Week of February 4th

Dear Parents,         

The penguin projects have been absolutely wonderful and informative!!  I hope that you will have an opportunity to come by the hall outside our classroom and view the variety of ideas, reports, stories, game boards, and many others creative ideas for presenting a "Penguin Project".

Conference week is over and we can get back to a normal schedule.....thank goodness.  Thanks to each of you that came in during your scheduled conference time.  I sincerely hope you were informed about your child's progress as of mid year in 1st grade.  Always know that I have an open door to discuss any concerns or problems that you may have. 

I sent home on Friday a written newsletter that covers our new February Literacy Centers and other reminders and information that you will need to know for the month of February.  Please read over it carefully as there are some important dates coming up.  On Wednesday of last week, Stephanie Daniels, Shari Eggart and Carol English came in for parent centers and I must say that they outdid themselves!!!  They presented three wonderful centers for your children---we made ice cream in small baggies using ice and rock salt to lower the temperature for a "quick freeze";  we put 8 winter words in ABC order alphabetizing to the second letter on some of them; and finally, we made penguins using geometric shapes such as cylinders, cones, spheres and other flat shapes as pentagons, ovals, circles, and diamonds to add features to our penguins.  They have been in the hall for a few days to dry and we have received many great compliments on the "adorable penguins" made with shapes!!!!   Job well done, ladies!!!!!

Scholastic Book Orders are due ASAP.....remember that this is optional.  Shari would like to send them off this week.  Thank you!!!  A reminder to be keeping your 6 Hours Six Flags Reading points on the form I sent home in December, I believe.  These forms will be due to me by February 20th.  Fingerprinting has been changed to February 11 - 12.  Also, please make sure you mark your calendar for February 19th and 20th as student holidays---President's Day and Professional Learning Day for teachers.  The Garrison Mill Talent Show will be on Friday, February 29th in the school cafetaria.....not sure of the time so I will let you know once I confirm it.

February will be a busy month with Valentine's celebration, groundhog day information, study of Washington and Lincoln, dental health month, and Black History month.  I mentioned on this week's homework sheet about each child making a Valentine's box at home (shoebox decorated in reds, whites, pinks, hearts, etc.) with their names on it and a slot cut in the top for Valentine's card to be delivered to each child.  These should be sent in by Tuesday, February 12th.....thank you for your help at home. I will be sending home this week a class list of names for making out Valentine's cards.   

Please read carefully the Newletter I sent home on Friday.....many, many important dates for this busy month of February, so, please mark your calendars accordingly.....thanks.

Have a great week.....     Sincerely,   Peggy Snook