Mrs. Fraser

 CHARACTER TRAIT:  Initiative

Reference:  Galatians 6:10

Bible Verse:  Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Definition:  Making the first move without being asked

Opposite:  Seeing a need and letting someone else take care of it.

SPELLING:  Lesson 7

Pattern Words: Long o- o, oa, oe, o_e, ow

1.   toe

2.   post

3.   cove

4.   rope

5.   mold

6.   alone

7.   coast

8.   below

9.   coach

10.  slowly

11.  follow

12.  throw

13.  motor

14.  stroke

15.  chosen

16.  opening

17.  rowboat

18.  tomorrow

High-Frequency Words

19.  minutes

20.  pumpkin

Challenge Words

*  aqueduct

*  reservoir

PARENT CORNER

CHAPEL

On Tuesday, September 23, Mrs. VanderKooi’s class will be presenting “The Story of Job”  in a Reader’s Theater setting at 8:15 A.M. in the North Lobby Chapel. Parents are welcome to attend.

SPELLINGCITY.COM

This year, we will be using VocabularySpellingCity.com in our classroom.  VocabularySpellingCity is a website that helps students learn their weekly spelling and vocabulary words while having fun at the same time.

As a teacher, I will put up my weekly spelling lists on VocabularySpelling City and your children can review the words, and play spelling and vocabulary games with their words to reinforce the learning process.

Here is how to help your child master his or her spelling and vocabulary words:

Simply go to www.spellingcity.com to see how the site works.  To get started, click on “Sample Lists” and choose any list your like.  Then try the Teach Me, Test Me, or Play a Game link.

You can find our class’ spelling lists by using the Find A List feature and searching for my name, Mrs. Fraser, or you can go directly to my VocabularySpellingCity homepage at spellingcity.com/cherifraser33.  You can bookmark this URL on your computer to make it easy for your child to access the class’ word lists each week!

Many kids enjoy building their spelling skills with Spelling City.  Please encourage your children to spend about twenty minutes, two nights in a row before their weekly test.  Let’s work together as a team to ensure that your child becomes an independent, lifelong learner.

 THE BIG FRESNO FAIR FIELD TRIP

We are soon approaching our very first field trip of the year in third grade.  It will be on Thursday, October 9th.  Our third grade class will be going to the BIG FRESNO FAIR.  We are going to celebrate the best of Fresno County and beyond including our native talent, natural resources, and more!  Our day’s adventure will take us to the following:

1)  JUNIOR EXHIBIT BUILDING

Explore all the different entries made by kids of all ages, from clothing, fruits, to farm equipment, pictures to posters.  You will see the talents of the best and brightest of young locals.

2)  THE GREENHOUSE

Back with even more exotic and wonderful floriculture displays!  You will see sweet smelling roses, exotic and intricate bonsai plants and demonstration booths!

3)  AG VENTURELAND

A one-stop destination for all the best things in animal education!  The Farm-Time Tour will be back along with the Great American Cowboy Boot Camp to test your true cowboy skills as you learn how to rope a steer, milk a cow, toss horseshoes, plus build  your own scarecrow.  Enjoy old-fashioned music.  Visit the general store and craft center!  You can also enjoy seeing  baby animals like sheep, pigs, and chicks.

4)  SUDSY’S BARN

On the north side of the Livestock Pavilion will be Sudsy’s Barn.  It is a play-based, interactive hand-washing attraction.  It is a miniature waterpark…with soap!  Water comes from large 3-dimensional sculpted farm animals that TALK!  A goat pours water from a watering can, a cow pours from a milk carton, a horse offers water from a hose in its mouth, and an alpaca “spits” playfully.  Sinks are water troughs activated by foot pedals.  Soap dispenses “touch free” from beneath flower pots.  Hand dryers are built into chicken coops.  For a quick clean “touch free” hand sanitizer, dispensers are built into cartoonish bee hives mounted on to each side of the barn.

5)  TABLE MOUNTAIN RANCHERIA PARK

A “must-see” stop!  Walk through the life size pirate ship complete with cannons, a plank and treasure at Pirates in the Park.  Travel to the wild, wild west and explore FORT FRESNO!  Pan for gold at Miner’s Town.  Go fishing at Catfish Falls complete with its 2-story waterfall.  Learn all about the dairy industry at Dairyville USA.  Test out your shot at the Land O’ Lakes Butter Barn Laser Shooting Gallery.

Don’t forget to stop by The Big Fresno Fair Farmer’s Market to see what’s growing in the CENTRAL VALLEY!  This attraction showcases the Central Valley’s top agricultural commodities such as corn, tomatoes, grapes (table and wine), garlic, lemons, oranges, nectarines, plums, peaches, walnuts, pistachios, and almonds.

Be sure to stop and see the OLD FRESNO SCHOOLHOUSE!  This historical attraction provides a fun place for kids to play, climb, and be reminded of Fresno’s unique history.

6)  MEYERS WATER AND WILDLIFE TREE

Find out about the Central Valley’s vital water and animals native to our wetlands at The Meyers Water and Wildlife Tree.  You will see the California Water Flow Replica inside the tree that was added last year and teaches kids about the complex water system in the San Joaquin Valley that helps drive our rich agriculture.  This interactive experience will show students how water from snow melts in January and ends up in the valley fields through light-up displays.

Stop by the 1,200 gallon water tank that showcases fish native to our region.  The “Cloud Tank” brings a little taste of Hollywood to Fresno because it was used in over 300 movies including Star Wars Episode 1, Indiana Jones 4, and Titanic to show underwater explosions.  Now it is used to teach about the importance of water in our valley.

Our class may even catch a special presentation on Birds of Prey, a magical show with a water theme or a presentation with skulls, skins, and more!

7)  GEM AND MINERAL BUILDING

Third graders will catch the sparkle of breathtaking stones on display here learning about diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and more.  Third graders can even purchase custom jewelry made from special stones.

8)  FINE ARTS AND PHOTOGRAPHY BUILDING

Here you will find the largest collection of local artwork in Fresno County.  Hundreds of artists and photographers will display their paintings, sculptures, photos, and illustrations with more than 1,000 items exhibited each year.

9)  WELLS FARGO AGRICULTURE BUILDING PRESENTED BY FOODMAX

Come see why Fresno County is the world’s top agricultural area!  From apples to zucchini, you will find more than 350 varieties of locally-grown crops and commodities on display here!  The following communities showcase the crops they produce:  Clovis, Coalinga, Easton, Fowler, Kerman, Kingsburg, Laton, Orange Cove, Parlier, Reedley, Sanger, and Selma.

10)  HOME ARTS BUILDING PRESENTED BY SAVE MART SUPERMARKETS

Explore the wide variety of arts and crafts like homemade quilts, wood carvings, cooking demonstrations, paintings, and more!

11)  COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMERCE BUILDINGS

You will discover a wide variety of commercial exhibits, concessions, and vendors offering an abundance of products for fairgoers.

