Mrs. Freeland's Weekly Newsletter

Mrs. Freeland’s Weekly Note

November 14-18

Spelling:

Due to our shortened week next week, we will not have a spelling list. 

Class T-Shirts:

Let’s wear our class t-shirts on the day before Thanksgiving Break!  (Wednesday, November 23^rd).  

Christmas Information:

For those of you who like to plan ahead with your Christmas shopping, I would like to share with you the plans for our Christmas Class Party.  If you’re not ready to think about Christmas shopping yet, just save this information for a later date!  We will be celebrating Christmas in our classroom on the afternoon of Thursday, December 20th.  At this party we will be exchanging gifts.  Every child will need to bring in a small item for each classmate.  These gifts should all be the same item.  The only exception would be getting something different for the girls than the boys.  We currently have 26 children in our class who will be celebrating Christmas, 14 girls and 12 boys.   You might want to look for low-cost packaged items that can be divided among the students.  Dollar stores usually have a large selection of these types of items, along with the birthday party section at Wal-Mart, Meijer, etc. Some suggestions are pencils, erasers, a marker, ruler, glue stick, pad of paper, coloring book, fun pad, magnet, stamp, bookmark, tape, stickers, bouncy ball, sticky notes, mini-can of play-dough, chap stick, hair tie/barrette/jewelry for girls, small toy car for boys, etc.  Each student will deliver the gifts during our Christmas party into bags that we will decorate at school.  These gifts do not have to be wrapped, but you can if you would like to.  I know the children will enjoy opening their Christmas bags!  If you have any questions, please call or write.  Thanks for your help!

Student of the Week:

Our Student of the Week was Tyne Cotton.  Nice work!

Looking Ahead:

 Thursday and Friday, November 24^th & 25^th-

No School, Thanksgiving Break

Monday, December 12^th-

Christmas Program in High School Gymnasium

The First Thanksgiving: 

This month we have been learning about the Pilgrims and the very first Thanksgiving.   Did you know that the first Thanksgiving lasted three whole days?  The children learned that the Pilgrims and the Native Americans celebrated Thanksgiving together because the Pilgrims were so thankful for the plentiful harvest that the Native Americans helped them with.  We have read several books that have told us about the long, hard journey the Pilgrims had on the Mayflower as they traveled to the New World.  

Newsletter:

Due to Thanksgiving Break, there will not be a newsletter sent home next week.  The next classroom newsletter will be sent home on Friday, December 2^nd.  Friday Folders will come home the day before Thanksgiving next week.  I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoys their time together!

Math:

We have started Unit 3 in our Everyday Math Series. Unit 3 begins with money. We have learned how to exchange money (to trade one coin combination for an equal coin or coin combination). Please work with your child on coin combinations at home and how to exchange these combinations.

Feed the Troops Challenge:

We ended our Feed the Troops Challenge today. I’m not sure how much food we have gathered. I’ll send home an update when we know for sure. Thank you all for your help and cooperation!

Speed Stack Orders:

Mrs. Kelley asks that I remind you that speed stack orders are due on Wednesday, November 30^th. She will not accept any orders after this day. In order for the shipment to be received before Christmas break she must send them out at the end of the day on Wednesday.

 Christmas Program:

Mrs. Wiggins has sent home a letter about our Christmas Program being held on Monday, December 12^th. All children received a letter, but not all children have a speaking part. If your child has a speaking part I discussed it with you at Parent/Teacher Conferences. You can find that letter in your child’s Friday Folder today.

Food Drive Reminder

Parents,

This is just a friendly reminder that our food drive for PFC Sarah Barber's Unit--U.S. Army 527th MP Company--comes to an end this Friday, November 18, 2011. If you intend to donate any canned goods or non-perishable boxed foods please send them in by this date. Remember-if our school manages to collect 3,000 items or more we will receive a special treat from Mr. Smith, Mrs. Hill, and Mrs. Huttenga. We will also receive an extra recess! Thank you for all of the help and support you have shown.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Freeland

Mrs. Freeland's Weekly Newsletter

Mrs. Freeland’s Weekly Note

November 7-11

Parent/Teacher Conferences:

It was a pleasure to see all of you at parent/teacher conferences yesterday! Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to discuss your child’s progress so far this year.
 

