It's Fall, Y'All!

Happy fall! 🌰 🍂

Dear Pacific Intermediate Families,

As the leaves turn brilliant shades of red and gold and the crisp autumn air fills our days, I want to extend a warm welcome to the November edition of our Principal's Newsletter. This month is brimming with exciting activities and important dates, and I'm thrilled to share them with you.

**Important Dates to Remember:**

1. **Early Release Day on November 9th:** November 9th will be an early release day, which means that students will have the opportunity to return home a bit earlier than usual. Please make appropriate arrangements for this early dismissal at noon.

2. **No School on November 10th:** Please mark your calendars for this day when there will be no classes in session. This provides a great opportunity for students to catch up on assignments, enjoy a bit of rest, or perhaps engage in a special family adventure.

3. **Thanksgiving Break from November 20th to 24th:** As we approach the season of gratitude, let's all take a moment to give thanks for the blessing of quality family time. Our school will be closed from November 20th to 24th, allowing everyone to enjoy the Thanksgiving festivities with loved ones. We hope you have a wonderful holiday, filled with warmth, love, and delicious feasts.

**Community Giving and Fun:**

During the first few days of November, we will be running our Homeroom Coin War. This annual event brings our school community together to raise funds for Thanksgiving food baskets for those in need. The top homerooms with the most generous contributions will earn the privilege of participating in our second annual PI Dodgeball Tournament – an event that promises thrills, laughter, and healthy competition.

**First Trimester Report Cards:**

We understand that staying updated on your child's progress is of utmost importance to you. First trimester report cards will be emailed to your parent portal account on November 17th. If you have still not signed up for the parent portal please contact the office for a link and your activation key to Infinite Campus. Please keep an eye on your inbox for this valuable insight into your child's academic journey. In addition, report cards for Trimester 1 will be printed and given to all students to take home on November 17th.

**Student Bus Passes:**

Ensuring the safety of our students is our top priority. To maintain a secure and efficient transportation system, student bus passes must be approved in advance through our transportation department. We kindly request that any changes or requests are made ahead of time, not on the day of the change. This helps us track our students' whereabouts and ensures their safe arrival at home.

We look forward to another month of learning, growth, and community building here at Pacific Intermediate. As we enter this season of gratitude, let's all remember the importance of coming together and supporting one another.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. We are grateful for your partnership in their journey.

Wishing you a wonderful November filled with joy and togetherness.

Sincerely,

Matt Agee

Principal, Pacific Intermediate

Mrs. Jackson~ Math & Science

Mrs. Menley~Language Arts, Reading & History

Mrs. Alcorn~Math

Ms. DiBlasi~History & Science

Ms. Shearin~Language Arts & Reading

Mrs. Aubuchon~Math

Mr. Gilcrease~Language Arts & Reading

Mr. Wengler~History & Science

Math will begin understanding volume followed by the Geometry unit. Volume is multiplying the 3 dimensions of a rectangular prism together to determine the number of units inside of the shape. It relies heavily on multiplication skills, so make sure your child is still practicing facts, if needed. Geometry in 5th grade is the study of shape attributes that give shapes their name. Kids really enjoy these units as we head into the holiday season.

We are continuing with transition words and Figurative language. Once we wrap those up we will move on to commas and point of view.

Science: Have you heard about our decomposer labs? Students are strengthening their understanding of decomposers by growing mold and observing worms! We have been busy learning about the web of life and applying the scientific method in class. Soon, we will begin exploring Earth's systems. This includes concepts about our water, our place in the universe, and human impact on our planet.

History: Like the pioneers during the westward expansion of the United States, we are traveling through our country's historical timeline. We are currently learning about the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Our next focus will be on the Industrial Revolution and it's impact on American life in the 1800s.

Mrs. Boling~English

Mr. Effan~Social Studies

Mrs. Vondera~Science

Mrs. Voss~Math

Mrs. Stumborg~English

Mr. Slaughter~Social Studies

Mrs. Todahl~Science

Mrs. Weil~ Math

Mrs. Carrico

Mr. McMahon

It seems like the year is flying by. Please make sure you are checking for missing assignments and updated grades. Your child will have homework on most nights. Please check in with them to make sure it is getting completed. Have a conversation with your child every night to see what they are doing in class. Have them physically show you their completed work. There are a lot of missing assignments, and the trimester will be coming to an end before we know it. Also, if you are sending an email about your child, please include their first and last name. Happy Fall!

