Robertson's News

Robertson's News

Dear Parents:

     Spring is here and spring break is almost here; however, school has not ended yet.  We are really working by reviewing and learning new things continuously as we prepare for the upcoming CRCT (April 16-20).  My reading and language arts students have started the new book of Language, and we are quite excited by how much they have learned.  We are reading about the World Wide Web in our first lesson.  Please continue to help your child by checking homework and assignment books daily.  Thank you.

     The last grading period has begun, and many students are not keeping up as they have in the past.  It is so important that everyone works together to keep the students working although the warm weather has arrived.  If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me either my email or phone.  I only want what is best for your children, and I continue to encourage therm to do their best even when it is difficult.  Effort and perseverance are words that many of us have gotten to know.  Please support me by continuing to follow through as you have done in the past. 

Reminder: If you have not returned your signature page of the progress report or the signature card of the report card, please do so before spring break.  Thank you.

I hope all of you have an enjoyable and relaxing spring break.

Respectfully,

Gail Robertson

Strategies

Dear Parents:

I am proud to see that the students are working so well.  It is important to remember that it is at this time of the year, we must continue to push forward for academic growth.  With the approaching testing, many of you have already started practicing for the CRCT with the prep site available to you. I have also been emphasizing reading and math strategies for them to implement.   Also, remember that the homework continues to be important for reinforcement of what is being taught.  Continue to support your child and provide encouragement.  Learning is work, and sometimes your children do not always maintain the sustained attention needed, especially in a standardized testing situation.  Please talk to them about doing their best and staying focused throughout academic tasks and tests.  Testing time is just around the corner when you think of the upcoming dates.

Dates to Remember:

Feb. 19th  Presidents' Day Holiday

Feb. 20th   Student Holiday

Feb. 26th   Reading Night  6:00-8:00

March 7th   5th Grade Writing Assessment

March 7th   Early Release Day

April 2-6    Spring Break

April 16th  CRCT begin

April 30th  Mabry Middle School Orientation

As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Very respectfully,

Gail Robertson

It's a New Year

Dear Parents:

     Happy New Year!  It is a year that will be filled with many new and exciting things to do.  I'm excited to get back after having such a great holiday.  I hope you and your families had a great holiday as well. 

     With the CRCT date and the writing assessment dates approaching, we will be busy with new content, strategies, and review.  Please continue to reinforce what is being taught at school by checking to see that your child studies and completes homework.  Also, continue to do that nightly reading.  It will be more important than ever that your child keeps up with what is going on at school.

     Report cards will be coming out on Friday, January 12th.  I will also be contacting many of you about upcoming IEP meetings if you have not already had one.  Look forward to hearing from all of you.

     Don't forget that January 15th is a holiday. 

Very respectfully,

Gail Robertson

    

    

Lively Learning

Dear Parents:

      Lively learning continues to take place in my class despite the approaching holidays.  My class has been learning and enjoying many new activities.  Fourth grade language arts class has been working on readers' theater as well as working on writing stories on a weekly basis in addition to their Language! program.  Fifth grade class has been working on research, note taking, and writing informational papers as well as continuing their Language! program.  In fact, fifth grade will complete their first book of Language by holiday time.  Needless to say, they have been busy too.

      The work continues, and the standards are being learned.  Keep reinforcing school work by checking to see if your child completes homework that has been assigned.  There will be a few more tests to be completed before the winter break.  I know that the holidays are sometimes hectic, and schedules are not always the same with all the shopping and preparation; however, please try to keep things as consistent as possible for a while yet.  We will be working to learn new things until winter vacation begins.  Getting into the holiday spirit a bit too soon often hinders the grades at this time of the year.

Reminder:  Winter Holiday Parties are on Dec 20, 2006, the Wednesday before the holidays.

Also, remember as always, if you have any questions, feel free to email me about any concerns you may have (gail.robertson@cobbk12.org).

                                                                                                 Very respectfully,

                                                                                                 Gail Robertson

Learning Lasts a Lifetime

Dear Parents:

     Wow!  Our staff had a most productive day on Tuesday, November 7, 2006.  While the students enjoyed time with you, we were busy learning new strategies and skills to teach our students.  I personally approach teaching with the idea that I must prepare a student to think and be prepared for the future.  Some of your students may one day be working at a job that has not yet been invented.  It always amazes me how much we continue to learn although we have received so much education.  It is true that everyone needs to become a lifelong learner. 

     The Language! program continues to be a great integrated program for reading and language arts.  Just today the fourth grade students were writing excellent sentences.  (Ask your child about the "Magic 3" sentence).  They were also going on to identify the nouns as subjects, the verbs, and the direct objects of the sentences.  As for the fifth grade Language! program, the students are now writing eight paragraph, well organized, informational papers thanks to the wonderful "blueprint for writing" visual organizers.

     Time is flying, and there is so much to do.  We have had a great year this school year, but I can't believe that the holidays are almost here.  Please continue to reinforce the learning that goes on at school by supporting your child's completion of homework.  I know that it gets hectic this time of the year, but we still have a great deal to teach.  Thank you.

                                                                                             Respectfully,

                                                                                           Gail Robertson

We're Continuing our Journey

Dear Parents,

The students are very busy reading and writing.  We are learning all about maps and twins now.  The writing is really improving.  Once the students are confident about the subjects on which to write, they do a much better job as evidenced by their most recent samples. 

The math students are busy learning all about fractions.  Currently, we are working on improper fractions and mixed numbers.  Be sure to ask your child about these. 

Don't forget about the PTA meeting scheduled for 6:30 on Thursday evening, October 5th.

Also, please don't forget to send back those conference form confirmations.  Conferences will begin on October 16th so we need to get the conference dates and times rescheduled or confirmed.

                                                                      Respectfully,

                                                                      Gail Robertson

We are on our journey to success.

It was great getting to see so many parents at Open House.  I do want to work as a partner this year in educating your children, and we are off to a great start.  Please keep up the good work.  As I said at Open House, the children are doing very well.  They are learning and having a good time doing so.  You have done an excellent job in preparing your children to return to school, and it shows.  They are as eager as I am in having them learn.

I plan to continue communicating with you via the BLOG.  It is the quickest and best way that I know for you to stay in touch with me.  Be sure to email me if there are ever any concerns.  As I stated at Open House, I am always open to talk to you. 

As the year progresses, many of you will hear from me when it is approaching the time for your child's IEP.  I will continue to stay in contact with you even when it isn't meeting time.  I will be at the teacher conferences with the general education teacher when they are scheduled.

Considering how well this school year has started,  I look forward to a great and very successful year.

Respectfully,

Gail Robertson

Welcome Back to School

Dear Parents,

Wow, the summer vacation was great; however, it's time for school again.  I trust that all of you have had a fun and restful vacation.  I met with many of you during Sneak-a-Peek.  It was so good meeting new people and seeing some of the same ones again. 

Communication will be great this year with all the new BLOGs.  We are so thrilled to be able to keep all of you informed with our new technology.  I will update my BLOG frequently.  I encourage each of you to log on to get the latest information.  If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at gail.robertson@cobbk12.org.

Homework this year will be given as needed to complete necessary assignments for mastery of objectives.  I encourage each of you to assist in helping your child get the homework completed.  All assignments will be written in the assignment book that goes home each day.  Please check those assignment books daily.  Thank you for your support.

For language arts, my students will be using the great Language! program this year.  Students in all other subjects will be using the general education textbooks.

We look forward to a successful year filled with learning, growth, and fun for your child.

Sincerely,

Gail Robertson