Mrs. Niederstadt's Parent Letter

October 5, 2006

Dear Parents,

 

As you may be aware our elementary/middle/high school offices have been combined into one office known as student services office (old elementary office).  Gina Hagen is the principal for the entire school.  It makes sense to have one office for the staff, students and parents.  Since the office is used by all students K-12, we have experienced some interesting behavior and have overheard some colorful language from the middle and high school students.  It has been recommended that we lock our classroom doors during school hours.  I have chosen to lock my door during school hours.   This doesn’t mean our school is no longer safe, but it does mean that I am ensuring the safety of the students in my classroom.  Also it would be helpful to be sure that your child is to school on time.  This will minimize interruptions in our day.  As always you are always more than welcome to visit to our classroom at any time.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

 

On October 1st, we began to participate in the Book-It! Program.  For those unfamiliar with the Book It! Program, it is a national reading incentive program for grades K – 6 sponsored by Pizza Hut.  Your child has a monthly goal of 5 books.  Once the goal is reached, your child will receive a Free Pizza Award Certificate, which entitles him/her to a one-topping personal pan pizza.  On the first visit, your child will receive a Book It! card with clip and sticker for the card.  On each subsequent visit, the child will be given another personal pan pizza and a sticker to recognize his/her reading achievement.  If your child meets his/her reading goal in all six months of the program, he/she is rewarded at the restaurant with a Book It! All-Star Reader Award.  Book It! will end on March 31, 2007.  This program requires nothing additional to what you have already been doing; I will send home books and have your child read them to you.

 

Tomorrow we are walking to the Onekama Village Fire Department.  Mr. Mathieu, a volunteer firefighter will talk with the students about fire safety.  Ms. Schultz’s K/1 classroom will walk with us.  We will leave at 11:45 a.m. and should return by 1:30 p.m.  If you are able to walk with us, we would love your help.

 

On Friday, October 13th we will walk to the Onekama Public Library.  Students will return their two books and check out three new books.  These books will be due on Friday, November 3rd.  We will be leaving at 11:45 a.m. and should return about 1:30 p.m.  If your schedule permits, please join us. 

Each year Leaps and Bounds Early Childhood Education Program hosts a Silent Auction at the Portage Point Inn.  This year it will be held on Saturday, November 18th.  Profits will purchase classroom materials, supplies, enrichment activities and much more for the childcare center.  Tickets are $10.00 each.  If you or someone you know is interested in purchasing tickets, please let me know.  I would be happy to help, because top ticket seller wins one free week of childcare for one child.  Both my daughters, Emma and Mary attend this wonderful childcare program.

Currently I have three parent volunteers in the classroom each week. Lynette Maxey will help on Tuesdays, Karen Somerville on Wednesdays, and Charity Domres every other Thursday.  These volunteers help in the morning during guided reading.   They monitor the classroom and assist with reading flashcards.  If you are able to help out every other Thursday to share the Thursday position with Mrs. Domres, please let me know.  Also I do need more volunteers, but it doesn’t have to be weekly or bi-weekly.  I need volunteers to assist with math flashcards and listen to readers.  If your schedule permits, we would love your help any time.  If possible, please let me know ahead of time.  If not, then just stop by and I’ll put you to work.  We also except grandparents!!

 

There is no school on Monday due to a teacher in-service.

 

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

¨       Buddy Reading with Ms. Schultz’s K/1 class – October 6

¨       Onekama Public Library field trip – October 13

¨       Schoedel’s Farm – October 20

¨       Halloween Party – October 31

¨       Onekama Public Library field trip – November 3

¨       Early Dismissal (12:30 p.m.) – November 9

¨       Parent/Teacher Conferences – November 9 & 10

¨       No School – November 10

¨       Leaps & Bounds Silent Auction – November 18

¨       Thanksgiving Vacation – November 24 & 25

 

 

Warmly,

Shantel 

 

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