5th Grade at Sacajawea

Welcome!

I hope that you and your family had a restful, enjoyable summer break.  I did, although I also worked very hard some days on home projects.  I wish I could say that I accomplished everything on my list, but I did not.  I read some wonderful books, made a beautiful oasis in my backyard (my front yard is still awful!) and had an enjoyable time with my goats.  My chickens made me mad!!

Yes, goats!!  Did you know that miniature goats are legal in the Seattle City limits?  They fall under the same laws as dogs, cats, and pot-bellied pigs.  Hahaha!!  Watch for a future post about my mini-city-farm.  Oh, and the chicken madness?  Welllllll….chickens DESTROY yards, even brand new, oasis (oases?) of yards.  Sigh.  I worked hard again and again to fix their messes, then relegated them to their pen.  It’s large and they have the goats for company, so don’t feel sorry for them!

Please make sure to sign up for Parent Partnership Conferences starting this week!  And, please remember that we will be going to environmental school early in September.  If you have any questions, please contact me right away!

I’m very nervous and excited about this new school year (I think EVERYONE feels that way!)  See you soon!

Mary Mills

Sacajawea is not on the list.  However, the recommendation to change the use of the Jane Addams building, which currently houses the Summit program, into a K-8 by moving the Thornton Creek program and extending it (from a K-5 to a K-8) may impact decisions our fifth grade parents make with regard to middle school.  I will keep you as informed as possible!  Here is the link to the current, preliminary recommendations:  http://www.seattleschools.org/area/capacity/preliminary_summary.pdf

Our students have been “caught” doing the right thing so many times, it’s time to celebrate with a “Gotcha!” Party!!  We will be celebrating on Friday, November 21, the first thing in the morning!  Beginning at 9:05, we will arrive in our jammies (or “mis-matched” clothes–after all, it is also Spirit Day,) and we will be reading, playing board games, watching a video, and snacking!  You may send snacks but, since it is before lunch, they must be healthy snacks!!  Send whatever you’d like, but please make sure that everything is in individual containers or portions, and that there’s enough for 30.

There’s a tradition in our classroom that you may not be aware of.  Whenever our school lunchroom serves Turkey and Mashed Potatoes for lunch, we have a “family meal” in our classroom.  Students bring their lunches (whether from home, or the lunchroom) into our class and we all eat together.  Tomorrow is the first one of the year!  You, too, are invited to join us, if you’d like.  We’ll start lunch at 12:20, and we’d love to have you join us.  You may bring your own lunch, or you may purchase a school lunch in the cafeteria.

Our school is almost half-way to our goal of collecting $1500!!  We still need your help!  If you have a spot where you toss your small change, consider donating it for our Penny Harvest.  A student board will choose a local charity to “grant” the money to!  The official end date is this Friday, but Mr. Norman has extended it until the first Monday after our Conference Break–if you see family over the break, make sure to ask them to donate, too!!  (And, if you’d like more information about the program, please click on the “Common Cents” link to your right!)

CW’s interpretation of a pre-caffeination Ms. Mills!  Ha-ha!!

I received this invitation today from the Museum of Flight and thought some of you might be interested!

Greetings!,

Our assembly today will focus on Veterans and the meaning of Veterans’ Day.  I hope you will take this opportunity to share your understanding and values with your student.

The Book-The People Pick a President

Chapter 1-Government by the Voters

Chapter 2-The Nation’s Top Leader

Chapter 3-Who Can be President?  The Written Rules

Chapter 4-Who Can be the President?  The Unwritten Rules

Chapter 5-Party Power

Chapter 6-Deciding to Run

Chapter 7-The Long Compaign

Chapter 8-Party Conventions

Chapter 9-The Big Show

Chapter 10-What Really Happens on Election Day

Chapter 11-The Electoral College