Welcome Back!

I hope everyone had an enjoyable break.  We are back and working hard.  I have posted April’s home project on our home project page.  I know we are still trying to finish up presentations from March.  We had a mad rush at the end of the month, so we hope to finish those presentations in the next couple of days.  I would like to encourage students to avoid waiting until the last day.

Third graders are scheduled for their language sage test on Wednesday, April 22nd, in the afternoon.  They are also scheduled for Monday, May 11th, for their math test.  Please make certain your child is in attendance these days.  It is difficult to make arrangements for make-up testing.  Please continue to help your child, by drilling them on their multiplication math facts.  The faster they know these, the easier their application will be.

Parents, unfortunately, I feel that is important for me to remind of the importance of having our students to school on time.  In recent weeks, we’re having an increase in students coming to school late.  They’re missing critical group lessons and it’s difficult to find the necessary time to repeat them.  I have three grade levels for individual group lessons on top of giving each child their own individual lessons.  I value every student’s education and want for them to be successful, but need support in making this happen.  I understand illness and occasional appointments, but beyond this makes it difficult for all members of our classroom.  Thanks for your understanding.

Don’t Forget

I want to remind you that our field trip is tomorrow.  All rides please meet us in the North Shore Parking Lot about 11:30 a.m., we will walk the students over at that time.  Please remember to sign your child up for a ride here.  We will be leaving the Nature Center at 2:00 p.m.

Also, we will be having a group picture taken, for the yearbook, tomorrow morning at 9:20.

I wonder… Home project

Our home projects need to be completed by Friday. Just a reminder that the 27th is the last day before spring break.  I would really like to avoid having all the students present on Friday.  Please have your child bring their projects in as soon as they are completed. Thank you and have a wonderful weekend.

Volunteering

We have had a wonderful parent, Christine, who has volunteered her time the past two years by giving individual spelling tests to our class.  She is sad that her schedule is no longer allowing her to continue.  The students are really going to miss her.  We really only have about 8 or 9 weeks left for spelling tests.  Can you believe how quickly time is passing?  Before I go to plan B, I wanted to see if any of you would like to take this on.  Ideally, we like to complete the testing on Thursday mornings, but I can be a little flexible.  It takes between and hour to an hour and a half, usually, to give each student their test.  If you think you could commit to this until the middle of May, please contact me.  We would really appreciate it and it is a fun way to get to know the students and their amazing personalities.

I am also looking  for a green thumb.  I am overwhelmed with all the many things going on and could use some help with a few loose ends.  I have some plants that are in serious need of being replanted into larger pots and I am pretty certain they could use some plant food.   If you are willing to donate some pots, soil, and time.  My plants and botany lesson would love you!  This is even something you could do with the students at school or take home and complete.  It has been on my to do list and just isn’t happening.  Also, if you are interested in helping the students in our garden box, this help is welcomed as well.

Lastly, as you all know, we are currently studying North America.  The students did a great job on their fifty state home projects.  If any of you are interested or willing to come and visit with the students about any of the countries of North America, please contact me.  We love to learn from visitors.  We usually like to do these on Friday afternoons, but I can be flexible.

I do want to extend the invitation to all of you, if you have experience or talents that would be beneficial to the students learning, please come share.  In the past, we have had parents come and do special projects and presentations, the students love it!  Also, keep this in mind for those of you who are returning with us next year.  I am already planning for next year and I am really excited for some the of things we are planning and would love to have you all be involved.

As always, thanks for sharing your children with us!

Field Trip

The field trip was great today.  I could tell the students really enjoyed themselves.  They were so excited when we returned to the classroom, this afternoon, and pulled out the timeline of life.  The things they have been studying in history really started to come to life for them.  Thank you to all of our certified drivers and all of the support from our families.  It was fun to see so many of you today.

In just two weeks we will be heading to the Ogden Nature Center for our Botany lesson on trees.  I am currently working on creating a wejoin in sign up with our certified drivers.  I think this will make things a little easier for everyone.  Ogden Nature is much more strict with their field trip policy and will limit us on the number of chaperons we take.  They also have a strict no sibling policy during field trip presentations.  We will be at Ogden Nature Center for a total of 2 hours.  Once I have a confirmation from our drivers, I will post signs ups for rides.

Gala

Families, I would like to strongly encourage you to consider attending this years Gala.  It is a fun night out that helps fund a great cause.  This years funds will be used for a new computer lab.  What a great way to get to know others in our school community, have a night out, and help raise funds for a new computer lab for student use.  I hope to see you there!  

Our 5th Annual MMA GALA is right right around the corner.  The funds for this year’s event are specifically targeted to help purchase a computer lab!  Your attendance, financial support, and commitment to this event is greatly appreciated!

Anyone can buy Gala Raffle Tickets to win the following prizes (Grill (picture below), iPad Mini and Samsung Tablet) Tickets – Thursday, Friday and Monday – Thursday next week after school 3:00-3:15pm!  $2.00 for 1 ticket 3 tickets for $5!

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Purchase your GALA tickets and GALA Raffle Tickets on the following dates:

Saturday, March 14th at Smiths from 10:00am-4:00pm

Friday, March 13th after school at North Shore and in the school’s main lobby.

Friday, March 20th after school at North Shore and in the school’s main lobby.

You can also purchase your GALA tickets online using the link below!

https://squareup.com/market/mapa/gala-attendee-ticke

Here is a teaser – Below are samples of the Art Work for the Live Auction! You want to be sure to walk away with a piece of art work your child helped create!

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Sorry

I apologize for the confusion on the field trip date (Thursday, March 12th)  Please recycle the red permission slips and sign and return the slips dated today, February 24, 2015.  They are either purple or light green (we were out of colored paper in the copy room).  Again, I’m sorry.  Please let me know if you need a ride for your child with one of our certified drivers.

Thank you

I wanted to express how much I appreciated the opportunity to visit with everyone during Parent Teacher Conference.  Ms. Lily and I find it a privilege to work with your amazing children.  Thank you for your thoughtful gifts and cards for Valentines.

Welcome Back!

I hope everyone had an enjoyable break.  I know my own children have mixed feelings about returning, but one thing is for certain, I am excited to see those smiles I have missed these past few weeks.

Remember, homework folders are to be returned Monday morning with completed reading logs.  We also have P.E. on Monday mornings and students will need athletic shoes for inside the gym.  We do not have anyone signed up for snack the next couple of weeks.  If you have not signed up to provide snack, please consider choosing a week to help, we have several open weeks between now and the end of the year.  Another reminder that January home projects and IXL lessons are posted on the blog.  In February, we will be studying the 50 states for our home projects.  I will start this process by allowing students to choose a state, on a first come basis.  Please be thinking with your child, which state they may wish to present.  I will complete sign ups between now and January 16th, after that point, I will have students draw from a hat which state to complete a project on.  I will send home their assigned state, in their take home folders, the following Monday.  As always, please contact me with questions or concerns.