4th Grade Newsletter
April 12, 2018
Important Dates
- March 30-No School
- April 2-No School
- April 9-13-Campus closed due to STAAR testing
- April 13-Rockin' Ropers Performance
April 16-20-Book Fair Week
April 17-Spring Picnic (Book Fair will be open!)
April 20-Coffee and Bookfair shopping 6:45-7:15
Week of April 16- Science MAP Testing
April 23-Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast (more information below)
April 25-Bronco Press due!
May 14-STAAR Math
May 15-STAAR Reading
Language Arts
We are so proud of all the hard work everyone did on Tuesday during on STAAR Writing! The teachers are not allowed to read student responses or the multiple choice questions while we are monitoring. However, we did see the students diligently working all day long. Success on STAAR is not our only goal for our students. However, testing is a part of our educational system and we appreciate the students taking their time and doing their best.
As we move forward into the final weeks of the year, we will continue to focus on developing reading comprehension. Please make sure that your child is making time to read at home every single day. You should see them progressing regularly through chapter books. If they do not have access to books at home, we visit the library here every week or they can borrow books from our classroom. You can also visit the public library for additional book choices. The more focused time they spend reading, the better prepared they will be for success.
Science
Our study of weather continues! Students are learning about the tools used to measure the weather, how to read weather maps, and the factors that impact the weather.
Math
Next week we will take the Math Practice STAAR on Monday, April 16. Those results will be shared with you and will help focus our instruction before the state assessment. We will soon begin reviewing the 4th grade TEKS for the STAAR test on May 14.
Exciting News!
We have exciting news to share with you!
Barksdale is going to get a whole new look for the 2018-2019 school year! Recently the Plano ISD School Board approved the budget for refurbishment. Some of the things that you will see are full renovation of the kitchen, new flooring throughout the building, upgraded teachers’ lounge and workroom, new metal student lockers, all new cabinetry, new furniture throughout the building, fresh paint, new playgrounds, upgrades to the HVAC units, chillers, boilers, electrical, plumbing, and more. There will also be two additional classrooms added due to our projected enrollment. Construction on the two new classrooms will begin shortly. Teachers are busy cleaning out their classrooms after school and on the weekends, as everything in the entire school has to be removed starting June 1. We could not be more excited to see the new look, but we do know that we will have to make adjustments along the way. We will continue to update you throughout this process. Please know that none of this will impact your child’s learning this school year. They will begin working on everything over the summer, with the exception of the two new classrooms.
Book Fair!
Students are invited to take time and “Paws for Books” in the Barksdale Library April 16th - 20th! Want to help others explore their love for reading? Be a volunteer at the Paws for Books Book Fair by emailing bookfair@barksdalepta.org.
Parent(s), bring your cool cat and join us Friday morning, April 20th, between 6:45 and 7:15 am. Besides purrrfect coffee, there will be a chance to win a paws-itively fabulous prize you won’t want to miss!
Lastly, please help us make a change by donating yours. All donations will go to Operation Kindness, a no-kill shelter for homeless cats and dogs in North Texas.
Come. Sit. Stay. Read!
Monday – Friday*, School Hours
Spring Picnic Hours, Tuesday 5-7pm
Friday 6:45am-7:15am, Coffee
*Early close, 1pm, for takedown
You may shop online using the link below.
5th Grade Camp!
Next year the students will be going to 5th Grade Outdoor Science Camp from December 10-12.
Parents are invited to an open house for 5th Grade Outdoor Science Camp. It will take place on April 15th from 2pm - 4pm at Collin County Adventure Camp. Please see the flyer below for more detail.