Archive of ‘News from Mrs. Walenta’ category

It’s Summer Time! :)

It’s been a pleasure teaching your children his year! Thank you for all of the patience, flexibility, and grace surrounding the ever-changing expectations from this school year. It’s amazing to see where we were at the beginning and how much has changed.
I wish all my students that best as they begin their middle school adventure! Enjoy your summer! 🙂

GES Talent Show – Click the link to see some of our talented performers!

Summer Learning Opportunities 
  • Online Practice & Reinforcement Tools:
    • Khan Academy 5th-Grade– Free website that includes a screen-recorded teacher covering all of the 5th-grade math standards. Create a free account and pick a topic/module or two per week to work through and review math concepts.
    • MobyMax– Access through our Hudsonville Clever Portal to find review and reinforcement materials on a variety of math topics! Have your child click on the “assignments” section for a review of key math concepts prior to 6th grade.
    • Prodigy– Game-based math review system through our Hudsonville Clever Portal. I have spiraling topics scheduled throughout the summer for a review of key math concepts prior to 6th grade.
    • Independent Reading- Keep your child reading this summer! Visit the local libraries and find high-interest books for your child!
  • GES Available Tutors
Tutor Email ROOM Grade Subject Area Days Available Spring/Summer
Bethany Gates bgates1@hpseagles.net 202 K-5 Reading, writing, math, phonics T&W Summer
Karyn McIntire Kmcintir@hpseagles.net K-5 Reading, Math, Spelling M-Th Summer
Emily Kuiper ekuiper2@hpsealges.net 104 K-5 Reading, Writing, Math, Phonics T&W Summer
Full Pam Oosterbroek poosterb@hpseagles.net 105 K-5 Reading, Math, Spelling M-F Summer
Ashley Van Arkel avanarke@hpseagles.net 203 K-5 Reading, Math, Writing Tuesday Summer
Abbi Garrison agarriso@hpseagles.net 304 K-5 Reading, Math, Writing T&W Summer
    • Private Tutoring Option: Achieve Tutoring, Jenison; 616-916-8989

What’s Coming up-Week of May 31-June 4, 2021

Monday, May 31 – Memorial Day

Thursday, June 3 – 5th grade to Cran Hill Ranch (return to GES at 9:00)

  • Students can take their regular mode of transportation to school.
  • We will arrive back at school around 9:00 PM; please make arrangements for your child to be picked up from school at that time.
  • See packing list here.

Friday, June 4 – Early Release + Last Day of School 

 

STAR Reports

  • Our final STAR report for reading and math will be sent home on Friday, May 28. Please watch for a separate email from Mr. Waldie with more information!

 

Report Cards

  • Report cards will be sent home in the mail on Friday, June 11.

 

What’s Coming Up – Week of May 24-28, 2021

Friday, May 21 – Early release

Monday, May 24 – Camp money and forms due to classroom teacher

  • If you misplaced the forms, click here to print a new copy.

Monday, May 31 – Memorial Day

Thursday, June 3 – Fifth grade camp

  • Students can take their regular mode of transportation to school.
  • We will arrive back at school around 9:00 PM; please make arrangements for your child to be picked up from school at that time.
  • See packing list here.

 

What’s Coming up-Week of May 17-21, 2021

Math

  • We are assessing our final unit which tackles the attributes of 2D shapes. 

ELA

  • We are working through our unit: Argument and Advocacy which explores debatable issues and helps students understand various points of view surrounding an issue before choosing a position and using evidence to support an opinion.


SS

  • We are examining the formation of our Constitution after the events of the American Revolution.

 

Georgetown’s Got Talent!

Each class 3rd-5th will be having a LIVE Talent Show Day during their music time.  The hope is to have the stage set up, microphones, class MCs, and run it as close to a mini Talent Show as possible during their class time.  During this live show, Mrs. Bretz will be videotaping each act. The “official” Georgetown’s GOT TALENT Talent Show will be VIRTUAL. Of the videotaped acts, Mrs. Bretz will select 20-25 acts from the in class live performances to create the virtual show.  This will be shared with the whole school to watch at their convenience the last week of school. Look for students who are interested in performing to bring home information papers. One side is a parent letter, the other is their act information. 

