25 April-4 May 2010
NO WEEKLY SPELLING ASSESSMENT THIS WEEK! :0)
Well, thank you for your extended patience during the next 10 days. I'll be attending our youngest son's wedding in the U.S., leaving on
Wednesday and my return will occur on Tuesday, 4 May. I'll have a reliable substitute and things will be just fine. I do hate not being at school for that long, though. It is such a happy time for our family and we're so thrilled that airflights are pretty much on schedule now.
I'll be sending blue folders home with a new Study Trip permission slip to Gulliverlandia. On the back of the note, you'll be able to read about this amazing trip. I am encouraging, once again, everyone to pack a picnic lunch with ALL disposable contents (no thermos, plastic ware, or lunch boxes). Backpacks are a must and also an extra small bottle of water, in case it's hot. They are welcome to bring spending money, but will have to be responsible to carry it and spend it wisely with the help of the chaperone assigned to the group. We will return to school before the buses departure time. The trip is a bus trip and is scheduled to depart on Friday, 21st of May @ 8:20. There will be only 6 chaperones able to attend this trip, so get your slips/Euro returned, if you're interested in accompanying us on this excursion. First come, first served!!
I am very happy with student achievement and work habits at this point in time. I'm expecting more, as they are so capable and ready for continued learning. Please get back to using the on-line activities for their homework, and especially re-visit the place value exercises on IXL Math. Our class just exceeded 200 hours of work over the past year on IXL. That's an average of almost 12 hours for each student. For those of you who have computer access, thank you so much for keeping up the good work. Each student benefits from the 100% active learning that encourages independence from participating. Our end-of-year school 1st grade math assessment will be administered in 2 weeks to each student. This is to help measure our progress in math problem solving, which is central to our Comprehensive Student Improvement Goals. Yeah!!!
We will also be reviewing and revisiting bus safety rules and hope that we show our safety skills in our new bus parking/pick-up lot. If you pick up your student from school, it's impertative to arrive early, as the pick-up/parking zones have changed. SAFETY FIRST!
Keep on READING the books in your child's Reading Bag! (or should I say, have your child keep on reading them :o)--I'll begin giving their last Reading Assessment on 25 May and continue to the 17th student through the 11th of June. These scores will be recorded in their permanent reading file and move with them to 2nd grade.
Once again, we're glad that spring has finally arrived with all the sunshine and beauty. The mountain view from the playground is magnificent! Aren't we fortunate to live in such a wonderful place?
One more thing........all of you who have recently seen a family member deployed, our thoughts are with you during this time of separation. Please know that I'm here to talk to you about things, if you like..........and I'll keep your child in mind, especially during this time.
Mrs. Petty
