ADVENT BEGINS!!! Are you ready for Jesus's birthday ??? December 2014

Advent is a wonderful and busy time :). We will be very busy, but we will work hard to prepare for the birth of our Savior!! 

We will work on little acts of kindness as gifts we can give Jesus for his birthday. Ask your child about the kindness buddies who have visited our classroom. We have two helpers who love to give the students wonderful ideas for small acts of kindness :) they LOVE these buddies!! They come in each day to see where they have moved to in the classroom, and what kindness note they have left for them!!! It has been such a positive tool in the encouragement of a positive kindness attitude :). 

Also Santa has sent one of his special Christmas angels to watch over us. She loves to see the kindness that my students share with others :).I wonder where she will be on Monday!  She is helping us prepare the manger for Jesus :). Each little act of kindness my students do they will add a piece of straw to his bed. The more we do, the more comfortable Jesus will sleep :). Let's go First Graders !!!!

I have many projects planned....... But I need parents to help prep for them. One project I need for the beginning of this week!! If you would like to earn your hours , please let me know!!!! Give me a call 209-658-3753. I can even get the materials to you before school begins on Monday if you you have any spare time!! :) What spare time?? I know, but projects don't stop! Ever :)

We will have centers this Wednesday :). Please let me know who will be able to make it. Thanks a bunch! 

This Friday 12/5 @ 8:15 is an all school mass, and 12:30 dismissal. Please make sure your child is in a clean uniform :) thank you. 

Saturday 12/6 is the annual Merced Christmas Parade. Please join the crowd downtown to watch our student council members on the best float in the parade!

Sunday 12/7 @ 2pm at the Merced courthouse Watch and listen to our beautiful OLM choir sing Christmas carols!! Always an awesome event to see! 

Here are the vocab and spelling for the week:

Vocabulary : 

king

queen

prince

visit

head

along

need

food

shall

sky

Spelling:

bell

fell

well

she'll

melt

end

egg

elf

then

Advent

AS always please make sure to read your child's planner EVERY NIGHT!  There is homework EVERY night. Some parents are signing but are not reading and making sure their child does the homework. We need to work together to build organization and responsibility skills!! These are skills essential in life...... Let's build the strong foundation for a lifetime :). 

Also, please practice addition facts each day!! I can tell that some are not doing this :(. When each child becomes a master at addition we can have a ice cream sundae party!!!! Let's go first graders!!!!

The week before Thanksgiving Break 11-17 to 11-21

I am so proud of how well my first graders did at the Thanksgiving Program last Thursday!!! Thanks again to my wonderful and supportive parents who were there every step of the way, especially Michelle Rose!  I think she was at school just about everyday this week!!! Thanks again!

There will not be centers this week. We will pick up after the break :)

On Tuesday, 11-18, we are having our Annual Thanksgiving feast with kindergarten. From 10- to about 10:30. We have the plates and napkins, thanks Mrs. Fuentes! I think she is also making the fruit kabobs as well.  We are in need of the drinks for our class. Please let me know if you can bring them, thanks!  

On Wednesday, 11-19, we will have our November birthday celebration at 1:30. If you haven't already, please sign up to bring something if your child's birthday is this month. Thanks!

On Friday, 11-21, the first graders will be doing a echo pantomime with the 7th graders.  Please join us for our thanksgiving prayer service at 8:15 in the auditorium :)

Vocabulary this week

forget

show

smart

pencil

best

read

school

time

being

place

sometimes

goes

Spelling this week

bed

fed

led

red

wed 

men

hen

ten

nest

tent

DONT FORGET TO TURN IN CANNED FOOD AND SHOEBOX ITEMS!!  Most of the class not brought in their items :(. We need to provide for the less fortunate in ore community and the world !  These are the experiences and events that shape our children to do what God wants us to do :) Let's show God's love!

Short week!! 11-12 to 11-14

Hope everyone has enjoyed the long weekend- THANK YOU , VETERANS!!

Reminder: canned food is due THIS WEEK, Also, the shoebox items are due by the 17th of this month. These are just of the little ways we can "do for others"!!!!!!

