September 10, 2018
Exploris Grade 6 Weekly Letter
Please read the entire weekly letter! There is information regarding parent orientation, emergency weather updates, and our overnight field experience.
PARENT ORIENTATION: We look forward to seeing you at Parent Orientation on Thursday evening! Teachers will be sharing information pertinent to their grade-level. Since this is not a drop-in event, we have staggered times to accommodate families with multiple children. The presentations will be at the following times: 6th Grade (5:30-6:10), 7th Grade (6:10-6:50), 8th Grade (6:50-7:30). There will be a representative from Outward Bound on campus starting at 6:30. If you have apprehensions or questions about this required capstone trip please stop by to talk with Lindsay.
EMERGENCY WEATHER UPDATES: In the event of a potentially hazardous weather event or emergency situation, The Exploris School will follow the decision of the Wake County Public School System to ensure the safety of all students and staff that travel to our schools. Wake County will monitor the National Weather Service, local weather forecasts, and road conditions with area law enforcement. Please keep in mind that there may be events that cause Exploris to modify the school schedule that would not affect all of Wake County.
Additionally, The Exploris School has partnered with One Call Now to provide an emergency communication channel to all family members. The One Call Now system is used to send important voice, text, and email messages to parents in case of school closures or other emergency alerts.
We have set up all parent/guardian phone and email information provided to the school into the One Call System so that we can reach you in the event of a weather event or emergency situation. It is important to make sure you update the school if you should change your phone or email address. If you would like to add additional emergency contacts you can update your information directly in the One Call Now system using the link below. Once you sign-up for an account and match the email address, you can update the contact numbers, emails, and contact options for your family. There is also a My One Call App that you can install on your mobile devices to review all previous messages and make changes to your account.
Update One Call Now Emergency Contact Information
SIXTH GRADE OVERNIGHT FIELD EXPERIENCE: Sixth grade’s overnight field experience will be March 18-March 19. We will be visiting AstroCamp in Clover, VA. http://astrocampschoolva.org/programs/
Parent chaperones and drivers will be needed and we will send out more information about chaperoning soon. The trip will cost $150 for overnight lodging, programs, and meals. The chaperone fee is $70. A $50 deposit is due by Wednesday, October 10th. You may pay in full prior to the 10th if you would like. If you cannot make this deposit or need assistance for the cost of this field trip, please contact your Crew teacher as soon as possible.
From the Student/Parent Handbook Section 2: Field Experiences and Service Learning
Each year, multiple classes will take an overnight trip. It will last 1-5 days, depending on the grade level. These trips are a big part of who we are as a school. They allow our crews to develop positive cultures, stretch students beyond their comfort level, and create opportunities for leadership and adventure. Students who are comfortable taking risks out of the classroom often gain the confidence to take bigger risks in the classroom, building confidence as leaders and collaborators. Student attendance is NOT optional. If you are not willing to let your child participate in these overnight trips, then this school is not a good match for you. Costs of overnight trips will be communicated to families as early as possible in the planning processes.
ALLIES CLUB: Allies Club meets Thursdays 3:15-4pm in Art room. Everyone is welcome to come to join the conversation at Allies club. This is a student-run club where students discuss issues they care about surrounding social justice, inclusion, and equity on all fronts.
Attendance & Tardy- Please review the Exploris Attendance Policy. Middle school teachers submit attendance based on who is in their seat at 8:15. If students are not in class by 8:15, they must sign in on the computer by the main office. Failure to sign in could result in inadvertently being marked absent for the entire day. If your student will be absent for the day please send an email to their crew teacher and attendance@exploris.org.
Yearbooks for Sale: Click here to purchase your 2018-2019 yearbook. The price is $30. Price increases after September 30, so don’t wait!
REPLAY IT APP: Parents and students, can you please download the replay it app to your phones or use the website to submit pictures for yearbook! Thank you!
SCIENCE OLYMPIAD – Monday, Sept 10th from 3:15 – 4:15 is our first meeting to introduce students, parents and potential coaches to our SCIENCE OLYMPIAD TEAM/CLUB. Please come to 7 SOUTH to gain insights into the club and the activities and events that take place during the year. Registration forms will be available and you can come to meet some of our returning team members. If you cannot make this meeting print out this registration form and follow the instructions. We will not have a meeting on Monday, Sept 17th so that Helene & Emily can sort through the registration forms and assign the events to students. Our next meeting will be Monday, Sept 24th in 7 South from 3:15 – 4:30pm.
FOSSIL CLUB starts this Tuesday, September 11, from 3:15 to 4: 15 pm. Any student interested just needs to show up in 6th East at 3:15 pm. We will be meeting every Tuesday to learn about fossils and meet Paleontologist Dr. Terry “Bucky” Gates. We will be collaborating with him on a citizen science project: Shark Teeth Forensics, and other projects. Questions? Please contact Juliana Thomas- jthomas@exploris.org.
Dungeons and Dragons Club will begin Thursday, August 30 from 3:15-4:15. Cris Preble (Exploris mom) will be the clubs advisor. Please meet directly after school in 8 South. Questions? jayandcris@nc.rr.com
Cross Country News:
September 11-Practice
September 13- No Practice; Curriculum Night at the middle school campus
September 18-Wake County Jamboree at Wake Med Soccer Park (parents to pick up at Wake Med Soccer Park)
September 20-FINAL Practice
September 25-Home Meet at vs. Triangle Cross Country (pick up at Anderson Point at 4:30)
September 27-Away meet Meet vs. Cardinal Charter @ Bond Park in Cary (Pick up at Bond Park at 4:30)
All parents are encouraged to help out throughout the season. Sign up websites found here or contact Sharon:
Run with the team at practice
Volunteer at the meet
Exploris 6th Grade Wish List Link: http://a.co/2tYQsOL We appreciate your donations to our classroom!