Math:

Math students will be starting Ch. 3: Ratios and will move on to Decimals, Percent's, and Fractions. They have homework every night and should bring it home.

Advanced classes will be starting Ch. 5 Algebraic Expressions and moving to solving one-step equations.

Social Studies:

We are finishing up our chapter about Mesopotamia. Next, we will be looking at the history of Ancient Egypt, and the major impacts their society had on the ancient world.

Reading:

In reading class, we are currently working on Unit 6- "Hidden Truths". We have just completed two folktales. During this unit, we focused on plot, theme, and narration. Next, we will be reading a play entitled "Prince and the Pauper." We will also read a couple of nonfiction selections and some poetry.

Science:

This month we have been reviewing the Metric system. Students have used new pieces of equipment such as graduated cylinders, Triple-Beam Balances, and rulers. After Thanksgiving break, we will start the Sound and Light Unit.

English:

English students just finished their first major project and presentation, which used student-created surveys to collect and report information. Next, students are going to be learning about transition words. We will use transition words in our next big project which is a personal narrative essay. Students will be writing about events they experienced in their lives.

Ms. Diamond~5th Grade & Ms. Speicher~ 6th Grade

Trimester 1 will be ending on Friday, November 9th which will be an early release day for students. Most sixth-grade students will start their second exploratory class beginning Trimester 2. Report cards for Trimester 1 will be printed and given to all students to take home on November 17th. Hopefully your child and you will be happy with their grades, and hard work. Parent involvement and clear expectations are crucial to achieving higher grades, displaying appropriate behaviors and establishing good study habits. Working as a team we can help your student overcome obstacles to success. However, it is important that each student takes primary ownership and responsibility for their success or failure.

Last month character education lessons focused on “Drug Prevention” efforts to recognize and celebrate Red Ribbon Month. Students discussed how drugs prevent us from reaching our goals. In addition, how it affects all areas in our lives such as health, relationships, and school/career goals. We also discussed how drugs can lead to addictions, criminal issues, and loss of life. In support of Red Ribbon week, we celebrated with spirit dress up days, a student essay/drawing contest, door decorating, and student developed skits. The celebration ended with a school assembly featuring the Pacific Police Department as guest speakers discussing drugs and the dangers. Additionally, students shared essays, artwork, and skits to encourage each other to choose to be drug free.

Classroom guidance lessons this month for both grade levels will focus on the importance of accepting and respecting others individuality and diversity. Students will practice their social skills and acceptance of others by sitting in different seats at lunch on November 29th and November 30th. We feel that after Thanksgiving break students should have a lot of new things to discuss as they get to know each other by introducing themselves, asking questions, and sharing their Thanksgiving traditions and activities over break.

As our tradition has been the last several years, we have partnered with a local church which generously donates gift cards to families in need for a “Thanksgiving meal.” If your family is struggling, please contact us and let us know if your family could use a Thanksgiving Basket. To encourage our students to be part of their community and help others, we will be providing an opportunity for students to participate in our “PI Caring Community Change War.” The Change War will take place from November 2nd - November 9th. Monetary donations will be used to help us provide each family a complete “Thanksgiving Dinner Basket” to include vegetables, stuffing, potatoes, gravy, fruit, and dessert items. To make things more fun and increase donations, we will have a competition between homeroom classes to raise funds. The top six classrooms will receive school recognition along with the reward to participate in a dodgeball tournament to become "PI Dodgeball Champions” and play at a school assembly in December. We hope to encourage donations, but still emphasize to students “Caring means feeling a genuine concern for the well-being of others without expecting something in return. Joy is received in helping others.” Your help in providing change for your child to donate is appreciated.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving break. Appreciate what you have, and enjoy your time with family and friends.

Sincerely,

Jeanne M. Diamond

5th Grade Counselor

636-271-1425 x 3504

Allison Speicher

6th Grade Counselor

636-271-1425 x 3509

Pacific Intermediate

195 N Indian Pride Dr.

Pacific, MO 63069

www.mvr3.k12.mo.us

Phone: 636-271-1425

Fax: 636-271-1465