Notes From the Q
Blazing A Trail To The Future
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A Note from Dr. Henry
Spring is here and we are in the last quarter...
I am so very proud of our kiddos and their growth not just academically, but socially and emotionally. They have given of themselves not just in studies, but with volunteering for community services, leadership and positive teamwork! . We also want to thank the parents and extended family members for being part of the ‘Quartz Team’
and helping your students manage academics, extracurriculars and family time.
There are many activities yet to enjoy at Quartz, please refer to the ‘Save the Date’ section
for upcoming events at the end of this newsletter.
Mariposa Pt. needs used IPods for beneficial music therapy
Our wonderful generational neighbors across the street are in need of used IPods so that individualized music therapy can occur...Mariposa Pt. will ‘load’ music preference for their residents. If you are inclined ITunes music gift cards would also be appreciated
*Know that our students visit Mariposa at least once a month and take part in seasonal activities, read to residents, have fascinating conversation, do arts & crafts, dance and so much more-- a mutual beneficial experience for both residents and students!
Safety and Security: SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!
Please know that we are continuing to train staff and students with the latest security precautions and actions. If you have any suggestions, please email them to Dr. Henry: joan.henry@gilbertschools.net.
Thank you to PTSO and the families/community members for so generously contributing time and money to the Annual Fun Run Fundraiser.
Your incredible efforts will continue to support our kiddos directly in their classrooms!
Communication
Save the Date -- Upcoming Events
March 22 Battle of the Books 2:00
March 26 PTSO Chipotle Night 4:00-8:00 (50% of the proceeds go to Quartz HIll)
2224 E. Williamsfield Rd
March 29 PTSO Meeting 6:00 - All parents welcome
March 30 Spring Holiday - No School
April 10 Norwood Art Show 7:30 Artwork selected from 1st -6th grades on display
at the Norwood Furniture store in downtown Gilbert
April 13 2nd grade field trip to Rawhide
April 16 PTSO Someburros NIght 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. All families are welcome (San Tan)
April 18 Kindergarten Round Up 3:00 Incoming kinder parents and students
April 19 Mariposa Point Art Show 4:00 All families welcome to come across the street
Art will be selected from every grade to be displayed
April 20 Kindergarten field trip to Idea Museum
April 24 Band Concert 2:30/6:00 5th/6th grade students perform all families welcome
April 25 School Council Meeting 4:00 All parents are welcome
Strings Concert 2:30/6:00 5th/6th grade students perform all families welcome
April 26 Muffins with Mom 8:00 (mom or substitute mom welcome)
District Battle of the Books 6:00 For the winners of each schools Battle of the Books
site tbd
PTSO Meeting and Elections 6:00 All parents welcome
May 7 PTSO Cafe Rio Night (San Tan)
May 8 Academic Night 4th,5th, & 6th grade students who qualify and their parents
May 17 6th grade play 10:00, 2:00 and 5:30 All families welcome
May 21 6th grade field trip to AZ Science Center
May 22 5th grade field trip to Imax
Kindergarten Graduation 2:00 All parents and grandparents welcome
May 23 Last Day of School 12:40 release
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!
Attendance
It is important for children to keep up their attendance and arrive on time in the last quarter of the year.
If you are on open enrollment and have not turned in your application for next year please do so as soon as possible. You can get an application on the district website www.gilbertschools.net or pick one up in the office.
Thank you
Now Enrolling
On January 22, 2018 we launched a new online enrollment process for new students designed to make the enrollment process easier and more streamlined. Please find out more by clicking on the links in the Enrollment Information Center menu or visit the website http://www.gilbertschools.net.
Online enrollment is for new students only, who did not attend any Gilbert Public Schools in the previous year. Parents can begin enrolling new students, current preschoolers, and current Kindergarten Prep students online for the 2018 - 2019 school year.
Save the date for Kindergrten Round Up April 18th @3:00 Incoming kinder students and parents welcome
We are currently enrolling all grades for the 2018/2019 school year.
Classroom Happenings
KIndergarten
The kindergarteners are excited to be doing our Ladybug science unit where we learn about the lifecycle of ladybugs and get to observe real ladybugs in our classrooms! The unit concludes with an outdoor release of the ladybugs! This is always a fun and exciting science unit. We are also looking forward to our field trip to the Idea Museum coming up in April!
The students are working hard this quarter preparing to be big first graders!
First Grade
First grade has had an exciting month being creative and using the engineering design process! We made marble roller coasters with paper plates and toilet paper rolls, displayed artwork, and made animal diorama habitats. We are going to be learning about the desert and moving on to using comparison bars in math.
