February Update

Hello, February is a short month but it sure has been busy. We are beginning to prepare for BIZTown and state mandated testing. We also have several learning journeys planned.

TESTING
** Parents be looking for testing information which will include study guides and testing tips.
OCCT Writing Test: we will take the writing test on Feb. 25
Benchmark Testing: We will take the Reading and Math benchmarks for Unit 6 on Feb 26
Post Benchmark Testing:March 6-11
OCCT State Testing: We will take mandated state testing April 10-22

Living Museum
Students have recieved their famous African-American and are doing their research on a website that I created: www.whitfpa.pbwiki.com Literacy Night will be on Feb 26 from 5:30pm-7:00pm

Student of the Month
Students achieving student of the month for January and February were: John Holman and Tatyana McBee

LEARNING JOURNEYS
**Parents it is important that you know that only students who are able to control and be responsible for their behavior at school will be allowed to attend learning journeys. It is our thought that if a student has trouble with their behavior in a school setting they are not ready for the learning journey experience.

BIZTown- We will need 14 volunteers for this learning journey. Volunteer information will be sent home next week.






I wrote and recieved a Target Teach field trip grant. We will be taking the students to the Oklahoma Aquarium in May.



Upcoming learning journeys include: Langston 5th Grade Day (May 1); Tulsa Technology (April 24); Tulsa Air and Space Museum (March 6)Pin It now!

January Update

Welcome Back! I hope that all enjoyed a wondrous holiday celebration and that you were able to achieve some measure of relaxation over the extended vacaction.
A big Whitville thanks goes out to these parent,Ms. Peters; Ms. Jackson, Mr. Davis, and Ms. West, who volunteered their time during our Christmas Celebration. A special thanks goes out to Ms. Morris who provided a gift for all of the citizens of Whitville.

Housekeeping:
* Remember that students are to be in uniform each day. Coats and large sweaters are to be kept in the locker during the day. Shirts under the uniform shirt are to be the same color. Shirts are to be tucked in (boys and girls. This is District Policy.

* DON'T LOOSE YOUR GIFT FROM SANTA!!! Electronics are not allowed in the classroom that includes cell phones.

*Replenish your child's supplies. Check to see that they have adequate paper, pencils, and other supplies.

Schools of Choice Transfers:
If you are interested in your child attending a magnet school, please make sure that you pick up an application, either from the school office or from the Education Service Center. ALL applications are due at ESC on Jan. 31 by 4:00pm. Please read and follow the instructions, on the application, carefully. Applications are not to be brought back to the school or me. It is your responsibility to get the application to the appropriate place (Education Service Center).

5th Grade Parent Meeting: Jan. 14th @5:30pm-?We will discuss the transfer/application process with you. Be sure to bring all your paper work with you. We will look at it and make sure that eveything is in order. (No, we will not send or take-in the application for you). We will also go over the upcoming state tests with you, talk about our upcoming fieldtrips, and the end of the year promotion. Hope to see you there!


Testing:
Gates MacGinitie Reading Assessment: Jan. 6, 2009
Unit 5 benchmark test window is Jan. 23-28.

Upcoming Test:
Writing Test-Feb. 25 (A testbooklet will be sent home as soon as I recieve it from the State Education Department)

Upcoming Events:
Oxley Nature Center: Jan 16
BizTown April 29 (Parents we will need thirteen (13) volunteers to help us out on this day).

News:
I applied for a Target Teach Field Trip Grant and I won it. I wrote the grant for a fieldtrip to the Jenks Aquarium.Pin It now!

December Update

Spare Change:
The fifth grade raised enough money to feed over 50 homeless persons. Thanks for emptying your pockets so that others needs could be met.

Benchmark Testing:
We have completed Unit 4 benchmarks for reading and math

Schools of Choice:
Transfers are available for schools of choice. You may pick them up at the school or at the Education Service Center. Remember that recommendation letters are to remain sealed and that you can't submit your application until 2ND quarter grades have been submitted/

Holiday party;
We will celebrate Christmas on Dec. 19Th. We need parent volunteers.Pin It now!

December Update

Spare Change for the Homeless:
Fifth grade students raised enough "spare change" to feed over 50 homeless persons. Thanks students for emptying your pockets so that others needs would be met.

Benchmark Testing:
We have completed benchmarks for unit 4 math and reading.

SRA RMV6: We have almost finished the novel Maniac Magee. Our culminating activity will be to create a movie of our favotite scene. We will use a flip camera and windows movie maker to create our movies.

Holiday Party:
December 19 we will celebrate Christmas. Parent volunteers are needed.Pin It now!

November Update

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Spare Change for a Thanksgiving Dinner
5th grade students will be collecting "spare change" to help provide a Thanksgiving meal to the homeless. We hope to collect enough money to provide at least 50 meals. As of today we have reached 35 meals.

