August 30, 2013 Dear Families, In an effort to “go green” this year, I will be posting information about our classroom activities, classroom assignments and homework on this classroom blog. When you visit the blog, please sign up to follow by email and become a follower. The blog is set up so that if information is posted on the blog, you will receive an email between 5pm and 7pm that day. If you are not able to access the blog and would like to receive information regarding our classroom, homework and assignments in another way, please let me know. I would also like to set up a system to email all the parents in the classroom and will use the email address you sent in on the school information packet. If there is a different email address you would like time to use, please let me know as soon as possible. I will still be sending home important information for you in the Friday folder. We had a great first week and all of your children are wonderful. We have been participating in many Positive Behavior and Intervention Supports (PBIS) activities and teambuilding activities. Students have been building up their silent reading stamina and we have started our first class read, No Talking, by Andrew Clements. In math, we are spending time reviewing math operations and making sure students have a solid command of their facts. Practicing math facts with flash cards is a great way to help your child work on their facts. 6th graders should have complete mastery of their multiplication skills. We will begin our first science unit, Bubbleology and The Scientific Process, next week. I want to give a huge thank-you to all the parents who volunteered to drive students to Spruce Mountain next Friday, September 6th, for our class hike. Please be at school by 9am on Friday, September 6th. We will leave shortly after attendance is taken and head out to the mountain. We will be back by 3:35 for busses. Cross your collective fingers for good weather. I will be sending home information about what students should bring/wear for the hike next week. I am excited about this year and all the students seem eager to learn and are putting their best foot forward all the time. Have a splendid holiday weekend. Ellen Knoedler

A Wonderful First Day of School

We had a wonderful first day of school. All the fabulous 6th graders came ready to learn. We introduced the new PBIS, Positive Behaviors Intervention and supports, to the students. All students and teachers will be using PBIS. More to come on that at Open House. Ask your child what KHFOOTY means. Please remember to fill out all the forms in the folder that were sent home with your child and return them as soon as possible. Also the orange plastic folder should be returned to school so that we can use it for the entire year to carry important information home. Please note the Spruce Mountain Hike information. This is a hike only for Mrs. Knoedler's homeroom and it is different than the All School Hike which will take place in October. If you are interested in driving students and hiking with us, we would love to have you. Also, please read the information regarding the blog and how to follow The Learning Portal. I also need you to sign the permission form indicating whether or not your child's photo and first name can be published on the blog. If you have any questions, you can call me at the school or email me. Please understand that it is difficult to answer the phone during class times or answer emails during the day but I will try my best.

Welcome to 6th Grade!

Welcome to 6th Grade. We will be having a grand time this year. Did you know that this is my 20th year of teaching at East Montpelier Elementary School? I grew up in Wisconsin and graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. One of my passions is reading and I am always on the lookout for a great story. There are stories in all of us just waiting to be written down. I'll bet you all have many terrific stories to write about. I also love to write, draw, hike, swim, kayak, bake, and laugh. This year will look a little different for you. It will be a very exciting year, I guarantee it. I missed you all this summer and I am looking forward to a splendid year with each one of you.