HAPPY NEW YEAR! Thank you for all the wonderful Christmas gifts. I really did appreciate them. If you sent food or candy, my family and I have eaten it all. We do love sweets. Thank you to the parents that helped with or brought food or items for the Christmas party. A fun time was had by all. Another thank you to all of you that sent in flour or sugar for the needy. Many people went home with full bags of groceries at the "Spirit of Christmas" dinner. The food was much appreciated. I hope you all had as enjoyable vacation and holiday as I did. Let us remember to keep Christ in our hearts during this new year.

On Friday we have an all-school Mass with dismissal at 12:30. Report cards will be going home that day. Remember to sign and return them by the following Friday.
Since this is the beginning of the new quarter this is a good time to remind your child to do their best work (which means their handwriting should always be their best), to stay on task, and to remember classroom and playground rules.

In Reading we have started the Level 4, Unit 1 hardback reader. It is really important that when your child brings the reader home to read the story of the week, they do not go ahead and read other stories. When your child does that it makes it difficult for me to introduce and set up the story as they have already read it and know what happens. So, please do not suggest they read ahead. Thank you. In Language Arts we will continue to work on vocabulary, plurals, short vowel sounds, contractions, compound words, digraphs, blends, short vowel chunks, cause and effect, sequencing, main idea, conclusions, and comprehension. In Science we will begin learning about the weather. In Social Studies we will be studying about the United States, the flag and other symbols. In Religion we will be learning about the miracles Jesus performed. In Math we are still working on place value and number order up to 100. We will be starting timed tests working with subtraction facts up to 12. In P.E. we are still using jump ropes.

For International Night we will be working on the country of Kenya. All first graders will be responsible for a report. I will be assigning each child a subject area. I will be sending the assignment home soon. Be looking for it. It will give you the information that you need.

VOCABULARY WORDS

return
should
old
pair
clothes
cook
knight
small
bring
shall

Have a great week. If you have read this blog, have your child write on a piece of paper what is the date of the Feast of the Three Kings. GOD LOVES YOU!