My Project Has Been Funded!!

Within 4 hours of sharing this project, it was funded!  I have amazing friends and family who donated and helped make this possible.  However, I had one donor who took a "pay it forward" approach.  He was my first donor and last.  He donated twice and was the one who donated the remaining balance so I wouldn't lose out on an incredible opportunity from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  The best part is he is a former CBRSD student who really valued his education in CBRSD and wanted to help provide that experience for current students.  I can't wait to share the news with everyone in just a few days!  Thanks to a few fabulous donors, our class has 4 different subscriptions to Time for Kids and Scholastic News! Not a bad way to start off the school year!

Mrs. Finnerty

My Donors Choose Project

I quietly posted a project on Donors Choose in June that would help bring non-fiction text to our classroom.  I would be thrilled if it was funded but I also knew it would be a stretch to raise the money needed.  This weekend Bill and Melinda Gates will fund half of the cost of your project if you can raise the other half by midnight tonight (Sunday, August 24th).  I just received my first donation from someone in Massachusetts so I feel as if I should spread the word about my project more!  Here is a link to the project on Donors Choose...

www.donorschoose.org\mrs.finnerty

Thank you for your continued support!  I'm excited for the school year to start!

Mrs. Finnerty

Supplies

During step up day students had a few questions about supplies.  Kittredge will supply students with all materials needed for 4th grade however if students would like to purchase their own, please make sure to follow the guidelines below for folders.

Folders - plastic with two pockets (no metal clips or fasteners on the inside)

Here is the letter and log students were given on the last day of school.


Mrs. Finnerty

Summertime

Summer is here!! I don't know about you but I am looking forward to sleeping in, spending time outdoors, and just relaxing.  While summer is a great time to unwind from the school year, it is also a time where most students loose up to 2 months of learning.  Don't let that happen to you!  Find a fun way to continue practicing your math facts, keep writing, and reading.  Here are some suggestions...

• Read at least 20 minutes a day.  You could do this while you are eating breakfast!  Bring a book outside and lounge by the pool or under a tree.  Do you subscribe to a magazine?? If not, ask your parents!  National Geographic, Ranger Rick, American Girl and Highlights are just a few of my favorites! 
• Practice your math facts.  Go online and search for fun games on line or apps for your tablet.  Spend 20 minutes 3-4 times a week practicing!  Set a goal for yourself....can you solve 100 addition, subtraction and multiplication problems this summer??
• Write, write write! Keep a journal or scrap book.  Take pictures and write about the pictures.  See if you can write a story a week! Writing will be a large part of our curriculum next year.  Start to build your stamina. 
• Take a field trip!  Visit a museum or go to a play.  There is so much to do in the Berkshires and a lot of it is free!  http://berkshires.macaronikid.com/ is a great site that keeps you up to date on what is happening in the Berkshires this summer!  (write about one of the trips you have taken!)

I can't wait to hear about all the exciting things you will do this summer! 

Mrs. Finnerty

Overdrive

If you have an iPad or Kindle, download the Overdrive app.  It allows you to connect to multiple libraries across the state.  You can download books and they will stay on your device for 2 weeks.  This is a great alternative to the conventional approach of borrowing books from the library.  Also, stop by your library to sign up for their summer reading program. Please share any great books or series you read.  I'm always looking for new suggestions!

Mrs. Finnerty

Congratulations 5th Grade!!

Congratulations to all graduates!  Best of luck at Nessacus!

Mrs. Finnerty

Graduation

Graduation - Wednesday 10:00am

Graduation should last around an hour.  Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the graduation. Students are free to leave after graduation!

I've had a few parents ask about dress code.  We do not have a dress code for graduation but here are our suggestions...

Girls - dresses or skirts, dress pants - no short shorts

Boys - dress pants/khakis, dress shorts/khaki shorts, polo shirt or dress shirt (tie optional)

Again, these are just suggestions!

Mrs. Finnerty