A Sad Farewell



Our principal, Mr. Carroll.

Mr. Carroll is going back to the Middle School to be their principal.  On behalf of myself and the students of Room 14, I would like to say thank you, Mr. Carroll, for doing so much to help us and our school.  We will mis you.

Homework for today:
     1.  Magnets in Space.
     2.  No math.
     3.  Since most students have returned their library books, you are not
          required to read for half an hour.
     4.  Get parent initials.

Visit to Middle School

We enjoyed walking to Fillmore Middle School to see Mrs. Gosselin's sixth-graders perform Pompeii the Musical.  The sixth-graders did a great job!

Homework for today:
     1.  Electromagnetism and You.
     2.  No math today.
     3.  Study California symbols.
     4.  Read for half an hour.
     5.  Get parent initials.

Pompeii the Musical

Kelly Gosselin and Vesuvius

Our class has been invited to the Fillmore Middle School to see sixth graders perform Pompeii the Musical, a play I wrote for our Sespe GATE program.  Parents, please sign the walking permission slip form your child will bring home tonight.

Special note:  as we are winding down the school year, students need to bring back any books they have borrowed from either our classroom or the library.

Another special note:  Several students have still not brought back either their photos or their picture money. Please send back one or the other as soon as possible.

Homework for today:

     1.  From Magnets to Electromagnetism.

     2.  Math Miss  W:  Subtracting Fractions

                   Mr. Spaulding:  RW104

     3.  Read for half an hour.

     4.  Study California symbols.
     5.  Get parent initials.

Awards Ceremony Next Week

We will have our annual Sespe Awards Ceremony Wednesday next week.  Students have worked hard all year long and this gives us a chance to recognize some of our students for their outstanding work and achievements.

Homework:
     1.  Spelling p. 160-161
     2.  Math Miss W:  Subtracting Fractions
                   Mr. Spaulding:  PW103
     3.  Study California Symbols
     4.  Read for half an hour.
     5.  Get parent initials.

Animal Reports

The big project for the remainder of the school year is to finish our Animal Reports.  Here are the requirements for this assignment:
 1.  Paragraphs on:
      a.  Basic Facts
      b.  Habits and Habitat
      c.  Foods and Feeding
      d.  Breeding
      e.  Other Interesting Facts
 2.  Cover
 3.  Acrostic:  Write your animal's name vertically.  Write a sentence about your animal starting with each letter.
 4.  Color picture with five facts.
 5.  Write notes for oral report and practice what you are going to say for your presentation.

Homework for today:
     1.  Spelling 106-107.
     2.  Math Miss W:  Adding Fractions
                   Mr. Spaulding:  Multiplication Worksheet
     3.  Read for half an hour.
     4.  Get parent initials.

Making Adobe Bricks

One of the things we learned about at Fort Tejon was how to make adobe bricks.  It was fun stepping in the mud with our bare feet!

Homework for today:
     1.  Spelling p. 110-111.
     2.  Math Miss W:  RW106
                   Mr. Spaulding:  PW102
     3.  Read for half an hour.
     4.  Get parent initials.

What a Trip!

We're back!  We had a great trip to Fort Tejon.  We not only survived the trip, but had fun and learned a lot at the same time.  Thanks to all the parents who helped.  We couldn't have done it without you.




Today's homework:
     1.  Spelling p. 152-153.
     2.  Math Miss W:  no homework today.
                   Mr. Spaulding:  Multiplication worksheet.
     3.  Read for half an hour

What to Pack

So, the big trip to Fort Tejon is tomorrow.  You should pack what you need to take tonight so you will be ready.  A pillow case makes a good bag for carrying your clothes and other personal items.

Don't forget to bring:
1.  Sleeping bag and pillow.
2.  Towel, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste.  (There are no showers.)
3.  Change of clothes and good shoes for walking in.
4.  Sleeping clothes (sweats or p.j's.)
5.  Warm jacket for night patrol.
6.  Hat and suncreen.

Bring all your gear to school tomorrow.  We will get on the bus as soon as we get organized.  Parent volunteers should go to the fort beforehand so they will be ready when the students get there.  This is going to be fun!

Homework for today:
     1.  Pack for Fort Tejon
     2.  Math Miss W:  Subtracting Fractions
                   Mr. Spaulding:  PW85
     3.  Get parent initials.

Static Electricity

Our last unit in fourth grade science this year is on physical science, in particular, electricity and magnetism.  The little girl's wild hair in the picture above is due to the effects of static electricity.

Homework today:
     1.  Spelling workbook p. 146-147.
     2.  Math Miss W:  RW104
                   Mr. Spaulding:  RW85
     3.  Read for half an hour.
     4.  Get parent initials.

Fort Tejon Trip This Week!

This blog took a short vacation during the state testing weeks, but now we're back.  A lot has happened in the meantime.  Room 14 students did a fantastic job with the state test.  They were extremely focused and tried their best.  Parents will be sent individual results as soon as the state department of education processes all of the tests.  We will also get notice of Sespe School's API (Academic Performance Index) score.

As I am sure you all know, Sespe School is slated to be closed for renovations next year.  Most of the staff will move into the new School of Rio Vista, near the Bridges neighborhood on the other side of Highway 126. The Fillmore Unified School Board released the new boundaries last week.  Check the map to see what school your child is supposed to attend next school year.


