Independence Day

Our Independence Day was a great success! The Loyalists and Patriots both worked hard on their presentations and the academic battles that gave them an opportunity to apply what they have learned about the American Revolution. 

Final Score: Patriots 2291   Loyalists 2347

A Successful Clean Up Day

Thank you to the Moms and Dads who gave their time, lent their gardening tools, and donated supplies so the fifth grade could show their pride in their school.  We had a great day!

Your Help is Needed for the
5th Grade Outdoor Clean Up Day (Wednesday, June 12th)

The 5th Grade teachers are coordinating a Clean Up Day outside of Fox Hill School for their students. 
The goal is to help teach the 5th graders to become champions of the planet. 
Students will have the opportunity to head outside during different intervals of the day
on Wednesday, June 12th (rain date June 13th) to tidy up around the school by raking,
cleaning up trash, planting flowers.  In an effort to help the students accomplish this goal,
some supplies and parent volunteers will be needed. 

It would be wonderful if anyone is willing to donate the following:

• Flats of flowers (approximately 12 flats)
• Borrowed rakes (approximately 10 needed)
• Borrowed small handheld gardening shovels for planting (approximately 6 needed)
  

Thank you so much in advance for helping the 5th graders learn about taking care of their
environment while also showing their pride in their school.  

Spirit Week

You are in for a treat!

Here is a sample from tonight's concert.  Our talented fourth and fifth grade students did an outstanding job this morning.  I'm sure the show will be just as wonderful tonight!

Students need to report to school by 5:45 this evening!

Enjoy!

Message from Ms. Scheffer about Distance Learning

Dear Families,

The Distance Learning assignment has now been posted in Seesaw for your child to access and complete by June 6th. If you experience any technical issues logging into your child´s Seesaw account, please contact the Fox Hill Technology Integration Specialist Jenn Scheffer at jscheffer@bpsk12.org. Please indicate your child´s first and last name as well as their LASID number. Your child´s LASID number is their lunch card number. 

Distance Learning

There is a new page on my blog (see list at right: "Distance Learning Assignments") that will post assignments for students to complete in the event of a school cancellation. We have been asked to try out this distance learning model so that it can be in place for next year. This try out will begin tomorrow, May 23. I have posted an assignment in Seesaw that students will have two weeks to do and turn in. Your child knows how to sign in to Seesaw and post his or her work. This is an app that we have been using for two years.
Directions for logging onto Seesaw

Information about Distance Learning from the Distance Learning Committee:
"Distance Learning is a system for providing students with assignments and/or instruction that can be done remotely in order to make up school when school is closed due to reasons such as inclement weather, town emergencies, election days and possible professional development days. This practice has been implemented in several area districts. This Distance Learning will be completed by students at home within a certain window of time and will be done in lieu of making up additional days at the end of the school year. "

"This program will allow us to recover the missed days/hours of school due to cancellations, without having to add additional day(s) on to the end of the school year. While we know the best instruction takes place face-to-face with teachers, we understand that the last week in June is not a most productive time for learning to take place. The Distance Learning program also allows students to develop their foundational skills needed to plan and accomplish learning in different environments. A byproduct of this program is that students will experience learning in different environments and it promotes independence. The ability to navigate Distance Learning programs has also become a critical skill for our students as they advance beyond Burlington Public Schools."

"We recognize not all Distance Learning activities will be done via

computer/device, but understand that most will.
This is another reason there will be a window of time
(approximately two weeks) before the assignment is due. During
that time, arrangements can be made for students to access
technology as needed."

"Students who do not complete their Distance Learning activity by the due date and have not made attempts to request, nor seek support from school personnel will be marked absent for the designated recovered day. (No one will be marked absent this year, as this is just a test of this policy.) If a student does not complete the work by the deadline, make-up work is not permitted due to the two-week window to complete the activities. We too believe that snow play is an important part of childhood in New England.  Another benefit of the two-week window to complete the activities is that the work does not have to be done on the particular snow day. "

Family Night at MSMS

Parents of fifth graders:
You are invited to Marshall Simonds this evening at 6:30 to hear about the programs and other pertinent information regarding  middle school.  The evening is for parents and guardians only.  Students will be attending their own information session with fifth graders from all the other elementary schools on the morning of June 10.

Gerbils for the Summer!

Our beloved class pets (three girl gerbils) need a home for summer.  If you would like to foster these lovable creatures, please let me know so we can make arrangements for you to pick them up at the Science Center at BHS. The Science Center provides all supplies you will need!

Concord Families Reunion!

Our docent, Dave, explains how the British Regulars and militia
from several towns met at The North Bridge.

Our annual field trip to The Concord Museum was an excellent way to learn about the events of April 19, 1775.  Students "became" members of six important Concord families and learned what that fateful day meant for them.  Our study of the American Revolution has been greatly enhanced by this experience.  

 

Mrs. Bliss talks of her concern for her Loyalist family!

"One if by land, two if by sea..."

Looking at artifacts

Examining a tea brick

Sugar cones

Field Trip Update

We will be going to the Concord Museum on Wednesday.  A portion of the trip is outdoors, so please make sure students dress accordingly, as it looks like it will be a bit drizzly and cool. 
Students need to bring their snack with them, and will also need to bring a lunch as we get back after the cafeteria closes. 

MCAS

Spring brings showers and flowers and...testing! 

Tuesday and Wednesday students in grades 3-5 will be taking the English Language Arts MCAS. Fifth graders will go to their special and have snack before beginning the test. 

The Math MCAS is May 14 and 15; Science is May 20 and 21. 

This Week in Room 13

Here are some important dates for this week, and the rest of the month:

• Tuesday, April 2- Postural Screening (Parents may sign the form sent home last week to opt out)
• Wednesday, April 3- Spring Pictures and Fifth Grade Class Picture
• Wednesday, April 3- Math Test Topic 9 (Dividing Fractions)
• Friday, April 5- PTO Ice Cream Social 6:30-8:00 pm
• Tuesday, April 9 & Wednesday, April 10- English Language Arts MCAS
• ***April 15- 19 Spring vacation- no school
• Wednesday, April 24- Fifth grade field trip to Concord Museum

***Our gerbils need a home for vacation week! Please contact me if you can "gerbil-sit" during school vacation week.  You will need to come and pick them up the Thursday or Friday before vacation week.  All supplies will be provided. Thank you!

Yearbook Cover Design Needed