November+19

NOVEMBER 19
=IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES: =

=
This will be our last newsletter until after Thanksgiving. Enjoy the holiday and the break from school! =====

//__Wed., Nov. 24-Fri., Nov. 26__...__NO SCHOOL!__ Happy Thanksgiving! //

__Wed.,Dec. 1__...__Deadline for The Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive!__ A red letter was sent home with all elementary students. For every pair of NEW pajamas that we donate, Scholastic will donate a book. Books and pj's will go to needy children in the central Iowa area. Our elementary goal is to bring in 100 pairs of pajamas by Wed., Dec. 1! We'll then earn a pajama day at school to celebrate our spirit of giving!

A BIG THANKS to Jon and Michele Beschen! They brought their production crew on Friday afternoon to give us a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to produce a television show! Michele also taught us about the importance of BEING CREATIVE! It was a very fun and educational afternoon!

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

__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.

===//Thank you to Mrs. Abrahamson for volunteering to sew our flag! THANK YOU!// ===

__Science:__
== We studied the habitat of the rainforest this week. After doing a project on the layers of the rainforest, students spent a day in the Mac Lab researching a rainforest animal of their choosing, and then created a report and illustration. Watch for their work to come home on Monday or Tuesday with a scoring rubric attached. ==

__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.//** ==== ==== **//The students are starting to practice keyboarding skills in computer class. You may access this link so your child can practice keyboarding at home!!//** __[] __ ====

__Mrs. Volk:__
Your child may be bringing home a skills packet or two early next week. They may need your help with this. There is not a due date on this packet. I simply wanted to send home some practice skills that may go along with the goals they set after viewing their MAP scores. Please feel free to work on the packet during times that are convenient for your family. Also, your child is able to access Skills Iowa from home. This program will also help them with reading, vocabulary, math, and language arts. Please see a few paragraphs down for further information on the Skills Iowa Program.

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, and an age appropriate game that addresses vocabulary words/skills. Thank you to those of you that have already donated! We appreciate it! Thank you to Greta and her family for donating colored paper, colored card stock, sidewalk chalk, air fresheners, and Lysol wipes. We very much appreciate it! Thank you to Audrey and her family for donating colored card stock and silverware! We were excited to receive them!

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.

__Mrs. Skahill/Miss Stephens:__
**A new book order will be coming home the Monday after Thanksgiving. This is a "biggie", and will be the final chance to order before Christmas. The ordering deadline is __Fri., Dec. 3__. You may send money to school or order online...the online code will be sent home with the flyers. If you want to do some Christmas shopping, let us know and we'll get your order to you secretly!**

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: 1.4em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">**<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. ====