DECEMBER 17-DECEMBER 21

We have been very busy preparing for the Christmas Program.  On Wednesday morning your children are to be dropped off at St. Patrick's Church by 8:00.  Please do not take them to OLM School.  I will be at the church by 7:30. We are having a dress rehearsal that morning.  Your child will then be transported back to OLM School.  Please make sure that you drop off a booster seat with your child.  I will use all the parents that have said they would drive provided they have all of their forms in the office and have Safe Environment Training and have been fingerprinted.  There will be a note in your child's planner as to what time you need to be at St. Pat's to pick up the children.  I still do not have all the permission slips.  If you have not turned it in...please do so.

Your children should be at the church Wednesday evening by 6:15.  If you are there prior to 6:15 please make sure your child is sitting with you.  They are not to be in their places until I am there. They are to wear nice clothes.  It would be nice if the girls wore dresses.  I would prefer no jeans for anyone.  I know you will enjoy the Christmas Program.  We have been working hard on it.  Some of your children are still not singing. Please remind them to participate.

I have received many of the food items for the "Spirit of Christmas" dinner.  Thank you to all.  If you have not turned in anything please do so this week by Thursday.

The first grade is responsible for St. Vincent lunches on Friday.

Your child will not be bringing home their planner on Friday.  I will have them leave it at school.

Friday is the end of the second quarter.  Report cards will go out the week we return to school.

Friday is a half day with dismissal at 12:30.  They will have a pizza lunch that day as a treat.  Remember, there is NO extended care that day.  The school closes down for Christmas vacation at 12:30.

There are no vocabulary words this week.  It is a great time to review.  Have a great week and a wonderful Christmas vacation.  Remember the reason for the season.  If you have read this blog have your child write down the color of the Advent candle that was lit this week on the Advent wreath.  GOD LOVES YOU!

DECEMBER 10-DECEMBER 14

We have been busy preparing daily for the Christmas Program.  Tuesday we will begin practicing without the song sheets.  It is amazing how quickly your children have learned the words.  Again, please encourage your child to participate.

On Wednesday morning my First Grade will be presenting the Advent morning prayer.  It will begin at 8:00.  You are all invited and welcome to come.  The Advent morning prayer truly reminds us of the season of Advent.

Thank you to those that have turned in the sugar, flour, or salt for the "Spirit of Christmas" dinner.  If you have not turned it in please do so within the next week.  Another reminder:  ornaments are being sold during the lunch hour for the Faith Families and their trees.

In curriculum we have started the 4th Reading series.  The reader is a hardback book.  PLEASE do not go ahead with your child to read more stories.  When your child has read the story before I have introduced it the introduction and predictions get lost.  Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Remember that you should be reviewing vocabulary words and math facts with your child on a nightly basis.  Some students are showing no improvement on the timed math tests.

VOCABULARY WORDS
try
hard
rest
play
sing
please
thank
word
first
second
third.

Have a great week.  GOD LOVES YOU!

DECEMBER 3-DECEMBER 7

Those of you who attended the Christmas Parade Saturday afternoon saw that our float depicted the true meaning of Christmas.  In your child's planner I asked that you talk to your child about the season of Advent.  Hopefully you did.

We are very busy preparing for the Christmas Program.  In another week we will be practicing without the song sheets.  Lots of the children are singing and trying very hard.  Others are not doing anything even with the words in front of them.  Please remind your child that this will be a big part of their music grade. 

On Friday, December 7, there will be an all school Mass.  It will begin at 8:15.  All are invited to attend.  Dismissal will be at 12:30. 

Our class is responsible for bringing in sugar, salt or flour for the "Spirit of Christmas" dinner.  You are also welcome to donate a wrapped Christmas gift for a child.  Please be sure to write on the gift whether it is for a girl or boy and the age.  Thank you for your help in this matter.

I am still missing several Progress Reports.  They were to be signed and returned by Friday.  If you have it at home please sign and return.  Thank you.

Curriculum remains the same in Language Arts.  We are finishing Level 3 and will be moving into a hardback reader next week. In Math we are working on our numbers 1-100.  Please review this with your child.  In Science we are beginning a unit on animals.  In Social Studies we will begin a unit on the United States and we will also be discussing Christmas customs around the world. 

VOCABULARY

return
should
old
pair
clothes
cook
knight
small
bring

Have a great week.  If you have read this blog have your child write in the planner what color the 4 candles in the Advent wreath are.  GOD LOVES YOU!