12)  KIDS TOWN

Making its debut at the 2014 Big Fresno Fair is the “Wizard’s Challenge” exhibit.  It is a STEM-based interactive exhibit in which guests can have fun while learning about science through fantasy and medieval themed displays.  It offers a huge variety of challenges and experiences.  Try to stay on your feet while traveling through a 20 foot long rotating dragon’s lair or place your hand on a plasma sphere and watch electricity/lightning follow your movements or leave your body’s imprint on a huge wall of nails.  The fun of science continues through magic mirrors or huge wands to make 25-foot bubble tubes.

13)  FURS AND FEATHERS BUILDING

Discover the many breeds of rabbits, birds, and more.  Stop by the Education Center to learn more about the animals being shown that week.

BIG FRESNO FAIR FIELD TRIP SCHEDULE

Transportation will be by carpool.  We will need 14 chaperones for the day’s trip with a ratio of 1 parent per 2 children.  Per school policy, siblings are not allowed.  Please understand that as a carpooling chaperone, you are committed to transporting your child AND another student to the Big Fresno Fair, supervising and chaperoning them throughout the day, assisting them with our 2014 Fair Education Activity Detective Sheet, and returning them to campus at the conclusion.

There are no other stops along the way (home or store) per safety for the child.  Students are not allowed to seat in the front seat.

Parents may volunteer by emailing Mrs. Fraser at cfraser@fresnochristian.com or signing up on a Field Trip List posted in the hallway near our classroom.  The deadline to sign-up is Friday, September 26.  Driver Clearance paper work should also be turned in by this Friday, September 26.  When chaperoning carpooling information is finalized on Friday,  a Student Carpool Permission Form will go home with students next Monday, September 29 giving parent authorization for students to ride with drivers.

Our schedule for Thursday, October 9 will be:

8:00 AM  Students and Chaperones arrive in classroom for orientation and expectations

8:30 AM  Depart for The Big Fresno Fair

9:00 AM  Gather as class for Entrance in Butler Parking Lot and Enter Fairgrounds & Begin Scavenger Hunt

11:15 AM  Class Lunch at the shaded picnic tables just east of Pavilion Performing Stage

11:45 AM  More Exploring & Discovering

1:00 PM  Meet at the Butler Gate Entrance

1:15 AM  Depart for FCS

1:45 PM  Arrival at FCS

***Students, bring a SACK lunch, clearly labeled with your first and last name, grade, teacher, and school.  You may bring $10.00 for spending money.  Students will be receiving new class field trip T-shirts in time for the field trip.  Please wear your T-shirt on the day of the field trip.  Also, remember you are responsible for your own money.

PARENT DRIVING INFORMATION NEEDED

All parents listed to drive are required yearly have on file updated and current copies of a valid drivers license, permit the organization to check driving record, copy of current insurance ID with effective dates of insurance policy, and copy of insurance declaration page showing limits of insurance.  Attached to today’s newsletter, you will find a letter addressing these field trip requirements in detail.  Please complete the driver clearance requirements this week and deliver them to Kerry Roberts, our elementary secretary.

CHEER CLINIC

WHEN:  Practice Monday October 6^th-9^th @ North Field Grass 3:30pm-4:30pm

WHY:  Perform With Varsity Cheerleaders at the Friday, October 10^th Football Game and Half Time Show!!

INCLUDES: T-Shirt and Performance During Half-Time Show!

COST:  $40 Registration Fee ($10 additional Child In Same Family)

CHECKS PAYABLE TO:  Fresno Christian Schools (write “cheer clinic” on memo line)

SEND:  Registration Forms w/ child’s name, t-shirt size, &  Money to Fresno Christian Central Office

DEADLINE:  No Later Than Wednesday October 1^st!!!!

QUESTIONS? E-MAIL:  Mrs. Courtney Raymundo at  craymundo@fresnochristian.com

CHARACTER TRAIT:  Self Control  

Reference:  Proverbs 16:32

Bible Verse:  Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.

Definition:  Surrendering the control of my total “self” to the Holy Spirit

Opposite:  Self-Indulgence

SPELLING:  Lesson 6

This week will be a review of Lessons 1-5.  There will be a multiple choice test on Friday along with 5 Dictation Sentences.

CHARACTER TRAIT: Orderliness

Reference:  I Corinthians 14:40

Bible Verse:  But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

Definition:  Everything in its place

Opposite:  Disorder, confusion, or lack of restraint

SPELLING WORDS:

Lesson 5  Long i:  i, ie, igh, i_e, uy, y

1.  fright

2.  shine

3.  childhood

4.  buying

5.  tiny

6.  tried

7.  blind

8.  reply

9.  skyline

10.  mighty

11.  lies

12.  apply

13.  nearby

14.  tired

15.  bicycles

16.  brighter

17.  lives

18.  pliers

High-Frequency Words

19.  shoes

20.  very

Challenge Words

*California

*Yosemite

PARENT CORNER

SCHOOL PORTRAIT DAY!

Don’t forget that tomorrow is School Picture Day!  Remember to bring your package with payment TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH!!

PARENT CONFERENCES

Next week we begin Parent-teacher conferences from September 15-19 with minimum release days Monday through Friday at 12:00 PM.  Please contact Kerry Roberts in the office to reschedule if the time allotted to you is inconvenient.

BIBLE

We begin Unit 2 Abraham and Isaac.  We will study about how Abram obeyed when God called him to  leave Haran.  Highlights will include God’s Promise to Abram, Abram and Sarai in Egypt, Lot’s Choice, The Story of Hagar and Ishmael, God’s Covenant with Abraham, Sodom and Gomorrah, Isaac, Child of Promise, Abraham’s Testing, Isaac Marries Rebekah, and Isaac and Abimelech.

MATH

We will spending the next few weeks learning to add and subtract greater numbers.  We will also round numbers to estimate sums and differences.  You can expect to see work that provides practice in adding and subtracting numbers with up to four digits, using regrouping (or borrowing).  We will also learn to  subtract across zeros.  During Chapter 3 students should work diligently to memorize basic addition and subtraction facts.

SOCIAL STUDIES

This week we complete Chapter 1 ending with California’s regions.  We move on to Chapter 2 People and Their Environment.  We will study about our many natural resources, our changing environment, and caring for our resources.

SCIENCE

In science we continue our study of animal habitats.  We have visited the deciduous forests, coniferous forests, and the rain forest while exploring God’s creatures adapting to their environment.  This week we will discover some of the driest regions on Earth in the desert habitat.  We will learn how animals and plants adapt to little rainfall and extremes in temperature.  We will learn how animals find food, water, and shelter.  We will discover how rainfall and differences in temperature between day and night affect life in the desert.

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION 

This year we will again be participating in the Box Tops for Education fundraiser.  Each Box Top collected is worth cash for our school.  As an incentive we will be having a class contest.  The class bringing in the most Box Tops at the end of this promotion will receive a “prize”.  We will post class totals monthly in the Office window and on our Campus News located on our website: fresnochristian.com.

Please hand in your trimmed Box Tops in a Ziploc bag or envelope, labeled with your child’s/teacher’s name and the amount of Box Tops to your teacher or school office.

You can find a list of Box Tops online at: www.boxtops4education.com.

Thank you for your support.

SEPTEMBER

Tuesday, September 9 – Elementary Pictures

Thursday, September 11 – Fall Fundraiser Ends

Saturday, September 13 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANJAY STEPHEN!