We have a short but busy week.  We will not have a new vocabulary list, but we will still have spelling.  Here is the list:

saw

moth

wasn't 

block

didn't 

chop

spot

with

cloth

frogs

The vowel sounds, blends, digraphs, and contractions have beened covered over the last few weeks. Please start studying today :)

I am in need of help putting thanksgiving table decorations together. First grade is responsible for OLMs annual dinner decorations.  If you can show up about 9, that would be great. It shouldn't take longer than 1 hour. Thank you so much in advance!

We will have a whole school dress rehearsal on Thursday, November 13th at 8:30 in the auditorium. I could use help that morning as well, to get the students into their costumes :). If you can , just stay when you drop off your child that morning, and we can get them into their Indian shirts ( those are at school ).  I'd appreciate any help :) thanks again for the support :)

The Thanksgiving program is that night.  The program begins at 6:30, but please drop your child off at 6:15 in our classroom rm 3. Have them dressed in jeans, leggings , or a skirt. Have them in a plain shirt; they will put their Indian shirt over their other shirt. They may wear any shoes. The program will be 45 min to an hour. The students will not be allowed to leave UNTIL the program is over. We hate to have people getting up and leaving when their child's class is done. Please stay and enjoy the entire program :) then pick up your child after it's over, we thank you for your support in this matter!

I'd like to congratulate our first ADDITION MATH MASTERS!!! Go: Connor Schuesler and Mikayla Santiago!!! They have mastered all the levels in addition!! Many other students are catching up!!! Please continue to practice each day, the kids are so modivated and all want to get the title of ADDITION MATH MASTER :) 

First week of November 2014

So sorry this is late, there is so much to go over :)

Urgent!!!!!!

This week we are making our Indian shirts for the Thanksgiving Program next week!

I know this is last minute, but I need for each child to bring in 1 large, plain , white t-shirt by Wednesday. We will be making our costumes on Wednesday morning.  If you would like to come in to help, please be there about 8:30 AM. Please let me know if you can't send in a shirt, I will make sure your child has one.  Maybe daddy has a clean undershirt....??? You can send that in if you'd like!  We are also making the Thanksgiving Dinner table decorations that morning too. We could use parent help with that as well.  Please let me know if you'd be able to help- email as soon as you can , so I know how many helpers I'll have that day, thanks!  lynnee@sbcglobal.net 

If you are able to help, bring in good scissors for cutting fringe on the shirts. If you have more than one pair, that would be VERY HELPFUL!! AGAIN I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE HELP :) 

Important events/ dates coming up:

THIS WEEK-------_

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 @ 8:30

1. Send in white shirt with your child for their costume

2. Helpers needed that morning - please email at let me know if you'll be there.

3. Bring good cutting scissors( more than one pair if you can)

**** we have AN OLM SPIRIT FREE DRESS DAY on this day too.  Only an OLM t-shirt is allowed.  You may purchase one from the office. 

THIS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6

This is our annual Veteran's Day Assembly @ 8:30- if you're a veteran or know someone who is, please make sure to attend our Veteran's assembly- it's a fantastic & heartwarming event!!  This assembly is just a small way we can honor the brave men and women who have helped to protect this wonderful country !!! 

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7

All School Mass

Students are to be dressed in full OLM uniform. No shorts are allowed until next May!

After mass the 8th graders are doing the annual Saint Wax Museum. The 8th graders are dressed as saints with various props and backdrop to give students a little background of that saint. The students provide a "frozen in time" effect so students get an idea of that saint's life, and what the saint is known for. It is a magnificent performance!

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13 @ 6:30 PM

This is our Thanksgiving program performance.

1. Please have your child dressed in their Indian shirts and jeans, or legging type pants or skirts for girls.  

2. Please have your child be at the classroom by 6:15 PM. 

3. Remember everyone is expected to stay for the whole performance , so do not pick up your child until the entire program is over. They will not be dismissed before then. Thank you!

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18th @ 10:00 AM 

1. We are having our annual kindergarten / first grade Thanksgiving Feast.

2. The first grade is responsible for providing fruit kabobs for both classes.  

3. The first grade is also responsible for providing our own juice and napkins.  

If you can come in to help or help with any if the items, please let me know. I'll post a list, so that we don't have more than we need. Thanks!  This is a fun tradition. 

