Dear GRAIS Families,
The weather is most assuredly getting warmer, so sending the youngsters off in layers of clothing for now, as short and tees weather is right around the corner, but not yet here, seems to be the best option for a bit longer.
MCAS in Math and Science (5th grade only for science):
Please be reminded that the fifth graders will participate in MCAS on Monday, the 13th and Tuesday, the 14th, while the fourth graders will participate on Wednesday, the 15th and Thursday, the 16th. Grade Five will take the science MCAS on the 20th and the 21st, wrapping up MCAS season here at the intermediate school! In the case of an absence on a testing day, students will make up the assessment on their first day back to school.
Students can best prepare by the night before by enjoying a good night’s sleep, choosing his/her school clothing before bedtime, packing up his/her fully charged chromebooks, charger, and case to bring in to school, packing a healthy snack, planning to have a healthy breakfast at home and or grab one at school, having a refillable bottle full of water ready, and packing up a reading for pleasure book for when he/she finishes testing. Most importantly, we want every student to arrive with a positive attitude, and a strong desire to do his or her very best work! Children are not allowed to have cell phones or smart watchers on their person during testing , so the best thing to do, if possible, is keep the devices home on test dates.
Summer Reading:
In addition to the titles for our summer reading assignments for students moving into grades four, five and six, which were shared on our website on the 29th and are available to you here: https://www.freelake.org/o/grais/page/grais-summer-reading, we would like to share some additional titles, as it is important to continue good reading habits over the summer, as reading and going to the library with your children provides quality family bonding time, reading will improve vocabulary; comprehension; and reading skills, reading aloud to children also builds their listening skills, reading helps children prepare for school readiness, and reading is excellent exercise for the brain!
Penny Draws a Best Friend by Sara Shepard (Realistic Fiction)
A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus (Historical Fiction)
Wink by Rob Harrell (Realistic Fiction)
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine (Fantasy)
The Swifts: A Gallery of Rogues by Beth Lincoln, illustrated by Claire Powell (Mystery)
Max in the House of Spies by Adam Gidwitz (Historical Mystery)
Tidemagic: The Many Faces of Ista Flit by Clare Harlow (Fantasy Mystery)
GRAIS fourth and five grade ELA teachers will be reviewing the assignment expectations for the students for this fall’s fifth and sixth graders. Third grade teachers will be working to prepare our new fourth graders too. If you have any questions, please contact your student’s ELA teacher.
GRAIS PTO Board:
Our BOGO book fair was a big success! We thank all the wonderful board members and parents/guardians who joyfully organized and volunteered at this fun event for the boys and girls.
On Friday, the 10th, the PTO is hosting lunch for the teachers for Teacher Appreciation Day, which lands on May 7th. In addition to lunch, they have planned a week’s worth of ways the children may participate in thanking their teachers.Please see the attached plan for the week.
FLMS PTO Board:
The middle school’s PTO board is excited to welcome any interested parents of incoming sixth graders onto the PTO. Whether that be through a one time volunteering day of an event, or joining our Board to assist us through the year! FLSM PTO added a survey here so you can add your email address to our lists, and connect with our team about ideas! https://forms.gle/Lh6eN1k1EqavK5TDA. Additionally, for the h2024-25 school year, the FLMS PTO is looking for board members to join our team in the roles of correspondence secretary (sending out Facebook posts and thank you notes) and recording secretary (keeping minutes in the monthly meetings) if anyone is interested in getting involved. Please feel free to take the survey, and/ or reach out to our board at flmspto@freelake.org.
Nature's Classroom:
Without exception, all final paperwork and final payments are due in three weeks on Friday, May 24th. If you have any questions, please email Stacey Snyder at ssnyder@freelake.org. Our students will be attending the Hilltop location in Charlton, MA.
Dates to Remember:
PTO’s Teacher Appreciation — May 6th - 10th
No School – May 27th
Grade Five Math MCAS – May 13th & 14th
Grade Four Math MCAS – May 15th & 16th
GRAIS Band and Chorus — May 16th at FLMS
Grade Five Science MCAS – May 20th & 21st
Nature’s Classroom — June 4th - 7th
Survivor Day – June 14th
Projected Last Day of School – June 20th (11:30 a.m. Dismissal)
Fondly,
Dr. Sullivan
508.923.3506 x 3150/esullivan@freelake.org