September 15-19 – Parent/Teacher Conferences (Dismissal at 12 Noon)

Tuesday, September 23 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY KALEB MARQUEZ!

Tuesday, September 25 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY MALLORY LOEFFLER!

Saturday, September 27 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAIGE DEFFENBACHER!

Tuesday, September 30 – Scholastic Book Club Online Orders Due

OCTOBER

Thursday, October 2 – Fancy Folder Fiction Book Reports Due

CHARACTER TRAIT:  Honesty

Reference:  Ephesians 4:25

Verse:  Therefore, each of  you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

Definition:  Truthful words and ways

Opposite:  Misleading others through lying words or deceitful actions

SPELLING WORDS

LESSON 4 Sept. 2-5

Pattern Words: Long e-  e, ey, ie, y

1.  brownie

2.  monkey

3.  secret

4.  pieces

5.  honey

6.  equal

7.  grief

8.  yield

9.  only

10.  icy

11.  keys

12.  busy

13.  chief

14.  valley

15.  sleepy

16.  snowy

17.  beyond

18.  believes

High-Frequency Words

19.  favorite

20.  against

Challenge Words

*  plateau

*  landform

PARENT CORNER

HOMEWORK FOLDERS

Due to the shortened week, Red Homework Folders with completed work or make up work will be due on Friday of this week.

ELEMENTARY SPIRIT DAYS

Fresno Christian Schools Spirit Days are here! Starting this Friday and every Friday after, wear your FCS Spirit Wear. At the end of each month the K-6 class with the highest percentage of Spirit Wear worn will be the keeper of the FCS Eagle Trophy for a month!   So wear your Fresno Christian Spirit Wear with pride. Go Eagles!!!

MOMS IN PRAYER

Any woman desiring to pray for our children and Fresno Christian School is invited to join us for a powerful time of prayer!

Fridays from 8:00 – 9:00 am

Peoples Church, Room 204

Contact: Janet Moore 448-0947 or rjdamoore@att.net

ELEMENTARY PORTRAIT DAY

Picture Day is coming soon! Elementary pictures will be taken on Tuesday, September 9th..  See attached order form. 

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION

This year we will again be participating in the Box Tops for Education fundraiser. Each Box Top collected is worth cash for our school. As an incentive we will be having a class contest. The class bringing in the most Box Tops at the end of this promotion will receive a “prize”. We will post class totals monthly in the Elementary Office window.

Please hand in your trimmed Box Tops in a Ziploc bag or envelope, labeled with your child’s/teacher’s name and the amount of Box Tops to your teacher. Every Friday the student bringing in the most for the week from each class will get to choose something from the Treasure Box in the Elementary Office. You can find a list of Box Tops online at: www.boxtops4education.com.

PARENT CONFERENCES 

Grades K-6 Parent conference forms will be coming home today with your child’s Homework  Folder.  Early dismissal will begin on Monday, September 15 at 12:00 through Friday, Sept. 19t  See attached form.

HOMEWORK

As the workload increases, please check your child’s folder for any incomplete assignments not finished in class.  Students should finish and return assignments for an improved score.  Students may also take any daily unfinished assignments home to complete and return the next day.  This is a developmental skill which needs to be encouraged and nourished on a weekly basis.  It is part of learning to use time wisely in class.  Thank you for helping our little ones grow in responsibility of assignments.

FALL FUNDRAISER

Your fundraising money AND order forms must be turned in on September 11th. Packets must be given to your teacher ASAP that morning. The PST Board will be counting as soon as the packets have been collected from each class. Delivery for items will be Thursday, October 9th behind Building 5.

Our class will begin an independent reading program.  Students will be involved in reading books covering several genres of literature including, fiction, biography, science, poetry, Bible/Christian themes, folk tales, fables, historical fiction, sports, travel, and hobbies. Students will be assigned a specific category of books to read for a book report.  Students should choose a book from the school, home, class, or public library that is age and ability appropriate.

After reading the book, students will participate in a variety of book report project styles as assigned by the teacher which may include:  mobiles, diorama, puppetry, book jackets, written or oral book reports, book boxes, book posters, 3D book reports, etc.  You will find attached to the newsletter specific directions for each project as assigned along with a due date.  Students will be marked down a full grade for reports turned in late.

Our first book report will be to read a fiction chapter book and then complete the FANCY FOLDER book project attached to your newsletter.     See attached grading rubric indicating expectations for total points possible.    The book report project is to be completed outside of class.  FANCY FOLDER Display fiction book report projects are due Thursday, October 2nd.

READING COUNTS PROGRAM

The Reading Counts Program is a school-wide incentive reading program to develop fluency and comprehension in reading.  Students are inspired to read literature books from their recommended LEXILE reading list.  The program is under a new host this year so teachers will let you know when the program is accessible and ready to launch.

SEPTEMBER SCHOLASTIC BOOK ORDER

It is time for our first book order of the year!  The opportunity to order books will be offered monthly.  Scholastic publishes excellent books  for children at a moderate price.  Purchases will be made ONLINE ONLY.  Today you will find a parent information letter for online ordering with details. To order online, sign in or register at:  scholastic.com/reading club.   For first time orders, enter our Class Activation Code:  L9NJ4.  I will not be accepting checks or cash.  You may order from several catalogues or reading levels.  Orders will need to be placed by Tuesday, September 30 3:00 PM.  Thank you!

WRITING

Third graders will begin to write expository person paragraphs.   We will write descriptions of people, places, or objects.  We will learn to use concrete sensory details or descriptive words to present and support unified impressions of people, places, or objects.  Students will learn to use a rubric to analyze their writing.  Students will be tested on these writing skills through Benchmark Assessments at the end of the first quarter.

MATH

This week  third graders will be finishing up Chapter 1 in Place Value.  Math homework will focus on review concepts.   Our test will be on Friday, September 5.   Please look over your child’s math work together, correct errors, review, and return math work for possible improved scores.

ACADEMIC END OF THE YEAR MATH REWARDS

All students who reach the third grade level goal of mastering  Form A and Form B of 100 facts in Addition and Subtraction Facts Sums Through 18 in 4 minutes will receive an ice cream party.  All third graders who reach the goal of mastering Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, and Mixed Facts of Form A and Form B in 4 minutes will become Lifetime Members and will be rewarded a pizza party.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

SEPTEMBER

Tuesday, September 9 – Elementary Pictures

Thursday, September 11 – Fall Fundraiser Ends

Saturday, September 13 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANJAY STEPHEN!

September 15-19 – Parent/Teacher Conferences (Dismissal at 12 Noon)

Tuesday, September 23 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY KALEB MARQUEZ!

Tuesday, September 25 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY MALLORY LOEFFLER!

Saturday, September 27 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAIGE DEFFENBACHER!