NEXT TWO SCHOOL/PARISH MASSES:

Saturday, November 22@ 5:00

Sunday, December 14 @ 7:00 AM- we realize this is early, but it's great for these parishioners to see us there :). 

***** Remember students should be dressed in their full OLM school uniform- no shorts are allowed for mass. 

*********I'd love to see more of my first graders at these masses :). 

IS YOUR CHILD A MATH MASTER???????? Please continue to practice addition math facts!!!!!!!!

Vocabulary for the week:

pond

count

called

silly

morning

beautiful

put

tomorrow 

today

book

belongs

Spelling for the week:

was

you

soft

clock

pops

crop

and

drop

socks

shop

Last week in October 2014

********THERE WILL NOT BE CENTERS THIS WEEK******** we have many activities this week.  Next week we will have centers. We will be making thanksgiving dinner table decorations and I'll need parent help on that day :)

This week is RED RIBBON WEEK!!  

Things to know for the week:

Tuesday - Red and White Free dress

Friday - Halloween!! Students can wear their costumes- there will be a costume parade in the morning.

We will have our Halloween party at 1:15. Please contact room parents if you want to bring in something, come to help with the party etc. please contact them to sign up so you can help!

Other important info:

Wednesday is our September/October birthday party- I have posted a sign up for parents of birthday students. We will start at 12:45. We have an all- school dance party at 1:45 - Red Ribbon Week -activity. 

Vocab this week: words are getting more difficult. Please practice each day!

any

animals

trouble

kind

gave

there

thing

nice

thought

answered

belongs

asked

Spelling this week: long o sound-

not

pot

hot

cot

dot

on

box

pop

top

stop

I enjoyed meeting with each of you last week at our conference!  Please remember that we are a team, and I that I am here to help you in the education of your child :) !!!

October 20th- Conference week & Book Fair!

Happy Sunday!!!

Upcoming events to look forward to :)

- We are performing in the Annual Thanksgiving Program on Thursday, November 13, 2014 @ 6:30 PM.  We will be performing the all too famous "Spoons"( a Mrs. Mill's favorite :)) and a Native American rhythm dance. We will be making shirts for the Indian Dance. I'll be asking you to send the shirt in soon. I will need parent helpers on the day we do this activity ( making the shirts) at school. I'll post the date and time on my blog :). I'll ask Janie to post it on the class Facebook page as well--- it's a fun way to earn hours!!!

- At the end of this month- Wednesday, October, 29 @ 1:30 we will be celebrating our September and October birthdays!  If your child had a birthday during this time, please sign up to bring something. Remember you don't have to just bring in food items. You may bring in a pencil, eraser, bubbles etc.  please don't feel obligated to bring something expensive or an entire goodie bag. It's just so your child may hand out something to their classmates at their birthday party. :). Our last celebration was a blast- we had treats and played games at the end of the day- like a real birthday party :). They loved it !  It made our birthday students feel so special :). I will post a sign up sheet this week!

Because this week is conference week, we will be having 12:30 dismissal all week. Please make sure you know your time so that you'll be here. Our conferences are only 15 min. So you'll want to have your full 15 min.  If you're the first conference, we start at 1:15 PM. I can't wait to see each of you!!!

Packets weren't sent home last week, because that will give us an example of your child's daily work.  

********PLEASE, it is very important that you return your child's signed report card with your child MONDAY AM. This is an important part for your conference, thank you for supporting this request:) 

Vocab this week:

knows

warm

goes

brothers

sister

about

together 

ears

eyes

body

legs

nose

Spelling this week:

big

and

map

did

the

fin

ran

jig

had

it

We have just begun to discuss Native Americans in Social Studies.  If you have items, resources, or are a Native American, please let me know. It's wonderful when parents can come in to speak to the class.  

If you would like to come in to share or have resources that you can discuss with the class, please come in--- this is another great way to earn hours !!!!  Thanks :)

******Just as a resource, here are a few ways you can work with your child at home:

Read to your child-- ask them questions about the story 

Contraction words

Compound words

Short vowels words

Rhyming words

Practice handwriting

Basic Math facts/ addition

Using the internet:

Talk to them about various saints you might know

Native Americans - plains Indians 

Like I've said on many occasions, we are partners in the education of your child.  I appreciate the fact that many of you have come to talk to me.  I have loved all the positive feedback that I've received.  I also appreciate when parents have come to me when there are questions or concerns, instead of other parents first.  When parents don't come in to see me, but discuss the situation with others, it's very counter productive. So remember,  my door is always open :). We're in this together!

