Feb. Updates

Lots going on here!

On Thursday, Feb. 20th, 4B will be having a pool party as their class reward. The students earned a reward and voted on this as their choice. Please remind them to come to school on Thursday with their regular PE clothes, AND their swimming attire. We will have regular PE at 8:30 am and then we will end the day with our pool party, from 2:15-3pm.

We have TWO visiting authors this month. Debbie Hickman, a former 4th grade teacher here at MKIS will be in on Thursday to read aloud he book that she has recently published, and then next week, we will have Chris White speaking with us about his poems. Both of these visits will be great experiences for the students, and will certainly get the juices flowing for some creative writing ideas!

A friendly reminder,  term 2 book reports AND term 2 current events are due by March 11th, 2013. Students can present either project anytime between now and then.

Please note that our information night regarding the upcoming trip to Ipoh is next week (Feb. 25th). This will be a very useful session to attend, as this trip is new to our Grade 4 students. See "Important Dates" page for more details regarding this.

Come join the fun!  Yes, the MKIS Fun Fair is just around the corner.  This year each grade level will have their own table and fun events.  If you would like to volunteer please click on the link below.  Thank you for making this event fun for our students!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11El4kUS9UUiDe3-OAU6J9PdQkWrJV0QXFDfFkCkLUsI/edit?usp=sharing Also, the donation box for the used book sale at the fair is located on the breezeway. Please donate!

IXL App now available

The IXL App is now available to download from the iTunes store.  Make math tangible with IXL Math Practice! Over 2,000 standards-aligned skills provide comprehensive coverage of K-12 math content, while hundreds of colorful awards celebrate important milestones. From skip-counting with pictures to multi-step story problems, IXL's interactive practice formats bring the joy of learning right to students’ fingertips.  

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ixl-math-practice/id693689912?mt=8

The best part is that your child can use their school account so that no matter where you are they can practice their Math skills!  If you do not have an Apple product your child can still use IXL by going to http://www.ixl.com. 

Access to The Link

Dear Parents,

Please note that you will need to set a new user name and password to access the Link. Once you have set this up you can access the Link from the MKIS Website or it can also be reached directly through the URL below.
Here are the directions for accessing the Link:

For New User:
Step 1: Click on this URL link http://thelinkmkis.wix.com/thelink
Step 2: SIGN UP using you current email/password
Step 3:The site administrator will notify you via email once your request has been approved.

Already have a user (After Sign Up)
Step 1: Click on this URL link http://thelinkmkis.wix.com/thelink
Step 2: Click LOG IN
Step 3: Type you email address and password to LOG IN

Updates

There are several new events on the horizon, and updates to previously mentioned events. Please read through carefully to know what will be coming up in the next few weeks here at MKIS and in 4B...

Photos:

4B will have their class photo taken on Feb 12 at 11:50am. Retakes and make-up pictures for new students will also be taken that day, or on the 13th. Students are reminded to wear their cleanest MKIS white polo on that day so that we are all looking sharp for the year book!

Info. Session on Overnight Trip:

The date for this meeting has been moved to Tuesday, February 25th and will be at 7:00 p.m. in the New Multi Purpose Room. Hopefully you can all make it to find out more about this great opportunity!

Internet Update for Upper Elementary:

Dear Parents,

       Upon return from the Winter Holidays, the grade 3-5 students returned to 8 new Chromebook laptops for student learning in each of their classrooms. The Chromebooks integrate with the Google accounts that students started using mid October. Google Apps for Education and the Chromebooks are enhancing our students anytime/anywhere access to online learning tools.

       To fully access the learning potentials with Google accounts and Chromebooks, Grade 3-5 students will be given school e-mail accounts through Gmail starting mid February. They will have a lesson on e-mail etiquette and a review of M’KIS Digital Citizenship practices with the 3-5 IT Facilitator, Sara Best, prior to receiving e-mail access. Student e-mail accounts will be limited to messages to/from M’KIS students and teachers within their respective grade levels and receiving  account verification e-mails from online educational tools that are part of the school Google Apps for Education.

Upcoming Alternate Dress Day for Conservation week (April 21st-25th)

As the Alternate Dress Day for WWF (Conservation Week) falls on Friday, April 25th while we are on our overnight trip, the Grade 4's & 5's will have their alternate dress day on Tuesday, April 22nd ...the day before the grade 5s leave for their trip. The rest of the school would remain on Friday, April 25th. Students will be reminded of his closer to the date!

Science project completed (Erosion & Weathering):

Students were working hard on creating a final project for Erosion and Weathering, before the long Christmas break. We final managed to get the last pieces of it together, and it is now published online. Each student has posted the final piece on their Google Site, but you can also access it by clicking on the following link. Students should be very proud of their final product, and their efforts along the way. They made use of the Ipads, their Google Docs, Google Presentations and the computers in the lab here at school, and applied their understanding of erosion and weathering to put together a very informative and interesting newsletter!