CHARACTER TRAIT:  Obedience                        

Reference:  Ephesians 6:1

Verse:  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Definition:  Doing what I am told with a happy spirit

Opposite:  Doing what I want to do

SPELLING WORDS

LESSON 3:  Long e:  ea, ee, ei

1.   leaf
2.   beat
3.   easy
4.   jeans
5.   steep
6.   really
7.   mean
8.   eager
9.   reach
10.  queen
11.  speed
12.  street
13.  please
14.  breeze
15.  receive
16.  deceive

17.  cleaned

18.  between

HIGH-FREQUENCY WORDS

19.  said

20.  says

CHALLENGE WORDS
* carnivore
* herbivore

PARENT CORNER

NEWSLETTER

Our Elementary Newsletter Program experienced computer technical difficulties which prevented posting of newsletters.   Thank you for your patience in the delay of publishing Monday’s newsletter.  Your child will receive a printed newsletter on Tuesday of this week.

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT

Thanks to all who were able to attend the Back to School Night last Tuesday.  If you were not able to come, a Back to School Night Packet was sent home with your child the following day with content on curriculum, schedules, dress code, field trips, and other items.  You may wish to take time to look through the packet when you have a quiet moment.  Thanks so much!

OWLS ALIVE!!

Our class wishes to thank Vida’s mom, Juliet Doty, for the incredible visit to our classroom on Friday as part of our study of the forest habitat.  Mrs. Doty volunteers with the Fresno Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation.  She is currently caring for two injured owls, a great horned owl and a pygmy owl, which are used for education throughout the greater Fresno area.  She brought these fascinating creatures along with her and the kids were dazzled!

Mrs. Doty shared with our third graders the owls’ feather patterning in relation to where the live, their camouflage, how they hunt, what they eat, the nature of their pellets and why they have them.   Juliet also taught students about the difference between nocturnal, diurnal, and crepuscular along with the nictitating membrane of the eye.  The children learned how amazing God made owls!!

MATH TEST

Third graders will have a math test on Friday, September 29 over Chapter 1 Place Value.   A Pre-Test study guide along with math homework was sent home on Monday in the Red Homework Folder to prepare for the test.  You may return the completed work by Thursday or Friday of this week.

FUNDRAISER

Only 2 weeks left to sell!  Students, be sure to get in on a LOT of GREAT prizes by selling as much as you can to your friends, family members, and neighbors. With so many choices like Signature gift catalog items, cookie dough, magazines and VIP cards, you’re bound to have something available to sell to everyone. Don’t forget to tell them that we are raising the money for our co-curricular actives like Music, Art, Drama, Spanish and PE. Without this money, those activities don’t exist!

Your fundraising money AND order forms must be turned in on September 11th. Packets must be given to your teacher ASAP that morning. The PST Board will be counting as soon as the packets have been collected from each class. Delivery for items will be Thursday, October 9th behind Building 5.

POWERSCHOOL

Please check your child’s grades on Powerschool weekly.  You will want to save your child’s work each quarter in a file at home and send in anything that doesn’t coincide with Powerschool so I can check for possible changes.

Your child may re-do any assignment below a 70% that comes home in Monday’s packet for a better grade.  If they are going to make changes, please return it to me by  Thursday of each week.  Thank you for your support and for helping your child succeed!!

HOMEWORK

Any work not completed in class, such as math, reading. language or spelling, is considered homework and needs to be returned the following day.    Please communicate with me if there was a valid reason as to why a child was not able to complete an assignment. Thank you for your partnership in this area.

VISITOR PASS

Be sure to check with the office and obtain a visitors pass BEFORE entering the classroom.

PORTRAIT DAY

Picture Day is coming soon!  Elementary pictures will be taken on Tuesday, September 9.  Watch for order envelopes in the near future.

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

Conferences are the week of September 15-19. Monday through Friday of that week will be minimum release days at 12:00 noon.

SPIRIT DAY

Show your school pride each Friday and wear your favorite FCS shirt!

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Monday, September 1 – Labor Day/No School

Tuesday, September 9 – Elementary School Pictures

September 15-19 – Parent/Teacher Conferences (Dismissal at 12 Noon)

Saturday, September 13 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANJAY STEPHEN!

Tuesday, September 23 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY KALEB MARQUEZ!

Tuesday, September 23 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY MALLORY LOEFFLER!

Saturday, September 27 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAIGE DEFFENBACHER!

CHARACTER TRAIT:  Accomplishment

 Reference:  II Timothy 4:7

Bible Verse:  I have fought the good fight.  I have finished the race.  I have kept the faith.

Definition:  Successfully finishing what I set out to do

Opposite:  Doing a job carelessly or incompletely

PARENT CORNER

AS THE YEAR DRAWS TO A CLOSE. . .

Yes!  The last week of school has arrived!  Hard to believe?  This week is still an important one as we wrap up all the training and guidance.  It’s a time of reflection about  our year.  The activities we do are designed to bring closure to our experiences.  Thank you for stressing the academic importance of this week in staying focused.

As we ponder our past year, our third grade class has experienced God’s faithfulness and bonding together as a family.  We have brought together our individual and unique personalities while the Lord has caused each of us to trust Him through the triumphs and challenges.  I praise God for His presence in the spirit of each student.  We will feel the heart-tugs as we part our ways for the summer.

The parent support and involvement through prayer, cards, notes, and volunteer work as room-parents, carpoolers, and chaperones has been a tremendous encouragement and blessing to me.  Your lives have deeply enriched mine.  Thank you for your generous spirit.  Blessings from above for a wonderful, relaxing summer!

MIGHTY PRAYER WARRIORS FOR MICAH

Please continue to lift up Micah daily in his recovery from foot surgery last Friday, May 16 in Sacramento.  We wish to pray for comfort and easing of pain.  Remember Preston, Kori, and Mallory in your prayers.  We look forward to seeing Micah on Thursday at the swim party.  Please contact Emily Phillips or Patty Steele if you would like to help with provisions for the party at the Friesen home.

NO PARENT HELPERS

Other than Monday , we will not be using any parent helpers this week.  Thanks you for your tremendous help throughout the year in the classroom. We couldn’t have done it without you!  You are amazing and it was wonderful to grow to know and love you dearly!!

YEAR END REWARDS

There will be an ice cream treat on Monday, May 19 at lunchtime in Mrs. Fraser’s classroom for those students who met their goal of 100 points in Reading Counts and/or became a member of the Third Grade Math Club.

Tuesday, May 20th students who met their goal of 500 points in Reading Counts or became a Lifetime Member of the Math Club will walk across the street with Mrs. Fraser for an off-campus pizza lunch at Me ‘N Eds.

 TEXTBOOK INVENTORY

Please return all hard bound textbooks by tomorrow including math books, social studies book, science, or language textbooks.  We are conducting textbook inventories.  These books are quite expensive and students will be charged for textbooks they do not return.  Thank you for helping your child be responsible for all school books needing to be returned.

BACKPACKS

Please continue to bring your backpack to school each day this week.  We will be bringing home several things.   Please keep your school box in your backpack.  You will need it for several activities this week.

MINIMUM DAYS

Just a reminder that Thursday and Friday are MINIMUM days with release time at 12:00 PM.

PERSONAL CLASSROOM LIBRARY BOOKS

Please look under your beds and in bookshelves at home for any books with Mrs. Fraser’s name or Miss Lepp’s name on the inside cover.  I would greatly appreciate all personal books returned to my own classroom library this week.  Thank you so much!