******* Morning drop off. Please do not come to the classroom with your child if the bell hasn't rung, even if the bell is about to ring.  You must go to the auditorium with your child.  We have had an increasing amount of children wandering around before school instead of going to the auditorium where they will be safely supervised. This rule is about safety. The office staff has asked teachers to remind parents of this rule.  Thank you for your support in this matter! 

10/6 to 10/9: short week---- Friday10/10 OFF!

Important information for this week: 

* Due to the short week, we will not :

1. No new spelling words

2. No centers on Wednesday 10/8- sorry for the inconvenience. 

Other:

* the end of the first quarter is this Thursday, October 9th.  If you child has been absent, you need to make sure all work is picked up and completed by this Thursday...... There are no exceptions.  Any missing work will be zeros.  REPORT CARDS WILL GO HOME NEXT FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17th. Remember they must be signed and returned the following Monday, October 20th.  If it isn't signed and /or returned on that day, your child will have to sit out 5 min- with an additional 5 for each day after that.  We need these report cards for that week of conferences. Thank you fir your understanding and support in this matter :)

** A permission slip will go home this Tuesday for our exciting field trip to Hunter Farms Pumpkin Patch next Wednesday, October 15th.  Please mark your calendars. If you can drive( have fingerprints, safe environment training completed, and this year's car registration/ insurance info turned into Carnation ) please let me know!! We will be leaving OLM by 8:30 and will be returning by lunch that day. ***** remember no siblings are allowed to attend the trip with us. It is an insurance liability.  

*** If you are a room mom, or assistant, we will need to plan a snack and a drink to have there during a break. It's a long morning to not have something to eat or drink.  They have promised a wonderful and exciting trip for our class. Each child will also be able to choose a pumpkin to take home :). FUN, FUN, FUN day!!!!!

DO NOT FORGET TO BRING YOUR CHILD'S BOOSTER SEAT that morning!! If they do not bring one, they will not be able to attend the trip with us. 

**** please watch for the permission slip to come home on Tuesday. It will need to be SIGNED AND RETURNED THE FOLLOWING DAY!! 

********* I thank all the parents in advance for helping in some way to make this trip one to remember!!!!*********

Other dates/events to add to your calendar : 

1. Class mass with 8th grade -Thursday, October 17th at 8:15 in our school's Chapel.  Some students will be reading petitions.  If your child is reading a petition, I will staple reading into their planner for them to practice at home.  Please, join us if you'd like :)

2. We are performing in this year's fall Thanksgiving program.  The program will be November 13th.  More info to follow :)

VOCABULARY THIS WEEK :

some

may

more

mother

tell

when

again

long

he

she

surprise

was

grow

NO SPELLING WORDS THIS WEEK :) Three-day weekend coming up! :)

If you haven't already, buy Octoberfest tickets!!! It is such a fun night!!! This is our technology fundraiser.  I hope everyone is planning to attend:)

Is your child a MATH MASTER??? We are up to our 4th level of addition tests!! Some students are math masters in all 3 levels so far........ I can tell most have been working on the facts at home.  Remember we are working on memorizing the facts, so that students aren't relying on manipulatives ( fingers , beads etc)....... This is a school-wide goal!! However,  I still have a couple who haven't passed the first test :(. I have a chart in the classroom, please come to see how well your child is doing..... I want for every one of my students to be masters!!! This will take practice at home :). Please, help your child be successful :) I want all my students to master the addition facts by December!  I will plan a special treat along with scheduling a "Fun Friday" for the same afternoon :).  LET' GO FIRST GRADERS---- YOU CAN DO THIS :)!!!!!!!

ARE YOU A FIRST GRADE MATH MASTER ???????

I am trying something new to help students to control their talking/ no talking in the classroom. Please ask them after school about their "Quiet Buddy". Their reward for keeping their quiet buddy 4 out if the 5 days in a week- will allow a sock monkey to go home in Fridays :).