NWEA Testing...

Dear Parents and Students,

As most of you already know, this week marks the final week of testing in 6th grade, as we will be completing our Spring NWEA tests. By now, each of you knows the importance of these tests, and the impact they can have on your future placement in junior high, and on into high school.

I am confident that each student in my classroom makes testing a priority this week, and does whatever they can to prepare themselves mentally and physically. One thing that I have asked them to do is ensure that they receive plenty of rest this week, particularly tonight and tomorrow night. With spring upon us, many students are involved in at least one sport, and some kids two.

Please help your child to get the amount of rest he or she needs in order to be successful. I have made it a point, this week, to cut back on take-home assignments and will try to allow adequate time during the school day to complete work. I appreciate anything you might do at home to better prepare them for these tests.

We will be testing Monday - Wednesday, with Thursday and Friday set aside for any make up testing that may need to occur. I will be out of school on Thursday of this week, so I plan to make up testing on Friday. Thank you again for all you do for your child and Arrowhead School.

Sincerely,

Mr. H.

MontCas Testing...

Moms and Dads,

It is that time of year again, when the test booklets are flying and class schedules are in chaos...the Spring MontCas test is here!

Starting Monday, March 8th, the 6th grade will be in 'testing mode' as we complete this first round of spring testing. For many students and teachers, this is a time of high anxiety and stress. While it is not my favorite part of the school year, I get excited because this is the time when kids are able to demonstrate all that they have learned and accomplished.

There are a number of useful hints and tools available for families as they prepare for annual testing, but I am convinced that parents and kids at Arrowhead School treat every day of school as an important day, and therefore the need for big 'change' is not necessarily applicable. One thing that I would like to do, with your help, is make available for the kids an assortment of healthy snacks during testing afternoons. Last year moms and dads provided everything from fruit trays to crackers and trail mix during testing. This year, I think we can do the same. Your child may tell you that gum chewing is allowed during testing. We do in fact allow kids to chew gum during the testing sessions. If kids would like to bring sugarless gum to chew, they may do so. I will be making sure that gum is not abused during the regular class time.

If you would like to provide a treat of some kind, please contact Mandy Koch via e-mail or cell phone.

e-mail: mandykoch@bresnan.net

cell: 406.670.3580

Our testing times are as follows:

Monday - 1:00 - 2:45 - Reading 1

Tuesday - 1:00 - 2:55 - Reading 2/3

Wednesday - 1:00 - 2:55 - Math 1

Thursday - 1:00 - 2:55 - Math 2/3

I understand that kids may have scheduled absences on these days that are unavoidable. We will make every effort to complete testing the week of March 8th, but we will allow for make-ups to take place the following week. Please let me know if you have questions or comments. Thanks, in advance, for ensuring your child's success on this important state-wide test.

Very Sincerely,

Mr. H.

Successful Book Club Workshop!

Dear Parents,

Thank you all, for the overwhelming support of our parent Book Club workshop! It is so clear that we have the best parents in the district! All of the kids who presented did an amazing job, and I know they are excited for their next opportunity to speak in public.

Thank you for helping your kids to prepare at home with materials, proper rest and dress - the presenters all looked very professional!

If you were able to take pictures during either day, would you please forward them on to me?

Thank you again, and have a great weekend!

Very Sincerely,

Mr. H.

Out of the Office...

To all:

First of all, let me say thanks to everyone for coming last Friday to see our Mesopotamian Mechanical Diorama presentations! The kids had a good time, and were wiped out afterward.

Just to let everyone know, I will be in Missoula most of this week, so the blog updates will be sporadic, at best. I leave tomorrow at noon, and will return on Monday.

Have a great week!

Mr. H.

Mechanical Dioramas - Early Mesopotamian Empires

To all -

As you have probably heard, your kids are working on a project in Social Studies right now centered around the early Mesopotamian Empires of Assyria, Akkadia and Babylon. For the last week, students have been working in small teams to create a Mechanical Diorama that they will be displaying on Friday, January 22nd in the Arrowhead library.

All classrooms and parents/families are invited to attend this event and learn about these early empires and the impact they had on the Middle East. Students will be presenting from 1:00 - 2:30 PM on Friday afternoon. If you are unfamiliar with the mechanical diorama, it is much like a moving wax museum. Students from each empire will be in costume and character to 'relive' life in Mesopotamia thousands of years ago.

Please plan to join us this Friday, January 22nd from 1:00 - 2:30 PM. There are no designated show times. Come any time during that block and walk through the 'museum'. Cameras are welcome!

Mr. Halligan

Looking Ahead in 2010...

Parents and Students,

We are already two weeks into our new year and things are not slowing down! As we wrap up the 2nd Semester and gear up for our final semester at Arrowhead, we have a number of things happening that we all need to be aware of...

1. Book Clubs: We will be wrapping up the Book Club on The Great Gilly Hopkins that was started last week, on Tuesday, January 19th. From there we will take a short break to prepare for some training that will be offered to moms and dads who are interested in being more involved in this process. I know that many of you have already been involved and have been a large part of our success so far, but the spark has ignited a flame among the intermediate grades. We have several parents in 4th - 6th grades interested in participating in Book Clubs, so I will be taking some time to train those parents so that students will have exposure to the club format early on.

2. Social Studies - Mechanical Dioramas: We are studying Unit 6 right now in Social Studies, which deals with 4 of the most powerful early empires in our world's history. On Friday, January 22nd, the students in this classroom will be putting on a Mechanical Diorama in the library at Arrowhead that will be centered around these four powerful empires. Each student will play a part in the success of this project, and it will be something you won't want to miss! The project will culminate on Friday, January 22nd, from 1:00 - 2:30 PM in the Arrowhead library. Please feel free to come at any time during that hour and a half block!

3. Science Fair: We have already begun the process for the Arrowhead Science Fair. In 6th grade, I feel strongly that kids will learn more and have a more successful scientific experience through a science fair process than they might otherwise. For a big chunk of the 3rd Quarter we will be focusing much of our attention on this Science Fair process. The Arrowhead Science Fair will take place on Thursday, March 25th in the school's cafeteria. Please be looking for more details to come in the future!

Thanks so much for making this first half of the year a successful one!

Mr. H.