NOVEMBER 26-NOVEMBER 30

I hope you all have had  a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and that you have enjoyed the time off.  When we come back we will be very busy practicing for the Christmas Program.  I am hoping that your child has tried to memorize the songs as we start rehearsing on Monday at 8:30.  Your child should have brought home 2 song sheets to be memorized.  They will not be having the sheets in front of them the night of the performance.

A REMINDER:  The song sheets needs to be brought back on Monday, November 26.  Thank you.

Progress Reports went home on Friday.  Please review them and sign and return next week.  This is also a good time to remind your children there are only 4 weeks left before the end of the second quarter, and they should be putting forth their best effort.  I am very concerned about the homework that goes home.  Some is not returned.  Parents should always check homework assignments and read the directions to your child.  Some papers are being returned incomplete.

Advent begins on Sunday, December 2.  Please talk to your child about the season of Advent.  It is a time when we prepare for the coming of Jesus.  We will be discussing this season in our Religion class.

Curriculum remains the same.  In Language Arts we are in Level 3 and will be finishing it up in 2 weeks.  We will start working on the short e sound.  In Science we will be learning about different kinds of animals.  In Social Studies we are finishing up the Native American unit and will be talking about Christmas in other parts of the world.  In Math we continue to work on place value and our numbers 1-100.  In P.E. we will continue with jump ropes.

Thank you to all the moms and grandmothers who helped out with the Indian Pow Wow.  It was a great success and the children loved it.  Thank you to the moms who sent in food or drink for the Pow Wow or the Thanksgiving Feast with Kindergarten. It was greatly appreciated.

Friday, November 30, is Spirit Free Dress.  Your child must wear an OLM t-shirt or sweatshirt.

VOCABULARY WORDS

king
queen
prince
visit
head
along
food
shall
sky
need

Have a wonderful vacation and I will see you all on Monday, November 26.  GOD LOVES YOU!

NOVEMBER 12-NOVEMBER 16

This is the last week of school before our Thanksgiving vacation.  There will be a Thanksgiving Prayer Service at 8:15 on Friday.  All are invited to attend.

Thanks to all the parents that donated items for the Faith Family Christmas Shoe Box Project.  Another thank you to all that sent in items for the D Street Shelter.  I have many items to take to them.  It is greatly appreciated.   THANK YOU!

Progress Reports will be going home on Friday.  They are to be signed and returned after Thanksgiving.  This is a good time to remind your child to put forth their best effort.  Some students have gotten careless and are turning in sloppy work.  Spelling errors are being made and students are not returning homework or are late in returning their homework.  This affects their effort  grade.   Some students are also becoming talkative and are leaving during class instruction or a test to use the bathroom.  Remember to remind your child to use their time wisely when finished with an assignment.

Timed subtraction tests begin Monday.  We have begun a chapter in math on place value.

VOCABULARY WORDS

forget
show
smart
pencil
best
read
school
time
being
place
sometimes

Please remember to read and sign the planners.  Information is in the planner about lunch tickets, milk tickets, unreturned homework, behavior etc. Thank you for your cooperation.
Have a good week.  GOD LOVES YOU!

NOVEMBER 5-NOVEMBER 9

Wednesday evening is the Thanksgiving Program and dinner in the OLM auditorium.  The program begins at 6:30 with a Thanksgiving dinner following the program.  Tickets are available.  The turkey centerpieces for the Thanksgiving dinner were made by the first grade.  Thank you to the moms who came in and helped with that project.  It was greatly appreciated.  The first grade will be performing in the Thanksgiving Program.  Please have them in my classroom between 6-6:15.  You may pick them up after the program is over.

Friday there will be a Veteran's Day program at school in honor of all vets.  It will begin at 8:15.  You are all invited to attend.

There will be no school on Monday, November 11, which is Veteran's Day.

Curriculum remains the same.  Please continue to review vocabulary words and math facts.  On the 12 of November we will begin subtraction timed tests.  Please remember to sign the planners and if your child has homework it needs to be completed and returned the following day.  We are having some problems with homework or readers not being returned the following day.

VOCABULARY WORDS

pond
count
called
silly
morning
beautiful
put
tomorrow
today
book

Have a great weekend.  If you have read this blog have your child write in their planners what animal the Plains Indians hunted.  GOD LOVES YOU!

OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 2

I saw many of you at the Halloween Carnival.  I hope you had a good time with your family.  The weather was wonderful.

I also enjoyed meeting with you at conferences.  Continue to talk to your children about effort, doing their best and reviewing their work.  I also encourage you to have your child read aloud to you every night.  Easy books are good as they help with reading fluency.  When a book is too difficult, a child has difficulty with the comprehension.

Wednesday is Halloween.  Your child is allowed to wear their costume to school.  There will be a Halloween Costume Parade that morning.

