DECEMBER 7th: Pictures with Santa/BBQ

On December 7th, we are having our big fundraiser for the Catalina Island Field Trip. Below is a list of items we need. A note was sent home with your child. If you are able to help us, we look forward to hearing from you. 

List of Items we need:
Hot Dog – Wieners
Hot Dog – Buns
Ketchup
Mustard
Relish
Mayonnaise – Prefer the squeeze bottle
Pizza or you can donate the money for the pizza
Individual Size of Chips
Paper plates
Boats for the hot dogs
Can Sodas or Juices
Napkins
An adult to dress up as Santa Claus
Volunteers to help work from 2pm to about 5:30pm

We need all items on Friday Morning, please deliver them to the office to Ms. Contreras. If you will be
sending money, please send it in an envelope specifying what the money is for by Wednesday 12/05/12. You will receive volunteer hours for all your donations. Thank you.

Projects

Over the break, you are being asked to complete several projects for class. Remember that these projects are worth 35% of your grade. Please visit our "PROJECTS" page on the left menu for documents relating to these projects. As always, don't hesitate to email us with questions. Gobble Gobble!

Study Island

Study Island is a great tool that we have been using in English class. After I teach a concept or skill and we practice it together, the students are then given time to practice these concepts or skills independently in Study Island. They have time in class during stations, as well as in workshop. Students can earn "Blue Ribbons" that show proficiency and can chart them in our class. The great part about this program is that it allows students to practice as much as they can to show proficiency- at school AND at home! If you are interested in learning more about this program and how you can track your child's progress, please check out the slide show below. 

Class Updates: Catalina, Fundraising, and EDMODO

Hi Vista Scholars!

The following is a list of 7th Grade updates. As always, please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns. 

Catalina
We still have 2 spots open for students who are willing to pay the $40 deposit- first come, first serve. 

Fundraising
We need to start gearing up for our big December fundraiser, Pictures with Santa! If anyone has a way to make instant photos, knows a guy that would make a good santa, has a santa costume, or owns any materials that would make a great backdrop for pictures, please let us know! We look forward to talking more about this at our next PIM meeting on November 28th. 

EDMODO
Parents, you may have heard your child talking about a website that we have started using: edmodo.com. This website has a similar interface as facebook, but it is just for school. It's private, secure, and allows for discussions that go beyond the classroom. In English class, students have had the opportunity to take quizzes, partake in polls, respond to writing prompts, and comment on other classmate's writing. In the few short weeks that we have been working on edmodo, I have already seen improvements in writing. In Science, students have had the opportunity to watch videos, take quizzes, and respond to prompts that allow for higher level thinking. Edmodo offers parent codes as well. If you are interested in seeing what your child is writing, please let me or your child know and we can give you an access code. 

OCTOBER FAIR

October Fair is right around the corner! We are asking every student to bring $7 by Wednesday, October 24th, 2012. If any parents are will to volunteer and help us at the booths, we would really appreciate it! 

We look forward to seeing you on Friday!

New Catalina Page

We have a new page just for Catalina! Check it out on the left menu bar to get more information, including the details from tonights meeting!

Progress Reports and Powerschool

On Monday, October 15th Progress Reports will be going out. If you have questions or concerns regarding your child's progress, please don't hesitate to get in contact with us! We are happy to make appointments before or after school. As a reminder Math and Science tutoring is Monday after school from 3-4; English and History tutoring is Tuesday from 3-4. 

New iPhone/iPad from PowerSchool 
The gradebook/ student data management system PowerSchool recently released two free iPhone and iPad apps. The new apps, one for students and one for parents, give students and parents instant access to information like attendance records and grades. For students and parents who use iPhones and or iPads, the PowerSchool apps should be handy for keeping up with important information. 

Catalina Meeting

Fundraising SUCCESS!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our fundraising efforts last week. Our donut sales profited $256.00! In addition, our College Shirt Day brought in $96.00! So far this year, we have raised $568.00. It's safe to say, we are off to a great start. Thank you to the families who helped by donating donuts, money, and/or time. Your contributions were logged with Ms. Contreras for hours.

October Fair is just around the corner! We are asking that each 7th grade child donate $7.00. Part of this donation ($5) will go towards Pizza sales during October. We are also looking for a couple of parents to help pick up pizza that day. Please let us know if you might be able to help. The other part of your donation ($2) will go towards our game booth supplies and prizes. Profits from October Fair will go towards the science department. As always, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

Fundraising Update

SMENCILS Great news, we have officially sold out of SMENCILS! Our grade level raised $240. We will resell Smencils again in a couple months.

DONUTS This week we are going to sell donuts on Friday morning. Please contribute a dozen donuts or come on Friday morning to help us sell.

COLLEGE DAY Also, this Friday for $1 you can come to school in College gear!

Our First Fundraiser!

We are now selling Smencils to help raise money for our class field trips. They are $1 each and we will be selling them before, during, and after school. We are looking for parents to help volunteer during the week of September 24th-September 28th to help sell the Smencils. If we can sell enough, we can go to the Science Center or Medieval Times!!! Please contact me if you are interested in helping: mairin.finn@icefps.org.