December News - Vol.1&2

Important Information

• Canned Food Drive - this is the last week for donations! I feel horrible that I did not promote this more with the class, and we are now trying to play catch up! The kids set a goal of 100 cans today, and I think we can achieve that with your help. All donations are distributed to families in our community. We collect everything from boxes of rice or noodles or cereal to canned soup, veggies, beans, and fruit. Please donate by Friday if you can!

• iReady - I know meeting our minute / passing rate goals was a big topic at our conferences, but we are starting our second diagnostic this week, therefore, we will NOT have iReady homework this week and next week. The diagnostic must be completed in class, and it will easily take us 2 weeks to complete. I know the kids will be crushed to not have iReady homework during these busy weeks ;-).

• Book Fair - the Scholastic Book Fair opens next week. Our class will visit the book fair during our regular library time which will be Wednesday, December 11th. I know the school is still looking for volunteers... please see Mr. Middleton's Sunday Message for details on how you can help.

• Walk Through California (in-school field trip / presentation) - This 2.5 hour experience reviews all the key events throughout California’s history, bringing the history to life with music, props, costumes, dramatizations, and a friendly competition. Each child is responsible for memorizing and presenting a definition of a vocabulary word, creating a California-related costume, and participating with their team throughout the presentation. All parents are invited to attend this event on Wednesday, January 22, from 12-2:30. More details will come home this week.

• Book Gift Exchange - At our holiday party on December 20, we will have a book exchange. Please send in a wrapped book labeled “boy,” “girl,” or “either.” Please do NOT put your child’s name on the gift. The book can be new or gently used!

Celebrations!

• Thank you for meeting with me during November conferences! I learned many things about your children that will only help me more in my quest to give them the best learning opportunities, experiences, and successes!
• A big SHOUT OUT to our helpers for your patience and support with the Native crafts we developed in class, in honor of Native American Heritage Month. The kids were VERY excited and eager, and there was a lot to manage... so much tying! I cannot thank our helpers enough! Debbie, Ryan, Mandy, Tracy, Gen, Kelli, Alyssa, and Danelle, you were all great!