January 8, 2010

Dear Parents,

I hope you had an enjoyable holiday season.  I am excited to get started on the next several months.  I would like to thank all of those that purchased items for our classroom.  Your generosity was greatly appreciated.  I am still in need of plastic spoons and gallon-size storage bags.  During the holidays I was so proud to be part of our community.  There was not one tag left on the Giving Trees and our Toys for Tots barrel was overflowing.  Thank you!!

Next week students will be taking their second theme test.  We will work on it from Monday to Wednesday from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.  Please be sure that your child has had a good breakfast and is to school time.  Once I have graded the theme tests, I will send home your child’s test in his/her Friday Folder.  Also we will start a new health unit called “Nutrition and Physical Activity.”  There are three goals:

• Students will comprehend the importance of drinking water and eating a variety of foods from all of the food groups.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to classify foods according to food groups and name a healthy snack from each food group.
• Students will comprehend the benefits of being physically active and how physical activity, rest, and sleep help a person stay healthy.

On Thursday Mrs. Martell, Anika’s mom along with one of her co-workers from West Shore Medical Center will set up an obstacle course in gymnasium to help support our third goal for all first grade students.  We’ll be in the gym from 8:10-8:50 a.m.  Please dress your child appropriately.

By now I am sure you’ve heard the sad news about the death of a parent of two of our students.  John Pienta, father of Ryan (11^th grade) and Randy (6^th grade) Pienta died last Monday as a result of a brain tumor.  He was only 47 years old.  Mr. Pienta graduated from Onekama is 1980.  Throughout next week your child is able to wear a hat for 50 cents per day. It’s called “Hat Week.” All the money will be given to the Pienta family. 

Good Behavior Ski Day is Tuesday, February 9^th.  For the more details, please find the enclosed forms. They are due on Thursday, January 21^st. 

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

• Good Behavior Ski Day paperwork due – January 21

• Teacher In-Service (No School) – January 22 & 25

• Onekama Public Library – January 28

• School Store – February 5

• Good Behavior Ski Day – February 9  (1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd)

• Valentine’s Day party – February 11

• Winter Break (No School) – February 12 & 15

Warmly,
Shantel