January 13, 2025

schoolhouse.pngMrs. Hall's Happenings

What We’re Learning This Week

This week in language arts we’ll continue our unit on Greek Mythology with the stories of Heracles and Theseus.  Ask your student to share their favorite myth!

In math this week we’ll continue to work on decimal computation.  Our math standard in sixth grade is to FLUENTLY compute with decimals.  It takes a lot of practice to become fluent.  Students need to have complete mastery of both their math facts and the algorithms to solve the problems.

In science we will talk about the factors that influence world climates.

In social studies we are learning about Ancient Greece.  This week we'll be learning about Greek city-states and daily life in Ancient Greece.  We will also be choosing projects for the Greek Festival (see below).

Greek Festival

As the culminating activity in our study of Ancient Greece, sixth graders will be participating in a Greek Festival Day on February 6.  We will start the day with a presentation of our festival projects.  Students will chose their projects on Wednesday and will bring home a project planning sheet as homework that night.  Students need a parent/guardian signature on their planning sheet.  The "Project Card" gives an idea about what to do for the project, but students do not have to do exactly what is on the card.  For example, if a student chose the project on Greek pottery, they could make a Greek pot (as described on the card) or create a presentation about pottery--on a poster or a PowerPoint.  They can be creative in showing what they learned about the topic.  This project needs to be completed at home.  We will have the projects on display in the school cafeteria from 9:15-10:45 on February 6.  Parents are welcome to attend.  Then in the afternoon we will be holding a "Greek Olympics" with events like the discus (with tortillas) and javelin (with pool noodles).  We are in need of parent volunteers to help run the events.  If you would be able to help on February 6 from 1:15-3:30, please let me know,  Also, students will be dressing in Greek chitons (Romans called them togas) for the day.  Basically, students need to bring a white sheet, and I will pin it into a chiton for them.  Sheets should come to school on February 5, so we can get them pinned and ready for the Greek Festival the next day. 

Nightly Reading

One of the most important things you can do to help your child be successful is making certain they are reading 100 minutes a week.  Twenty minutes a night is ideal, but I understand (as a parent myself) how crazy schedules can get sometimes.  Students who are below grade level, should be reading even more than 20 minutes each night.  Follow up with your child by asking about their book.  Read along with them and have your own mini “book club” discussion.  Students who love to read are almost always successful students.  Good reading skills help students in countless ways!  From this point onward in your student's education, they will be reading to learn rather than learning to read.  Students who are below grade level will struggle to keep up in their academic classes.  Nightly reading can help them catch up!  If your child is having a hard time finding a great book, please have them come and talk to me.  I love helping students find books to read and enjoy!  Remember the January book report is due on Monday, January 31.  

Report Cards and Conferences

Report cards are now available on myDSD.  Please sign up for a parent conference time through your myDSD account.  January 29 and 30 will be conference days from 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.  Students will be dismissed early on those days.  If you would like me to schedule your time, please send me an email. 

Junior High Registration

It's getting to be that time of year when the junior highs begin their registration process.  I have talked  A LOT of parents through this process, so if you have any questions such as honors classes and math placement I will do my best to answer them at our parent-teacher conference.

Mueller Park Junior High--We will be taking future MPJH students on a field trip to the school on the morning of January 28.  Registration information will come home with your student.  Panther Preview Night at MPJH will be on February 5 from 6:00-7:30.

Millcreek Junior High--A counselor from MJH will be visiting our school on January 28 to meet with future MJH students and talk about registration.  Watch for a registration packet that will come home that night.  Registration will be in person at MJH on Thursday, February 6, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Millcreek.    

A note about variances:  If you are interested in applying for a variance, the window is currently open.  Information is available on the district website.  Both junior highs have VERY LIMITED variances available for next year.  Your student needs to plan on attending his/her assigned school and go through the registration process.  If you do receive a variance, you will be notified in March and will register with the new school at that time.