Week of April 21st.....

Dear Parents,

It's our first week back from Spring Break and all of us have had to get back in the mindset of school.  We have only five (yes, 5!!!) more weeks of school with lots going on in those 25 days.  First of all, we start 1st Grade play practice on Monday with rotating times for each class to practice in the cafetaria.  Mrs. White and I start the week off on Monday with practice from 8:15 to 9:00 and then on Tuesday, all classes practice together from 9:00 to 10:15.  I hope all of you have taken the time to read Ms. Zarin's letter about desk code for the performance on Thursday, May 1st at the PTA meeting.  Also, she has requested that each child bring in a small (10" or smaller) puppy stuffed animal to be used with one of their songs.  I will keep them together in the room to be used at practice time only.

Then, of course, the remainder of the week will be stressful on all of us.....the CRCT testing on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.  Our time frame will have us finish each morning by 10:25 for specials.  On the homework sheet going home Monday, I am giving NO HOMEWORK this week so that you can help your child get the rest each one needs nightly and get a good breakfast each morning of tesing.  I am asking that you send in small bottles of water to be put on the floor beside their seats and for a hardly, healthy snack sent in daily.  This is a new situation for your children, so, they are going to be anxious about the unknown.  Please talk to your child about this testing and explain that the test is going to ask about things we have been doing in class.  It is their way to show us what all they have learned this year.  Please make sure your child is on time each of these days....if they are tardy, they will not be allowed in the classroom until there is a break in testing in our classroom.  They will be held in the Media Center during this time, if necessary, but I'd like everyone on time those three days.  That will make it less stressful on your child.  Walk Fit will be offered each testing day (7:20 -7:45) and this will be a good way for your child to get out and exercise for a few minutes before I ask them to sit for a long period of time.  I am expecting your child to do very well on the CRCT.  Please remind your child how important it is to listen and stay focused during testing.

With Spring upon us, I need to remind you about the dress code here at Garrison Mill:  No thin strapped or tank tops; no flip flops: and girls' skirts should be long enough that your child's fingertips touch the hem of the outfit. 

Dates to mark on your calendar:

**CRCT testing Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this next week.

**Thursday, May 1st - PTA Performance with our 1st graders.

**Saturday, May 3rd - Schoolwide Garage Sale

**Friday, May 9th - Career Day and Parents Volunteer Brunch at 8:30 am.

**Monday, May 12th - Author's Tea to celebrate your child's success in writing improvement this year.  This will be a 1/2 hour (possibly starting about 8:15 or 8:30) for you and your child to look through and read papers your child has done since August of last year.  You will be amazed to see the HUGE growth in their ability to tell stories and write about adventures they have taken!!!  If you are not able to attend, please try to get a grandparent or friend to come for your child.  It is a very special day for each child.

**Wednesday, May 14th - Field Day for K - 2.

**Friday, May 23rd - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

Curriculum News:

**Earth Day is Tuesday, April 22nd and we will be learning about how to RECYCLE, REDUCE, AND REUSE things in our environment to help our earth stay HEALTHY. 

**We will be studying Mexico towards the end of this month and into May to learn about the people, their language, and cultural differences between our two countries.

**We have already started our study of Nutrition and what that means.  We are working with the food groups from the NEW vertical Food Pyramid.

This coming week will be hectic, busy, and challenging for all of us.  Encourage your child to do his/her best, listen, and stay focused with me during the test.

Also, one last note of news---there are new photos up in the hall from about the first of March until before Spring Break.  Do stop by and see them....the children always enjoy having them up in the hall.

Have a great week!!!    Sincerely, Peggy Snook