Many thanks to our drivers yesterday: Mrs. Dunn, Mrs. Gutierrez, Mrs. Kirby, Mrs. Mercurio, Mrs. Stevenson, and Mrs. Thomson. Students learned about the tatters on a blacksmith's apron, flux, coke, the temperature of a blacksmith's fire, and so much more. It was an interesting day.

Walker Creek Forms
If you have not yet turned in your Walker Creek forms, please do so as soon as possible. These forms must be sent to Walker Creek. If you have lost the forms, please let me know. If you have decided against sending your child to Walker Creek, please let me know. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Walker Creek payments are due by May 1.

Family Life
Fifth grade teachers will be teaching the Family Life unit the week after Walker Creek. This is an opt-in program. You will receive a form that must be returned, letting us know if you want your child to participate or not. Students will be separated by gender (all 5th grade boys will be in one classroom with Mr. McDonald and all the 5th grade girls will be in another classroom with Mrs. Dees and me). Students will have printed material and will view a video. We'll meet for about an hour each day. There will be a parent meeting, to give parents an opportunity to see the materials used for Family Life, on Wed., May 20, at 2:00 P.M., in Mr. McDonald's classroom. If you cannot make this meeting but are interested in viewing the materials, please let me know and we can make other arrangements. If you have any questions, please let me know.

STAR Testing
STAR testing begins next week. The fifth grade schedule is:

1. Language Arts--Wed., Apr. 29 and Thurs., Apr. 30
   
2. Science--Tues., May 5 and Wed., May 6
3. Math--Thurs., May 7 and Fri., May 8.

All tests will be given in the morning, before the morning recess. Make-up tests will be given the following week. One way to help your child do their best is to make sure they are well-rested and have had a good breakfast. These tests show not only what students have learned in fifth grade, but what they can do with what they have learned up to this point in school. I encourage students to do their best (as they should with everything they do), but I do not want students to feel stressed about the tests. They know a lot; here is their chance to demonstrate that.

We will continue to work on all our usual curriculum during STAR testing. And yes, students will still have homework.

Enjoy the weekend.