December Activities

Music Program:  The first grade music program is on December 15th at the High School Performing Arts Center at 7:00 p.m. 

Gingerbread Houses:  First grade will be making gingerbread houses on Friday, December 16th.  If you volunteered to bring in items for the gingerbread houses, please do so as soon as possible.
Food Pantry Donations:  This year we WILL NOT do a gift exchange.  Instead, we will be collecting canned goods throughout December to deliver to the food pantry at the Methodist Church.  You may bring in your nonperishable items anytime before December 19th.

Polar Express Day:  Wednesday, December 21st, the students will participate in a Polar Express Day.  We will read the book "The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg and watch the movie to compare and contrast the two versions.  The students are allowed to dress in their pajamas for the day and bring in pillows, blankets, and/or sleeping bags.

Early Dismissal:  School will dismiss at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 22nd.  Enjoy your Christmas Break. 


FYI:  I am now on maternity leave.  Elly Sue Hogan was born on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at 12:25 p.m.  She weighed 8 lbs 1oz and was 20 inches long.  She joins her big sister Lily Marie who is 2 1/2 years old.  Thank you for all of your well wishes.  I will return back in the classroom on February 1, 2012.  Until then, you may direct all questions to Mrs. Gaitlin, my long term substitute while I'm on maternity leave.  You may reach her by email at:  kristy.gaitlin@californiak12.org .

Thanksgiving Reminders

There will be NO HOMEWORK the week of Thanksgiving Break 11/21/11.  In addition, Friday folders will not go home on the week of 11/21 since it is only a 2 day week.  Additionally, there will be no student of the week on the week of 11/21.

The first grade annual Thanksgiving Feast will be held on Tuesday,  November 21, 2011.  If you volunteered to bring in an item and haven't done so, please bring the item to school by Monday, November 20th.  In addition, if you volunteered to help set up, serve, and clean up afterwards please arrive at school approximately at 10:30 a.m.  An extra special thank you to those of you who volunteered to bring in items for the feast or have volunteered your time the day of the feast.  Our annual feast could not take place without your kind generosity.

There will be NO SCHOOL on November 23-25th for Thanksgiving Break. Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours!  I am thankful for so many reasons.  One thing I am thankful for is my job as a first grade teacher.  I thank each and everyone of you for entrusting your children to me during the week.  It is such a blessing to teach young minds and prepare them for their subsequent years of schooling and for life. I truely love my job and couldn't think of anything else I'd rather be doing.  I am also thankful for my family and my health.  May you have a wonderful blessed holiday break.

The last day to turn in November Book It Logs is Wednesday, November 30th.

FYI:  Mrs. Kristy Gaitlin will be the students' long-term substitute teacher while I'm on maternity leave.  I ask that you be patient with her as she learns the procedures and routines of our classroom.

Upcoming Scholastic Book Fair

The elementary school librarian is hosting a Scholastic Book Fair at the elementary school during the week of November 14-18th.  This coming Saturday during the PTO Extravaganza she will have the book fair open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for those of you wishing to stop by and check out the wonderful display of books.  There will be an area designated for all classroom teacher's 'wish lists,' which contains a list of books that each teacher would like to have for their classroom.  Students will be able to visit the book fair during school hours throughout the week of November 14-18th.  Our class will also be making a special trip up to the book fair on the morning of Monday, November 14th.  If you would like your child to purchase a book during our class trip up to the book fair, please send your child's money in an enclosed envelope.  In addition, please write your child's name, the dollar amount in the envelope, and your child's teacher's name on the outside of the envelope.  All extra money your child has remaining after visiting the book fair will be sent back home in the same envelope.  Family night at the book fair will be held on Tuesday night, November 15th after school.  Please visit the book fair and support your local elementary school.

Happy Reading!

Happy Halloween

Parents,

There is no homework tonight, October 31st.  Enjoy trick-or-treating tonight and be safe.  Homework will resume tomorrow.  The homework packet was in your child's homework folders tonight along with the November Book It log. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for all the wonderful treats and drinks for our fall class party.  The students were so excited and enjoyed all of the treats that were shared.  We read Halloween related stories, watched a movie about a pumpkin, ate our treats, and played Halloween BINGO today.