February
24, 2012
Dear
Parents and Teachers,
In March
our reading month theme is “What Color is Your Heart?”
Our theme begins with a presentation from local author,
Linda Reau, on Thursday, March 1st sponsored by Blarney
Castle. Ms. Reau wrote What Color is Your Heart?
It’s a loving tale told through colors as Emma explores
different feelings. When Grandma says that Emma's friend
must have a dark colored heart because he was mean, Emma
decides that she needs to find out the color of each
family member's heart. Emma discovers that everyone
knows the color of their heart, except for herself. Ms.
Reau’s story supports our behavior expectations:
respect, responsibility and safety.
The week
of March 5th the focus is respect. Mrs.
Hrachovina, our librarian, will read stories which focus
on being tolerant and accepting of others’ differences.
On Monday students will come home with a red heart.
According to Ms. Reau’s book, a red heart shows “I Care
about You.” Students need to write on their heart how
they show others they care. On Tuesday students can
wear red and add their heart to the display in the
atrium. On Wednesday teachers will ask trivia questions
regarding the different color feelings. If they are
correct, then they could win a prize. Also they will
come home with a purple heart. Purple shows “I Try
Something New.” Students should write what they’ve
tried new. It takes courage and bravery to try
something new. Once again write it on the heart and
bring it to school the next day. On Thursday students
can wear purple and add their heart to the display in
the atrium.
The week
of March 12th the focus is responsibility.
During library, students will hear stories which focus
on being accountable for your words, actions and
attitudes. On Monday students will come home with a
yellow heart. A yellow heart is a bright outlook on
life. Students should write a positive saying on their
yellow heart. On Tuesday students can wear yellow and
add their heart to the display in the atrium. On
Wednesday they will come home with a green heart. Green
shows “I Take Care of Myself.” Students should write
how they take care of themselves on their heart and
bring it to school the next day. On Thursday students
can wear green and add their heart to the display in the
atrium.
On
Friday, March 16th we’ll have a book exchange
in the Media Center. Beginning Monday, March 12th
and throughout the week, students can bring in used
children’s books in good condition. Board books and
baby books will not be accepted. For each acceptable
book brought in, your child will receive a coupon. On
Friday they can trade in their coupons for books.
The week
of March 19th the focus is safety. During
library, students will hear stories which focus on not
causing hurt, injury, or loss to self
or others. On Monday students will come home with an
orange heart. An orange heart is “I Do My Best.”
Students should write what they do best. On Tuesday
students can wear orange and add their heart to the
display in the atrium. On Wednesday they will come home
with a blue heart. Blue shows “I Thank the Rest.”
Students should write what they are grateful for. On
Thursday students can wear blue and add their heart to
the display in the atrium. By the end of the month, our
display will show a rainbow of colors. Be sure each
heart has a name on it. Teachers will keep track
throughout the month. If your child turns in all six
hearts, then s/he could win a sweet prize.
Lastly
Young Author’s Day will be Friday, March 23rd
at 1:30-3:00 p.m. in the cafertorium. It was originally
scheduled for Wednesday, March 21st, but
we’re going to try something new this year. By making
this change, it will ensure all students are able to
read their books aloud to a group of family and
friends. During this event, students will share the
books they have written to a small audience. Some
classes have made the traditional bare books, but some
classes are using Student Publishing. These classes
will create a book online. The company will publish
paperback books for FREE! In return we’ve promised to
send home order forms for you to order additional books
in paperback, soft cover or hard cover, if you wish.
Attached
you’ll find a calendar for your convenience. Please
post it in a safe location throughout the month.
Warmly,
Shantel
Niederstadt
Laura Petrosky
Title 1
Teacher
Title 1 Assistant |