Newsletter May 1 - May 5

I am late, late with this blog newsletter.  We had such a nice time on our field trip to the St. George Children's Museum.  Thanks to those who volunteered and rode down with us to help chaperone the group.  The weather was beautiful and I think it was a memorable day in first grade.

Here are this week's happenings and announcements:

• Tomorrow is the last day to hand in PTA reading bookmarks for certificates and awards.  Thanks to those that supported this program to read.  We have several "gold eagle" award winners from our classroom.  Yay! to Logan, Khloe, and Owen!  I hope that we have a couple more after May 5.
• We won the first box tops ice cream party.  Wouldn't it be fun to win again?!  If you have any box tops please turn those in by Friday, May 12 to be eligible for the party.
• I sent home Scholastic book orders last week.  I will extend that due date for orders until tomorrow, Friday, May 5 (Cinco de Mayo).  This would be nice time to get a few books for summer reading.
• Today was our last day to check out books from our library.  Every year it takes a while to get books all returned so I decided to give us an extra week to help collect all of our books.  Please, please go on a library book hunt tonight and help us get 100% of our books returned this year.  Every year our library loses many books and those do not get replaced unless they are paid for by the borrower.  All those who return their books by May 18 will receive a free book.  I will start sending home reminders as well as the librarian will send home a replacement cost if your child can't find their book(s).  We will still have our library time for the next couple of Thursdays but not check out books.  Mrs. Clark always chooses such entertaining books to share with my class.
• Spelling words were sent home yesterday and the test with be next Tuesday, May 9.  We will have the test in the morning and then swimming in the afternoon.
• May 19 is the last day for our 100-book challenge.  Those that joined the "100 book club" will have pizza for lunch the following Monday, May 22 in my classroom.  Caim was our latest to reach the 100 book milestone--he will join Deni, Jay, Khloe, Mary, Logan, Owen, and Tenley (so far) for pizza. 
• Also on May 19 it's our "Field Day".  For first grade field day, we will walk up to the canyon park (where we had our Easter egg hunt) and then walk the trail and play on the playground before heading back to the school.  Before we go to the park, we will have a sidewalk chalk activity outside on the blacktop and afterwards a water balloon toss.  I will need volunteers to help send in filled up water balloons in order for that activity to work.  Let me know if you would be willing to help us out by sending in water balloons (filled).  I would love sidewalk chalk donations also :)  On field day, the lunchroom does a BBQ for lunch.  The kids get their lunch (BBQ hamburger or hot dog) and then eat it outside.  If your child normally brings a home lunch they may want to join us and have school lunch that day.  Of course, if your child brings a home lunch they will still join us and eat outside with us. 
• On May 22, we will be walking over to the Cedar City Library for a little tour and explanation about their summer reading program.  We will then play at the park adjacent to the library.  We will leave here around 9:40 and return before lunch.  I would love a helper to walk over to the library and back with us.  If you could walk with us please contact me.
• I noticed that Mr. Moyle sent a link about our school calendar.  Please consider filling the survey out and giving your opinion about our current calendar.  If we don't speak up then changes don't happen.
• We took our DIBELS test yesterday.  I will send out those results and recommendations for remediation and work over the summer when our reading specialist prints them out.  For the most part, I am pleased with the progress my class has made this year in reading.  That's one of the best things about teaching first grade.  These kids come in reading a few words, but leave reading, and reading and reading!  It's amazing!
• Last thing.... our swimming field trip is next Tuesday, May 9.  I have three parents that have volunteered to come and help with that.  The more the merrier where swimming is concerned.  If you would like help out that day please contact me by e-mail.  We will leave here about 12:45 and return by 3:00.  I will send home a note tomorrow reminding you about the field trip and what to bring etc. 
• OK I lied :)  this really is the last thing.  Take-home library (book in a bag) books will continue through next Friday, May 12.  Just like the "regular" library we will be asking for those books to be returned or to pay the $5.00 replacement fee.  I sent home (on bright orange paper) last week notices to those whose take-home library books haven't been returned for some time.  Please help us keep that library stocked with books by returning them by May 12. 

Happy Reading!