Weekly Update and Winter Wishes

 Hi Parents!

I'm writing today to wish you a happy, healthy, joyful winter break, and to pass along wishes for the happiest of holidays. 

I'd also like to offer my sincerest thanks for the treats and gift cards so many of you sent.  I am humbled by your kindness and generosity.  :)

Enjoy the time off!  May you rest, recharge, and relax.  May you connect with your family and loved ones.  May your pants with buttons fit in January.  :)

Many Blessings! 

Free Supper and Snack 

Please see the note below from Principal Smith

 

Dear Families,

       

As you know, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers all Loudoun County Public School Students (LCPS) a supper when families sign up to opt-in to this program. Beginning the week we return from Winter Break,  LCPS will expand this free supper option to include an afternoon snack. IF YOU WOULD LIKE a "take home a snack and supper" to be distributed to your child at the end of each day to take home, PLEASE COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW by 1/3/2022.

 

Rivera- After School Snack and Supper Form

 

If you have more than one child, you will receive this form from each of your children's teachers. Please note that meal counts are taken separately for each student by their own teacher.

 

Thank you!

 

Hutchison Farm Elementary Staff

Interims

I sent an interim earlier today for everyone. There is no need to worry because you received one. It is basically just a summary of what is in Phoenix at this point in the quarter. I just thought you would like to see how your child is doing. We are now halfway through the 2nd quarter. I know we have covered some pretty tough material so far this quarter! Thank you for all you have done to support both me and your child! I couldn’t do what I do without you!

Multiplication

We recently worked on 2x2 digit multiplication. This posed a big challenge for many students. When we return from break, we will begin division (!). Since many of the students are still struggling with the multiplication, I would like for them to continue to practice it over break. At this point, they can benefit from just repetition. Unfortunately, there is no fun way to master this skill then to just practice it. By practicing it, they will memorize their facts and the steps.  Below you will see a chart we used to help them memorize the steps. 

Virginia Studies Weekly Payment:

The Online School Payment Portal has finally opened. Please make sure to go on and pay for your child’s Virginia Studies Weekly Newspaper. These were noted on the supply list and we have already begun to receive and use them. You can log on from the Hutchison Farm website, or use this direct link. The newspapers are $8.15 per student. Please make sure that you have selected me, Kristen Rivera as the teacher, so your payment is processed under our class. 

Focus Areas for the Week After Break:

• Reading:  Nonfiction- We will put our knowledge of non fiction to use, as we begin our first research project on Weather. The students will research, write, review and create a presentation on their selected Extreme Weather topic. 

• Math:  We will begin division. Please make sure your child is memorizing their multiplication facts. Division can be very challenging and frustrating for the students if they do not know their multiplication facts. 

•  Virginia Studies:  We will begin Chapter 4- A Growing Virginia. A study guide will come home after the new year. 

As always, I welcome your questions, comments, and feedback.

Weekly Update

 Hi Parents!

Winter Movie and Activity

Our winter celebration will look different this year. This year we will celebrate Winter on Friday, December 17th. Our day will consist of the school Sing Along, creating a gingerbread house out of paper bags, Building a snowman fort out of marshmallows and toothpicks, then ending with watching the movie Elf. I told the students that they may bring in an extra special snack if they want to eat while we enjoy the movie. Please fill out THIS FORM to give your child permission to watch the movie Elf. It is sure to be a fun day!

VA Studies Chapter 3 test

The test on Chapter 3 will be on Wednesday, December 15th. The study guide went home a couple weeks ago. Please make sure your child reviews it. There is quite a bit of information on it that we have covered. They also made flashcards for the chapter today. They can use those to study as well! 

Spelling:

There will be no spelling words next week.

Virginia Studies Weekly Payment:

The Online School Payment Portal has finally opened. Please make sure to go on and pay for your child’s Virginia Studies Weekly Newspaper. These were noted on the supply list and we have already begun to receive and use them. You can log on from the Hutchison Farm website, or use this direct link. The newspapers are $8.15 per student. Please make sure that you have selected me, Kristen Rivera as the teacher, so your payment is processed under our class. 

 

 

Focus Areas for Next Week and the Week After Break:

• Reading:  Nonfiction- We will put our knowledge of non fiction to use, as we begin our first research project on Weather. The students will research, write, review and create a presentation on their selected Extreme Weather topic. 

• Math:  We will wrap up multiplication next week and move into division. Please make sure your child is memorizing their multiplication facts. Division can be very challenging and frustrating for the students if they do not know their multiplication facts. 

 Please make sure your child is memorizing their  multiplication facts!!

