Happy Holidays!

Hello RM 23 parents! Our last week of school for 2008 is already here and the excitement is in the air with your children. We have a busy, but fun week ahead of us. The beginning of the week will be pretty routine. Regular homework packets will go out tomorrow, math will be given, and Lit Circles will meet on Thursday. Most groups will be assigned chapter books to read over the holiday vacation. Remember, students can count these books on their reading log.

After school program ends on Tuesday and Wednesday is NOT a restructured day. On Thursday from 12:20-1:15 we'll have our class party consisting of 4 different center activities. Then on Friday, we're off to the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for a field trip.

I have really enjoyed your children this year and am sad to take a leave come February when my baby arrives. THANK YOU to all that help me in the classroom in one way or another. Without your help, I would be elbow deep in things to do. If I don't see you before Friday, have a wonderful, relaxing vacation!

So much to do, so little time...

The kids were back to school this week energized and ready to learn. Some extra days off really does a body good! This past week was work as usual, but with only 2 weeks to go until Winter Break, we have a lot to do. Due to our field trip to the Museum of Natural History on Friday, December 19, our class will be having a holiday party on Thursday the 18th. Mrs. Gaeckle and Mrs. Spinelli are already on board and planning on a few center activities. There will be no food involved this time, just a few art activities. If you would like to volunteer to run a center or help set up, please let us know. Have a nice weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving coming up, I'm sure we are all anxious to get some time off to enjoy with our families. The next 2 days should be fairly low key as some kids will be out due to early departure of vacation. There will be no spelling packet this week, only math homework (Monday) and Lit circles from last Thursday. The November reading logs are due on Tuesday, but your child can turn it in when we return to school on Monday, December 1.

Tomorrow, students will say farewell to Jenni, the Spectra Arts teacher. They have enjoyed ceramics with her and will bring home some of their finished pieces. She will be on campus the rest of the year, but working with other classes.

We have a field trip scheduled to the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History in Seabright scheduled for Friday, December 19. I will send home permission slips after the break.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and safe travels where ever you may go!

Is it summer again?

Hello parents! I hope you're all enjoying this lovely Fall weekend. It's a great way to end the short week. This time of year always seems to fly by with all of the upcoming holidays and time off from school. If you have planned a trip during Thanksgiving week, please send a note to let me know. The district changed the calendar after many families anticipated the week off. It's only 2 days, so your child won't miss too much.

Things should be back to normal beginning Monday. We'll have a full week with spelling packets due on Friday and nightly math. We dove into multiplication the past 2 weeks, so I will be giving weekly multiplication tests to monitor student progress. Please work with your child at home on the facts if you see that they are struggling. Also, I have noticed that some students are still forgetting to write their names on the homework. If you can take some time to check homework frequently, this would be helpful.

Thanks to those of you who were able to chaperone on the past 2 field trips. We have one more coming up to the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. This trip is scheduled for Friday, December 19 (the last day before winter break). Permission slips will be sent home soon, so mark your calendars if you'd like to attend.

That's all the news for now. Have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Halloween!

A big thanks to Jen and Kelly for organizing the Halloween party. It was a huge success! Also, thank you to all the parents who were able to donate items for the party and their time setting up. I hope your children had a fun time trick or treating in the rain last night. I'm sure your sifting through all the candy this weekend and trying to have some down time. Just think, 365 more days until next Halloween! Please limit the candy in your child's lunch this week.

This Thursday, we'll be going on our field trip to Nisene Marks. If you haven't turned in the permission slip, do so ASAP. Children will not be allowed to go if their permission slip is not on file with me. We will leave school at 9:15 and return at approximately 11:30 (lunch time). Students will be eating lunch back at school because we have rotations beginning at 12:20, and I need some time to get settled. I recommend packing a hearty snack to eat in the car before the hike. Last year it was a bit tiring, so it's good to fuel up before we go. There will be no food allowed on the trail. If any one is able to bring a few extra snacks, that would be great.

Also, Lit Circle groups will not meet on Thursday. The assignment is still due, so I will collect it and hand out their new job and book. I may have the groups check in on Friday to discuss their books.

Don't forget to turn your clocks back this weekend. I'm looking forward to the extra hour. How about you!?

Field Trip Correction

Hello again. The date of the field trip is THURSDAY, November 6. I had the date right, but wrote down the wrong day. Sorry about that!

Field Trip Coming Up

Hello! Hope you are enjoying the calming weekend before Halloween comes. The energy levels will be high this week, so please remind your children that they we will be working hard until Thursday. Then we can celebrate this fun tradition. Thank you to Kelly and Jen for organizing the party.

I wanted to give you a heads up about an upcoming field trip on Friday, November 6. Our class will be going for a hike in Nisene Marks. We will have a docent taking us along a trail teaching about Aptos History. I believe the hike is from 9:30-11:30. So, we'll need parent drivers from 9:00 until 12:00. If you are interested in coming along, be sure to sign the parent driver form. I will send home permission slips this week.(Sorry for the late notice)

Have a great week!