The students have been doing very well with their testing so far. They have been taking their time and approaching it with calmness and focus. Testing will continue throughout this month.

This is a friendly reminder that state testing is still ongoing. Please ensure your child is present each day to support their success. Additionally, providing a nutritious and hearty breakfast each morning will help them stay focused during testing.

Thank you for your continued support!

Supporting your child at home during the CAASPP testing period can help them feel more confident, prepared, and supported during this time. Here are strategies for each subject:

1. English Language Arts (ELA)

Reading & Comprehension:

• Daily Reading Practice: Encourage 20-30 minutes of daily reading from books they enjoy or related to their grade-level curriculum. Discuss the story, characters, and themes afterward to promote comprehension.
• Ask Open-Ended Questions: Engage your child with questions that require thoughtful responses, such as, "What do you think will happen next?" or "Why did the character choose to do that?"
• Review Literary Terms: Go over literary terms (e.g., theme, setting, character development) to ensure your child can identify them in texts.
• Writing & Reflection: Have your child write summaries, reflections, or creative stories. Use writing prompts to help them organize their thoughts.

Vocabulary Development:

• Word Games: Play games like Scrabble, Boggle, or other word-building games to enhance vocabulary.
• Create Flashcards: Make vocabulary flashcards together, including definitions and example sentences. Review them daily.

2. Math

Concept Practice & Manipulatives:

• Any objects at home:use them to reinforce concepts such as multiplication, division, fractions, and geometry.
• Daily Math Practice: Have your child complete a few math problems daily, either from a workbook or online resources, focusing on their specific areas of challenge or topics related to CAASPP testing.
• Real-Life Applications: Encourage your child to apply math to real-life situations, like measuring ingredients in cooking or calculating the perimeter of a room for a project.

Math Games & Challenges:

• Math Puzzles: Provide math puzzles or logic games to stimulate their problem-solving skills.
• Timed Practice: Use a timer to simulate the testing environment and practice solving problems within a set time, helping your child feel more comfortable with time limits.

3. Science (Grade 5)

Hands-On Science Activities:

• Experiment Kits: Use science kits or simple experiments at home to reinforce concepts like the water cycle, ecosystems, or energy. This hands-on approach helps solidify abstract ideas.
• Observe the Environment: Take walks or go on nature hikes and observe local plants, animals, or weather patterns. Relate this to topics like ecosystems, biomes, or Earth’s processes.
• Science Discussions: Encourage your child to explain what they’re learning in science. Having them articulate their thoughts strengthens their understanding and retention of key concepts.

Review Key Topics:

• Review Notes: Go over key topics from their science curriculum, such as the properties of matter, energy transfer, and ecosystems.
• Use Visual Aids: Create visual aids like diagrams or flashcards to help them understand and memorize concepts. For example, draw a diagram of the water cycle or label the parts of a plant.

4. Test-Taking Skills & Stress Management

• Practice Calmness: Teach your child relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or stretching, to calm pre-test nerves. Encourage them to take deep breaths if they feel overwhelmed during testing.
• Encourage a Growth Mindset: Remind your child that the test is a way to show what they know, and it’s okay to make mistakes or not know every answer. Reinforce that their effort is what matters most.
• Create a Supportive Study Schedule: Help them set up a consistent study schedule leading up to the test, with balanced time for review, breaks, and relaxation.

5. Day Before the Test

• Healthy Meal: Ensure they have a nutritious meal the night before the test and a balanced breakfast on the day of testing. This will help them feel energized and focused.
• Encourage Rest: Make sure they get a good night's sleep before the test to help them feel rested and ready to concentrate.

Over the past few weeks, students have explored how to use their voice to make a positive difference. They learned about identifying their strengths, passions, and values to find careers that align with who they are. Through discussions and activities, students also explored ways to lead through service by helping their community and making meaningful contributions. We concluded this series with a reflection and celebration, where students looked back on their growth, recognized their leadership achievements, and set goals for how they will continue to use their voice moving forward.

Our Upper Elementary students have begun working on their exciting Science Fair projects!

This hands-on learning opportunity allows students to explore a topic of their choice, dive into research, and apply the scientific method to conduct their own experiments. They are encouraged to think critically, ask questions, and creatively present their findings.

Students will work both independently and collaboratively as they develop their projects, which will be showcased during our upcoming Science Fair and Open House on May 15. We can’t wait to see the incredible ideas and discoveries that emerge throughout this process!

May 5–9: Teacher Appreciation Week

May 9: Earthquake Drill, Perfect Attendance Dance Party

May 9–16: Book Fair

May 14: End Date Event for Healthy Heart Challenge

May 15: Science Fair, Open House 

May 21: Minimum Day

May 23: Fire Drill, Movie Under the Stars, Kid's Heart Challenge Event, Leader in Me Assemblies

May 26: No School – Memorial Day

May 30: 6th Grade Promotion, Spirit Day: Decade Day