Ms. Nicoletta's Class 2016-2017

Dear Parents-

On Saturday, Jace Otto, a fifth grader in our class participated in the Statewide Spelling Bee.  There were 167 contestants- he did a great job.    

UPCOMING:

We will have lots of presentations this week:  book club presentations, level 4/6 book report presentations, president presentations and STEM project presentations.

Level 5– STEM fair projects are due tomorrow.  They will be presenting in class on Monday and Tuesday and will be displaying their projects in the North Hall on Wednesday and Thursday.  The following is an example of another 5th grade student and his poster board, please remember to bring their prototype or model.  They should also bring their original research book to show for note taking.

Level 6– On Wednesday the Level 6 will be going to Clark Planetarium.  They will need to be at the Ogden Frontrunner train by 7:15 AM, please pick them up at 2:55 at the Ogden Frontrunner before going to MMA for after school pickup.

Level 4– Level 4’s should be working on their Utah History Fair home project.  This project is due April 14.

Continent Study – This week students will be choosing their continent studies for their second continent report, level 6 will be doing a state study.

 SPRING BREAK NO SCHOOL April 3-7.

SNACK: Aiden

FIELD TRIPS:  Our class has two class field trips left for the school year:  Dinosaur Park and Crystal Hot Springs- we have used all of our field trip funds for the school year.  We are short $40 total for the remaining two field trips in order to attend both.  If every child could donate $2 we will be able to attend both field trips.  If you can donate the $2 please try to do so before spring break, so we have the funds covered for the remaining of the year.  Donations can be given to the office- Ms. Nicolettas class field trip funds or at  https://secureinstantpayments.com?Event=1175

SAGE Testing:

• Thursday, April 13 writing test 9:00-12:00, 12:00-3:00
• Tuesday, April 18 language test 9:00
• Wednesday, May 10 math test 12:00-3:00
• Wednesday, Mary 17 science test 12:00-3:00

Have a wonderful week,

Ms. Nicoletta

Today marks a special day in so many lives and hearts. Yesterday in class we celebrated the mark of one year from Beckam’s kidney transplant- we had a celebration of life for his new life with his transplant.

To put a twist we did hands on STEM lessons about the function of the kidneys, learned about transplants and made no bake kidney shaped cookies while studying our fractions!! Truly a new way to express how much we should celebrate everyday of life! Beckam and his family have shaped and shifted my life and your children’s lives in so many ways- such special gift.

Beckam was born with one failing kidney.  They found out when he was three he would need to get a transplant.  To put in perspective; most people are born with 2 functioning kids working each at 100% equaling 200% together, Beckam had one kidney working at 10%, thus 10/200% of what most people have!  He was lucky enough have his aunt be a match donor.  Last year the class was here to support Beckam and his family through his pre and post transplant, the class was able to meet the transplant  team via FaceTime and write letters to Beckam as well as we would have FaceTime with him while he was recovering.  Everyday Beckam makes his friends laugh, anyone smile- he is truly a magical miracle.

Please give your children a big squeeze of love- and remember to celebrate each moment you have with them.  Everyday I feel so fortunate to have your children in class; to offer light, wisdom, smiles, laughter and new perspectives.

Have a wonderful week.  Remember there is no school on Monday.

SNACK- Arael

Thank you,

Ms. Nicoletta

Dear Parents-

This week we have an early out 1:00 on Friday and NO SCHOOL on Monday- this is for teacher professional development.

This week the level 4’s had two workshops in relation to Utah History and Science- water cycle.

Last weeks field trip was fabulous and with fantastic weather.  We had the opportunity to meet with North Ogden’s city representative, we missed both the Senator and the Governor by two minutes.   This was a great opportunity for the students to see the government in action, the State Capital was very busy.       

Level 6 Junior High registration will be on Monday, March 27.  All level 6’s are being asked to register whether or not they will be attending MMA- this will be a good opportunity for them to see and better understand the process of registration.

Level 6’s brought home a permission slip form today- for Wednesday, March 29.  All level 6’s will be going to the Clark Planetarium in Salt Lake City.  We will be taking the Frontrunner and will need to be at the station at 7:15 AM- the train leaves at 7:37 AM!

A reminder the GALA is coming up on Saturday, March 25.  This is a great adult night out- an opportunity to meet the school-wide community; parents, teachers and staff- laugh, talk and have fun.  I hope to see you there.

Level 5’s pyramid presentations were fantastic and exciting.  This week they are making their masks.

Thank you-

Ms. Nicoletta

Good morning parents-

It was such a delight to see a lot of you on Thursday night at Literacy Night.  I would like to give a big thank you to one of our parents, Wendy Knight, she is an author/ writer and was a  huge organizer in putting together Literacy Week and Literacy Knight.  She organized the other authors for an assembly, class visits and then the night of Literacy Knight.  Thank you so much Wendy for all of your help!