NOTICE FROM THE LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER

As we approach the end of the school year please note that there is a $25.00 fee for each item that is not returned by the last day of school. Please encourage your student to meet this responsibility.

Thanks, Lin Brown,

Librarian

END OF FOURTH QUARTER

Fourth quarter grades will be finalized this Tuesday, May 20.  Final report cards should be posted by the school the end of this week or early next week.

CHARACTER TRAIT:  Perseverance

Reference:  James 1:12

Bible Verse:  Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

Definition:  One who continues to do right in spite of difficulty

Opposite:  Giving up

SPELLING WORDS:  LESSON 34

Pattern Words – Homophones

1.  to

2.  too

3.  two

4.  wait

5.  weight

6.  rode

7.  road

8.  rowed

9.  piece

10.  peace

11.  cents

12.  sense

13. scents

14.  wear

15.  where

16.  their

17.  there

18.  they’re

High-Frequency Words

19.  once

20.  entire

Challenge Words

*  electricity

*  conductors

PARENT CORNER

IN APPRECIATION

Thank you to all who were able to come out and join us for Open House and The Fine Arts Festival Night last Tuesday evening.  The third graders did  a fantastic job square dancing and looked terrific in their Fresno History costumes!  They enjoyed being your personal tour guide for the evening and showing you their hard work and accomplishments for the year.  I am so proud of them!  I also want to thank all of your parents who so diligently helped us prepare for Open House Night by giving of your time and love.  What a blessing you were to me!

MOTHER’S DAY

I pray you had a beautiful Mother’s Day weekend with your family and felt loved and appreciated.  Mothers  play such an important Godly role in the development of our children and we thank you for all of your love, guidance, patience, and care extended. Thank you for your tremendous help in the classroom this year, field trips, and holiday celebrations.  You are amazing and dearly appreciated!

PRAYERS FOR THE FRIESEN FAMILY

As a class we want to lift up Micah as he prepares for surgery in Sacramento  at Shriner’s Hospital on Friday, May 16.  Let’s remember his whole family, Preston, Kori, Micah’s sister, Mallory, and their grandparents as the time draws near.  We pray for God’s great blessings on the family for grace, courage, peace, and strength.  Our class looks forward to seeing Micah at the swim party next week on Thursday, May 22 to cheer him on with great encouragement.  We have strong third grade prayer warriors and our God is an AWESOME!  He is MIGHTY to save!!

ACADEMICS

Amid the fun rewards and activities planned for the next two full weeks, we still will set our focus on finishing strong academically, behaviorally, and spiritually.  Please have your child arrive on time.   Academics will continue as we near the “Finish Line.”  We will run the race God has set before us and set our eyes on Jesus to do our very best!

BENCHMARK ASSESSMENTS

This week we will complete our Benchmark Assessments in reading, math, and writing.

CHARACTER TRAIT:  Peace

Reference:  Colossians 3:15

Bible Verse:  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.

Definition:  Resting with satisfaction, in the truth that God knows and will provide for my every need

Opposite:  Restlessness, hurry, or worry

SPELLING WORDS:  LESSON 33

Pattern Words- Find syllables with -le

1.  title

2.  able

3.  riddle

4.  settle

5.  jungle

6.  handle

7.  buckle

8.  double

9.  people

10.  shuttle

11.  temple

12.  whistle

13.  rumble

14.  sample

15.  trouble

16.  sparkle

17.  capable

18.  vegetable

High-Frequency Words

19.  history

20.  planets

Challenge Words

*festival

*celebration

PARENT CORNER

IN APPRECIATION

Thank you for all your help transporting students to the Coke Hallowell River Center.  The children had a beautiful walk around Hidden Homes Nature Trail recognizing many animals from their reports,  enjoyed lots of hands-on exhibits, and participating in a fun Reader’s Theater about the Sierra Nevada Mountains and San Joaquin River with costumes and all!  The Gift Shop was a hit!  Third graders all found a nature treasure to bring home while shopping.  Our class really appreciated the snacks and cold water.  Thanks so very much!

 CINCO DE MAYO

On Monday afternoon,  the elementary will be treated to a Mariachi Band in the courtyard to celebrate Cinco De Mayo. Children are free to bring sombreros or other clothing that celebrates the day.  As our year winds down, we still are keeping our usual schedule and work load.  We will be putting all the finishing touches on our projects for Open House. The children are excited for you to see their classroom.

CLASSROOM OPEN HOUSE AND FINE ARTS FESTIVAL

Come and join us for a fabulous evening of Fine Arts, Music, and Open House tomorrow evening, May 6 at 6:30 P.M. We will begin in our classroom and then head out to the Chapel of People’s Church for the 3rd Grade Square Dancing and the Fine Arts Festival.  When you hear the pioneer triangle clanging, we will head over to the G.L Johnson Chapel where the Elementary Fine Arts Festival will be.  Second grade will perform their cultural dances and 3rd grade will perform their square dances outside of the chapel. Then you are invited into the G.L. Johnson Chapel where the  upper grades will perform.

As part of “Fresno History Day” third graders will dress up as Fresno pioneers for the square dancing performance in the EVENING planned by Mrs. Ainley, our music teacher that evening.  Students may come dressed in any of the following ways:  Yokut Native American Indian, fur trapper, gold miner Fresno pioneer, cowboy, or cowgirl.

Don’t forget to check out the Young Authors book signing table where first place winning elementary student authors will be available to autograph your purchased copy of their award winning books!  Proceeds go to the library to purchase more books for our growing library.

COOKIES

We are asking that each family bring one dozen cookies for Open House, May 6th.  You can bring them that morning or in the afternoon when you pick up your child from school.

MATH TEST

Thursday, May 8  we will have a math test over Chapter 8 Division Facts.  A  pre-test will be sent home today attached to the newsletter to help students prepare for this test.  Please turn your pre-test in with your homework folder on Thursday.

FRESNO FIRE TRUCK

Grades 1-3 will enjoy a visit from the Fresno Fire Department with a fire truck on Wednesday, May 7 at 10:30 AM.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK ORDER

Our last on-line Scholastic Book order will be placed on Friday, May 9 after school.  Be sure to get your in book placed by 3:30 PM if you wish to order.

PARENT NOTICE FROM THE LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER

Parents are welcome to attend our last chapel of the year at the People’s Campus on Wednesday, May 21 from 12:45-2:15 in the GL Johnson Chapel for Grades 1-4.   After the awards chapel, parents are invited to our classroom where students will be given their Character Trait Awards.

YEAR END SWIMMING PARTY

Our final celebration of the year will be Thursday, May 22th, from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. at Micah Friesen’s house.   This is a Half Day.  All are welcome to attend.  We will meet at Preston and Kori Friesen’s house at 10:00 AM.  You do not need to come to our campus first.

If you will need a ride from school, please let me know, as we will not be organizing formal carpools. You will also need to pick up your child after the party is over, or make arrangements for them to get home. We will not be going back to People’s Campus.  Again, if you need help with this, just let me know.

