NIGHTLY READING:

Just a reminder to practice the book in your child's folder every night until it can be read fluently and at a quick pace.  Remind your child to pause at commas and stop at periods.  Also, work on  reading with excitement when there is an exclamation point.  Thanks!

SPRING BREAK:

March 20th and 21st, a Thursday and Friday, is our spring break.  We will now be in school on the 24th and 25th to make-up missed days for snow.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR:
The book fair will be set up in the elementary computer lab the afternoon of parent/teacher conferences.

BERNIE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S PRESCHOOL/KINDERGARTEN SCREENING:

If you have or know someone who has a child that will be ages 3,4,or 5 by July 31st and live in the Bernie School District, Please call 573-293-5335 Ext. 229 for a screening appointment. Screening dates:
4 year olds: Monday, March 24th
5 year olds: Tuesday, March 25th
3 year olds: Wednesday, March 26th

St. PATRICK'S DAY:

Monday, March 17th, is St. Patrick's Day.  Remember to have your child wear green! :)

SPRING CLASS PICTURES:
Swaffords will be taking our class picture on Tuesday, March 11th. 

SPRING CLASS PICTURES:
Swaffords will be rescheduling class picture day, which was originally scheduled for March 4th. 

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES:

Conferences are March 18th, after school.  Please make a point to schedule a time slot with me so that we may discuss your child's progress and ensure s/he is ready for first grade.  

CLASS PICTURES:
Swaffords will be here to take class pictures on March 4th.  Please dress your child accordingly.  You should have received an order form in your child's blue folder.  If you did not, you may send an envelope with $5.00 and your child's name and you will receive a class picture.

LIBRARY:

Library is every Thursday.  Please place your child’s library book in his/her backpack Wednesday night so your child can exchange his/her old book and get a new one on Thursday.  However, please do not store it in your child’s blue folder, because the thickness of the book usually ends up tearing the pockets.   Thank you for your help.  

PRESIDENT'S DAY:

School is in session on Monday, February 17th, for a make-up snow day. 

VALENTINE'S DAY:

Our class party is Friday, February 14th.  If you signed up to send snacks, you received a reminder note on Friday the 31st.  Also, you recently received a class list to help when filling out your Valentine's cards.  If the list did not make it home or it has been misplaced, I can send home another copy.  Individual bags will be made here at school for your child to place his/her cards in; however, if you have purchased or made a special box, feel free to send it to school anytime.    

100th Day of School:

On Wednesday we celebrated our 100^th day of school.  It was an exciting day, and the kids were all smiles as they completed each activity!  

Here are some of our activities…

1. Made the number 100 out of Oreos and Icing

2. Dotted the gumball numbers 1-100

3.  Designed 100 pieces cereal in a cereal bowl

4. Found 100 pieces of candy/toys hidden in the classroom 

5.  Stayed still and silent for 100 seconds

6.  Ran a race for 100 seconds

7.  Hopped for 100 seconds

8.  Counted to 100 and wrote to 100

9.  Wrote “If I had $100…”

10. Received 100 Day pencils, stickers, and tattoos

11.  Read 100 Day books

12.  Watched 101 Dalmatians (on the 101 day of school)

Ask your child what his/her favorite activity was.  I am sure s/he will have plenty of things to tell you!  If you have time, have your child journal about the day's events.  First, have your child draw a picture of the activity and then have him/her write about the picture.  Encourage your child to use sight words they are familiar with to form sentences.  Good Luck!       

SECRET WORD:
The new secret word is "they."  Have your child use "they" in a sentence, write the sentence on a piece of paper, and bring it to class. 

MAKEUP SNOW DAY:

School will be in session on Monday, January 20th, to make-up for the last snow day.  

COINS:

Below are coin poems that will help your child with remembering their values.  Ask your child to teach them to you (we have been reciting them all year long), then practice the poems whenever you are using coins. 

Penny, penny, easily spent

Copper brown and worth one cent.

Nickel, nickel, thick and fat

You're worth five cents, I know that.

