November+12

=NOVEMBER 12=

=** IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES: ** =

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__//Sat., Nov. 13...Drug Drop-off. Protect our children and our environment! //__===== Mound Park, Hatton Ave., Dallas Center...10:00 a.m.-noon ADM High School parking lot, Adel...1:00-3:00 p.m. //Drop off: expired prescriptions (pills and liquids), unused prescriptions, over-the-counter meds, vitamins/supplements, pet medications. **Controlled substances WILL be accepted.** NO needles, thermometers, or illegal substances. // Call Amanda at 471-2316 for more information. Sponsored in part by Dallas Co. for Positive Choices and Dallas Co. Sheriff's Office.

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//__Tues., Nov 16...2nd and 3rd grade fall concert; 7:00 p.m__. //=====

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Dress in nice clothes. Report at 6:45...Mrs. Volk's class to art room, Mrs. Skahill's and Mrs. Schenck's classes to elem. library. You may pick your child up at those same rooms after the program. ===== //Van Meter Pre-K fundraiser dinner in school cafeteria prior to program, 5:30-7:00 p.m. //

// __Wed., Nov. 24-Fri., Nov. 26...No school! __ // Happy Thanksgiving!

= Thank you to Mrs. Junker for coming in to talk to our students about nursing. = = We so appreciate her time and expertise! =

//We have guest speakers, or other activities, scheduled up until Christmas vacation! // //Please consider joining us on a Friday in January or February! //

Thank you for your attendance at Parent-Teacher Conferences this week!

=__Math:__ =

We have started Chapter 1 in math. This chapter teaches place value, rounding, comparing/ordering numbers, and problem solving strategies.
=**__Social Studies:__ **=

We are currently studying rural, suburban, and urban communities. We will discuss how communities grow and change, and share what we know about customs, cultures, and National Holidays.

Please ask your child about our Veterans Day activities.

**//Thank you to Mrs. Abrahamson for volunteering to sew our flag! THANK YOU!//**
==<span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">**<span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">__Science:__ ** == ==== We began our "Habitats" unit this week with a study of the four kinds of forests (deciduous, tropical rainforest, coastal, and coniferous). We are going to spend some extra time on the very interesting rainforests before we move into a different type of habitat! ====

==<span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">**<span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">__Language Arts/Writing:__ ** ==

Encourage your child to bring home their author's notebook to share a few of their stories with you. Just remember to bring it back.
==<span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">**<span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">__MISC:__ ** == //**Want to help our students become life-long learners? Then become a model for life-long learning by sharing! The third grade teachers are looking for individuals to share their passions, talents, and/or careers with our students. We would love for you to volunteer to come in and share with our third graders. If you are interested, or know of someone who would be willing to share, even via skype, please contact your child's teacher.**//

Please remember to send birthday invitations through the mail if the entire class is not invited. Also, the school requests that presents, sleeping bags, etc. be taken directly to the birthday girl/boy's house instead of coming to school with the students. We want to avoid hurt feelings. Thank you for your cooperation.

**//The town bus and bus 3 (Ruth Erdman's bus) are full. These buses are not able to take many extra students home. Please be aware of this when requesting bus passes for extra students to come home with your child.//**

====<span style="font-size: 1.06em; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"> **//The students are starting to practice keyboarding skills in computer class. You may access this link so your child can practice keyboarding at home!!//** __<span style="background-clip: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; color: #810081; cursor: pointer; padding-right: 10px;">[] __ ====

==<span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">**<span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">__Mrs. Volk:__ ** ==

We are sending home a spelling list this week. It is located on the back of the take home spelling task. How and if you study the list is up to you and your child, but we thought some students may benefit from having access to the list and being able to practice and memorize the words.

Please visit my personal site to view our Best School Year Ever powerpoint. Thanks!

Christmas is around the corner! I know, I know we haven't even gotten through Thanksgiving yet, but I'm just following the lead of the retailers. :) I will be sending home two more book orders before Christmas. Books make great gifts so if you would like to order secretly let me know, and I will let you know when it comes in.

We have been using a computer program in school called Skills Iowa. This program allows students to work through specific skills in reading, math, language arts, and vocabulary at their own pace. Your child can access this program at home by typing in ac.corek12.com or by clicking on the SkillsTutor link on the Van Meter Elementary Voice and Tech site. The students have been given a personal username and password to use. Wish list: sidewalk chalk, hula hoops, other small prizes to use for our PBIS rewards, dusting clothes, colored cardstock, and an age appropriate game that addresses vocabulary words/skills. Thank you to those of you that have already donated! We appreciate it! Our class will be participating in the Scholastic reading program this year. Students are encouraged to read at least 10 books this year at their level. Once all the students in our room have met the 10 book goal, Scholastic will donate books to needy schools in all 50 states. Information about this program came home with your child recently. Please continue to encourage your child to read, read, read! Remember to also keep track of the minutes your child is reading and record them on our reading calendar. Reading calendars are due at the end of October. Please return your October reading calendar! Our student teacher started on October 19th. Her name is Miss McIntire. ===<span style="font-size: 1.4em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">**<span style="font-size: 1.4em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">__Mrs. Skahill/Miss Stephens:__ ** === **The November book order is due Wed., Nov. 17**. You may return the printed fliers or order online. There will then be one more book order before Christmas. If you'd like to order Christmas "surprises", this month or next, just let us know and we'll keep your secret and get the books to you!

On our wish list: <span style="font-size: 1.1em; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">//Ream(s) of colored copier paper; HP black ink cartridge #98 and/or color #95.//

=<span style="font-size: 1.3em; line-height: 32px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">__Mrs. Schenck:__ =

==== I will be sending home one more book order before Christmas. These will go out sometime in the next few weeks. If you would like to order some books as Christmas gifts, just leave a note when you turn in your order. I will make sure to call you instead of sending it home with your child. ====