  • Music Day 1-  Thursday, May 20
  • Music Day 2-  Monday, May 24
  • Music Day 3-  Tuesday, May 25
  • Music Day 4-  Wednesday, May 19

 

Camp Update

  • On Tuesday, May 11 we sent home balance slips if you participated in the fundraiser. 
    • The balance or full payment of $60 will be due on Monday, May 24th.
    • Please make checks payable to Georgetown Elementary.
  • On Thursday, June 3, all fifth grade students in the district will have an extended day camp experience at Cran Hill Ranch.
  • Students can take their normal mode of transportation to school in the morning.
  • Estimated arrival back to school will be around 9:00 PM.
  • Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are not allowed to bring parent chaperones. 

 

What’s Coming up-Week of May 10-14, 2021

Middle School Transition Information

    • This week, each of our fifth grade classes Zoom meetings with middle school staff.
    • An email was sent earlier detailing the process for information for scheduling middle school classes.

 

  • Deadline for scheduling classes in PowerSchool: May 12
  • Pink forms must be returned to your child’s teacher by May 12.

 

 

Camp Update

  • All fifth grade students in the district will have an extended day camp experience at CranHill Ranch.
  • The date for Georgetown students will be Thursday, June 3.
  • Students can take their normal mode of transportation to school in the morning.
  • Estimated arrival back to school will be around 9:00 PM.
  • Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are not allowed to bring parent chaperones. 
  • More information coming soon!

What’s Coming up-Week of May 3-7, 2021

Phone Reminder

  • Parents, please remind your child of the expectations regarding phones at school.
  • Students should not have phones during the school day.
  • If phones are brought to school, they must be powered off and remain in students’ backpacks.
  • Please be aware that student belongings are not stored in locked areas.
  • Loss or damage is the responsibility of the student.

M-STEP Update

  • Fifth graders worked so hard to complete the M-STEP. 
  • Students who were absent for test sessions will begin their make up sessions next week.

Camp Update

  • All fifth grade students in the district will have an extended day camp experience at CranHill Ranch.
  • The date for Georgetown students will be Thursday, June 3.
  • Students can take their normal mode of transportation to school in the morning.
  • Estimated arrival back to school will be around 9:00 PM.
  • Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are not allowed to bring parent chaperones. 
  • More information coming soon!

Optional Fundraiser 

  • The camp experience cost for this year is $60.
  • Click here for more information about this optional fundraising opportunity. 
  • Fundraiser ends on Monday, May 3.

Middle School Transition Information

    • Thursday, April 29th the students were given an opportunity to try different musical instruments to see if they are interested in band or orchestra for next school year.
    • Parent Information Meetings
      • Monday, May 3
        • Location: Riley Street Middle School
        • Start times: 6:30, 7:00, or 7:30
      • Tuesday, May 4
        • Location: Baldwin Street Middle School
        • Start times: 6:30, 7:00, or 7:30
      All meetings will include the same information. Choose the location and start time that works for your schedule. 
      You can find the middle school music department’s website here. This website includes a variety of helpful information for parents.
      If your child is interested in participating in band or orchestra next year, please attend one of these meetings.
    • Meetings are identical; please choose the one that works with your schedule.
  • Thursday, May 6 – Class Zoom meetings with middle school staff

 

What’s Coming up-Week of April 26-30, 2021

Phone Reminder

  • Parents, please remind your child of the expectations regarding phones at school.
  • Students should not have phones during the school day.
  • If phones are brought to school, they must be powered off and remain in students’ backpacks.
  • Please be aware that student belongings are not stored in locked areas.
  •  Loss or damage is the responsibility of the student.

 

M-STEP Reminder

  • Remaining M-STEP testing dates for 5th grade:
    • April 27 and 29th. Please avoid any outside appointments on those days in which your child will be gone from school.

 

Camp Update

  • All fifth grade students in the district will have an extended day camp experience at CranHill Ranch.
  • The date for Georgetown students will be Thursday, June 3.
  • Students can take their normal mode of transportation to school in the morning.
  • Estimated arrival back to school will be around 9:00 PM.
  • Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are not allowed to bring parent chaperones. 
  • More information coming soon!

 

Optional Fundraiser 

  • The camp experience cost for this year is $60.
  • Click here for more information about this optional fundraising opportunity. 
  • Fundraiser ends on Monday, May 3.

 

Middle School Transition Information

    • Next week we will mark the first steps of the transition into middle school!
    • Thursday, April 29 – Music Fittings (at Georgetown during the school day)
    • Monday, May 3 -or- Tuesday, May 4, 7:00 PM – Parent Information Meeting for Middle School Music

 

  • Location: Hudsonville Freshman Campus Stadium

 

    • If your child is interested in participating in band, choir, or orchestra next year, please attend one of these meetings.
    • Meetings are identical; please choose the one that works with your schedule.

