Mrs. Niederstadt's Parent Letters

Mrs. Niederstadt's Parent Letter

October 26, 2006

Dear Parents,

Tomorrow we will walk to the Onekama Public Library. If your child brought his/her books to school on October 13th, then I’ve returned them already. If your child’s books were returned, then he/she will be able to check out three new books. We will leave at 11:45 and should return by 1:30 p.m.

Next week students will have their first magazine test. This test is to assess your child’s comprehension, phonics/decoding, and writing. During parent-teacher conferences, I will review your child’s results with you. The test will be given Monday through Wednesday at 8:00 – 9:45 a.m. It is important for your child to get a good breakfast and to be to school on time.

We have begun a new reading unit called “The World Outside My Door.” It includes stories called My River, Citybook, and Listen to the Desert. Also poems such as “Sleeping Outdoors,” and “I Love the World.” Over the next few weeks, you will see four books come home: Our Plants, A Fish Trip, A Walk in the City and Hats Hats Hats. These books will include new vocabulary words. Enclosed is a list of the vocabulary words.

Last week students completed Unit 2 Checking Progress (math test). Enclosed is your child’s test. Students took it without support or help from me. It assessed time and money. Most students did well, but counting money and exchanging coins for fewer coins is a difficult skill for them. I gave students the opportunity to fix any incorrect answers on their test. If their answers were not correct, then I worked with them one-on-one.

We have begun a new math unit called Visual Patterns, Number Patterns, and Counting. As patterns with numbers are investigated, children will take a closer look at the common patterns found in odd and even numbers. They will observe the patterns in the ending digits of counts by 2s, 3s, 5s, and 10s. Frames-and-Arrows diagram will be introduced to help children in their investigation of number sequences. Children will also continue to develop their time-telling and money-counting skills. They will practice telling time on the hour and the half-hour. And they will continue to work with real coins. Finally we will work on addition and subtraction. This is an important topic-it will be developed throughout the year.

On Tuesday we will have our Halloween party at 11:45 to 3:00 p.m. Our Halloween party is Tuesday, October 31^st at 11:45 to 3:00 p.m. Students’ costumes need to come to school in a bag with their name on it. If your child has a weapon as part of his/her costume, it needs to stay at home. The following people have volunteered: Jill Bronson, Charity Domres, Connie Eno, Sheila Falk, Stephanie Lash, Kris Mauntler, Lynette Maxey, Peggy Pepera and Karen Somerville. You will be in charge of an art project so please come to the room at 11:30 a.m. for instructions. Connie Eno, Becky Feil, Vawn Kolk, Stephanie Lash, Tonya MacPherson, Lynette Maxey, Tonya McWain and Missy Miller are providing treats. Mrs. Eno is coordinating our treats. Thank you!! Kris Mauntler and Kirsten Wisniski-Hoeh are providing drinks. Charity Domres is providing cups and plates. Please note that students will still participate in art with Ms. Woolman from 1:15 – 2:05, but this will give us the opportunity to clean up holiday art centers and prepare food and drinks for students. Come join the fun! After trick or treating, students will have a great deal of candy. Please remind your child to keep his/her candy at home. Your child needs healthy snacks at school.

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

¨ Girl Scout Mtg. – October 30

¨ Picture Retakes – November 6

¨ Early (12:30) Dismissal – November 9

¨ Parent/Teacher Conferences at 5-8 p.m. – Nov. 9 & 10

¨ No School – November 10

¨ Girl Scout Mtg. – November 13

¨ L & B Silent Action – November 18

¨ Thanksgiving Vacation – November 23 & 24

Warmly,

Shantel