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Halfway to Fifth Grade


 

As we approach our highly anticipated winter break, it's important to be intentional in taking the time to assess 'how things are going' as we reach the half-way mark in the academic year. 

My students are halfway through their time with me and their fourth-grade year. Likewise, my families are half-way through their collaboration with me for their students' educational year. 

In reflection, I think back to the beginning. We started with an open house time immediately before school started. Quickly after that, we hosted our annual Back to School Knight, walking parents through what school looks in my classroom for their students. 

Since then, we have come together at each campus for See You at the Pole, enjoyed a campus-wide for a Homecoming celebration, took part in our annual First Responder's Day, and partnered with a myriad of parent volunteers and community collaborators to host our annual Hoedown fundraising effort. 

My 4th graders are rehearsing even now with the 5th graders in preparation for their Christmas program taking place on Friday night. Tonight is the annual 4th and 5th grade science fair. 

What will the second half of the year look like? How can I improve my own communication and engagement with my families? 

Something on the horizon for the spring that I am especially excited to dive into will be our 4th and 5th grade Pi Day celebration. 

Our school generally hosts several celebrations throughout the year - Pumpkin Day, 100th Day of School, and Dr. Seuss Day. These celebrations engage different classes with each other and engage families as volunteers and supplies are necessary to their successes. 

Unfortunately, none of these celebrations include the upper elementary grades. My goal, and I'll make it a SMART one, is to implement and execute a celebration of similar nature for the upper grades for Pi Day. It'll be the first one of its kind, and I am excited for the potential engagement opportunities it will bring. 

A definite goal of this celebration will be to give students something else to look forward to as they move closer to the start of 5th grade. It's hard to believe that we are halfway there!


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