What’s Coming up-Week of March 29 – April 1, 2021

March Reading Month

  • Georgetown is celebrating reading for the month of March. We continue our school-wide western theme of Saddle Up & Read this week! 
    • A Daily/Weekly Reading Goal calendar will be sent home with the students. As a parent you will sign the log agreeing that your child read for the 5th grade weekly goal. Goal for 5th grade is 30 minutes a day or 150 minutes per week. If they reach this goal their name will be put in a weekly drawing. Students are to turn in their reading logs on Monday.
    • We will have dress up days each Friday in March. Our next dress up day is Thursday, April 1. Our theme is Read and Feed. Wear PJ’s or comfy clothes for some comfy reading time.

 

Reproductive Health Video

  • The videos will be shown on April 1 with a discussion following the 2:30 video showing. 
    • If you DO NOT want your child to view the video with the grade level gender group, please contact me via email.  Please arrange to pick your child up prior to the viewing time. 

 

Spring Break

  • Friday, April 2 – Sunday April 11

 

M-STEP Reminder

  • M-STEP testing dates for 5th grade:
    • April 20, 22, 27, 29th. Please avoid any outside appointments on those days in which your child will be gone from school.

 

Camp Update

  • All fifth grade students in the district will have an extended day camp experience at CranHill Ranch.
  • The date for Georgetown students will be Thursday, June 3.
  • Students can take their normal mode of transportation to school in the morning.
  • Estimated arrival back to school will be around 9:00 PM.
  • Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are not allowed to bring parent chaperones. 
  • More information coming soon!

What’s Coming up-Week of March 22-26, 2021

March Reading Month

  • Georgetown is celebrating reading for the month of March. We continue our school-wide western theme of Saddle Up & Read this week! 
    • A Daily/Weekly Reading Goal calendar will be sent home with the students. As a parent you will sign the log agreeing that your child read for the 5th grade weekly goal. Goal for 5th grade is 30 minutes a day or 150 minutes per week. If they reach this goal their name will be put in a weekly drawing. Students are to turn in their reading logs on Monday.
    • We will have dress up days each Friday in March. Our next dress up day is Friday, March 26. Our theme is Hoedown! We welcome students to wear jeans, maybe even a belt buckle or boots.

 

Class Chrome books

  • Our chrome books have arrived! If your child wants to bring in a pair of wired headphones, we encourage them to keep their headphones in a labeled ziplock bag.

 

M-STEP Reminder

  • M-STEP testing dates for 5th grade:
    • April 20, 22, 27, 29th. Please avoid any outside appointments on those days in which your child will be gone from school.

 

Camp Update

  • All fifth grade students in the district will have an extended day camp experience at Cran Hill Ranch.
  • The date for Georgetown students will be Thursday, June 3.
  • Students can take their normal mode of transportation to school in the morning.
  • Estimated arrival back to school will be around 9:00PM.
  • Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are not allowed to bring parent chaperones. 
  • More information coming soon!

What’s Coming up-Week of March 15-19, 2021

March Reading Month

  • Georgetown is celebrating reading for the month of March. We continue our school-wide western theme of Saddle Up & Read this week! 
    • A Daily/Weekly Reading Goal calendar will be sent home with the students. As a parent you will sign the log agreeing that your child read for the 5th grade weekly goal. Goal for 5th grade is 30 minutes a day or 150 minutes per week. If they reach this goal their name will be put in a weekly drawing. Students are to turn in their reading logs on Monday.
    • We will have dress up days each Friday in March. Our next dress up day is Friday, March 19. We welcome students to wear a shirt with a word or saying on it. 

 

Class Chromebooks

Our chromebooks have arrived! If your child wants to bring in a pair of wired headphones, we encourage them to keep their headphones in a labeled ziplock bag.

 

Math: 

  • We will be assessing Unit 5: Division with Whole Numbers and Decimals.

 

ELA:

  • We are wrapping up our literary essay about the theme found in our book club books.
  • Since we’re asking students to spend a few extra minutes reading to complete the reading month calendar, we will not have our normal weekly reading homework sheet for the month of March.

 

Social Studies:

  • We are learning about the first events of the Revolutionary War.

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