November Collister Newsletter

A huge thank-you to our amazing PTO for sponsoring our Read-a-thon and organizing such a fun Fall Festival! These events take time, planning, and many helping hands, and we are so grateful for the support and dedication that make these special experiences possible for our students.

Thank you to all of our families for participating in the Read-a-thon, supporting our fundraising efforts, and joining us for the Fall Festival. Your involvement and generosity help create wonderful memories and strengthen our Collister community. We are so fortunate to have such a supportive group of families and volunteers helping our Eagles SOAR!

We are excited to celebrate our SOAR winners! These students have been recognized for demonstrating our Collister SOAR traits: Show Respect, Others Matter, Act Safely, and Be Responsible. We are proud of the positive choices, kindness, and leadership they show each day. Congratulations to our Eagles for helping make Collister a wonderful place to learn and grow!

K: Hank & Gwen

1st: Amma, Aiden, Ryker, Giacomo

2nd: Camille, River, Bodhi, Lip

3rd: Zane, Max, Arish, Obi

4th: Avyakt, Oscar, Karsen, Henry

5th: Mia, Sarah, Shelby, Laya

6th: Shiloh, Dalin, Cordelia, Iris

Staff: Mrs. Drew & Mrs. Mallet

It has been a busy and exciting time in Mrs. Smith’s 5th grade classroom! Students recently wrapped up their Wonder novel study and watched the movie, comparing similarities and differences between the two. They also completed their first five-paragraph opinion essays, using text evidence to support their thinking, and are now exploring figurative language to bring their writing to life. In science, students have been investigating physical and chemical changes through a handful of hands-on experiments, observing how matter can change in different ways. In social studies, students have been building their map skills, practicing states and capitals, and learning about life in the early colonies. They will soon begin a historical novel told through the eyes of a 12-year-old child, giving them a closer look at what life was like during this time in history. To get into the Halloween spirit, students also created spooky window art to add a little Halloween fun to our classroom!

It has been an action-packed month in Ms. Drew's 5th grade classroom, they even had two mystery teachers (a ballerina and an actor)! The class recently visited the Boise Art Museum to explore the work of American artist and printmaker James Lavadour. Inspired by his technique and style, students then had the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and create their own original prints. In science, they just wrapped up a unit on the properties of matter, and in social studies, these young geographers are mapping out the United States and memorizing the states' location and capitals. They recently showcased their learning by writing and presenting news broadcasts highlighting specific U.S. regions. As writers, they are also hard at work peer-editing and revising their first formal opinion piece on the benefits of spending time in nature—and can’t wait to publish and share these essays soon. In literature circles, excitement is high as groups launch into new survival-themed books. This class continues to soar beyond all expectations and they are llooking forward to an incredible year ahead.