May 22-26

Field Day Fun

Mon -
Tues -
Wed - EOG dance during Enhancements; Be sure your child gets a good night's rest and eats breakfast in the morning.
Thurs - Reading EOG
Fri - Math EOG



With the EOGs on Thursday and Friday this week and Thursday of next week, I have a few simple requests.

• Please, if at all possible, do not send your child with their cell phone or any electronic device (no fitbits that might buzz, watches that beep, or cell phones that buzz or ring). If they do bring something, I will ask them to show me that it is off and have them leave it in their cubby, but I would much prefer for it to NOT be in the classroom at all.
• PLEASE keep all of the fidgit spinners at home on these days!  The students have not figured out how to use them appropriately yet and they are more of a hinderance to them staying focused than a help.  For most students, they are simply a cool toy and the kids will even admit to that.
• Getting a good night's rest and a healthy breakfast in the morning is important.  That doesn't mean send them to bed at 5:00 but making sure they get a solid night's sleep would be helpful to them being able to focus for long periods of time.
• Avoiding sunburns and poison ivy (and other allergy issues) is helpful too.  No one likes to sit for 3 hours with a constant need to scratch an itch.
• Give your child a big hug and tell them how much you love them and that you're proud of them each morning before the test.  This is great to do EVERY morning but hearing these words on a stressful day can really make a difference in how they head into the test.

End of year Treats Sign Up:
If you haven't already, please check out the Sign Up Genius link to get supplies to provide treats to our students after they complete their EOGs.  These are stressful times and they deserve a small treat after testing all morning.  Thanks for your support with getting these supplies.  Let me know if you need to send in items ahead of time.  We can store items in the cafeteria's freezer but I need to know what's there for my class and it needs to be clearly labeled.

Notes to my students:
I've told my students this in various ways but this letter (below) says how I feel about the EOGs and my students.  It is just one piece to the puzzle of who they are and doesn't define who they are as an individual or as a student.  Each of my students will also be getting a personalized note from me the morning of the Reading EOG telling them how special they are and to just do their best.

Dearest Students,

Next week you will take your EOG test for math and reading. I know how hard you have
worked, but there is something very important you must know.

The EOG tests do not assess all of what makes you special and unique. The people
who create these tests and score them do not know each of you like I do, and certainly
not the way your families do.

They do not know that some of you speak two languages, or that you love to sing or
draw. They have not seen your natural talent for dancing. They do not know that your
friends count on you to be there for them, that you laughter can brighten the darkest
day, or that your face turns red when you feel shy. They do not know that you
participate in sports, wonder about the future, or sometimes you help with your little
brother or little sister after school. They do not know that you are kind, trustworthy, and
thoughtful… and every day you try your very best.

The scores you will get from these tests will tell you something, but they will not tell you
everything. These tests do not define you. There are many ways of being smart. YOU
are smart! You are enough! You are the light that brightens my day and the reason I am
happy to come to work each day. So, in the midst of all of these tests, remember that
there is no way to “test” all of the amazing and awesome things that make you, YOU.
All I ask is that you do your personal best and do not give up. You have been working

for this since Kindergarten and are ready! I believe in you!