Sly Monthly News: May 2015 - Forest Pines Drive Elementary

1
FOREST PINES DRIVE
ELEMENTARY
Standing tall for tomorrow’s future!
11455 Forest Pines Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
Office: 919-562-6262
Fax: 919-562-6260
Website: http://forestpineses.wcpss.net
Follow us on Twitter: @FPDES
Principal: Dr. Patrick Grant
Assistant Principal: Mrs. Katherine Williams
PTA President: Mrs. Lauri Moore
CALENDAR OF EVENTS – May 2015
5/4 – 5/8:
5/4:
5/5:
5/7:
5/7:
5/8:
5/9:
5/18:
5/19:
5/20:
5/21:
5/22:
5/25:
5/26 – 5/29:
5/28:
5/28:
5/28:
5/28:
Teacher Appreciation Week
Field Day
FPDE–PTA Board Meeting at 6:30 PM
Case Assessment: Science (5th)
FPDE Art Show: 3 – 5 from 5:30 – 7:00
Quarter 4 Interims
FPDE-PTA: Spring Carnival
EOG: Science (5th)
EOG: ELA (3rd)
EOG: Math (3rd)
EOG: ELA (4th & 5th)
EOG: Math (4th & 5th)
WCPSS School Holiday – Memorial Day!
EOG Make-Ups: Select Students
Kindergarten Program: Hoedown at 2:45
Kindergarten & New to FPDE Orientation
From 5:30 – 6:15 PM
FPDE-PTA: General Assembly Meeting
at 6:15 PM
4th Grade: Chorus Concert at 6:30 PM
Curriculum Corner – Ms. Giandenoto
What is Social Studies at the Elementary Level?
We have heard so much about the new Common Core for
math and English/language arts, but do you know Social
Studies standards have also been updated and written as new
Essential standards? When you think about Social Studies,
history is usually what first pops into your mind. But, Social
Studies actually include five different strands.

History- but not the memorization of facts and dates.
Higher order thinking, such as: recognizing patterns
and making connections in their learning of historical
events that may transfer to other topics, events, or
disciplines.

Civic and Government- preparing young people who
are knowledgeable, critical, and capable or making
informed decisions about the world and their place in it.

Geography- this starts as early as kindergarten thinking
about maps.

Economics and Financial literacy- we are laying the
foundation for basic economics as well as thinking
about needs and wants, taxes, and what this means to
be financially responsible. Also how resources affect
the economy of this or any other region.

Culture- helping to create a cultural awareness in an
increasingly interdependent world.
Social studies is increasingly rigorous, requiring students to
think critically. As you plan your summer events, think
about all the free museums and other interesting historical
opportunities that may arise during your summer travels.
It’s a great big world out there!
Sly Newsletter monthly
Monthly Newsletter – May 2015
So Many Activities, So Little Time
Students who are involved in extracurricular activities—from
chess club to cheerleading to chorus—tend to have higher selfesteem and stronger connections to school. But an overloaded
schedule with too many activities can have the opposite effect,
leaving your child—and you!—stressed. Keep these tips in mind
for managing your child’s activity load.
See: http://www.naesp.org/sites/default/files/RtP_Activities_0.pdf
End of Year Parent Survey 2014-15
Please complete the end of year parent survey for 2014-15 by going to the
following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GLCNWZ7
EOG Testing Schedule: 5/18 - Science (5th); 5/19 - ELA(3rd);
5/20 - Math(3rd); 5/21- ELA(4th & 5th); 5/22 - Math (4th &
5th); 6/1 - Read to Achieve Test (3rd: Non-Exempt Students)
2015-16 Letter Placement Request
Parents may write a letter to administration regarding their
child’s classroom assignment for the 2015-16 school year
describing their student’s needs, strengths, and characteristics.
We ask that you not mention a particular teacher’s name, since
we will not be able to honor individual teacher requests. All
letters should be mailed, delivered to the school, or emailed as
an attachment to Dr. Grant (cgrant@wcpss.net) or Mrs.
Williams (kwilliams3@wcpss.net) by June 5, 2015.
Counselor Corner – Ms. Privette
The character trait for the month of May is Kindness. Kindness is being considerate,
courteous, helpful, and understanding of others. Being kind means showing care,
compassion, friendship, and generosity, as well as, treating others the way you want to
be treated.
“A kind and compassionate act is often its own reward.” –William Bennett
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, goes unnoticed.” –Aesop
“The best portion of a good person’s life are the little, nameless, unremembered acts of
kindness and love.” - Anonymous
May is also the time for end of year assessments and testing. This testing may include
benchmark assessments, classroom assessments, CASE for grade 2, CASE Science for
grade 5 or End of Grade Testing for grades 3, 4, and 5. Here are a few helpful hints for
children to use before and during tests.
 Preparing for the test:
 Get plenty of rest prior to the test (not just the night before)
 Eat a healthy breakfast
 Arrive early to school so you are not rushing around the morning of a test
 Parents: provide time for your child to relax and unwind the night before a test
 Wear comfortable clothes
 Study or review notes and strategies
 During the test:
 Think positive thoughts
 Read and/or listen to the directions
 Check over your answers
 Take deep breaths