November 16, 2006

Dear Parents,

This week was the first week of fall craft projects at the Onekama Public Library.  It runs until Wednesday, November 22^nd.  They have three fall craft projects: glittering gourd, grapevine wreath, and decorative turkey.  There is no charge.  You can stop into the library during those dates to do one or all three projects during the library hours.  The hours are Monday & Tuesday – 11-5, Wednesday & Thursday – 12-6 and Friday 10-4.  If you have any questions, feel free to call Jane at  889-4041. 

Tomorrow we will walk to the Onekama Public Library.  We will leave at 11:45 a.m. and should return by 1:30 p.m.  If your schedule permits, then join us.  Please be sure that your child brings his/her library books to return.  Students will check out three new books.   Also our books are due tomorrow.

Next week we have three days of school due to the Thanksgiving holiday.  There is no school on Thursday and Friday.  Due to the short week there will be no homework or Thursday Folder. 

Christmas is just around the corner.  You may want to add a few items to your shopping list: classroom items (see attached note), personal items, Giving Tree item, clothing, and Toys for Tots and Teens.

Once again Onekama PTO along with Onekama Lions Club and National City Bank has organized “The Giving Tree” to help families in our school.  These families would like to remain anonymous; as I am sure you can understand.  The trees located in the atrium.  Each tree has many tags on it.   Some tags have shirts, coats, boots, shoes, food (peanut butter, mac & cheese, etc), and personal items (shampoo, soap, etc).  If you would like to help, then please come to school and choose a tag.  Please check in with the office with your tag(s) so they can keep track of them.  All items need to be wrapped and turned into the elementary office by Thursday, December 21st.  The office will put a name tag on it at that time. 

I would like our class to support the Giving Tree Project.  We will collect personal items.  I’ll purchase a large plastic tote.  Students need to bring in any personal items such as shampoo, hand soap, bar soap, body soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, lotion, dish soap, toilet paper, laundry soap, etc.  Please send in all items by Wednesday, December 20th.

www.onekama.k12.mi.us/e2007/g1n/index.htm

Our annual Christmas program will be held on Tuesday, December 5th at 7:00 p.m. in the gymnasium.  Your child needs to arrive to school at 6:45 p.m. in the classroom.  The program is titled Fiesta Navidades.  The students will sing authentic folk songs from Spain, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Columbia.  The suggested attire is brightly colored skirts (prints or solids), white blouses, shawls and/or scarves to be worn around shoulders and/or head for girls.  Also hair pulled away from face (braids, ponytails, buns) is suggested.  Dark pants (grey, black, navy blue or brown) with white shirts along with red kerchief to be worn around their neck are the suggested attire for the boys.

The National Honor Society (NHS) is collecting Toys for Tots.  The drop off gift barrel will be located in the Student Services office (old elementary office).  Items should be unwrapped and turned in by Friday, December 15.  In the past they have had trouble with enough appropriate gifts for the teenagers, the 10-15 year old group.

Enclosed is a letter from Mrs. Hagen about our classroom holiday party.  Please look it over carefully.  There is a change in plans.   If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Please be sure to send in proper cold weather attire everyday.  It has been cold in the mornings.  Your child needs to have a warm winter coat, hat and gloves.  Your child is expected to go outside for recesses.  If you feel your child is too ill to go outside, then please keep him/her at home.  We have many students in our classroom with a cough.

Thank you again for taking time out of your busy schedule to participate in parent-teacher conferences.  I enjoyed the opportunity to visit with you.

The following are dates that you may want to add to your calendar:

¨       Buddy Reading with Mr. Kudlack’s kindergarten – November 17

¨       L & B Silent Action – November 18

¨       Thanksgiving Vacation – November 23 & 24

¨       Girl Scout Mtg. – November 27

¨       Christmas Program – December 5 at 6:00 p.m.

¨       Substitute – December 8

¨       Onekama Public Library – December 15

¨       Christmas Vacation – Dec. 22 – Jan. 1

Warmly,

Shantel