Merry Christmas

Dear Parents and Students, 

I wanted to email you at school today before I left the building, but it wasn't added to the "To Do's" and therefore....I forgot! This has been a tough year for the Harris family with my husband and myself both losing our fathers in a short time period. The one thing that has been a positive and stable is my classroom and the kiddos. I feel truly blessed to have a caring class and I know have been there for me. 

This week was filled with a lot of chaotic moments and truly a whirlwind for me. I am so glad that I had Wednesday to share breakfast, presents, and some laughter. I am so thankful for the showering of gifts from you and the students. And I sure hope they enjoyed theirs. 

As we move into the New Year, we will have a new student and a student teacher. I know the class will be welcoming and show our newbies the way and high expectations we have in the class. 

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a festive New Year. If you are traveling, please have safe travels and enjoy your time with your family!!

Thanks so much, 
Tracy Harris

January Lunch Menu

Elem Lunch

It's a Gingerbread House "Throw Down!"

Oh, how the holiday season flies.  This year, as part of our Christmas Celebration, I would like to do something that is both fun and challenging for my students that teaches them more about cooperation.  I would like to do a “Gingerbread House Throw-Down”. 

Click on the Sign-Up Genius link below to sign-up for donations to the day! 

I can help by clicking here!

Thanks, 

Tracy Harris

New Tools Being Utilized in the Classroom

This week, we have started using two new web tools for learning in the classroom....Google Classroom and Get Waggle.

Google Classroom:
This is a fairly new extension of Google. It gives me the ability to invite the students to join a particular class. We are utilizing Google Classroom for our "Tales of Learning" unit in Reading. I post our daily lesson as well as any resources that would be needed for the class that day. The students can use their Google Docs to complete the assignment and post it to the day's lesson. It is a great way to streamline papers and create a paperless classroom! We will utilize it more throughout the year in the other classes as well. 

Get Waggle:
Get Waggle is a new site through Triumph Learning...the same company that our Performance Coach math workbooks are from. Get Waggle provides our students additional support in Math and Reading. Students can choose a particular skill lesson and experience different types and levels of questions. This resource works with your children's skills and knowledge base to provide the right amount of rigor in the questions. It really is a great new tool to enhance learning in the classroom!

How Do I Get Assignments When My Child is Ill?

As we move into the cold and flu season, how can you find out what we did that day in class? It's easy....have your child check the Google folder I have shared! Each day, I add an assignment sheet to the "Absent Work" folder in our shared Google Drive folder for the class. This way your child and you can see what we have done for the day and know what to ask for when your child returns. Want access? Just click the link below and see what we have done.

Harris Class Assignment Folders

It's NO SHAVE November for Least of These!

No Shave November Flyer[1]

November Tutoring Calendar

Now that we have made it through conferences...whew....I am attaching the November Calendar for Tutoring. There are two students who are taking advantage of some additional support after school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. If you feel that your child could use some additional support in Reading or Math, please contact me at tracyharris@nixaschools.net or call me at 875-5641. I would love to help your child succeed!!

November Tutoring Calendar

2nd Quarter Skills have been Posted

Since we have moved into 2nd Quarter, I have posted the skills that will addressed during this quarter. You can access these skills by clicking on the Parent Tools tab at the top of the blog. If you would like a paper copy, please email me about having one sent home!

Thanks, 
Tracy Harris

Red Ribbon Week is Coming!

Student Council and Leadership class are working hard on Red Ribbon Week, which is October 27th through October 31st. The spirit days are:

Monday: Wear Red
Tuesday: 80's Day...Too RAD to do Drugs
Wednesday: Cowboy Day...Boot Away Drugs
Thursday: Beach Day...Too Cool for Drugs
Friday: Hero Day...Be a Hero, Don't do Drugs

If a student's Halloween costume also happens to be their hero, it is okay for them to wear it on this day, as long as it is not scary and does not involve weapons.

Important Upcoming Dates!

Keeping you informed on upcoming important dates....

October 13th-16th: Fall Parent Conferences....it is not too late to sign up! Click the link below to sign-up for a conference.

Parent Conference through Sign-up Genius

October 16th: Godfather's Night. Mention our class name when you go in, or have it delivered. The class with the most participants wins a FREE PIZZA PARTY!!
October 17th: NO School!
October 21st: Picture Retake Day
October 24th: PTA Game and Movie Night
October 27th-31st: Red Ribbon Week

Enjoy Your October!!
Tracy Harris

October Lunch Menu

Elementary Lunch Menu Oct.

Home Visits

Conference time is quickly approaching and I am so excited to meet with you about your child’s progress.  I believe that building a strong, positive relationship with your child is the most important factor in advancing his or her learning.  One way I build this relationship is by doing home visits for conferences.  A home visit is where I come to your home and share your child’s progress.  This opportunity allows your child to share with me some of their favorite possessions as well as a chance to meet with your family in your own setting.  

It will be a quick snapshot into your child’s life at home.  You do not need to plan anything extra for this visit.  The visit will be around 15 minutes. I understand that this can bring about lots of questions. Under the parents tab, there is a "Home Visit FAQ" where I answer many questions you may have and provide you with some anecdotes of previous home visit experiences.

