Tuesday, October 14, 2014

October 13-17, 2014




    October 13-17, 2014

    Please send in pencils to both classrooms if you have any! We are running out!
    General Announcements:
    •  This newsletter is quite long due to extensive information about our upcoming device distribution and technology.
    • If you still wish to schedule a conference, please email us. We will contact you directly if we have specific concerns.
    Important Technology Information
    • TONIGHT, Tuesday, October 14th, 5:30 P.M. at Brock's Gap-  An Important meeting regarding ACT Aspire Test Scores and Chromebooks for 5th graders.  This meeting was originally scheduled to discuss the ACT Aspire Test scores (your child's test scores from last Spring), however, we found out last week the Chromebooks for 5th graders will be arriving earlier than we previously thought.  The meeting tomorrow will also address the upcoming technology opportunities for your child.  
    • If you would like to purchase Device Insurance/Protection for your child, please go to www.myschoolfees.com.  After you have logged on, you will choose AL-HOOVER-IT DEPT (this is in the school drop down menu) rather than choosing a school as you usually do.  You will go to Student Fees.  You will need to add your student so you will need his or her 196 student # (they know these).  You will then choose Device Fees.  You will see Device Protection Plan to the right.  The cost at this time for insurance is $25.00.  This may go up once devices are passed out.  When it is time to pay, you can choose “Electronic Check.”  There is NO cost for using My Schools Fees if you choose Electronic Check.  If you prefer to not use My School Fees, you will need to come to Brock’s Gap to pay for the device protection directly to the Bookkeeper.

    • If you have not filled out your child’s Engaged Learning Initiative agreement, please do this ASAP at the following link:  ELI Agreement.  No student will be able to receive a Chromebook if this agreement is not complete.  We did not expect our technology to arrive until later this month, but we think that we may be distributing the Chromebooks as early as Thursday.  Chromebooks will not come home until close to Thanksgiving so we can adequately work with the students on expectations.

    • To purchase a cover for your child’s Chromebook from BGIS, please go to www.myschoolfees.com.  You will choose Brock’s Gap and then your child.  The Chromebook cover cost is $22.00.  An order for these has been placed.  When it is time to pay, you can choose “Electronic Check.”  There is NO cost for using My Schools Fees if you choose Electronic Check.  If you prefer to not use My School Fees, you will need to come to Brock’s Gap to pay for the cover directly to the Bookkeeper.  If you choose to purchase a cover yourself for the Chromebook, please be sure that these are “hard sided” rather than a “soft sleeve.”

    Important BGIS Dates:
    • Tonight- IMPORTANT Parent Meeting at 5:30 in the BGIS Competition Gym-ACT Aspire and Chromebooks. Please make every effort to attend!
    • Wednesday, October 15:  First Priority at 7:30 in the choir room
    • Wednesday, October 15:  Report Cards to come home
    • Thursday, Oct. 16:  Bumpus Bucs vs. Pizitz -at Vestavia High School 
    Upcoming Important Dates
    • Friday, October 24:  Tombstone Project due (To be completed at home. Students have the information needed to complete this project)
    • December 10-12:  Camp McDowell for the Voyagers Hall.  Approximate cost will be $170.00.
    Coming up this week:
    Math:Topics of Study –  A new IXL contract was given out today.  It will be due next Monday, October 20th.  Math Computation Practice came home tonight and is due Thursday.  Math Computation Quiz will be Friday. 
    Today, we began our Geometry Unit.  We are learning about Area and Volume.  
    Area= Length x Width  (L x W) = B
    Volume = Length x Width x Height   (L x W x H)   or (B x H) .   
    Science:Topics of Study – We have begun our new unit: Cells, Tissues, Organs, and Systems (See their Sciencesaurus textbooks pages 98-109). We are learning about the similarities and differences between plant and animal cells.  We are going to be doing some in class projects for animal and plant cells.  By Friday- I would like students to bring recyclable items (things lying about the house-cardboard, yarn, beads, pipe cleaners, old toys, etc.) to be used to make their plant and animal cells. I do not want parents to have to go out and buy anything for this project.  Be creative!  Students will work on these in groups of 2-4 students on Friday and next Monday. 
    Language Arts:Topics of Study – This is a Reading/Vocabulary week. This week we will be be focusing on Questioning/Visualizing in a close reading in In the Time of the Drums story. Our vocabulary words for the week are: blistering, bluff, burden, conjure, despair, dissolve, harsh, homeland, mischief, tremble.
    Vocabulary/Comprehension test on Friday.
    *Due to a short week, we will not have have Language Arts IXL.

    Social Studies:Topics of Study – We have begun our study of the earliest colonies in America.  We will specifically explore why settlers came to America.  Students will recognize present-day states that could be found in the New England colonies.  They will also explore the specific reasons why settling in New England would have been quite difficult.
                       
    We hope everyone has a great week!
    Sheryl Ponder and Stephanie Watson
    sponder@hoover.k12.al.us        stwatson@hoover.k12.al.us