Thank you class of 2014!

Dear Class of 2014 Students and Parents,

Thank you so much for an amazing year. I can't believe it went by so fast. It seems like just yesterday they were putting together models of hydroelectric kits and getting snowed in preventing us from our first field trip. This was a VERY special year for me. I wasn't sure if making the decision to go back into the classroom was going to be the right move for me. And I can honestly say it was the best decision I've made professionally and personally. I am SO happy to be teaching again! Working with kids and parents all day is really my passion. I feel so blessed to have had you be a part of my life. As many of you know my son, JR, was at Whitehead in Kindergarten this year and so many of you were a big part of his life this year as well. And as parents you know when someone is important in the eyes of your child, they become extra special to you too. Next year JR will be attending our zoned school to allow him to make neighborhood friends, but I know he will miss seeing all of you...so thank you for being a part of his life as well!

Thank you also for being so patient as I relearned all the little in's and out's of working in a classroom daily again. I look back and think about all the things I'm going to change for the future to make it smoother for students and kids. For my 24 fourth graders and your families....I will miss you! Please come by often to say hello. And for my 5 returning third graders... yay! I can't wait to get started. I just took a class today and have a whole bucket full of fun ideas for next year.

I hope you all have a fun and memorable summer. I will post messages on Edmodo a few times this summer about activities you and your son or daughter are welcome to come to...movies, park, etc. Please know, I can't be chaperoning them but you're welcome to hang out or have you child go with another family.

Thank again everyone! I will always remember this special class!!!

With Lots of Love,
Carrie Hoffman

Picnic at PahRah

Thank you everyone for making the Picnic at PahRah a wonderful and memorable day!

CRT Testing Week

CRT (Criterion Referenced Test) May 5th-8th

Monday & Tuesday Reading Test

Wednesday & Thursday Math Test

Below are some tips to help you assist your child to have a positive testing week: 

1. Reassure your child that he or she does not have to answer all the questions correctly to pass. It is not expected that students answer every question correctly. 


2. Tell your child to attempt to answer all of the questions and not to leave any blanks. There is no penalty for guessing, and students can get partial credit on the open-ended items.


3. Remind your child that the test is important.


4. Explain to your child the importance of using time wisely. If your child gets stuck on a question, encourage him or her to make the best guess or place a mark in the test booklet by that item and go back to it after finishing that section of the test.


5. Ensure that your child gets a decent night's sleep and a good breakfast before taking the test.


6. Make the morning of the test a pleasant one. Do not add to your child's stress.


7. Get your child to school on time the day of the test.


8. Remind your child to listen carefully to the instructions from the teacher and to read the directions and each question carefully.


9. Encourage your child to stay focused on the test, even if other students finish early.


10. Remind your child that it is okay to mark in the test booklet as a help in taking the test --i.e., underlining key words, etc. --but to mark all answers on the answer sheet.

Dr. Cash- Self-Regulated Child

GATE Parent Support 

Assisting Your Gifted Child in Being 

Self-Regulated: A Parent's Role 

Wednesday, May 7, 2014 6:00pm 

RENO HIGH SCHOOL Theater 

395 Booth St, Reno 

Presented by: RICHARD CASH, Ed. D. Educational Consultant

Gifted students, when under challenged, do not acquire the learning and academic skills essential for success in school beyond high school. Some of our brightest students fail within their first two years of college because they don't know how to be a "little fish in a big pond." This session will guide parents through the understanding of self-regulation and give you tools to assist your child in developing the acumen to be prepared for more advanced courses with other advanced learners as well as success in the 21st century.

Dr. Richard M. Cash has worked in the field of gifted education for over 25 years. His range of experience includes teaching at the elementary and middle school levels as well as the college level. Most recently, he served as Director of Gifted Programs for the Bloomington Public Schools, in Minnesota. Dr. Cash received his doctorate in Educational Leadership and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, MN, both with a focus on gifted education. His areas of expertise are educational programming, rigorous and challenging curriculum design for gifted students, differentiated instruction, 21st century skills, brain compatible classrooms, and self-regulated learning.

Yogurt Beach Fundraiser

Yogurt Beach is proud to be hosting an 

all-day fundraiser benefitting... 

The Washoe County School District 

Gifted and Talented Education 

(GATE) Program 

on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at all 

three store locations! 

(Mayberry Landing, Sparks Crossing 

and Village at Double Diamond) 

*** All you need to do is mention your support for GATE 

when you make your purchase***  

Happy Spring (Break) !!!

Hello Families!
Hope you are all having a wonderful break, the weather sure is perfect to be outside having fun. I just wanted to remind you about the Spring Break Challenge. It is a packet of reading, writing, and online activities that was sent home the week before break. This is optional, but I know many students enjoy doing these activities anyway, so this is a fun way for them to earn rewards from Ms. Keane. If your child can't find the packet, just keep logs of reading and online activities. Include the dates they read or were online, what they read or did online, and how long (in minutes) they read or were online doing an educational activity. For writing the goal is 10 writing prompts- of at least 8 sentences long each.

Click the Link Below to see the letter with awards from Ms. Keane

Spring Challenge Awards

Upcoming GT Events

·         GT Parent Connection is hosting a GT Resource Fair at Wooster High School on Monday, March 10^th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This is an excellent opportunity to find out what resources are out there for you and your child.

·         GT Parent Connection is also providing a parent support class on GATE students at Perfectionism on Wednesday, March 13^th from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Vaughn Middle School.