Veteran's Day Post

Happy Veterans Day weekend families.  Reminder school is closed tomorrow (Monday, November 12th) in observance of this holiday.  That means a short and busy 4 day week ahead.  Here's the scoop on what's coming up...

Math:  We did not get quite as far as I wanted in math last week as 3 addend addition took a couple of days longer to teach to a level of understanding that I was happy with took a little longer than I thought it would.  My guess is making a ten when one addend is 9 might take a little extra as well, which we will dedicate this week to.  That means that is 7ish days on these 4 lessons, with an assessment this Friday.  This is fine with me, these are concepts that I rather spend extra time developing an understanding of rather than moving on quickly.  So, we will still be concentrating on the concepts described in last weeks blog.

ELA:  We did not have a chance to read enemy pie last week because I choose to read "Americas White Table" to teach the students about Veterans Day.  We learned what is means to be a veteran and a soldier.  The children are making Veteran Day lap books, which we will complete during the beginning of the week.  Then we will move onto "Enemy Pie."  We will also be reading stories from our Nat Geo curriculum over the next couple of weeks, having to do with animals and life cycles.  

Science:  We continue with our exploration of the human body.  We will be adding inflatable lungs to our body bags, as well as stomachs and intestines.  We will also learn the functions of these organs.  

Social Studies:  Our students continue to learn about the first Thanksgiving with Mrs. Ogg and our friends from the Magic Treehouse series, Jack and Annie.

Here Comes the Bus:  Many of you have asked about, or at least have heard from your kids about bus tags.  What are they and what are they for?  The tags will be going home on Tuesday, attached to your child's backpack.  This is where they must stay if they are a bus rider or if you ever wish to track them when they take a bus on a field trip.  Here comes the bus is an app you can download and create an account.  This app will allow you to monitor your student getting on and off the bus (they will scan their card for this) and track the bus while in transit.  You will need the 5 digit school code (83662) and your child's 16 digit identification number, which is located on the back of their bus card.  Also on the card was their first and last name, but I have taken a sharpie and blacked out this part of the card, which I was told was allowed.  To me this is a safety issue and nobody needs to see any type of name identification on the outside of your child's backpack. This is one of the reasons they do not yet have their cards.  The use of this app is optional, but I will be placing the cards on their backpacks even if they are not bus riders (again - for field trips if you want to monitor those excursions).  Please do not remove them from their backpacks if they are a bus rider, as the district will be able to use this system to track busers as well.  You may visit this link for more information as well...  https://herecomesthebus.com/getting-started/.  Our two newset students were not sent cards from the district, Erin has been notified and she has ordered them.  As soon as she gets them they will have them as well. On a side note, the kids are really excited about having these cards.  They feel very grown up, and some are convinced they now have access into the building 😂.  Although it is very funny they might need a reminder that these cards are not a toy and they should not remove them and play with them either.

Picture Retake Day:  Thursday is picture retake day.  If you missed picture day or were not satisfied with your child's pictures Thursday is your opportunity for a redo!  The good news is these pictures are taken in the morning (as opposed to after lunch recess like last time) so any and all hair do's should last and children should remain clean.  

Thanksgiving Break:  Wow, already?  Wednesday, November 21st - Friday, November 23rd school will be closed for Thanksgiving break.

Save the Dates:  

• November 21st-23rd - School Closed - Thanksgiving
• December 5th (Wednesday) - PTO in library - all are welcomed to join!  Free childcare is available.
• December 13th (Thursday) - Special Early Release @12:25
• December 7th (Friday) Kwanzaa feast - details to come soon
• December 14th (Friday) Christmas Craft Morning - details to come soon
• December 21st (Friday) Hanukkah Celebration - details to come soon

Happy Veterans day and a huge thank you to all who have served and to their families!  Freedom is not free and your service and dedication to our country is appreciated!  See everyone back on Tuesday.💙-Ms. Shaw