    Wendy Knight talking with the class.

Another exciting event that takes place during Literacy Week, is our Spelling Bee’s.  This is our first year having students go forward to the State Spelling Bee.  This year, Jace Otto, a fifth grader in our class won the UE/ JH Spelling Bee and came in second place in the school wide Spell Off.  He will be representing our school and class at the State Spelling Bee later this month in Salt Lake City.

This week:

Tuesday:  Maturation for 5th graders at 9:00, parents please come to support your child and to learn more from a parent perspective and child perspective.

Wednesday:  Specials (Computers, Music, PE) this day, because we will be on a field trip the following day.  Please make sure your child has appropriate shoes for PE- they are running this semester.

Thursday:  Class field trip to the State Capital with Ms. Kirsten’s class.  We were awarded a grant for this field trip from the state, which also includes taking a bus.  The bus will leave the school at 9:00 and will return to school at 3:00.  We have Heather Fielden chaperoning this field trip- thank you.  Please send your child with appropriate clothing, there will be a time we are walking outside, as well as a throwaway lunch.  (Beckam and Alex need to turn their forms in by Monday.)

SNACK– Neeley

Have a fantastic week,

Ms. Nicoletta

This week is Literacy Week!  Words of the day for the week.  At home make sure to have conversations about the school wide vocabulary words.

Monday- “growth mindset”

Tuesday–  “passion”, School Spelling Bee in the gym from 11-12, please come join us to support our three students:  Payton, Neeley and Jace

(I was so proud of our class in supporting one another with the classroom spelling bee.)

Wednesday- “persevere”

Thursday– “achieve” Literacy Night 6:00-8:00, please come join this family fun event.

Friday– Class read-a-thon

Dear Parents-

Thank you so much for a wonderful three days of Parent- Student led conferences.  I love having the opportunity for us to celebrate the progress of your child.  Let them have  an opportunity to share their success and what they are proud of you, as well has go over goals for the last part of the year.  I always come home and share with my husband how proud and exciting I am to be teacher.  Thank you again for taking time from you schedule to be a part of these!

If you were unable to attend conferences, I would really like to still meet.  I will be available Wednesday, February 1 and Friday, February 3 3:00-3:25, and 3:30-3:55.

This week was also Valentines Day.  Ms. Susan and I decided we wanted to share our appreciation for the class by making breakfast for them.  Of course we turned this into a learning lesson as well- the students made the waffles from scratch.  We did lots of measuring, converting fractions and converting measurements from teaspoons to tablespoon to cups.  The level 4’s made two batches separately while the level 5’s and 6’s had to double their recipes to make one batch.  We had so much fun!

Field Trip– We have been approved to go to the State Capital on March 9 with Ms. Kirstens’ class.  We were offered a grant by the state and will be taking a school bus.  Permission slips should come home on Tuesday.  If you could please return them by Friday this would be great!

PROJECTS:

Level 6:  Historical Fiction or President Biography book report- due March 22

Level 4:

• Utah History project- subject to study due Wednesday, March 1.  (Fair April 17)
• Historical Fiction or President Biography book report- due March 22

Level 5:

STEM Invention Convention:

• Wednesday, March 1 pgs. 2-5
• Wednesday, March 8 pgs. 6-10
• Wednesday, March 15 pgs. 11-14
• Wednesday, March 22 pgs. 15-18
• Monday, March 27 FINAL PROJECT- display board (guidelines pg. 19), pitching the product

Egyptian Pyramid- Due Thursday, March 9.   Great resources to use for research:

http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/the-egyptian-pyramids

Dear Parents-

This week is Parent Teacher Conferences, please remember that Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are early out days at 1:00.  Conferences are student led so please have your child come with you.  If you have not signed up please do so at https://www.wejoinin.com/sheets/btlzg

Tuesday is Valentines Day we will be having a class party from 10:30-12:00.  If you would like to come help this would be fantastic.  Please email me at nhouseholder@mariamontessoriacademy.org  Also if anyone has a waffle iron we could borrow we are in need of 1-2 more.

Book report:  I have given the students a choice to either do a Historical Fiction or President biography for their book report and I have extended the report to be due in March.  Thus we are cancelling the February book report because we were all feeling overwhelmed with projects.  If they finish their book and want to turn it in early they are more than welcome to do so, as well as if they decide to do both- I will record their score for the second report.  They’re suppose to tell me their choice of report on Monday.

Remember there is NO school on Monday, February 20.

Have a great week,

Ms. Nicoletta

Dear Parents-

Our field trip to the Leonardo was absolutely great.  The science workshops and tours of the exhibit were fantastic and hands on learning.  Everywhere you looked a child had a smile on their face.  Thank you to Mallory and Holly for chaperoning this field trip.

