Some Announcements

Absences and Tardies: This year we have had a TON of absences and tardies in our class.  They affect the day-to-day happenings in our class as well as your child's learning.  Group projects, experiments, activities, etc. are always affected when the entire class is not here here on time or at all.  I understand things come up, illnesses happen, etc.  But to give an example of the severity of this...

• There have only been 16 days this school year where all students were present after tardies. 
• There have only been 2 days this school year where all students were here and on time.  

A student is considered tardy if they come into the classroom after 8:30 to unpack.  Many parents pull up to the school at 8:30, but their child arrives at the classroom a few minutes later, resulting in a tardy.  I will be writing in each child's folder the number of tardies and absences this school year.  PLEASE try to have your child at school and on time the rest of the year (as much as possible). 

Terra Nova Testing: Terra Nova tests will be administered at the end of May.  They are a standardized test that will be given for 4 mornings.  In next week's newsletter I will have a Q & A of things to know before the test. =)

Willy Wonka: We had a wonderful time watching the school performance of Willy Wonka on Friday.  Miss Hinkelman did a wonderful job and the students were performed also did great!

Recycling Center: We will be going to the recycling center on Thursday.  We will be leaving after eating lunch at the school. 

EARTH DAY FUN: This week we are celebrating recycling and Earth Day.  This is always one of my favorite units to study, as recycling, reusing, etc. are a daily passion of mine.  Please note the following important things:

• Every child needs to bring 2 unwanted t-shirts to school by this Tuesday, April 23rd.  They can be child, adult, men's, women's, etc. shirts that are new, used, stained, etc.  We will be making bags!
• If you have any broken or unwanted crayons, please send them in.  We will be making new crayons in a toaster oven!  
• Some other useful materials are:
• colorful pages of newspaper
• cupcake liners (reusable to keep or paper)   
• fabric paint
• puzzle pieces (maybe one was missing?)  
• buttons
• Anything else that can be used to create based on recycled materials you have around the house! 

Recycling Project: Every student will be creating a recycling project at home to share with their class in celebration of Earth Day.  Projects are due this Friday, April 26th.  The goal of the project is for the students to create something out of recycled materials- tin cans, water bottles, milk jugs, etc.  However, there is a slight twist.  I do not want them to create a toy or sculpture that will sit in their room or somewhere in your house before being recycled (or thrown away).  I want them to create something USEFUL that they would've otherwise gone to the store to buy.  Some ideas are: **a birdhouse     **jewelry box     **stationary holder  **picture frame  
The sky is the limit concerning the project and students can create anything they can imagine.  However, you should notbe going to the store and buying materials for the recycling project, as it should be made from items that would've been recycled or thrown away.  This project should also be child-made with little to no help from parents!  Encourage your child to HAVE FUN and BE CREATIVE!!!