Winter Has Arrived, Dec.11th,2009

Hello Parents and Families,

We have had our first snow day, and the children are having fun playing in the snow at recess.  In the classroom, we are still working on our African unit with folktales and non-fiction stories.  Next week, we will learn about an African holiday called Kwanza.  It is celebrated for seven days beginning on Dec. 26th.  Mr. Cogan, the art and music teacher will also be teaching the children about Kwanza.  Of course, we will spend some of our time on Christmas stories.

Speaking of Christmas, I want to inform you that we will have our classroom Christmas party on Dec. 22nd.  That is the Tuesday which is the last day before we go home for Christmas break.  I will be sending a separate request  to the designated families whose turn it is to provide refreshments.  Remember, for our party refreshments, I have divided the class into thirds alphabetically.  In response to the district wellness policy,  I ask those families to consider sending some healthy refreshments such as fresh friuts, cheeses, chips,or pretzels.  Some sugary items are hard to avoid, but it is appreciated if there are some other foods as well.  Please note that there are allergies in the classroom to peanuts and cinnamon. 

For our gift exchange, we will not be drawing names.  Instead, we will have a book swap.  Please wrap the book you wish to include in the swap, and send it to school on the day of the party.  I will provide extra books if it is a hardship to purchase a book.  Please keep the price range no higher than $8.00. 

In math, we are starting a new unit on money.  The children can use practice in counting coins up to one dollar.  The half dollar is also used.  Please let me know if you would like extra practice papers sent home for money.  Also,  please see the enclosed sheet with your child's user name and password which can be used to login at the pearsonsuccess.net math website.  There are activities that I've chosen for the children.  I am not treating this as homework, but rather as extra practice.  Let me know if you have trouble with the login.

Thanks for all of your continual support.  It was wonderful seeing you at conference time.  Let's keep up the great team effort.  Parental involvement makes a huge difference.