• Virginia Studies:  We will begin Chapter 4- A Growing Virginia. A study guide will come home after the new year. 

• Writing: We will read and write about different holidays around the world. 

As always, I welcome your questions, comments, and feedback.

Weekly Update

 Hi Parents!

VA Studies Chapter 3 Study Guide:

The study guide for chapter 3- Jamestown went home earlier this week in your child’s Take Home Folder. Please make sure they are studying this a little each night. This chapter contains so much information and needs to be reviewed at home as well as at school. The test for chapter 3 is scheduled for December 15th. 

Yearbook Contest:

The annual yearbook cover contest has begun! The instructions and guidelines went home today in your child’s Take Home Folder. Please make sure to read through those thoroughly if you would like to enter. This is an optional contest and all submissions are due to Ms. Lightweis by December 8th. 

Spelling:

Your child has new spelling words. The next spelling test is Friday, December 10th. 

Virginia Studies Weekly Payment:

The Online School Payment Portal has finally opened. Please make sure to go on and pay for your child’s Virginia Studies Weekly Newspaper. These were noted on the supply list and we have already begun to receive and use them. You can log on from the Hutchison Farm website, or use this direct link. The newspapers are $8.15 per student. Please make sure that you have selected me, Kristen Rivera as the teacher, so your payment is processed under our class. 

Focus Areas for the Week After Break:

• Reading:  Nonfiction- We will look at how to take notes and practice our note taking skills with various nonfiction books and our VA Studies textbook.

• Math:  We will continue working on multiplication. The students will be able to solve 2x1, 2x2, and 3x1 multiplication problems using the standard algorithm and partial products. 

 Please make sure your child is memorizing their  multiplication facts!!

• Virginia Studies:  We will continue with Chapter 3- Jamestown

As always, I welcome your questions, comments, and feedback.

Weekly Update

 Hi Parents!

We have a short week coming up, and then 5 wonderful days to spend with family and food! Here's what you need to know for next week's short week and the week after....

No School:

Due to Thanksgiving Break, schools will be closed next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Classes will resume on Monday, November 29th. I hope you all have a safe and wonderful holiday!

Upcoming Math Unit:

This week we wrapped up our  unit on addition and subtraction. When we return from break we will begin working on multiplication and division. This unit is much more challenging than the ones we have previously covered and are going to be the foundation for many of the units we will cover throughout the year. Please make sure your child is memorizing their multiplication facts! I cannot stress  enough how important it is that they know these. It will make the units going forward so much easier for them. Studying them each night can be as simple as just recalling them using flashcards. 

Yearbook Contest:

The annual yearbook cover contest has begun! The instructions and guidelines went home today in your child’s Take Home Folder. Please make sure to read through those thoroughly if you would like to enter. This is an optional contest and all submissions are due to Ms. Lightweis by December 8th. 

Spelling:

Your child took their spelling test today. They will receive their newest spelling words on Monday, November 29th. The test on these words will be given on Friday, December 10th. 

Thanksgiving Travel:

If your child will be absent or leaving early on that Monday or Tuesday before Thanksgiving, please kindly notify both the office and me in advance.  For absences, you may use the online absence excuse form on your ParentVue account. For early dismissal, you may call the office or send me a note. 

Virginia Studies Weekly Payment:

The Online School Payment Portal has finally opened. Please make sure to go on and pay for your child’s Virginia Studies Weekly Newspaper. These were noted on the supply list and we have already begun to receive and use them. You can log on from the Hutchison Farm website, or use this direct link. The newspapers are $8.15 per student. Please make sure that you have selected me, Kristen Rivera as the teacher, so your payment is processed under our class. 

Focus Areas for the Week After Break:

• Reading:  We will incorporate our weather units into reading as we begin reading and studying  nonfiction.

• Math:  We will begin working on multiplication and division units. Please make sure your child is memorizing their  multiplication facts!!

• Virginia Studies:  We will begin Chapter 3- Jamestown

As always, I welcome your questions, comments, and feedback.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!  As I count my blessings, your sweet kiddos, you, and the support you offer each day are surely at the top of the list. 

Weekly Update

 Hi Parents!

Spelling:

Your child received new spelling words on Monday, November 8th. The test on these words will be this coming Friday, November 19th. They should be working on these each night. They glued a chart with some activity ideas in the back of their spelling journal, should they need some ideas on what to do with these words. 

Quarter 1 Report Cards:

A friendly reminder that Quarter 1 report cards were issued Monday.  If you've not yet done so, please log into your ParentVue account to view your child's report card.

