Mrs. Holt

       Mark your calendars!  The first grade tide pooling beach trip is scheduled for Friday, June 14^th.  If you have any influence on the weather, we would appreciate you making a request for a perfect New England beach day for the 14^th.   Please watch for the permission slip indicating if your child may attend and if you wish to be a chaperone.  All parents are invited to attend, if your CORI is current.   I hope that you can join us!

         Mark your calendar for a “don’t miss” event!  The first grade Expo is May 24^th at 9:15 am in the Cole café’.  It is always a memorable occasion.

         Later this month, we will continue expository writing by doing research on an organism of choice.  We will use sources in the library, classroom and the Internet.  Your child will become an expert on their self-selected organism. 

         As a culmination to our organism research, we would like you to join us for a brief Open House the morning of Friday May 24^th from 8:15 to 8:35.  You are welcome to drop in for a few minutes or for the duration.  It will only take a few minutes to admire the habitats and then you may carry the project home for your child.

      Last week, the students of room 212 completed the annual “Books in Bloom” project, sponsored by the Boxford Library.  This annual spring project involves a unique interpretation of a literary work following the theme of a growing plant. The selection process was quite an exciting event in our classroom.  Each child put forward the name of a favorite book for project consideration.  The books were read aloud and voted upon.  The winner was One by Kathryn Otoshi, a classroom favorite.  Under the leadership of creative director, Mrs. Flinn, the children crafted an inspiring representation of this story.  All of the projects will be on display in the Cole Library throughout the spring.

March is nutrition month.  Healthy bodies are the result of good fortune, nourishing food and exercise.  Each day, we will spend a few moments speaking of nutritional tid-bits.  One of the children asked if I had a pyramid (as in food), which I do.  Guess I need to get that out of the closet and up on the walls if we are going to talk food!  

As a preview to our conference, the Super Stars of room 212 invite you to a brief open house next Friday, March 8th from 8:15 to 8:40 to review work folders and journals.  As always, you can drop by for a few minutes or longer.  Your child will be your guide. 

             This is it!  Valentine’s Day is this month!  With the help of our fabulous room parent, Mrs. Flinn, and the efforts of many, we will celebrate with a special snack on Thursday, February 14^th (it’s going to be a big day)!  We will have “mail pouches” in which to catch greetings from our classmates.  Your child may bring in their cards, if they wish, for “mailing” on Monday the 11^th.  It goes without saying, but I will say it anyway:  if your child wishes to share Valentine’s greetings, they must share with each child in the class.  Little hearts are easily broken if forgotten by a classmate.

Our class conversations about being a responsible first grader are on- going.  We review the things a first grader does to be responsible: i.e. hats and mittens in coat sleeve or backpack, coats and snow pants on hooks, lunch boxes in hand at lunch time, crayons and pencils in containers, learning materials replaced to their storage spaces, assignments completed neatly and carefully, following the Golden Rule and making good choices throughout the day.  You may wish to reinforce this concept by engaging in discussions about responsible behavior at home.  Catch your child being responsible and make a hearty mention of it!  Perhaps a sticker on their calendar or some such visual recognition will keep this important concept in their minds.  Life-long habits are begun with tiny, consistent steps.

      Your child has returned to school ready and eager to continue their learning.  Your support makes all the difference in the success of your student.  Please refer to the newsletter that has been sent to you via e-mail for a snapshot of the month ahead.  Continue to expect your child to bring home a homework paper, Monday through Thursday that is to be returned the next day.  In addition, please have your child read for twenty minutes each night either alone or with you.  The newsletter has suggestions on how to make this practice beneficial for your child.

      Our class is on a mission to have each child learn to tie his or her own shoes.  If this is something your child has yet to master, please help them to practice. 

      Winter has arrived along with all of the cold weather gear that it entails.  I encourage you to put your child's name on all clothing items.  This will raise the odds that items are returned to the rightful owner if they should go missing.