SMPS Family iNewsletter

Class Updates and Reminders

Messages from our Learning Levels...

Upcoming Whole School Dates

Prep

Reminders:

 

Prep Doors in the Morning

  • Monday-Thursday: Enter via school side door on Ferrars St only. 
    • On Mondays-Thursdays the main front entrance is for Grade 1-6 only. 
    • After 8:55am, the side door will close. Any arrivals after 8:55am will go through the main entrance and wait at the office to be accompanied to Level 5 by a staff member 
  • Friday: Families are able to go to the learning levels with their children. 
    • All families from Prep-6 will enter through the main entrance on Fridays. 
    • The Prep teachers meet students on Level 5 on Fridays. 

Homework and Library Bags

It is important to encourage a strong homework routine in order for your child to experience success in their learning. Every weekend, Prep students are expected to complete one Mathseeds lesson. We will check your child's progress every Monday afternoon to ensure they are meeting expectations. Please ensure you are monitoring your child whilst they are completing their lesson so they only complete one lesson.

 

Library will continue to be on Fridays like last term. If your child does not bring in their library bag, they will not be able to swap books. Also, please fill in the reader diary so your child's teacher can see their at home reading habits.

 

iPad

Please keep in mind that iPads need to be brought to school everyday so your child can access all activities.

Year 1

Dates to Remember:

  • Friday 31 May: Dinosaur Diggers Day

Reminders:

Homework

Establishing a solid homework routine can set your child up for great success in their schooling. In Year 1, it is an expectation that our students read 4 nights a week and that it is documented in their student diary. We would like students to bring their diary in daily so that we can check this off.

 

Every week, we expect our students to complete one Mathseeds lesson. A homework week begins on a Sunday. During the week, students are to complete one lesson. We ask parents to oversee the use of Mathseeds, as we have noticed some students completing more than one.

 

If you have any questions related to Mathseeds, please email your child's teacher.

 

iPad

In Year One, using iPads is integral to our student's learning. Please support your child in making sure their iPad comes to school fully charged.  We do not want any child missing out on the educational activities that involve using the devices. 

 

Year 2

Dates to Remember:

  • Tuesday 30 April: Minibeast In-Visit

Reminders:

Humanities: 

Thank you for your support in sourcing your child a small box for our Humanities Unit: Roaming in a Rainforest. We are continuing to seek those small boxes (shoe box size is fine). This will be used by your child to create a mini rainforest. It would be greatly appreciated if boxes could be brought to school in preparation for this project. We are hoping to have all students with a box by the end of Week 3 (May 3rd).

 

Homework: 

81% of our Year 2 cohort have completed their Mathseeds for Week 2. This is an amazing effort. Thank you for your support in instilling a strong homework routine for your child. The Year 2 teachers are hoping for their classes to strive for 100% next week.  

 

The expectation is 1 lesson of Mathseeds completed a week (Sunday - Saturday). Please remember that Sunday starts the new week. 

 

The other homework expectation is reading 4 nights for 15 minutes. This is to be written in your child's diary and signed. Diaries should come to school every day.  

Year 3

Dates to Remember:

  • Wednesday 29 May: Reptile Encounters In-Visit
  • Monday 17-Friday 21 June: Swimming at MSAC

Reminders:

Accelerated Reader

In Year 3, students have been given an Accelerated Reader range which guides them to find a book that is just right for them. This means a book that is not too easy and not too hard. In Term 1, students practiced using the features of AR. For Term 2, students have been given a points and comprehension target. Their outcomes will show on their Student Dashboard at the end of term.

 

Please support your child by encouraging them to read each night and record this in their diaries so they can take the quiz at school the following day. 

Year 4

Dates to Remember:

  • Monday 17-Friday 21 June: Swimming at MSAC
  • Monday 24 June: RSPCA Excursion (4A)
  • Tuesday 25 June: RSPCA Excursion (4B and 4C)

Reminders:

Reading at Home

Students are asked to read for 30 minutes each evening after school and record it in their school diary. These diaries are checked on Friday mornings. We encourage you to also ask your child each night what they are reading and ask questions about the book to aid their comprehension.

 

Arrival at School

We would like to remind families that we encourage students to arrive at school at 8:45 to have time to put away their bag, set up their desk and read before lessons begin at 9:00. Between 8:45 and 9:00 is a great time for students to read and demonstrate their comprehension of their books by taking an AR quiz.

 

Year 5

Dates to Remember:

  • Tuesday 14 May: Melbourne Zoo Excursion

Reminders:

Accelerated Reader Targets

The Year 5 students completed their STAR Reading test last week. They have now all received their new ZPD and set their reading volume points targets. To support your child to achieve their target, please remind them to complete at least 30 minutes of reading homework each evening after school. This should be recorded in their school diary. The Year 5 teachers check diaries on Friday mornings. We thank you in advance for this support. 

Year 6

Dates to Remember:

  • Wednesday 1 May: Port Melbourne Open Day
  • Thursday 2 May: Albert Park Open Day
  • Friday 10 May: Highschool transition form deadline
  • Friday 14 June: AFL Gala Day
  • Monday 17-Friday 21 June: Swimming at MSAC

 

Reminders:

Homework

Just a friendly reminder to ensure that homework diaries are signed and to engage in conversations about AR targets and reading progress. Your support in this matter is greatly appreciated!