Growing with STEM in Fourth Grade
May 2- 6
This Week in Fourth Grade
With just one week left before we take our STAAR exams it is time to begin preparing mentally. We will be taking our Math STAAR on Monday May 9th and the Reading STAAR on Tuesday May 10th. I would like to encourage you to make a plan ahead of time for getting a reasonable amount of rest and reducing stress. Also, taking a long test can be physically draining, so you may want to clear your Monday evening schedule. Remember that confidence is crucial and that children are impressionable. Try to stay positive and encourage your scholar to do the same. Remember that our Campus will be closed to visitors Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (5th grade Science STAAR).
Don't forget to check the calendar below for dates that span to the end of the school year. This includes our Field Day, Awards Ceremony, and early dismissal for the last day of school.
Designs for Shirts Due by May 6th
As most of you know, the PTA at Cannon Elementary designs a new shirt for every school year. This year, 4th graders are invited to design our shirt for the 2016-2017 school year!!
If you are interested, please sketch a design either on an 8.5x11 paper or on your iPad and turn it into your teacher by Friday, May 6. All 4th grade teachers and the board of the PTA will vote on the winning design. A decision should be reached by the end of the school year.
Please make sure the design includes “Cannon Elementary: A GCISD STEM School”. This is the only requirement for the design.
We look forward to seeing all the creative designs you come up with for our new school shirts.
Parent Volunteers Neeed
What We are Learning This Week
Science:
I can describe the flow of energy through a food web.
Math:
Review of all TEKS
Reading:
I can pace my reading and thinking to maximize my stamina and comprehend at high levels.
I can use different test taking strategies to be successful.
Writing:
I can create an Imaginative Narrative
Social Studies:
I can understand the impact of science and technology on life in Texas.
I can identify famous inventors and scientists as well as their contributions.
Important Dates
5/2- 5/6 Teacher Appreciation Week
5/6 Cannon T-Shirt Design Due (4th Only)
5/7 GCISD Bond 2016 Election Day
5/9 3rd and 4th Grade Math STAAR Tests
5/10 3rd and 4th Grade Reading STAAR Tests
5/11 5th Grade Science STAAR Test
5/11 National Nurse's Day! Celebrate Nurse Kendra!
5/16 Cubs Night Out @ Pluckers
5/17 PTA Talk & Tea 7:45-8:30 - A Focus on Literacy
5/18 NRH20 Music Festival - choir trip
5/19 Young Engineer's Night 6:00-7:30 pm
5/20 Career Day - K-5
5/26 Field Day!
5/27 Bad Weather Makeup Day - Student/Staff Holiday
5/30 School Holiday - Memorial Day
5/31 4th grade Awards Ceremony - 1:30-2:30
6/2 Last Day of School - Early Release 11:45
Nothing to do this Summer? Check this out!
Be sure to check out the awesome summer enrichment opportunities that are offered in GCISD. Summer classes are offered for students that have completed Kindergarten - 6th grade and are ages 5-13. Courses are offered in all areas, including academic, physical fitness, fine arts, as well as special interest classes. Classes run for one week for 3 hours per day either in the morning or in the afternoon. Click here to find registration information for Summer Enrichment or watch this video to learn more about Summer Enrichment opportunities!
New Way to Register
Help Us Help Cannon
In an effort to provide an opportunity to Cannon parents to help support Cannon, we are doing a Greenback Fundraiser. Your scholar will not come home with catalogs with cookie dough, wrapping paper, or candy, parents can make a one time donation directly to cannon. Funds raided will help support our growth as a school and curriculum materials/other resources for our scholars and teachers. And donating is super EASY. You can donate online, using a credit card (no fees involved!) or by cash/check. All checks should be made out to Cannon Elementary. Each donation is tax-deductible and a form will be provided on request.
Look for a donation flyer coming home with your scholar soon!
Or if you can't wait: Click here to make a donation ONLINE now! Select the button - Cannon- Growing the Future!!
Free eBooks!
- Go to the App Store on your device (Apple or Android)
- Search for "Open eBooks" and follow the instructions to download.
- Open the app.
- Agree to any terms & conditions.
- Enter your code and PIN combination when prompted. For Pre-K - 4th grade eBooks: Access Code: M6901N0WZ0 Pin: 5806; For 5th-8th grade eBooks: Access Code: MUZI856QUT Pin: 8534
- Browse the catalog of books available.
- Download eBooks of interest to your child and enjoy reading. Please note that you can download 10 eBooks at a time. Each eBook will be available for 56 days before it must be renewed.
- That's it! Enjoy!!
Changing Times
A letter went home with all students to inform you about the change to the instructional calendar that will be going before the Board on March 28 at Colleyville Middle School. Every year, the District Excellence Committee, comprised of teachers, staff, parents and community members, as well as district and campus leadership, review possible calendar options before presenting to the Board of Trustees. This year, we had the additional complication of HB 2610, which was developed and passed during the 84th Texas legislative session. It requires districts to provide at least 75,600 minutes of instruction, rather than 180 days. Due to the new legislation passed by the State, there will be some changes made to the student-teacher calendar in GCISD. To maintain the calendar the community desires and has previously approved, elementary, middle and high schools must have 435 instructional minutes per day. In order to accommodate the new requirements, the district had to make adjustments to the school day for elementary and high school students. The new start and dismissal times are impacted not only by the change in the required instructional minutes but also by the resulting shift in the transportation schedules. Below is the proposed schedule for 2016-2017 school year:
● Elementary School 7:40 a.m. - 2:55 p.m.
● Middle School 8:10 a.m. - 3:25 p.m.
● High School 8:40 a.m. - 3:55 p.m.
If the Board approves the proposed changes to our bell schedule, the district will post information on the district website and share through campus social media channels.