Today's Homework:

     1.  Spelling p.148-149.
     2.  Math Miss W:  Superkids Worksheet.
                   Mr. Spaulding:  PW84
     3.  Read for half an hour.
     4.  Get parent initials.

Poor Air Quality Today

We did not get our regular P.E. today.  A combination of Santa Ana wind conditions and fires in the county led to a air quality warning for the day.  Here's hoping things clear up for tomorrow.  But as long as you are staying inside, why don't you read a book?

Homework today:
     1.  How We Know It Is Right
     2.  Math Miss W:  Review sheet
                   Mr. Spaulding:  RW134 and PW134
     3.  Read for half an hour.
     4.  Get parent initials.

May Day

Happy May Day!

Today's homework:
     1.  Where Things Survive
     2.  Math Miss W:  RW86
                   Mr. Spaulding:  RW133 and PW133
     3.  Read for half an hour.
     4.  Get parent initials.

Landslide!

Fourth graders are learning about fast and slow changes on Earth.  Some processes, such as weathering, can take a very long time.  Other changes, like the La Conchita landslide pictured above, can happen very quickly.

Homework for today: 
     1.  A Mist Like Needles
     2.  Math Miss W:  RW83
                   Mr. Spaulding:  RW132
     3.  Read for half an hour.
     4.  Get parent initials.

Fort Tejon Training Day Coming Soon

Okay, Room 14 parents, our Fort Tejon training day is coming up this Saturday.  You, too, can learn to be a  blacksmith.  (The picture above shows the forge at Fort Tejon.)  We also need carpenters, adobe brick makers, candle makers, and cooks.  The training will be at Fort Tejon, starting at 9:00 in the morning.

Homework for today:

      1.  Eggs, Eggs, Eggs reading packet

      2.  Math Miss W:  RW81

                    Mr. Spaulding:  RW131

      3.  Read for half an hour.

      4.  Get parent initials.

Rally Tomorrow at Fillmore High School

Sespe students will walk to the high school tomorrow for a pep rally with students from the other elementary schools in town.  The rally is to get kids focused on and enthusiastic about taking our upcoming state tests.  We are very proud of our students and all the hard work they have done so far this year, and it is important that they do their very best on the state tests to show all they have learned.  Students should wear sports apparel for the rally.

Homework today:
     1.  Spelling practice test (words on p. 120)
     2.  Math Miss W:  Averages worksheet
                   Mr. Spaulding:  RW 128
     3.  Study Science Review sheet.
     4.  Read for half an hour.
     5.  Get parent initials.

AGB Visit

Today was the second formal visit of our Alternative Governance Board, or AGB.  The AGB was instituted in our district to gather data and give schools support and feedback.  They will deliver their final report later this school year.

Today's homework:
     1.  The Truth About the Ink
     2.  Math Miss W:  RW79
                   Mr. Spaulding: RW127
     3.  Read for half an hour.
     4.  Get parent initials.

Sespe's Future: Rio Vista

Sespe School is scheduled to be closed for renovations at the end of this school year.  So where are all the Sespe teachers and other staff going?  To the new school being built near the Santa Clara River: Rio Vista (see picture above.)

Homework for today:
     1.  Wyoming Facts
     2.  Math Miss W:  RW 133-134, PW 133-134.
                   Mr. Spaulding:  RW125
     3.  Read for half an hour.
     4.  Get parent initials.

Students of the Trimester Awards

Congratulations to our Students of the Trimester winners, Erasmo, Marisol, Eileene and Arturo!

Homework for today:
     1.  Spelling p. 120-121
     2.  Math Miss W: RW132
                   Mr. Spaulding: RW124 & PW124
3.  Study Science Review sheet.
4.  Read for half an hour.
5.  Get parent initials.

Spring Showcase Tonight

Dear Room 14 Parents,

Please visit our school this evening for our annual Sespe School Spring Showcase.  Before the Showcase, from 5:00 to 6:00, the ELAC Committee will sell pizza and have a photo booth set up.

Classrooms will be open from 6:00 to 7:00 for you to visit.  Students are proud of the work they have done this year and all that they have learned.  Please come out and support your children and your school.

This will also give us a chance to get an update on our upcoming Fort Tejon trip.

See you this evening!

Homework tonight:
     1.  Come to Spring Showcase 6:00-7:00.
     2.  Math Miss W:  RW 131
                   Mr. Spaulding:  PW 123
     3.  Read for half an hour.
     4.  Get parent initials.

Just Say No to Bullying

Bullying can be a significant problem in schools.  Today we had an assembly where we learned how to stand up to deal with bullies.  Bullying is when someone:

• keeps picking on you again and again and tries to make you feel bad
• says or does lots of mean things that upset you
• makes fun of you a lot
• tries to stop you from joining in or make others not like you
• keeps hurting you such as hitting or punching you.

Bullying can also happen through a mobile phone or on the internet. This is called cyberbullying.

Bullying is not fair. It feels awful.

You have a right to feel safe.

If you don't feel safe, get help right now from your mom, dad, teacher, or an adult who will listen to you!

Today's homework:
     1.  Waist High Overall
     2.  Math Miss W:  RW 129
                   Mr. Spaulding:  123
     3.  Read for half an hour.
     4.  get parent initials.