News From Our Classroom

          Hello!  How did Christmas shopping go this past weekend?  Did many of you make it to the CPS "Breakfast with Santa"?  The children had LOTS of questions about just who that Santa was, but I assured them that the "real" Santa was busy getting Christmas deliveries ready, so it was one of his MANY helpers that we see this time of year.  The children lose that precious innocence TOO
soon. . .
          The trimester ended last Friday, and we are now beginning Trimester 2.  The assessments are over for the moment, and report cards will be coming home to you on December 19, letting you know how your child is doing so far this year.  This report card will be yours TO KEEP, but I would like you to sign the envelope and return it to school when your child returns from Christmas Break.  By signing the envelope, you are recording that you received a copy of your child's report card.  Your returning it each trimester means that we can reuse it for the next report card you will receive from us.   Since I reviewed the NWEA scores from the fall with you when we met at conferences and gave you a copy of those test results at that meeting, I will not be including them with this report unless we did not meet.  Your child will take his or her next NWEA assessment after the Break, during the month of January.  Of course, their results will also be shared with you.
          Our classroom Christmas tree will be up and decorated on Wednesday morning when your child arrives at school, so "Secret Santa" gifts can arrive any time after that.  Please remember to tape YOUR CHILD'S name to the gift BEFORE wrapping it, and his "Secret Santa's" name on the outside of the wrapping paper.  If your child bring the gift in inside a plastic bag and puts it on my morning table, I will place it under the tree, and no one will know it is from him or her.  Our Christmas party is scheduled for the afternoon of December 18th, from 12:15 to 1:30.  The Farnums were kind enough to purchase all of our paper products for this event.  Thank you very much!  If you are interested in contributing a food or drink item to the festivities, please let me know.  That way I can have a sense of what is coming in, and what I still need to make or buy.  Thank you.  We will exchange gifts as part of the Christmas party.  Backpacks will be heavy that afternoon!  I did want to let you know that Friday, December 19th is a full day of school.  We have often had a half day of school before vacation, but we are getting out so much earlier than usual that Friday will be a full day.  Should there be a cancellation of school on Thursday, December 18th due to weather, the party will take place Friday, December 19th in the afternoon.
          That's all for tonight.  Good luck with your holiday shopping!  I'll write again next week.