To schedule your home visit, please click the "Home Visit Sign Up" below. If for some reason home visits or my schedule will not work for your family, please contact me and we can work out other arrangements.  Thank you for helping me make your child’s learning at JTSD the best it can be by allowing us this amazing opportunity.

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0B48AFA82CAA8-fall1 

 Tracy Harris

JTSD Fundraiser Has Officially Begun!!

It's time for our fall fundraiser.  This year's DONATION DRIVE is a combined effort for JTSD and JTSD PTA.  If we meet our combined fundraising goals, we will not hold another major fundraiser this fall.

The student who raises the most money will receive a mini iPad! Packets will be coming home with your students TODAY.  You can send cash or check (made payable to JTSD PTA) or you can go to http://ptaatthomas.corecommerce.com/ to make an online donation.

Thank you in advance for supporting your school, staff, students and PTA.

Thanks!!

Tracy Harris

Picture Day is Wednesday!

Picture day is coming! Please make sure your child has their picture money for Wednesday, September 10th....or receipt from online picture payments. I do have extra picture envelopes in the classroom if needed.

Thanks!!
Tracy Harris

Check Out the Harris Weekly News!

This week's edition of Harris Weekly News can be found on the Harris Newsletter Tab. Please check out what we have been doing this week in class. Hope you enjoy!

Tracy Harris

Cereal Boxes Needed for Science Project

Cereal Boxes are Needed!! 

Each student will need one cereal box for a Periodic Table project like you see below....

Each student will need their cereal box by Monday, September 9th

Thanks for your help!
Tracy Harris

iPad Usage Forms and Money Due!

Parents,

The iPad usage forms were passed out to the class on Monday. Please make sure to read over the iPad usage agreement found on the JTSD website under "iPads." Send in the signed form (you and your child) along with the $25.00. We are hoping to pass out iPads to those who have everything completed and turned in.

If you have any questions or concern about payment, please let me know!

Tracy Harris

PTA...In the Know! Make sure to JOIN PTA!!

The membership drive is in full swing.  Join by September 15th so your membership will count toward the S.T.E.A.M. Team Grade Level Goals.  If you have not yet received your membership card, it should be coming home with your child shortly.

For your convenience, you can use the following links for membership, spirit wear, and to submit student directory information.  If you want to make a purchase and prefer to pay using PayPal, go to the online store at http://ptaatthomas.corecommerce.com/.  

Student Directory (deadline to submit is Sept 2nd)  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1jj5cJAtrrRGhpkiUkYLNzfnBoyvNlluHGAUM4Nsq0ig/viewform?usp=send_form

Spirit Wear (deadline to order is Sept 15th)  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1IBXFwcv8usMv3w8aHzGUU73YAXU1f6h4QuUzYe-dKi0/viewform?usp=send_form

Membership (Early Bird Deadline is Sept 15th)  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/17CBAegrVH4RRaqkvZc_JW_JTsoaVJy2u9Hqz2z7Peew/viewform?usp=send_form

B&B Movie Morning - Sept 20th - Dolphin Tale 2 (Deadline to Order Tickets is Sept 12th) https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1lGWIpVT3NmcHynRlD5GMLYt10GKE0KXH4s24AP_pgmM/viewform?usp=send_form

Harris Weekly News August 22nd Edition

Harris Weekly News August 22

It's Godfather's Pizza Night!

Tonight....is Godfather's Pizza Night! Whether you go in for the buffet, pick-up or delivery, mention that you are from JTSD and Mrs. Harris's class!! The class with the most participants wins a free pizza party....and I will add that my class at Inman last year won three times! Let's go out there and support a great cause in PTA and let the mom's take a night off from cooking! I know I will be!!

We Made it Through the First Week!

The first week has been a success! I have so enjoyed getting to know the class, getting into routine, and setting up a class community. I hope that your child has come home and has been able to share one thing we have done this week. I know one activity they are excited about is..."What are we doing with the potato?" They will find out tomorrow! Pictures will be posted on the class website as well as pictures from the first day and our spaghetti towers lab over the weekend.

Here's looking forward to getting more into the routine and getting started with sixth grade curriculum. Next week, we will start Math and moving into measurement for Science. We will begin writing ideas and drafts next week as well as continuing to build stamina and expectations in reader's workshop.

Expect newsletters to start next week as well as Friday folder slips to let you know how your child was in class for the week.

See you next week!
Mrs. Harris

Standards Based Grading District Video

For the upcoming 2014-2015 school year, The Nixa School District has adopted to use the Standards Based Grading model for grades K-6. For those new to JTSD, this video will be a good introduction to SBG. For JTSD parents, this is a continuation from last year and will be a good review. 

http://youtu.be/wZhzzLDlccE

Welcome to Parent Orientation

Below is the presentation that was used for Parent Orientation. If viewing on the mobile app, you will need to click on the document to view the presentation on your device.

Parent Orientation Handbook

Welcome Back!

Welcome Back! Hard to believe that your month of vacation is almost over. I sure hope you are ready to come back and grow into becoming S.T.E.A.M Leaders. Parent Orientation is Thursday, August 7th from 7:00-7:45 p.m. We will be going over classroom procedures and expectations. First and foremost, we will be getting to know one another. Hope to see you there!

If you could....please complete those first assignments. Parents.... go to the link below and tell me a little about your child. Students...please go the link below and tell me everything I need to know about you!

Student Information Survey

Parent Information Survey