Second Grade:
In 2nd grade we will be learning about Pioneers, as we begin our unit on Westward Expansion. We will be learning about the daily life of a pioneer family as they moved West during the 1800's. As a culminating activity to our unit, we will be attending a field trip to Rawhide on Friday, April 13. In math, we are learning about place value and 3-digit addition and subtraction. We will use base ten blocks for hands-on learning and we will expand our knowledge by using our interactive notebooks. We are enjoying a myriad of genres in reading this month. Pine Park Mystery is a play, with students reading various parts, in a reader's theater style. We will also compare and contrast an imaginative story with a biography when we read "How I Spent My Summer Vacation" and "Anthony Reynoso: Born to Rope". These are two fascinating stories about cowboys, which lead us into rich discussions about cowboy life.
Third Grade
Third Grade will have a busy few weeks coming up! In reading we will focus on realistic fiction and some nonfiction reading pieces as well. In writing we will focus on supporting our writing with examples from nonfiction and narrative reading passages. Third Grade is currently starting to learn about some exciting new math topics too! We will be focusing on learning about geometry in math for the next few weeks. We will continue to learn about two step word problems as well and using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to solve these problems! We are preparing the students for their first time taking the AzMERIT and we are proud of how hard the students are working on this! We are thankful and excited to continue to complete more projects using technology with our grade level set of Chromebooks. Thank you to our families who continue to support us as we learn and grow!
Fourth Grade
Our 4th graders have been reading a play that is a spoof of Little Red Riding Hood. Students selected parts and cleverly created puppets to perform for one another. Students enjoyed a field trip to the Arizona Water Festival. There were interactive stations about water conservation, watersheds, groundwater and the water cycle.
Fifth Grade
Fifth grade is currently working on metric conversions and reviewing for the AZMerit State Assessment in April. We will be moving into our Science Unit after Merit testing. Our Science Unit is called "A Long Way Down: Designing Parachutes Astronomy and Aerospace Engineering for Elementary Students.
ELA fifth graders are currently working on literature circles and reviewing for the AZMerit. In Social Studies we are learning about the Revolutionary War and our founding documents-Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and the Bill of Rights keeping in mind the question, "How do these events and documents pertain to me in 2018?" After testing we will begin our Famous American project.
Upcoming events:
May 3-Science Center Assembly
May 16-Science Center on Wheels
May 22-IMAX Educational Films at AZ Mills Mall
All student permission forms and money ($30) is due.
Sixth Grade
6th grade is working on Ancient Rome in Social Studies and in Science they are working on Energy and Landforms. We will be making the Roman Road out of food, an Aquaduct out of Twizzlers and marshmallows, and a Miniature Roman Legionarie shield. They will be constructing models of landforms in Science. And of course we are working on our Musical "Beauty and the Beast". Production coming on May 17th at 10, 2, and 5:30. Hope to see you there!
ALP/Gifted
Quartz Hill Gifted/ALP continues to move forward with our studies in English Language Arts and Math. Our 6th grade ELA class is beginning a literature study of the book, I am Malala. This is a true story of a young Pakistani girl and how her support of educational opportunties for all in her country led to great change in her life. We will not only explore internal and external forces and how they impact change, but the nature of change itself. Students will be challenged to think about what they can do to change the world around them in ways they feel are important. In the 4th and 5th grade ELA class we are in the middle of a story by Norma Fox Mazer titled Tuesday of the Other June. It explores the concept of bullying and standing up for oneself in an acceptable manner. The story is coupled with a work of art by Andrew Wyeth entitled Siri. We have explored why this particular piece might relate well to the story and how art can also relay feelings and ideas. Both ELA classes also continue to conduct Toastmasters meetings on a regular basis to practice and refine their public speaking skills. Finally, the 4th grade math students continue working hard as they round out their study of measurement and Geometry and will begin to move to the multiplication and division of fractions and decimals to finish our year. It is so fun to work with these amazing students and even though we are in the last quarter of our year, we still have a lot of exciting learning ahead.
Mandy Bachali
AzMerit Testing
News from our Social Worker
Test Taking Tips For Parents
As you know, our 3rd – 6th grade students will soon be taking the AzMERIT and AIMS SCIENCE testing to provide a snapshot into your child’s understanding, learning, and skills. Our teachers have been busy working in class with students to review and reinforce skills that will help them be successful with the testing. Parents and guardians can play an important part in the testing process so here are some test taking tips that may help your child do their best:
ü Talk about the tests at home. Encourage your child to do his or her best, but not to stress about them.
ü Give words of encouragement. Remind your child that they have been preparing for this all year and they are ready.
ü Have your student get a good night’s rest. Rest is important in helping them feel alert and focused.
ü Offer a nutritious breakfast. Students who are full can focus easier and longer than students who feel hungry.
ü Dress for success. It’s recommended that students wear comfortable clothes on testing days.
ü Get to school on time. Students who feel rushed to get to school may start their day with anxious feelings that can lead to frustration and the potential for poorer test performance.
ü Be prepared. Make sure your child has their ear buds.
We appreciate you working with us to help your student have a successful testing experience this year!
Sincerely,
Ms. Beverly
Quartz Hill PTSO Info
Wbsite with access to store: http://www.quartzhillptso.org/
Facebook: Quartz Hill Elementary PTSO
Where to send questions: http://www.qhptso@gmail.com