Dime, dime, little and thin

I remember you're worth ten.

Quarter, quarter, big and bold

You're worth 25, I am told. 

100^th Day Celebration/Valentine’s Day:

We are in need of Cheerios (fruity or original), packages of Oreos, and Valentine’s Day Candy Conversation Hearts.  If you would like to donate, we need it by Friday, January 24^th.  Thank you for your help!

Supplies Needed

·      Oreos

·      Cheerios (fruity or original)

·      Valentine’s Day Candy Conversation Hearts

REPORT CARDS:

Your child is bringing home his/her 2^nd quarter report card on Thursday, January 9th.  These are marked with an S, I, or N (satisfactory, improving, or needs improvement).  Please practice any skill marked with I or N.  These skills must be mastered as soon as possible for your child to move forward in our other kindergarten skills.  If the first and second quarter skills are not mastered at an S--satisfactory level, your child will fall behind and risk being retained in kindergarten. 

Additionally, the 3^rd quarter report card has been attached to the back and is there for you to see what we will be working on in class between January and March.  This is also a good opportunity to work with your child on these upcoming skills. 

SECRET WORD: 
The secret word is "VERB."  We have been learning that verbs show action--"A verb is a word, it's an action word." Have your child write the word "VERB" and draw a picture of someone doing a verb (running, walking, dancing, throwing, etc).  Place the verb picture in your child's blue folder and s/he will receive a treat.  Also, check out the verb video posted on the top, right hand side of the blog.  It is one of their favorites!!!  

SCHOLASTIC BOOK ORDER
The January book order is due next Friday, January 10th.  I will send home the catalogs with your child on Monday or you can order online.  Here is how it works...

1. SIGN UP at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. On the parent page, click the "Don't have a User Name and Password?" link, then register for your own username and password. When prompted, enter the one-time Class Activation: GQVPR. This code ensures that your order is sent to me.  Or LOGIN at the link above with the username and password you previously created.
2. SELECT the books you would like to order from over 500 titles available online...and take advantage of online-only specials and discounts.
3. SUBMIT your order to me online by the due date. Your credit card payment will go directly to Scholastic’s secure server, and the books you ordered will be delivered directly to our classroom for your child to take home.

THINGS TO PRACTICE:

·  Counting and writing to 100
   (or above if your child has already reached 100)

· Identifying and knowing the value of a penny, nickel, dime, and quarter

  

· Sounding out/blending three and four letter words
    (i.e. cat, pig, Pam, hug, frog)

· Writing simple sentences by sounding out each word

· Practicing sight words until all have been mastered                                           

    (I am the little have is we my like he for me with she look see...)

SOME OF OUR AWESOME CHRISTMAS GIFTS FROM OUR FAMILIES...

Craft Supplies: Colored Foam, Poms, Pipe Cleaners, Markers, Glue, Crayons, Popsicle Sticks,Play Dough...
Toys: Stuffed Animals, Four Wheeler, Legos...
Class Prizes: Interchangeable crayons shaped like bears, stencils, bracelets...

Class Supplies: Ziplock Bags, Expo Markers...
Lots and Lots of Snacks!

Ornaments for our class tree
And so much more! I unpacked it all before Christmas break and now I can not remember each and every item.  However, we received so much! We are blessed! 
THANK YOU!

CHRISTMAS BREAK:
There will be no school December 23rd-January 1st.  We will be in school for a half day (dismiss at 12:30) on Friday, December 20th, and will return to school Thursday, January 2nd, due to make-up snow days.  Enjoy your time together!

POLAR EXPRESS DAY: 

Friday will be Polar Express Day for the entire elementary school.  We will be reading the book, watching the movie, and enjoying some delicious hot cocoa.  Since the boys and girls in The Polar Express wear their pajamas, we will too!  Please send your child in his/her pajamas on Friday, December 20^th.    

BERNIE THE ELF!
Bernie came to visit our classroom on Tuesday and he was one mischievous little elf!