Happy Birthday!:

We celebrated Allison’s birthday on Friday, November 11^th.  We hope you had a great day!

Christmas Information:

For those of you who like to plan ahead with your Christmas shopping, I would like to share with you the plans for our Christmas Class Party.  If you’re not ready to think about Christmas shopping yet, just save this information for a later date!  We will be celebrating Christmas in our classroom on the afternoon of Wednesday, December 21^st.  At this party we will be exchanging gifts.  Every child will need to bring in a small item for each classmate.  These gifts should all be the same item.  The only exception would be getting something different for the girls than the boys.  We currently have 26 children in our class who will be celebrating Christmas, 14 girls and 12 boys.   You might want to look for low-cost packaged items that can be divided among the students.  Dollar stores usually have a large selection of these types of items, along with the birthday party section at Wal-Mart, Meijer, etc. Some suggestions are pencils, erasers, a marker, ruler, glue stick, pad of paper, coloring book, fun pad, magnet, stamp, bookmark, tape, stickers, bouncy ball, sticky notes, mini-can of play-dough, chap stick, hair tie/barrette/jewelry for girls, small toy car for boys, etc.  Each student will deliver the gifts during our Christmas party into bags that we will decorate at school.  These gifts do not have to be wrapped, but you can if you would like to.  I know the children will enjoy opening their Christmas bags!  If you have any questions, please call or write.  Thanks for your help!

Color the Weather Pictures for 9 & 10 News:

Our class worked very hard on some great artwork that was submitted to 9 & 10 News for their morning Color the Weather Segments. Congratulation to Allison & Dillan for having their pictures showcased last Friday, November 4^th! Keep an eye out to see if they choose your child’s artwork next.

November Book Order:

The November Book Order is due on Wednesday, November 16^th. If you are interested in purchasing something from the book order, please send in the order by this day. If you would like to use your orders as a gift please let me know and I can arrange to get it to you without sending it home with your child.

Looking Ahead:

Monday, November, 14^th: Delayed Start. School starts at 10 AM.

Tuesday, November 15^th: No School-Deer Day.

Wednesday, November 16^th: Book Order is due.

Thursday and Friday, November 24^th & 25^th- No School, Thanksgiving Break

Monday, December 12^th- Christmas Program in High School Gymnasium.

Math:

We took our Unit 2 Math test on Monday and we discussed it at parent/teacher conferences. We will begin Unit 3 on Monday. Unit 3 discusses Time, Money, and Base 10’s. You should have received the Home Link describing this unit this week in your child’s reading folder.

Special Visit from Sarah Barber:

Today we had a visit from Sarah Barber. She is the soldier that is home on leave from the unit that we are collecting all of the non-perishable food for. She explained what it is she does, where she is at, and what her unit does in the service. The children really enjoyed learning about what it means to be an active member of the United States Military. Ask your child what he/she enjoyed the most about Sarah’s visit.

Reward Afternoon:

Today the children who have had “A” behavior in the first marking period received a “Reward Afternoon”. We spent the last hour of our day in the cafeteria playing games and having ice cream sundaes! Children who have flipped 4 yellow cards or less (90% or more days on green from Sept. 6-Nov. 4) were able to participate. It was a great time for those that have been continuously doing well in the classroom. Keep up the great work!

 

If your child was not able to attend this time, there will be another “Reward Afternoon” at the end of the 2^nd Marking Period.

A Note from Mrs. Kelley:

Speed Stack order forms went home with your child this week. Ordering began Monday, November 7^th and ends on Wednesday, November 30^th. Parents can order online or by turning in their order form with a check anytime on or before the 30^th. 

 

(NOTE: If you would like to order Speed Stacks as a Christmas gift please let me know and I will pass that information on to Mrs. Kelley so that your child does not take the order home themselves.)

Report Cards & Parent/Teacher Conferences

Parents,

Your child's report card has come home with them today. Please take some time to review it so that you can have any questions that you may have answered at conferences tomorrow. I look forward to seeing all of you tomorrow!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Freeland

Change in P.E. Schedule Week of Oct. 31-Nov. 4

Parents,

Due to the Halloween Party and the In-Service day we have missed both of our P.E. times. We will be having P.E. on Wednesday, November 2nd instead. Please send your child to school with sneakers that day. Thank you!

~Mrs. Freeland