Thursday, October 23, 2014


Dear Rio Parents, 
We did not receive a volunteer for your class this year for “Yearbook Photographer” or "Yearbook Page Designer” and we need your help! We are asking that someone from your classroom step forward asap. Usually we have a photographer in time for your classroom and your child’s special moment in the Halloween day parade. The parade is next Friday at 10:30. Can you please help us out this year? Most any camera is good enough to use as a photographer and, on occasion, take photos for classroom field trips or events. Pages are designed in Photoshop with support from the after school program so there is help to assist you. Volunteer by emailing this address: AdamandSharron@sbcglobal.net We have a lot of classrooms to staff and it would help if we received your response by Tuesday Oct 28. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions. Thank you, Sharron Voorhees (yearbook volunteer).

From Mrs. Mayer:
I am not posting Mrs. Voorhees's number, but I will be happy to give it to volunteers that wish to contact her.  Phone me at school.

Thanks!

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Hello All,

Just a few reminders...

  • Harvest Festival this Friday
  • Permission slips for Mission San Juan Bautista field trip due
  • Math test on Module 2 on Tuesday (Practice Test/Homework Monday night)
  • Social Studies test (California Indians, Ch. 2) this Thursday
  • Poetry Unit in RTI begins Monday
Have a fun and productive week!

Carroll Mayer

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Drive for Schools' Last Day is Friday.  Make the final push so we reach our goal of $10,000.

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Hello All,

On Monday, the kids are bringing home permission slips for our first field trip, to Misssion San Juan Bautista. Please return these forms  as soon as possible. Parent drivers are needed, and must have cleared fingerprints and TB tests. If you were cleared last year, that information is still valid. For those still needing clearance, the district office does the fingerprinting when you bring a copy of your TB test from the doctor. Driver forms need to be updated this year, even if you've driven during other years.

The kids are also bringing home the Module 1 math test. If your child struggled with this test, or didn't perform as well as they have done in past years, let me encourage you to see this exam as an opportunity to develop a "growth mindset". I intend to persevere in building my skills in clearly communicating the concepts and expectations of the new Common Core standards, and I expect your children to persevere as well. Most of the kids are already demonstrating a greater degree of effort and engagement than I've seen in math during prior years. We are all going to be better and stronger because of this challenge!

In RTI, we are beginning our 3rd week studying Text Structure in Informational Text. This week's Social Studies reading will be about the California Indians in the Central Valley and Desert Region. Last week we finished reading Island of the Blue Dolphins, which brought the story of one California Indian to life. The kids loved this story, with several interested in reading Scott O'Dell's sequel. This week we'll begin reading Roald Dahl's The Witches. Finally, in math we're continuing Module 2, which is a short unit on the metric system. Math homework will be coming home daily during this unit, and will be completing worksheets begun in class.

Finally, for those interested, Scholastic book orders are due by Tuesday.

Take care,
Carroll Mayer

Monday, October 6, 2014

Hi,
A few items left off yesterday's entry:
  • Pajama Day for Room 9 on Friday -- no pillows or stuffed animals please!
  • Book Order coming home today (Monday), due by next Tuesday, 10/14 (Room 9 online ID is H6KT4
Thanks!

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Hi All,

This week we will be finishing our first math module, and moving on to a tiny Module 2. The test on Module 1 is scheduled for Tuesday, so Monday's homework will be a practice test. We will begin the practice in class, as we review the module.

In RTI, we're continuing our study of Informational Text structures. We will finish up our Arcimboldo style portraits this week, and continue reading Social Studies Chapter 2, about California's Native Americans.

Finally, thanks Brandi Manchester and Julie Harris for offering to be Room Parents. It's much appreciated. Brandi has asked that you email her contact information at brandibill@yahoo.com so she can put together a class roster.

Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer