The FCS Atoms Update
Summer Edition 1
Welcome to Summer
Although many of our students are out on vacation, our teachers are still hard at work wrapping up a wonderful 2018-19 school year. Report cards, score reports, etc. will be sent out on Thursday, June 13th if scholars do not have holds on their account.
This morning in talking to a friend, I remembered that I only have 9 more summers with my daughter before she heads off to college! When I think about it this way, it always reminds me to be intentional with what we do. Not everything has to cost something, reading together, sitting on a blanket outside, playing board games, or try out one of these options from U Create Crafts Summer List: https://www.u-createcrafts.com/the-ultimate-summer-bucket-list/ Whatever you do this summer, I hope you have fun doing it together! Don't forget our One Book, One School Summer reading and our Summer Math Challenge!
Just a few reminders, everyone should have their summer reading book (if not, please contact me), for our orientation trip, we will be going to the Beanstalk in Morganton for team building (Aug. 23rd), payment for the trip is due Aug. 1st, and the summer bridge for rising 6th graders will be either Aug. 8th or 15th.
Thanks,
-Melanie Shaver
One Book, One School- Summer Reading
Our school is about to take part in a special, communitywide shared reading event. By the end of this school year, every family will receive a copy of the same book – Refugee by Alan Gratz – and will be asked to read it together at home over the summer.
Reading aloud at home is valuable because it better prepares your scholar to be an effective reader, and it is also a fun, worthwhile family activity. With this program, we aim to build a Community of Readers at our school. Everyone – students, parents, teachers, even administrative staff – will all be following along together.
Halfway through the book, each scholar will complete a FlipGrid assignment on what he/she has read so far. The link to the assignment will be posted on the S’mores, our newsletter, which I send out weekly. Scholars will be responding to three of their classmates’ videos. A second FlipGrid assignment will be posted for the end of the book. Please find the due dates below.
It is likely your scholar has already used FlipGrid in school. It is a website where students can film a short video in which they respond to a question. Scholars then post their short videos for other classmates and their teachers to view. It is easy to use and a fun way to participate in a virtual book club over the summer.
I know that you’ll enjoy this special reading time with your scholar, making connections between Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud--even though they are separated by continents and decades. We look forward to further discussing the book when we begin the school year in August. With your help, we can build a Community of Readers at Foothills Community School.
View the One Book, One School FCS Refugee site here: https://sites.google.com/mcdowell.k12.nc.us/refugee-fcs/home
Summer Math Challenge
Week One: Father's Day
For Father’s Day, Martin’s family is having a barbeque. Martin is making the lemonade. If the directions calls for 2 tablespoons of mix per quart of water, how many tablespoons of mix are needed to make 1.5 gallons of lemonade?
Martin’s brother is grilling the food. He puts 2 more burgers than hotdogs on the grill and 3 more ears of corn than hotdogs. In total, there are of 20 items on the grill. How many ears of corn are on the grill?
Martin’s dad is 6’2” tall, but while playing catch with the football, Martin notices that his dad’s shadow is only 2 feet long. If one of the trees in their backyard casts a shadow that was 11 feet long at the same time, how tall is the tree? Express your answer to the nearest whole number.
Internet Safety and Computer 1:1 Information
Orientation Trip
In order to kick off our 2019-2020 school year, we would like to invite our FCS Scholars to an orientation event Aug. 23rd. Although this trip will be a lot of fun, students will be involved in team-building and learning activities that will help them draw closer together as a family. This year our event will be a day trip.
When:
Aug 23rd.
We will depart at 7:30am from the WMMS/FCS South lot.
We will return by approx. 4:30pm to the WMMS/FCS South lot.
Where:
We will be travelling by Activity Bus to Catawba Meadows. At Catawba Meadows students will participate in 9 active stations that help them explore themselves, their peers and local history and science.
What:
What do students need to bring? A water bottle and sunscreen. If a student has medications, they will need to drop those off prior to the trip with Nurse Diana. Food, travel and activities all be included in the cost.
Why:
In order for our students and teachers to bond into a learning community, we want to provide a fun, low-stress experience that helps everyone engage in an adventure!
Cost:
As always, we try to provide trips that pack in a lot of fun at a $50 cost. Money for the trip will be due on Aug. 1st.
**Please contact Nurse Diana for medication forms and nurse information sheet. diana.mcentire@mcdowell.k12.nc.us
Summer Bridge
Upcoming Dates and Information
June 14- Week 1: Math Challenge Due
by July 5: Scholars will answer their first question on FlipGrid for pp. 1-160.
Which character do you think is facing the most difficult situation? What would you do if you were in this character's situation?
by July 12: Scholars will post 3 responses to classmates’ FlipGrids.
August 1- Orientation Trip Payment Due ($50)
August 8- Summer Bridge (Group 1)
by August 9th: Scholars will answer their second question on FlipGrid for pp 161-352
Whose journey did you enjoy reading about the most? Why? Choose from: Josef, Isabel, or Mahmoud.
August 15-Summer Bridge (Group 2)
by August 16: Scholars will post 3 responses to classmates’ FlipGrids.
August 23rd- Orientation Trip
August 26th-First day of school
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Website: fcs.mcdowell.k12.nc.us