Class Update

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

First off, we had a very successful visit to the Crocker Art Museum last week despite our van breaking down! Students enjoyed the range of art they were able to see, and I hope that you all received the free family pass students received. I hope they all get a chance to go back!

Our first week of testing went fairly smoothly though we were unable to finish our ELA test completely due to internet connectivity problems at the county. Therefore, we will be finishing up ELA this Monday and then beginning our math test. Please continue to encourage a good night's sleep and nutritious meals throughout the week, and try to avoid tardies and absences if possible.

This Wednesday is a minimum day and an awards assembly. We will be thanking our classroom and elective volunteers with a brunch. Thanks to all of you who have given your time and energy to the students!

This Thursday, many students will be attending the Yuba Country track meet. Because our bus is no longer working, we are hoping we can get one more parent driver for this event. We will be leaving at 11:15. Please let me know as soon as possible if you can assist in driving students. We will call parents when we are returning from the track meet to arrange pick-up (around 6 pm).

Students not attending the track meet will still have a full day of school with assignments and activities they are expected to complete.

With just a few more weeks of school left, please discuss with your child whether all community service has been accomplished and help them stick to homework responsibilities by setting aside time after school for independent reading and other assignments.

Thank you for your support!

Maggie Orion

Class Update

                                                                                                            May 4, 2015

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

It's state testing week! Students took their first assessment in ELA this morning. Please encourage sleep and nutritious meals for this week and next week and avoid absences and tardies, if possible. We are testing in the mornings.

Students were also assigned a hands-on project for social studies last Friday. Students were given multiple options for which type of project they would prefer. This project will mostly need to be completed at home. It is due Monday, May 11th. This is an important part of their grade for our unit on Rome so please encourage wise time management.

Neurology essays were mostly completed last week. I am so impressed with how far students have come in their writing! Next, we begin our poetry unit.

This Thursday, we go on our field trip to the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento!

On Saturday, students are invited to earn community service hours at the Plant Sale from 9am-2pm selling baked goods and hot dogs. All the funds raised go towards Club Live and graduation. All Club Live members must attend unless otherwise arranged. If you are able to contribute baked goods to the sale, please send them with your student - it really helps!

Finally, there is another opportunity for students to participate in a track meet. This meet will take place, Thursday, May 14th in Yuba City. We will be providing transportation. Depending on what events students are interested in, we may not be back at school until 6 pm. Permission slips to attend must be returned this Thursday.

Thank you!

Maggie Orion

Class Update

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

We enjoyed Spirit Week last week with creative and comical outfits and hairdos. The teachers closed it out with a Taylor Swift parody performance for state testing! State Testing in my class begins next week so please help students prepare by encouraging them to be well slept and well fed Monday, May 4th.

Progress reports were sent home last week with current grades and hours left of community service.

Students worked diligently on their final argumentative essay regarding screen time and its effects on the adolescent brain.

Finally, 8th grade graduation will be held on the evening of June 2nd. Many students from the middle school class generally attend graduation and the dance afterwards. You are all invited to join us in celebrating our eighth graders (there will be cake!).

Thank you!

Maggie Orion

Class Update

                                                                                                       

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Both the Reading Marathon and the field trip to the library were great successes! Thank you for all your support! Students checked out the 3d printers, computer lab, and teen section as well as participated in a Scavenger Hunt. The librarians complimented their respectful behavior throughout the visit. Consider stopping by and checking out the library calendar as there are ongoing events including movie nights and technology classes - all for free!

Again, I invite you all to our Monday, April 27th, stakeholder meeting after school to share your ideas on how best to use our budget to support students at Camptonville.

We will begin state testing in English May 4th-8th and in math, May 11th-15th. It would be helpful if students could avoid absences during those weeks if possible. Testing will be during the morning so, if possible, schedule doctor or dentist appointments in the afternoon. I will send out more reminders, but wanted to give you a chance to mark your calendars as those weeks we encourage students to get extra sleep and nutritious breakfasts.

Volunteer Requests

I scheduled a field trip to the Crocker Art museum in Sacramento on May 7th. I will need one or two parent drivers to provide enough transportation. If you are able, please let me know as soon as possible via email or telephone. We will be leaving at 9:00 am and returning by 2:30 pm.

Additionally, we are officially prepping for 8th grade graduation. As many of you know, we always go the extra mile to make this event special for our eighth graders. If you are willing to volunteer for decorations, set-up, cleanup, please let me know as soon as possible via email or telephone. Barbara Hogan will be managing decorations and will contact you.

Finally, many students still do not have their necessary hours completed for community service. I have helped some students connect with community service projects on campus, but not everybody has stepped up to taking responsibility for putting in time. Please discuss with your students what his or her plans are for completing community service requirement and know that we withhold graduation diplomas for incomplete community service in middle school.

I'll be sending home progress reports on Tuesday which will require your signature.

Thanks for you support!

Maggie Orion

ms.maggieorion@gmail.com

www.cougarvilleclass.blogspot.com

Class Update

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

This week we wrap up our Reading Marathon. Encourage your students to get their final sponsors and read A LOT! All money and forms need to be turned in by Thursday. We will be celebrating students who participated with a trip to the library this Friday. Permission slips went home last week.

Scholastic book order forms were also sent home last week and need to be turned in by this Thursday. 

Consider marking your calendar for April 27^th when we will be hosting our annual Local Control Accountability Plan meeting for stakeholders. Mrs. Ross will be sharing information about how we use our school budget and listening to your feedback.

Electives are off to a great start!

Thanks for your continued support,

Maggie Orion