Welcome back!

We were happy to see smiling faces on Monday after what is generally called our "Spring Break"!  If you were lucky enough to be at home last week, we're sure you would agree it was more like a winter break.  Thankfully, this week we've seen a bit of sun and warmer temperatures.  We got right back to work and made some great progress this week.  We have just a few important updates to share in regard to SBAC testing and Green-Up Day!

SBAC
As you know, EMES will be administering the required SBAC tests during the first two weeks of May.  For our third graders, this involves five test sessions.  Two for math, and three for English/Language Arts.  Each session generally runs between 45-60 minutes, but it also varies on the student so we allow ample time within our day.  Our testing dates and starting times are as follows:

• Wednesday, May 2-9:00 a.m.Math Assessment #1
• Thursday, May 3-10:30 a.m. Math Assessment #2
• Tuesday, May 8-10:30 a.m. English/Language Arts Assessment #1
• Wednesday, May 9-9:30 a.m. English/Language Arts Assessment #2
• Thursday, May 10-1:00 p.m. English/Language Arts Assessment #3

It would be a HUGE help if you can avoid any student appointments on these days, as well as late and early arrivals.  We have completed the necessary practice tests with students, and feel they are well prepared for their first online assessments.  We have talked about the tests being just one measure of student progress and that students are just expected to do their best.  We do not anticipate a lot of angst or stress around the tests, but please let us know if your child has any concerns.  We're happy to help put them at ease.

Green-Up EMES Friday, May 4th

We'll be working with our 1/2 grade buddies cleaning up trash on the rec field and around the school in the afternoon.  Please help your child remember proper shoes and gloves for this work.  Did you know that Green-Up first began in Vermont in 1970?  Each year approximately 40,000 bags of trash are collected during the Vermont Green-Up day! EMES day will be the warm-up for the state day on Saturday, May 5th.  

Other reminders:

• The wet weather on the playground continues-a second pair of shoes is a must, and having a spare pair of clothes is not a bad idea!
• We're gearing up for our study of East Montpelier!  This study will include learning about our town and it's "Past, Present, and ".  The unit will kick-off the week of May 14th.  We're excited to be working with the Vermont Folklife Center out of Middlebury this year on a collaborative video project.  Students will be learning about how to conduct and carry out interviews with local residents and business owners about our beautiful town.  If you have a suggestion about a person or business we should interview, please don't hesitate to let us know.  We'll share more information about the unit as we get going!
• April's sharing continues through next week.  The May sharing calendar and assignments will be shared with students and updated here on our blog next week. 
• We've launched two new literacy units this week.  Character Studies in reader's workshop, and Adapting and Writing Fairy Tales in writer's workshop.  Please ask your child about these units, and what he/she is working on.  More specifically, you can ask them about the book Because of Winn-Dixie and the characters, Opal, Winn-Dixie and The Preacher.  You can also ask what kind of tale your child is writing and how their story is going, there are some pretty interesting tales being written!

Have a great weekend!