Student-Led Conferencing
Thanks to all the parents that supported their student during conference time. We had a 95% attendance rate! Research supports the fact that when parents are actively involved in their children's education there is a higher success rate for students.
Benchmark Test: Unit 4 benchmarks will be December 5-10


School of Choice Applications:
A. Available for Pick-Up: January 5, 2009 from Hawthorne or from the Education Service Center (ESC) (You must have 1st and 2nd quarter grades with your application. 2nd Quarter grades will be available January 9)

B. Due Date: The application is due to the Transfer Office at the Education Service Center, 3027 South New Haven by January 30, 2009. Applications may be submitted using one of the following two approved methods:
1. Applications must be hand delivered prior to the close of business on the specified due date (4:30 PM); or,
2. Postmarked no later than the specified due date and mailed to the address specified.
C. Completed Applications Required: Incomplete applications as of the due date will not be considered.

D. All recommendation letters will be returned to you in a sealed and signed envelop. Schools of choice will not consider an application if they believe the envelop has been tampered with. Please note that we will not rewrite recommendations after you recieve the first one. Students/Parents are required to sign that they recieved a recommendation letter.

***Parents, teachers are not responsible for sending your application in. We are also NOT responsible for gathering the documentation that you need to apply to a school of choice. We will be happy to assist you but we will not do it for you!***

Progress Reports

Progress reports will be sent home on Nov. 21st.

Below Mastery Signatures

Parents, this is the 2nd quarter of school. Students are expected to become responsible for studying and keeping up with work that is not complete. This is a skill that needs to be mastered before students enter middle school.

Beginning this 2nd quarter all tests and classwork that receives a score of 79% or less will require a parental and/or guardian signature.

Parents (as discussed during conferences) excessive talking can and will effect the grade a student receives!!!

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October Update

No School
Students will enjoy two days off while teachers are provided professional development on October 16 and 17.

Benchmark Testing
Unit 2 benchmarks will be tested on Oct. 3-8
Unit 3 benchmarks will be tested on Nov.-5

Enduring Spirit: Native American Artistic Traditions
Fifth graders will participate in a Gilcrease Goes to School event on Oct. 24th. The presentation will include stories about Native Americans, a brief history of the museum, and proper museum etiquette. Questions and discussions of student's prior knowledge of the subject as well as an introduction to formal art elements will be included.
Enduring Spirits takes a regional look at the art made by native peoples from the Great Plains , Indian Territory, the East, the Southwest, and the Northwest coast.

Report Cards
1st quarter report cards will be sent home on Ocober 24th, so be on the lookout for them!

Student-Led Conferencing
Student-led conferencing will begin on October 27th and continue to October 31. There are no classes for students on October 31. This is an opportunity for your child to take responsibility for their learning by sharing their academic successes and working with you and me to develop goals and strategies for those areas in which they are struggling.PLEASE support your child and attend a conference. (A hard copy sign-up sheet was sent out last week).

Discipline
Please make sure that you are aware of the policies and procedures that are outlined in the Student Code of Conduct book.
Outerwear Policy...page 6
Cell Phone Policy...page 14

Communication
Phone...(918) 925.1340
E-mail... Ms. Whitfield

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April 2008

Dear Parents,

TEST TIME
The time has come for Oklahoma's state mandated test once again. The OCCT will be administered from April 10-25. Hawthorne will begin its testing during the week of April 14-18. Tutoring will be offered those student who need an extra "boost" on the following days: Tuesday (April 8, 15), Wednesday (April 9,16), and Thursday (April 10,17). Letters will sent home for eligible students. Please take advantage of this opportunity for your student to excel.

FIELD TRIP

JABizTown (Formally Exchange City)-April 28 We will need parent volunteers. Information will be sent home this week.

Farmer's Market-April 29 at Mark Twain Elementary

Vo-Tech- May 1

5th Grade Day May 2 at Langston University

PROMOTION and 5th Grade Day

Pictures for 5th grade promotion will be take on April 22nd. LifeTouch will provide red caps and gowns for the students to wear. Price list will be sent home with students as soon as we receive them.

Graduation will be on May 23 at (9:oo in the Hawthorne gym. Families are invited to participate in a celebratory lunch/dinner at the Golden Coral at 21st and Memorial.

5th grade party/dance: All fifth graders are invited to attend a party/dance that will be hosted by the fifth grade teachers (Ms. Whitfield, Ms. Inks, Ms. Catsavis) and the graduation coordinator (Ms. Mitchell). Please note that this event if for 5th grade students only.

NOTE FROM THE TEACHER
Students start to become slack after the state test because they feel that school is over. We also notice that there are more absences. Please remember that there is one more quarter of school and it is important to finish strong. It is extremely important for 5th grade students to remain focused as they are acquiring the skills and content that will help them make a successful transition to middle school. Please know that your student will be expected to accept more personal responsibility in the areas of academics and behavior. This is a necessary process for your student as they mature into responsible citizens. Please assist in this area at home.
Thanks for all that you do and sharing your care,

Ms. Whitfield NBCTPin It now!