ATTENDANCE REMINDER: When your student is absent, please remember to email attendance@exploris.org and your child’s crew teacher. When checking in to the system, be sure to use your child’s legal name.
KODA CARE: Koda is our classroom Hedgehog and she needs families to care for her during the weekends and breaks. She is a cute pet and not demanding. If you can take care of her during a weekend, or a longer break, please sign up here.
Homework – Weekly Requirements:
| Monday
9/10 |
- Read for 20-30 minutes
- Signed weekly agenda due
- Login to Khan Academy (follow emailed directions)
- Author Visit
|
- Science Olympiad
- CAM training begins
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| Tuesday
9/11 |
- Read for 20-30 minutes
- Khan Academy-6th grade pathway
|
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| Wednesday
9/12 |
- Read for 20-30 minutes
- Khan Academy-6th grade pathway
- Picture Day!
|
- Picture Day
- Nash Square for lunch (dress appropriately)
|
| Thursday
9/13 |
- Read for 20-30 minutes
- Khan Academy-6th grade pathway
- Parent Orientation-5:30-6:10
|
- NO CROSS COUNTRY PRACTICE
- Allies Club
- Dungeons and Dragons Club
- Parent Orientation-5:30-6:10
|
| Friday
9/14 |
- Read for 20-30 minutes
- Math HW due
|
- Nash Square for lunch (dress appropriately)
|
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NEXT WEEK:
- SIGNED WEEKLY AGENDA (IN HOMEWORK FOLDER) DUE ON MONDAY!
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Important Dates (Exploris CALENDAR)
Wednesday, September 12 – Fall Picture Day Middle Campus
Thursday, September 13 – Parent Orientation Middle School
Fall Break – September 28 (3:15pm) – October 8 (8am)
Wednesday, October 10-$50 field trip deposit due
Thursday, October 11- Parent University – High School Planning
Friday, October 19 – Early Dismissal
Monday, Nov. 12 – Veterans Day – Holiday
Friday, November 16 – End of First Trimester, Teacher Workday
Thanksgiving Break – Thursday, Nov 15 (3:15pm)- Tuesday, Nov. 27 (8am)
Friday, December 21 – Early Dismissal
Winter Break – Friday Dec 21 (12:15pm) – Monday, Jan 7 (8am)
Monday, Jan 21 – MLK Holiday
Friday, February 15 – Early Dismissal
Monday, Feb 18 – Teacher Workday
Friday March 8 – End of Second Trimester, Teacher Workday
Monday, March 12 – Teacher Workday
Monday, March 18-Tuesday, March 19-Overnight Field Experience
Spring Break – Friday, April 12 (3:15pm) – Tuesday, April 23 (8am)
Friday, May 24 – Teacher Workday
Thursday May 23rd -Friday, June 7th- SPRING TESTING WINDOW (EOG)
Monday, May 27- Memorial Day Holiday
Friday, June 7 – Graduation (10:30 am), early dismissal
Friday, June 8 – End of Third Trimester, last day of school
Who’s Who?
Jamie Butler – Art
Alyssa Altman- Exceptional Children’s Teacher
Sharon Cuffe – Exceptional Children’s Teacher
Michelle Duncan – School Counselor
Jill Hemingway – Interventionist
Loren Kent – Crew, ELA, Expedition
Paula Mancini – Exceptional Children – Teaching Partner
Carolee McLinnahan – Administrative Assistant – Attendance
Mary Margaret Moffitt – Development Coordinator, but mostly just about anything you need!
Michelle Parkerson – Associate Director of the Middle School (6-8)
Devon Rose- Crew, ELA, Expedition
Ellie Schollmeyer- Executive Director
Shawna Scipione- Crew, Math, Expedition
Oliver Smith – Health and Wellness
Juliana Thomas- Crew, Math, Expedition
Eugene Wheeler – Global Cultures
RESOURCES:
Parent and Teacher Organization
- Join PTO – much, much help still needed! LINK
- 2018-2019 Carpool Form ; 2018-2019 Carpool MAP (Password: 1997*)
- Spiritwear – LINK
- Lunch Orders – LINK
Clubs and Extended Care Program:
- Allies – Mary McWay
- Basketball – Mary Mcway & Kristi Pettibone
- Cross Country (Aug-Oct) – Adrian Findlay & Sharon Cuffe
- Crossfit for Kids – Chenelle Miller info@raleigh-crossfit.com
- Contemporary Art Museum docents – Shawna Scipione
- Dungeons & Dragons – Cris Preble
- Science Olympiad – Helene and Emily
- Fossil Club –Juliana Thomas
- Green Team – Devon Rose
- Minecraft (Nov-May)– Shannon Hardy
- Model U.N. – Cori Greer-Banks
- Junior Tarheels History Club – Cori Greer-Banks
- Improv (Nov-Jan) – Jeri Donovan Livengood
- Soccer (Jan-Mar) – Shannon Hardy
- Yearbook – Jessie
- Student Ambassadors – Paula Mancini
- Battle of the Books – Devon and Loren
