December 14-18

Thank you for your support of our decision to buy Angels through Make-a-Wish this year instead of holding the more traditional grab bag present exchange. We received our Angels yesterday and Mrs. Ellsworth quickly hung them for all to see. You'll be able to read the stories of the four children helped by Make-a-Wish on the angels when we send them home. Again, thank you. This kind of giving has really made an impression on the kids. You've helped them see beyond themselves this season in order to help someone else. That's not an easy concept for 7 & 8 year olds! We'd like to thank Mrs. Cucinella for suggesting this idea and carrying it through!

Homework for this Week:

We'll only have math homework Monday through Wednesday and nothing from the packets all week. There's a math test on Thursday, so there won't be homework Thursday night. Friday night's homework will be one simple review sheet.

There won't be any homework of any kind next week.

Notes:

The Elementary Christmas Concert is Monday evening, Dec. 21, at 7:00. Our class will enter down the left hand aisle and will stand on the left side of the bleachers. You may want to arrive early to get the best seats. I will arrive and open the classroom door at 6:45. We'll be singing a beautiful song called "There will be Peace" and a jazzy little number called "Pinata!" (My apologies if the former has been driving you crazy at home!)

Our Mexican Fiesta on Tuesday, Dec. 22, will be scheduled around a visit from a fellow up north (I hesitate to say his name out loud!) and Mrs. Long with her 4 month old guide dog in training. We've enjoyed Mrs. Long's visits for several years now, but never with such a young puppy. We can't wait to meet the new trainee!

We'll spend much of Wednesday, Dec. 23 cleaning up the Christmas joy and preparing for the new year. The kids are welcome to bring something from home to play with during free play time that afternoon.

Finally, Mrs. Fordyce has been instrumental in forming a collection of winter boots, coats, mittens, etc. If your child needs winter clothing items, please just let me know and we'll "shop" in the nurse's office. If you need a place to send winter items your child has out grown, please consider donating them to our school collection. This is such a great way to reuse items and help kids in the process.

I hope you're enjoying this holiday season. It truly is a wonderful time of the year!

Merry Christmas!

Lanie Groff