Conferences

I hope all of you are having a great start to your Thanksgiving Holiday Break! I love this time of year, and am excited to be a part of a community that can really embrace the spirit of the season. We have an upcoming food drive, which will begin on November 30th, and a Christmas party in the works. More information will be coming soon. 

As you are probably well aware, tomorrow we will begin our fall conferences. I will be here from 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., both Monday and Tuesday. If you need any changes made to your conference time, please do not hesitate to call or send an email. I will be available on and off throughout the day. Due to the 20 minute time slots for each conference, it is important that we all try to stay on time (I'm prone to talking up a storm). I will have the conference schedule posted outside my classroom. 

I will also be passing out your child's report card during our meeting. However, I would like to encourage you to take a look before your arrival (here's the link: Synergy ParentVue). If you have any concerns about your student's performance, we can address those questions at the beginning of the conference. In addition, I have invited the students  to join their parents. Many of the kids were surprised hear I wanted them to attend, but I think being a part of the discussion helps them take more ownership for their learning. If other plans have been made, I completely understand. 

Have a great week,

-Ms. Kinsman

The Week of Veteran's Day

For a short week, we have a lot going on in the coming four days!

Music Program

Please remember the sixth grade music program will be held on Tuesday, November 10, from 6:30-7:30 pm. Students performing in the program will need to arrive by 6;15 pm, with their recorders in hand. We will also have a dress rehearsal performance for the school on Tuesday afternoon, from 1:30-2:00. If you cannot make the evening performance, you may want to join us in the afternoon.

Veteran's Day

On Wednesday, we will have no school in observance of Veteran's Day. Because of the shortened week, the students will have a shorter writing assignment for homework. I also want to remind the student to be sure to have their parents sign their planners each night. As we have adjusted our schedule, the planner filling time has shifted to different parts of the day. We now have a dedicated five minutes at the end of each day to fill out our planners. If you are not seeing lists of assignments, or the planners are not coming home each evening, please let me know. 

Upcoming Conferences

We will also have no school the week of Thanksgiving. Monday and Tuesday, November 23rd and 24th, will be dedicated to conferences. I have received scheduling sheets or email requests from about half the class. Please let me know what times work best (I'm here from 8:00 am- 8:00 pm both days) for your conference. 

Reports cards will be passed out at conferences. This was a district-wide decision. At that time we will be able to discuss your child's progress and goals for sixth grade. I would like to invite students to join us at conferences; I think it is important that they play a role in their planning for the year.

I hope everyone had a great three day weekend! I look forward to seeing you all soon,

-Ms. Kinsman

Grade Week

Music Program

On Tuesday, November 10, the sixth grade will hold their annual evening music program. Students will need to be to the high school auditorium by 6:15 p.m. We will be holding rehearsals this week, but I would like to encourage the students to practice at home, as well. I'm excited to see their performance.

Synergy

I want to thank all of the families for being patient while I navigate using ParentVue this year. There have been a few kinks, yet you have been patient as we work through the problems. I now realize more information (like a video guide) would be helpful in teaching students and parents how to best use Synergy. As time allows, I might try to make such a video. If you have suggestions on what information would be helpful, please leave a comment in the "Comments" section below.

Grades

On Friday we have no school for report card preparation. While it has not yet been officially decided, we will likely send home report cards before conferences. This will give families an opportunity to look through the grades before they meet with teachers at the end of the month. I will keep you updated on the date for report card distribution.

Conferences

Last week, conference scheduling sheets were sent home. These are due back next Tuesday. If you have any special requests, please feel free to send an email. I will do my best to accommodate schedules.

Have a great week!

-Ms. Kinsman