Directions to the Friesen home in the near future.  Please contact Patty Steele and Emily Phillips if you would like to help with food or activities.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

MAY

Monday, May 5 – Cinco de Mayo Mariachi Band Ground Zero Courtyard 1:15 PM

Tuesday, May 6 – Open House at People’s Campus & Fine Arts Festival 6:30-9:00 PM

Wednesday, May 7 – Fresno Fire Truck Visit for Gr. 1-3 @ 10:30 AM

Wednesday, May 7 – Teacher In-Service – School dismissed at 12:00 PM

Friday, May 9 – Scholastic Book Club On-line Only Book Orders Due 3:30 PM

SATURDAY, MAY 10 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY SACARI BROOKS!

Wednesday, May 14 – Elementary Hot Lunch and Play Day 11:30-2:45 PM

SATURDAY, MAY 17 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHANE PHILLIPS!

Wednesday, May 21 – Grades 1-4 Awards Chapel 12:30-2:00 PM

Thursday, May 22 – HALF DAY / NOON RELEASE FOR GR. K-12

Thursday, May 22 – Class Swim Party @ Micah Friesen’s House 10:00 AM -1:00 PM

FRIDAY, MAY 23 – LAST DAY OF SCHOOL! / HALF DAY RELEASE @ 12:00 PM

SUMMER VACATION BEGINS!!!!!!!

SUMMER BIRTHDAYS!

JUNE BIRTHDAYS

SATURDAY,  JUNE 14 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNALIE GRIFFIN!

FRIDAY, JUNE 20  – HAPPY BIRTHDAY SILAS EMERIAN!

SUNDAY, JUNE 29 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUMMER FOSHEE!

JULY BIRTHDAYS

THURSDAY, JULY 3 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRIANA OCHOA!

TUESDAY, JULY 22 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY TALLY OSTROW!

SUNDAY, JULY 27 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLIVIA DANSBY!

THURSDAY, JULY 31 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY MRS. FRASER!

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 14 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICAH FRIESEN!

FRIDAY, AUGUST 15 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY MACIE GLEASON!

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY DIEGO SIQUEIROS!

CHARACTER TRAIT: GENTLENESS

Reference:   II Timothy 2:24

Bible Verse:   And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

Definition:  Handing others with sensitivity, remembering that they are precious possessions created by God

Opposite:  Feeling of pride, self-importance, or anger

(Please note that our Bible Verse Test will be on Thursday of this week due to our field trip on Friday, May 2.)

SPELLING WORDS:  Lesson 32

Pattern Words-Schwa Before n Syllables

1.  open

2.  robin

3.  taken

4.  cousin

5.  glisten

6.  bacon

7.  eleven

8.  frozen

9.  human

10.  sunken

11.  gallons

12.  person

13.  broken

14.  lessons

15.  buttons

16.  heavens

17.  happens

18.  common

High-Frequency Words

19.  sight

20.  expect

Challenge Words

*migration

*estuary

(Please note that our Bible Verse Test will be on Thursday of this week due to our field trip on Friday, May  2.)

PARENT CORNER

FCS TALENT SHOW NIGHT

We had a wonderful turn out for the FCS Elementary Talent Show!  Congratulations to all the students who participated!!  It was a highly entertaining and inspiring evening!!!

COKE HALLOWELL CENTER FOR RIVER STUDIES FIELD TRIP

We are looking forward to a wonderful adventure to the Coke Hallowell Center for River Studies on Friday, May 2. There will be a tour of the Riverview Ranch , hands-on interactive exhibits, a hike along the Animal Hidden Homes Nature Trail, games that teach about local wildlife and migration habits on the San Joaquin River, as well as a visit to the River Gift Shop with all kinds of nature items.  We will eat a picnic lunch on the beautiful garden grounds.  Admission for students is pre-paid and chaperoning, carpooling parents receive free admission.  Bring a sack lunch and drink.  Midmorning snacks will be provided by our room mothers.  Students may bring $5.00 to spend on nature items at the River Gift Shop.

 We will leave at 8:30 AM on Friday, May 2 and return at 1:00 PM.  Travel will be by carpool.  The following parents have volunteered to serve as carpooling chaperones:

Carlos Calderon – can transport 2 students

Jennifer Dansby – can transport 3 students

Sylvia Heinz – can transport 4 students

***WE ARE STILL IN NEED OF TRANSPORTATION FOR 17 STUDENTS.  IF YOU ARE ABLE TO HELP OUR CLASS, PLEASE EMAIL ME AT cfraser@fresnochristian.com NO LATER THAN TUESDAY, APRIL 29.

I will send home a carpool permission form for children on Wednesday, April 30 and it will need to be returned on Thursday, May 1.  UNFORTUNATELY, IF WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH DRIVERS, THE TRIP FOR THE CHILDREN WILL HAVE TO BE CANCELLED. 

PARENT HELPERS NEEDED FOR PROJECTS

Our class is in need of parents to come and work with 2 students at a time to assemble and glue their Fresno History boards together this week APRIL 28- MAY 2.  If you are able to volunteer any day during this week we would really appreciate your help.  You may email me at cfraser@fresnochristian.com.

As we come to the end of our school year would you please encourage your students to return all items checked out from the Library. The final due date for all items checked out is Friday, May 2.  Reminders of items checked out will be sent to the students beginning the week of May 5. There is a fine of $25.00 for each item that is not returned.

Many wonderful titles are lost each year because they are not returned. We greatly appreciate your assistance in getting books back in and onto the shelves so the collection is ready to go again in August. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Lin Brown, Librarian

lbrown@fresnochristian.com

END OF THE YEAR CONVOCATION

As the year draws to a close, we would like to gather as a family to celebrate all that God has done for us.  Thursday, May 1st is the National Day of Prayer and our School Community Council believes that would be the perfect day to come together as an entire school.  All of you (parents, grandparents, family, and friends) are invited to join the teachers, students, administration, and staff as we gather together for this ending convocation held in the Peoples’s Church sanctuary.  It is a time of celebration, worship, and prayer as we end our year with thanksgiving and praise.

The service begins at 8:00 AM and will end by 8:30 AM.  All students K-12 are to report directly to the sanctuary by 7:55 AM.  Every class will be designated with a sign and balloons, making it easy to locate your child’s class.  It is exactly the same as our opening convocation seating arrangement.  You are welcome to sit with your child in their designated area or if you have more than one student attending Fresno Christian, choose where you would like to sit.  I look forward to seeing all of you at this closing event as we end our year acknowledging God’s hand upon us through prayer, worship, and heartfelt celebration.

FINE ARTS FESTIVAL AND CLASSROOM OPEN HOUSE

Come and join us for a fabulous evening of Fine Arts, Music, and Open House on Tuesday, May 6 at 6:30 P.M-9:00 PM.   We will begin in our classroom and then head out to the Chapel of People’s Church for the Fine Arts Festival.

As part of “Fresno History Day” third graders will dress up as Fresno pioneers for the square dancing performance planned by Mrs. Ainley, our music teacher that evening.  Students may come dressed in any of the following ways:  Yokut Native American, fur trapper, gold miner Fresno pioneer, cowboy, or cowgirl.

The third graders are very excited about sharing their Square Dancing with the FCS Family in true Fresno Pioneer Style!!! 

YEAR END SWIMMING PARTY

Our final celebration of the year will be Thursday, May 22th, from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. at Micah Friesen’s house.   This is a Half Day.  All are welcome to attend.  We will meet at Preston and Kori Friesen’s house at 10:00 AM.  You do not need to come to our campus first.

If you will need a ride from school, please let me know, as we will not be organizing formal carpools. You will also need to pick up your child after the party is over, or make arrangements for them to get home. We will not be going back to People’s Campus.  Again, if you need help with this, just let me know.

Directions to the Friesen home will be sent home in May.  Please contact Patty Steele and Emily Phillips if you would like to help with food or activities.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

APRIL

TUESDAY, APRIL 28 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY CALEB NIDEVER!

TUESDAY, APRIL 28 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICHARD WILLIAMS!

MAY

Thursday, May 1 – Year End Convocation 8:00 AM

Friday, May 2 – Coke Hallowell Center River Studies Field Trip

Tuesday, May 6 – Open House at People’s Campus & Fine Arts Festival 6:30-9:00 PM

Wednesday, May 7 – Teacher In-Service – School dismissed at 12:00 PM

Friday, May 10 – Scholastic Book Club On-line Only Book Orders Due 3:30 PM

SATURDAY, MAY 10 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY SACARI BROOKS!

SATURDAY, MAY 17 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHANE PHILLIPS!

Wednesday, May 21 – Grades 1-4 Awards Chapel 12:30-2:00 PM

Thursday, May 22 – HALF DAY / NOON RELEASE FOR GR. K-12

Thursday, May 22 – Class Swim Party @ Micah Friesen’s House 10:00 AM -1:00 PM

FRIDAY, MAY 23 – LAST DAY OF SCHOOL! / HALF DAY RELEASE @ 12:00 PM

SUMMER VACATION BEGINS!!!!!!!

 SUMMER BIRTHDAYS!

JUNE BIRTHDAYS

SATURDAY,  JUNE 14 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNALIE GRIFFIN!

FRIDAY, JUNE 20  – HAPPY BIRTHDAY SILAS EMERIAN!

SUNDAY, JUNE 29 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUMMER FOSHEE!

JULY BIRTHDAYS

THURSDAY, JULY 3 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRIANA OCHOA!

TUESDAY, JULY 22 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY TALLY OSTROW!

SUNDAY, JULY 27 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLIVIA DANSBY!

THURSDAY, JULY 31 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY MRS. FRASER!

THURSDAY, AUGUST 14 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICAH FRIESEN!

FRIDAY, AUGUST 15 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY MACIE GLEASON!

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY DIEGO SIQUEIROS!

CHARACTER TRAIT:  Purity

Reference:  I Timothy 4:12

Bible Verse:  Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.  

Definition:  Keeping clean motives and desires by allowing the Holy Spirit to have control of my life

Opposite: Impure thoughts and ways

SPELLING WORDS: LESSON 31

Pattern Words-Plural Nouns

1.  mice

2.  sheep

3.  knives

4.  geese

5.  moose

6.  shelves

7.  heroes

8.  glasses

9.  indexes

10.  pennies

11.  women

12.  rockets

13.  waltzes

14.  brushes

15.  galaxies

16.  switches

17.  potatoes

18.  telescopes

High-Frequency Words

19.  chapel

20.  famous

Challenge Words

*division

*multiplication

PARENT CORNER

EASTER WELCOME BACK!

I pray you had a wonderful Easter vacation together as a family celebrating Christ’s Resurrection.  The stone was rolled away and we can live eternally with Jesus forever!!  In Chapel this Tuesday morning, April 22  at 8:05 AM our third grade class will share some Easter Resurrection songs we have been learning this spring with elementary students in the North Lobby Chapel.

Andi Bull, Zoe’s mom, will be coming to share as our guest speaker.  There will also be a special prayer time for Micah Friesen and his family as we approach Micah’s surgery on May 16. You received a beautiful email from Kori about Micah’s journey and we invite you to join the FCS family in prayer as we lift their family up to our Heavenly Father.

COKE HALLOWELL CENTER FOR RIVER STUDIES FIELD TRIP

We have a wonderful surprise in store!  The Fresno Philharmonic Youth Concert was not offered as planned this year as scheduled.  So instead, we will be taking a field trip adventure to the Coke Hallowell Center for River Studies on the San Joaquin River Friday, May 2, 2014.  Included will be:

1)  Tour of the historical Riverview Ranch and hands-on interactive exhibits

2)  Hike along Hidden Homes Nature Trail and Pond with binoculars

3)  Games that encourage students to learn about the local wildlife and migration habits

4)  Activities and games teaching students about the river and history of water in our valley

5)  Visit to the River Gift Shop

6)  Picnic Lunch on the beautiful garden grounds

Students’ admission is prepaid in their tuition cost.  Chaperoning, carpooling parents receive free admission.  Bring a sack lunch and drink.  Midmorning snacks will be provided by our room mothers.  We will leave at 8:30 AM on Friday, May 2 and return at 1:00 PM.  Travel will be by carpool.  If you would like to serve as a carpooling chaperone, please fill out the form which will go home on Wednesday, April 23 and return it no later than FRIDAY, APRIL 25.   If you prefer, you may email me at cfraser@fresnochristian.com.  Please let me know the number of students you can transport.  Also, check the guidelines for driver verification on our school website and make sure your information is current.  Thank you so much!!

PTF POPCORN FUNDRAISER 

The Cornology Popcorn orders for our Spring Fundraiser will be delivered to students in our classrooms on Wednesday, April 23.  Students will bring them home with them tomorrow for delivery to customers who ordered.  Thank you so very much for participating in helping FCS!!!

BMX SHOW

As a school reward for the outstanding participation in the FCS fundraisers this year, all elementary students will be invited to the BMX Show this Thursday, April 24 from 10:30-11:30 AM on the front parking lot of Peoples Church Campus.  Parents are invited to join us if you would like.

BIBLE

We are concluding Unit 4  The Exodus with the Passover, Exodus, and Israel’s Celebration.  We will begin our journey booklets entitled “The Journey From Egypt to Canaan.”  We will study how God brings the Israelites out of slavery  into the wilderness wanderings where He teaches them about justice, forgiveness, trusting, love, and compassion throughout their grumblings and complaining at Mount Sinai.  We will learn how God gives His people the Ten Commandments as laws to guide them and lead them through the desert.  We will learn how God gives us the Ten Commandments to help us grow spiritually.

LAST SCHOLASTIC ONLINE BOOK ORDER 

Today you will find the May Scholastic Book Order in your child’s GREEN Homework Folder.  This will be our last book order for the school year.  Included are 3 choices including:  May 2014 Lucky/ More Choice for Elementary Grades, May 2014 Lucky Scholastic Reading Club for Third Graders, and May 2014 Camp Read-A-Lot for Grades 3-6.  

