What a difference just two weeks can make! Since our return from Spring vacation, we have been going outside for BOTH recesses in just light coats and long sleeves, and mud boots. The mud boots were necessary last week, as the field was still quite muddy from the melting snow. However, most of the mud is gone, and the weather is starting to warm up, so hats, snow pants, and any winter gear is a thing of the past. For the next few weeks, dressing in layers might be a really good idea, so the kids can take off layers as the day heats up. As the days get warmer, you want to be sure to send in water for your child to drink. Our room is very dry, and I find that I need to drink several more glasses of water each day that I am at school than I do during the weekend when I am at home. I find that I need to use lip moisturizer throughout the whole school year, too. I noticed this past week that a few of the children have been complaining about chapped lips.
There are a lot of things happening during the month of May that I need to tell you about, so I will try to do so in a chronological order:
First, we have parent-teacher conferences tomorrow and Thursday of this week! At our conference, I will let you know how your child is progressing toward mastering those first grade standards indicated on his or her report card, and in what areas he or she still needs to work before the end of this school year in order to be ready for second grade in the fall. We can talk about next year, too, but only in the most general terms because right now we are not sure how many second grade classrooms there will be, or who the teachers in them will be. (Mr. Brown says we will have these details before "Step Up"Day, which is scheduled to happen during the last week of school.) Once we have the necessary details, the first grade teachers will meet to divide the "future" second grade students into the best balanced classrooms we can construct. One way you can help is to come to our parent-teacher conference ready to let me know if there are any peers from whom your child should be separated--whether it is because they don't get along, or because they get along "too well". I might be unaware of such "social difficulties", especially if all children concerned are not in my classroom.
We will have a cardiologist visiting the first grade Tuesday morning to share information about the Circulatory System with us. He is the parent of one of the first graders in Mrs. Meader's room, and has kindly agreed to come talk to the children. The presentation will take place tomorrow morning at 8:15, and will last about a half an hour.
There is a PTA meeting this Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Final arrangements for the May Fair will be discussed, and elections of officers for next year will take place. Please attend, if you are interested.
On Friday morning, from 8:30 - 9:30, the first graders will go up to second grade to check out the US Monuments project those students have been working on for a while now. This opportunity, while providing an audience for the second graders, also offers the first graders a chance to meet the second grade teachers, and to see some of what they will need to be ready to do as second graders themselves next year.
The next piece of news I have to share with you concerns the May Fair taking place at Crescent Park this coming Saturday. I received the following as an email that I was asked to share with you:
"The CPS PTA would like to remind families that the May Fair will be held at CPS on Saturday, May 9 from 9-1. There will be many activities, including games, crafts, a cake walk, a May pole, and new this year, a Bike Rodeo! Hanging flower baskets will also be available for pick-up at the May Fair. We are still looking for donations for the auction, which will include services such as cleaning, raking, hair cutting, baking, etc. Volunteers for the May Fair are also needed. Please send in a note to the PTA if you can donate or volunteer. Thank you!"
I will be at the May Fair, at least before and when it opens on Saturday. I hope your family will be able to join us for some fun! Your child is encouraged to bring his or her bike to school, and participate in the Bike Rodeo, as well as all of the other activities that will be there for them. I'm told that there will be bikes available to "borrow", if your child would like to participate in the rodeo but does not have a bike of his or her own.
Another piece of news is that our final round of NWEA computerized testing is right around the corner! Our tests will happen on May 12th right after lunch recess (Math), and then again on Thursday morning, May 21st (Reading). I have been working hard to get your child ready for these exams, but I need your help, too. It is important that, on the days of the tests, your child have a good breakfast and be well-rested. I really need each child to try to do the items on the test thoughtfully and carefully, since many decisions about his or her academic groupings next year will be made using data gleaned from these tests. PLEASE, IMPRESS UPON YOUR CHILD THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING HIS OR HER TIME AND REALLY THINKING BEFORE ANSWERING EACH TEST ITEM. Thank you for talking to your child about the importance of his or her best effort on these tests.
On May 19th, the first grade classes will be taking a bus to the Lewiston Public Theatre to see Slim Goodbody in his amazing "Bodyology" show. Permission slips for this event are coming home today. The price of admission per person is $5.00. Please sign the permission slip and return it, along with the $5.00, as soon as possible. We leave Crescent Park at 8:00 that morning, and return before the close of the normal school day. Since we will not be at school for lunch time, each child is being asked to bring a "bag" lunch, at least one drink, and a snack with them that morning. Also on that day, in the evening, the annual Parent Night for incoming Kindergarteners will take place. Kindergarten screening will take place at CPS on May 20th and 21st.
I will not be at CPS during the week of May 23rd through May 30th. My daughter graduates from college on May 16th! She requested that our graduation present to her be the opportunity to take one more family trip with us before she starts her professional career, so we will be in London from the 23rd to the 30th. Sandy Cole will be my "sub" for the week. The "Minion Party"that the children have earned from Mrs. G (for cooperation and "good behavior" in Phys. Ed class) will take place on that Thursday, May 28th from 10:20 - 1:30. Mrs. G is still looking for assistance to "pull this event off". Finally, on the afternoon of the 29th, the children will attend a presentation for the first grade by Bethel Rescue. They will learn about some of the equipment a rescue worker might use in their job, and will also get to "check out" the ambulances.
The Title 1 night for parents of children receiving Title 1 services will take place on May 26th. at 6 pm.
Tuesday, June 9th, is a "Teacher Workshop" day. As such, there will be no school for students on that day.
"Step Up" Day is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, June 17th from 8:30 - 10:30. Your child will return to my classroom at 10:30, and will be there the rest of the day. Typically, a document comes home from school on that Monday letting you know the classroom into which your child will "step up".
There has been talk of a "field day" event taking place either the day before or the day after "Step Up" Day. Plans for this event are still "sketchy" right now. Finally, the last day of school is Friday, June 19th, and is a half day of school. Children will have lunch at 10:30, and will be dismissed at 11:30 on that day.
See! I told you there was a lot to share with you this week! Before this newsletter ends, let me wish you all a terrific Mother's Day this coming Sunday! I hope the day is a beautiful one for you!
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