Friday we are going to Weber State for Fabulous Friday, art workshops.  We will be taking a school bus to WSU and will be back to school by 12:30.  If you are interesting in joining us we are looking for at least 1 chaperone but can have up to 3.  Please email me or Jen Whetton if you can chaperone jenqw@digis.net

This week is 6th grade SCIENCE FAIR- set up will begin at 8:30.  Your child can bring their project as early as Monday to the class.

Parent Teacher Conferences are vastly approaching, please make sure to sign up at https://www.wejoinin.com/sheets/btlzg

Valentines Day activities- we will be spending the morning of Valentines doing cooking, baking, math and poetry activities related to Valentines Day.  If your interested in helping in the class with these activities we would be gracious to have 3-4 extra helping hands- please email me at nhouseholder@mariamontessoriacademy.org

A reminder that February 15-17 are early release days and there is no school on Monday, February 20.

I will be out of the classroom Tuesday, February 21-24.  I will be in South Carolina at a Montessori Conference of which I serve on the Board of Directors.   I will be presenting a workshop.  Ms. Susan will be the lead teacher with an assistant substitute.

Level 6’s will be shadowing in the Junior High on Thursday, February 23 for the whole day.

Have a wonderful week,

Ms. Nicoletta

Dear Parents-

Level 5’s field trip to JA Bizztown, despite the weather, was very successful and fun.  Thank you again to the chaperones who were able to volunteer.

This week we have three birthdays:  Nadija, Jett and Sayge.  A reminder that if you would like to have a Celebration of Life, please make sure to email me to schedule a time.

Leonardo Field Trip-This Wednesday we will be going to the Leonardo Museum in Salt Lake for a science and art field trip on Wednesday, February 1.  We will be meeting at the Ogden Frontrunner station off of Wall Ave.  The departing train leaves at 8:37 please have your child to the station by 8:15!  We will be arriving back at the Frontrunner station at 2:55.  Please make sure to pick your child up at the Frontrunner prior to pick up at the school.  Ms. Amy and I have meetings at 3:20 at the school and cannot leave any children at the Frontrunner waiting for pickup- thank you for your understanding.  Please send your child with a sack lunch for the day and appropriate clothing- we will be walking some outside in between stops.  Thank you to Mallory, Holly and Jen for helping to chaperone!

• (Frontrunner 8:37- Salt Lake Central 8:37, transfer to the blue line TRAX 9:42- Leonardo at 10:00, 1:06 Trax to Salt Lake Central, Frontrunner 1:55- Ogden 2:55)

Parent Teacher Conferences– please sign up at https://www.wejoinin.com/sheets/btlzg

SNACK– please sign up to contribute snack donations at https://www.wejoinin.com/sheets/pvjfq  We don’t have anyone signed up to bring snack until the last week of February!

Volunteers Needed–

• GALA BASKET– – I am  looking for a parent who would like to volunteer to gather collections for the Gala basket for our class and put the basket together.  The basket we have signed up for is the “caffe basket”.  Please let me know if you can help and I will contact Heidi Bradley who oversees the project.  They are wanting the baskets to be complete by the end of the this month!
  SCIENCE FAIR– Ms. Paula is looking for a variety of volunteers for science fair- if you are interested please email her at pdugan@mariamontessoriacademy.org
  set up the night before Feb. 7 at 3:30countingmorning of score keepers ribbon hangingscoordinate judging stationscleanup at 5:30 on Feb. 8 at 5:30
  Thank you so much for all of your support-Ms. Nicoletta
• Class Valentines Breakfast– I am looking for 1-2 parents who would like to help in the class Valentines breakfast and activities.  Please email me if you can help.

Field trip donation link– https://secureinstantpayments.com?Event=1175  Thank you for your support so we are able to go on these out of classroom experiences.  A $10 donation from each child could cover the cost of all field trips for the year- conjoined with the allotted field trip funds.  THANK YOU.

LEGO LEAGUE: Ages 6-10, cost $60, if your interested please contact Ms. Melanie in the office at msingleton@mariamontessoriacademy.org   For more details see the MMM newsletter.

RUMBI Wednesdays– a reminder if you want your child to have the delicious Rumbi on Wednesdays, make your order online by Monday before.

• Teriyaki Chicken & Veggie with White Rice- $4.00
• Orange Chicken with White Rice- $4.00
• To order a rice bowl on Wednesday’s for your child, please follow the payment link below:
• https://secureinstantpayments.com?Event=2375

Pictures from Astro Camp       

Have a wonderful week, it looks like Mother Nature is going to give us a break this week.

Ms. Nicoletta