar Dollar Day.

 

The donation of shoes for Foster High School was overwhelming!!  My trunk was absolutely filled with shoes...I could not have put another pair in my trunk.  Thank you so much to Harrison K., Lexi, Melanie, Jaxon, Sean, Harrison E., Riley, Aayush, Cody, and Adam for their donations!!

Thank you for your continued support of Dickinson Elementary School!!

Finally...some pictures!

This is Cody and his winning entry for the rodeo art contest.  Congratulations Cody !!

Here are some great pictures from our field trip to Minute Maid Park: 

Tomorrow a letter is coming home regarding Scholar Dollar Day.  Please sign it and fill it out this week.  All students were told about the Scholar Day items and directions before Christmas.  

Report cards come home on Thursday.  Please keep the report card, sign the envelope and return the envelope and sticker card by Monday.

Some parents have ordered books from Scholastic online...thank you!  All orders are due on Thursday.

I will not be at school on Friday.  I am going to Austin on Thursday night for the Texas Classroom Teachers' Association Convention.   I will be hearing about the latest legislation regarding education and also will have the opportunity to meet with state representatives. 

Please remember to sign your child's agenda each night and every weekend.  

Have a wonderful week!!

Biography projects

Yesterday when we went to the library, students chose a biography to read.  A couple of students requested to go to the George Memorial Library to check out a book, which is fine.  However, the book must be checked out this weekend and brought to school on Monday.  We WILL begin working on their reports on Monday and students must have the book.  More information will be coming home on Monday regarding the project. This weekend would be a good time to go to Office Depot or Max, Hobby Lobby or Target and buy a trifold project board.  The entire project will be due on February 19th. 

Cody was chosen as one of the school winners for the rodeo art contest. 


We will have a math test on Thursday over Chapter 11.

We had alot of fun on our field trip.  We went to several areas of Minute Maid Park like down on the field and the kids got to sit in the visitors dugout.  Our tour guide took us to the press room and one of the suites.  The tour was very interesting...we learned quite alot of information about the ball park and about how bats and baseballs are made.  After the tour, we all had a picnic lunch right outside the ballpark.  Thank goodness the weather was perfect and the kids had fun jumping rope and just running around!  Our plan was to then walk to Discovery Green and "play" there, but with all the rain we have had, the grass was just too muddy.  Thank you to all my parents who accompanied us on the trip. 

Please have the students bring their pennies and other small change beginning Monday.  The student council is beginning our Pennies for Patients fundraiser to raise money for the Leukemia Society.  Last year our extremely generous Dickinson families sent in over $6000!!

Classroom Spelling Bee champ and Christmas Party Pics

Congratulations to our classroom Spelling Bee champ, Lexi Chubon.  She did very well in the school Spelling Bee and made it through several difficult words before missing "flirtatious".  Her classmates and I are so proud of her!

 

 

Thank you to the parents who helped out at the Christmas party.  We had a great time!

 

 

 

 

 



 

That morning the kids enjoyed hot cocoa and a donut for breakfast.  That was plenty of sugar to start off the day!  :))

 

 

I hope that you and your families have a very special and Merry Christmas!!