Thanksgiving Travel:

If your child will be absent or leaving early on that Monday or Tuesday before Thanksgiving, please kindly notify both the office and me in advance.  For absences, you may use the online absence excuse form on your ParentVue account. For early dismissal, you may call the office or send me a note. 

Virginia Studies Weekly Payment:

The Online School Payment Portal has finally opened. Please make sure to go on and pay for your child’s Virginia Studies Weekly Newspaper. These were noted on the supply list and we have already begun to receive and use them. You can log on from the Hutchison Farm website, or use this direct link. The newspapers are $8.15 per student. Please make sure that you have selected me, Kristen Rivera as the teacher, so your payment is processed under our class. 

Focus Areas for the Coming Week:

• Writing:  We are working on writing our first formal story. The students chose a memory they have and are taking it through the writing process. 

• Math:  We will wrap up our unit on  Subtraction. The students will take the test on both Addition and Subtraction on Thursday, November 18th. The study guide went home on Thursday. 

• Science:  We are working on our Weather Unit. The students will learn the difference between weather and climate, know weather terms and the tools that are used to measure and report the weather.

Weekly Update

 Hi Parents!

It has been a pleasure getting to meet you and put a face to your name during our recent conferences. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet with me and discuss your child’s progress. Your support makes all the difference!

Spelling:

Your child will bring home new spelling words on Monday, November 8th. The test on these words will be on Friday, November 19th. They should be practicing spelling and sorting their words each night. We are working on them in class as well. They were given a Spelling Journal where they can keep their words, sorts and activities in. I asked them to make sure they take that home each night and return it the next day. This way they can keep all their spelling work together. 

No School:

There are no in person classes next week. Please see the schedule below for the structure of next week. 

Monday- Teacher Workday (No school)

Tuesday- Teacher Workday (No school)

Wednesday- Asynchronous day (work on first part of packet)

Thursday- Student/ teacher holiday (No school)

Friday- Asynchronous day (work on second part of packet)

Asynchronous Work:

As you have probably heard, Loudoun County public Schools has made Wednesday, November 3rd and Friday, November 5th asynchronous days. Your child will not be coming into the school those days nor will we be meeting online. I have given your child a packet that they are to complete on these days. This packet is due back on Monday, November 8th. I have reviewed the packet and the expectations for it with your child. Please check your child’s Take Home Folder for this work. 

Dreambox:

As your child completes their Dreambox sessions next week, we ask that parents not solve problems for their children as this invalidates the data and makes it difficult for the program to determine what your child’s independent math level is. When you help your child solve a problem that is too difficult for them, the program thinks they have mastered that concept and moves on to more challenging concepts. This causes a lot of frustration at school when they are not provided any answers. 

Virginia Studies Weekly Payment:

The Online School Payment Portal has finally opened. Please make sure to go on and pay for your child’s Virginia Studies Weekly Newspaper. These were noted on the supply list and we have already begun to receive and use them. You can log on from the Hutchison Farm website, or use this direct link. The newspapers are $8.15 per student. Please make sure that you have selected me, Kristen Rivera as the teacher, so your payment is processed under our class. 

Focus Areas for the Coming Week:

• Writing:  We are learning the structure of Writer’s Workshop and talking about what makes a good writer. 

• Math:  We will work on Subtraction. The students will be able to find the differences of numbers 999,999 or less. 

• Science:  We will wrap up our first Science unit,  Virginia’s Natural Resources.

Enjoy this time with your child. The time is precious and goes by quickly! I am looking forward to celebrating my birthday/ Halloween with my children, watching my son's baseball game tomorrow (if it's not rained out) and some much needed downtime. As you can imagine, I will also be plugging away on report cards and planning for next quarter. With that said, I am around if you have any questions/ concerns. 🙂

Weekly Update

 Hi Parents!

Thank you so much for all of your support and help with the study guides that are coming home. I am sure your child told you that everyone rocked the Chapter 2 VA Studies test this week! I was blown away by how well the students did and how much they enjoyed the unit. Whatever they did to prepare, I hope they keep it up! Way to go!!!

Spelling:

We will begin spelling next week. We will be using the Word Journey’s program you are probably already familiar with from previous years. Your student will bring home a list of words next week. They need to learn how to spell the word and know which spelling rule it falls under. This will not only teach them the spelling of the words, but also spelling rules which they can apply to other words they may need when writing. They will have their words for 2 weeks before being tested. On the test, they will need to write the spelling rules down and be able to not only spell the word correctly but also write it in the right category. I will randomly choose 10 of their words for the test. Since it is random, the students should learn all of them in preparation. 