You can also browse an expanded collection of carefully selected titles for your child online.  When you place your order online, you’ll help earn FREE books for our class!  It’s fast and easy.  Register at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs.  Use our one-time Class Activation Code when you register:  L9NJ4  Submit your online order to me.  Your checkout is secure and you pay with a credit or debit card.  The deadline for May orders will be Friday, May 10.  (Online orders only).  I will submit orders that day at 3:30 PM and they will arrive the following Friday, May 16.

LANGUAGE ARTS

This week we will continue our study of pronouns including subject nouns, object nouns, possessive nouns, and noun pronoun agreement.  We will also be writing our final drafts of our short Fresno History Pioneer Reports for our Fresno History Boards. After Open House, we will focus on the 5 elements of  letter writing.   Students need to faithfully continue reading their Scholastic Red Star Books for weekly computer quizzes.   A minimum of 1 Reading Counts quiz is required per week with opportunities on Wednesdays and Fridays to take quizzes in Computer Lab.  Students may also take quizzes at home with adult supervision.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We are preparing our Fresno History Boards for Open House in class.  They include famous Fresno pioneer leaders including Martin Theo Kearney, Dr. Richard Meux, George Roeding, and Dr. Chester Rowell as well as  landmarks and symbols of Fresno.  We wish to personalize our boards.  Students may bring a 4″ x 6″  (or smaller) picture of themselves in and around Fresno possibly at a field trip or another place of interest.   For example, it could be a photo with an activity  such as visiting “The Big Fresno Fair”  and panning for gold or in the Fresno Fort.  It might be your child at the Meux Home Museum or at one of the landmarks on the Historic Walking Tour of Fresno.  We are writing our final draft short reports this week and will be getting ready to assemble our shared boards.  So think about a small touch you might like to add whether it is a postcard or item to add to make it extra fun and special.  These are due on Friday, April 25.

MATH

This week we dive into division concepts and will discover how multiplication and division are related.  We will divide by 2, 5,  and learn division rules.  Continue to practice your multiplication facts along with addition and subtraction facts.

SCIENCE

As we continue to learn about the early beginnings of Fresno up near Millerton (once a boomtown  for the during the Gold Rush of 1849), we are also learning about Life on the San Joaquin River and the critters that inhabit our local area.

After Open House, we will learn about electrical safety outdoors including:  electricity from power lines, looking for hazards, and safe places to play.

ELEMENTARY TALENT SHOW NIGHT AND DESSERT

We are expecting to enjoy a wonderful evening of talent this coming Friday, April 25 from 7:00-8:00 PM.  There will be singers, dancers, poets, instrumentalists, and actors!   Throughout the evening we will partake of the rich variety of special desserts provided by FCS families.  Admission for the evening will be a donation of your family’s favorite cookies  (only cookies please.)  We ask that you guide your child as they plan their presentation.  Children need to be sure that their selections are suitable for an audience of Christian parents and children.  A PTF Talent Show sign-up form was sent home on Thursday, April 3 and is due by Tuesday, April 22.

FINE ARTS FESTIVAL AND CLASSROOM OPEN HOUSE

Come and join us for a fabulous evening of Fine Arts, Music, and Open House on Tuesday, May 6 at 6:30 P.M. We will begin in our classroom and then head out to the Chapel of People’s Church for the Fine Arts Festival.

As part of “Fresno History Day” third graders will dress up as Fresno pioneers for the square dancing performance planned by Mrs. Ainley, our music teacher that evening.  Students may come dressed in any of the following ways:  Yokut Native American, fur trapper, gold miner Fresno pioneer, cowboy, or cowgirl.

END OF THE YEAR LIBRARY SCHEDULE

Parents please note: As we come to the end of our school year would you please encourage your students to return all items checked out from the Library. The final due date for all items checked out is Friday, May 2.  Reminders of items checked out will be sent to the students beginning the week of May 5. There is a fine of $25.00 for each item that is not returned.

Many wonderful titles are lost each year because they are not returned. We greatly appreciate your assistance in getting books back in and onto the shelves so the collection is ready to go again in August. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Lin Brown, Librarian 299-1695 ext, 119

YEAR END CLASS REWARDS

At Back to School night I addressed our class Math & Reading Counts Goals. They were as follows:  ICE CREAM PARTY- Student must earn 100 points for Reading Counts OR master their Grade Level 4×4 Math facts.  PIZZA PARTY- Students must earn 500 points for Reading Counts OR become a Lifetime Member in our 4x 4 Math ClubStudents have until Friday, May 9th to complete these goals.

END OF THE YEAR CONVOCATION

As the year draws to a close, we would like to gather as a family to celebrate all that God has done for us.  Thursday, May 1st is the National Day of Prayer and our School Community Council believes that would be the perfect day to come together as an entire school.  All of you (parents, grandparents, family, and friends) are invited to join the teachers, students, administration, and staff as we gather together for this ending convocation held in the Peoples’s Church sanctuary.  It is a time of celebration, worship, and prayer as we end our year with thanksgiving and praise.

The service begins at 8:00 AM and will end by 8:30 AM.  All students K-12 are to report directly to the sanctuary by 7:55 AM.  Every class will be designated with a sign and balloons, making it easy to locate your child’s class.  It is exactly the same as our opening convocation seating arrangement.  You are welcome to sit with your child in their designated area or if you have more than one student attending Fresno Christian, choose where you would like to sit.  I look forward to seeing all of you at this closing event as we end our year acknowledging God’s hand upon us through prayer, worship, and heartfelt celebration.

YEAR END SWIMMING PARTY

Our final celebration of the year will be Thursday, May 22th, from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. at Micah Friesen’s house.   This is a Half Day.  All are welcome to attend.  We will meet at Preston and Kori Friesen’s house at 10:00 AM.  You do not need to come to our campus first.

If you will need a ride from school, please let me know, as we will not be organizing formal carpools. You will also need to pick up your child after the party is over, or make arrangements for them to get home. We will not be going back to People’s Campus.  Again, if you need help with this, just let me know.

Directions to the Friesen home will be sent home in May.  Please contact Patty Steele and Emily Phillips if you would like to help with food or activities.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

APRIL

Thursday, April 24 – BMX Show

Friday, April 25 – PTF Talent Show 7:00-8:00 PM

TUESDAY, APRIL 28 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY CALEB NIDEVER!

TUESDAY, APRIL 28 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICHARD WILLIAMS!

MAY

Thursday, May 1 – Year End Convocation 8:00 AM

Friday, May 2 – Coke Hallowell Center River Studies Field Trip

Tuesday, May 6 – Open House at People’s Campus & Fine Arts Festival 6:30-9:00 PM

Wednesday, May 7 – Teacher In-Service – School dismissed at 12:00 PM

SATURDAY, MAY 10 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY SACARI BROOKS!

SATURDAY, MAY 17 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHANE PHILLIPS!

Wednesday, May 21 – Grades 1-4 Awards Chapel 12:30-2:00 PM

Thursday, May 22 – HALF DAY / NOON RELEASE FOR GR. K-12

Thursday, May 22 – Class Swim Party @ Micah Friesen’s House 10:00 AM -1:00 PM

FRIDAY, MAY 23 – LAST DAY OF SCHOOL! / HALF DAY RELEASE @ 12:00 PM

SUMMER VACATION BEGINS!!!!!!!