Dear Families and Caregivers,
This week, we’ve been learning about healthy habits that can enhance your children’s performance on standardized tests. Many studies have shown that it is not only what kids know, but also their ability to demonstrate what they know when taking tests. These healthy habits will help your children do their best:
· Getting regular exercise energizes the brain. Exercise before studying or test-taking can help concentration and aids in memorization.
· Eating breakfast fuels the brain. Low-fat whole grain foods like cereal, oatmeal, and bread are good brain foods. Add some protein, including milk, yogurt, nuts or eggs. For natural sweeteners, fresh or canned fruit and juices are recommended. Avoid sugary breakfast foods, since the energy they supply doesn’t last as long.
· Getting adequate sleep helps children learn. Children need 10 to 11 hours of sleep a night. Cut out active play and screen time at least an hour before bed. Help your children establish a regular bedtime routine so they can fall asleep easily on the nights before testing.
· Practicing deep-breathing exercises to reduce the stress that interferes with your children’s ability to think, concentrate, and problem-solve. If you see your kids stressing over homework or an upcoming test, remind them to practice deep breathing so they can get back on track.
Practicing these healthy habits regularly will help your children learn better every day. Regular practice will also produce optimal results when they really count - during standardized testing.
Your support will help your children be ready to test their best during MAP testing on April 23-25!

Health Lesson: Ready, Set, Test! This health lesson was made available to your student's school by Mercy Children's Hospital.

4/17 Thursday Folder

MAP Testing

Dear Fifth Grade Families,
The MAP test is quickly approaching. We have been preparing for the test by doing some released MAP items from previous years, reviewing tricky math concepts, and working on comprehending reading passages. It is very normal for the students to be nervous about the test and to be honest, I am too!

To bring some encouragement to the students and help with their nerves, I am asking a favor: think of someone in your child’s life who is important, inspirational, or just someone your child thinks is awesome! Some examples include: mom, dad, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, babysitter, grandma, grandpa, teacher, etc. Once you have chosen the person, please have them write a letter of encouragement to your child. When the letter is complete, please send it to me in a sealed envelope with your child’s name on the front (shhh… this is a secret!). The letters are due back by Tuesday, April 22.

On the first day of MAP testing, Wednesday, April 23, I will hand out the letters for the students to read. They will be so surprised and hopefully, it will give them that extra boost to “do their best on the test!” Please let me know if you have any questions!
~Miss Tate

End of the Year Events

April
17, 4th quarter progress reports
18-21, spring break- no school
23-25, 5th grade MAP test in the AM
30, 4th & 5th grade musical
May
9, field day @ PHS
13, City Museum field trip
20, trivia day
21, 5th grade breakfast, DARE Graduation, and kickball game
22, picnic
23, Aloha Day- last day of school

4/3 Thursday Folder Note