Reading Log:

Please continue to fill out those reading logs. They are due to be turned in on October 28th, the last day of the quarter. Please reach out if you have any questions. 

Virginia Studies Weekly Payment:

The Online School Payment Portal has finally opened. Please make sure to go on and pay for your child’s Virginia Studies Weekly Newspaper. These were noted on the supply list and we have already begun to receive and use them. You can log on from the Hutchison Farm website, or use this direct link. The newspapers are $8.15 per student. Please make sure that you have selected me, Kristen Rivera as the teacher, so your payment is processed under our class. 

Agendas:

Some students were looking for a way to keep track of when their reading logs are due, tests are and other important information. In the past the school had provided agendas to the students. Since we are very digital now, they did not provide them this year. However, they are still important and a great way for the students to take responsibility for tracking their own assignments. This is a skill they will need in middle school and beyond. Although these are not required, I am attaching a link to a small planner you can purchase, if your child is interested in having one. Several students have asked recently about them, so I told them that I would send you a link to one in this week's blog post. Planner on Amazon

Fall (virtual) Conferences:

Please see the link HERE to sign up for our Fall conference. These will be held virtually, unless you email me and request an in person meeting. I am happy to hold those upon request, otherwise you will use the Meet link assigned to your conference on the day and time of our meeting. My time is limited late in the afternoon due to my own children needing to be at sports and activities, but I am more than happy to work with you to find a time that works for all if need be. 

Focus Areas for the Coming Week:

• Reading:  We will continue Reader's Workshop and read the book The Tiger Rising. 

• Math:  We will continue working on Addition. The students will be able to find the sums of numbers 999,999 or less using Partial Sum, Commutative Property and  the Associative Property of addition.

• Science:  We will begin our first Science unit. We will study Virginia’s Natural Resources.

Weekly Update

 Hi Everyone!

Reading Log:

A reading log went home in your child’s Take Home Folder on Thursday. They should be reading for a minimum of 30 minutes a day. Each evening after reading they need to fill out their reading log to reflect their reading. A new reading log will go home at the beginning of each month and should be returned at the end of the month. The October reading log is due to school on Thursday, October 28th. The last day of the quarter. Completion of these reading logs are a part of your child’s participation and homework score. 

Virginia Studies Weekly Payment:

The Online School Payment Portal has finally opened. Please make sure to go on and pay for your child’s Virginia Studies Weekly Newspaper. These were noted on the supply list and we have already begun to receive and use them. You can log on from the Hutchison Farm website, or use this direct link. The newspapers are $8.15 per student. Please make sure that you have selected me, Kristen Rivera as the teacher, so your payment is processed under our class. 

No School:

Just a reminder that there is no school on Monday, October 11th. Schools are closed for the holiday.

Fall (virtual) Conferences:

Please see the link HERE to sign up for our Fall conference. These will be held virtually, unless you email me and request an in person meeting. I am happy to hold those upon request, otherwise, I will email you a Google Meet link to confirm the day and time of your conference. Please let me know if these dates and times do not work for you. My time is limited late in the afternoon due to my own children needing to be at sports and activities, but I am more than happy to work with you to find a time that works for all if need be. 

VA Studies online textbook: 

This week, your child was shown how to access their VA Studies book online from home through LCPSGo. We read the book together in class, but it is a great resource for them to read at home as well as they review and study for the assessments. The nice thing about the online textbook, is that they also include the option to have the passages read to them from the computer. Mrs. Kaz was kind enough to write up some directions on how to access this resource. I am including the link to that document HERE. Your child does know how to get into it, so hopefully they are utilizing this resource as they prepare for the test. 

Virginia Studies Test

The test for chapter 2 is scheduled for Wednesday, October 13th. The students have the study guide and access to the online textbook. They also made flash cards and a flipbook which has a lot of important information in it to help them review. Please make sure they are studying this information and prepared on Wednesday. As you may have noticed, there is quite a bit of information in each chapter and these chapters build on each other. It is imperative that the students are staying up on their studying so it doesn’t snowball on them. 

Focus Areas for the Coming Week:

• Reading:  We will continue Reader's Workshop and read the book The Tiger Rising. 

• Math:  We will work on Addition. The students will be able to find the sums of numbers 999,999 or less using Partial Sum, Commutative Property and  the Associative Property of addition.

Virginia Studies:  We will review Chapter 2 of Virginia Studies. In this chapter we learned about the different tribes who settled in Virginia, the languages they spoke and how the way they lived related to where they settled in the state. The test is scheduled for this Wednesday, October 13th.