There will be an all-school Mass on Thursday, November 1, in honor of All Saints.  You are all welcome.  Beginning November 1,  shorts are not allowed to be worn.

Dismissal on Friday is at 12:30.  On Friday your child is allowed to wear their favorite team shirt.

Curriculum remains the same.  We have started Level 3 in Reading and we continue to review contractions, compound words, endings of ing, ed and s, plurals, possession, cause and effect, sequencing, classification, short vowels a, i, o, vocabulary and comprehension.  In Science we are learning about animals in the ecosystem.  In Social Studies we will be learning about Native American Indians and the pilgrims.  In Religion we are learning about God's love for us and the saints.  In P.E. we are working with jump ropes.  In Math we continue to review addition and subtraction facts.
We will be starting timed subtraction math facts in another week.

Thank you to all of you that donated books to the classroom from the Book Fair.  It was greatly appreciated.

We will be performing in the Thanksgiving Program on Wednesday, November 7.  I am hoping to have all the white t-shirts in by Monday as they are needed for the Thanksgiving Program.  Thank you.

VOCABULARY WORDS

any
trouble
kind
gave
there
thing
nice
thought
answered
asked

Thank you again for all of your support.  Please continue to sign the planners.  If you have read this blog just have a great day.  The weather is gorgeous.  GOD LOVES YOU!

OCTOBER 22-OCTOBER 26

Report cards went home on Friday.  They are to be signed and returned by next Friday.  You may return them when you meet me at conference time.  The SLE card also needs to be signed and returned.  I am looking forward to meeting with all of you.  Dismissal is at 12:30  everyday this week because of conferences.  A reminder:  conferences are only 15 minutes long.

Monday is the beginning of Red Ribbon Week.  A schedule of all activities went home on Friday.  There will be a free dress day on Wednesday.  Students are suppose to wear red.  Next week is also the Book Fair.  Your child will preview on Monday and bring home a wish list.  You are free to browse at the Book Fair all week long.   .

A living rosary which will include our new faith families will be prayed on Friday at 8:00.

Thank you to all the drivers who went to the Pumpkin Patch.  Thank you for the snacks.  The children all had a wonderful time.

A note will be going home about our service project.  We will be supplying the D Street Shelter with needed items for their clients.  I would like items turned in by November 9.

On Saturday evening, from 5-8pm, the Halloween Carnival will be held at the school.  The first grade will be hosting 2 booths.  A note went home Friday to all parents about the carnival.  I hope to see you there.

I would like all students to bring in a leaf by Wednesday.


A REMINDER:  Please check your child's folder nightly for homework, flyers, or other important information.  Homework is not being completed and returned.  Readers are not being brought back and planners are not be signed.  This affects your child's effort and subject matter grade  Thank you.

VOCABULARY WORDS

knows
warm
goes
brothers
sisters
about
together
ears
eyes
legs
body
nose

Have a great week.   GOD LOVES YOU!

OCTOBER 15-OCTOBER 19

The first quarter ended last Friday.  Report cards will be going home on Friday.  This is a good time to talk to your child and remind them what is expected of them.  They are to always do their best work.  They are to work quietly and when work is completed they should be reading or writing in their journal.  This quarter points will be deducted if a paper is turned in without a name.  When copying board work points will be deducted if not copied correctly.  Backward letters and numbers will also be marked as incorrect on reading and math worksheets.  Please remind your child of this.  Your children should also be using their best handwriting.  I will start handing back papers to be redone if the handwriting is unacceptable.

Wednesday we are off to the Pumpkin Patch.  I have many drivers.  If you have in all of the required information you will be driving.  Some of the adults may want to double up.  Please be at school by 12:25.  We will be leaving the school around 12:40 and will be returning by 2:30.  Please remember to send your child's booster seat to school on Wednesday.  On Wednesday it is also free dress for $1.00 in order to wear pink.  The proceeds go for cancer.

In Language Arts we continue to review sequencing, categories, cause and effect, endings of s, ed, and ing, plurals, contractions, punctuation, predictions, sentence order, nouns, short vowels a and i, rhyming, and comprehension.  We have started to subtract in math.  In science we are still working on the ecosystem.  We are now discussing herbivores.  In social studies we are finishing up maps and will start a unit on the United States and Native American Indians.  In religion we are discussing God's creation, Baptism, grace and things we are thankful for that God has given us.  In spelling we are reviewing short a and i.  In P.E. we are learning how to jump rope.

VOCABULARY WORDS

then
never
many
always
soup
lunch
whose
baby
father
everything

Have a great week.  If you have read this blog have your child write the names of 2 herbivores in their planner.  GOD LOVES YOU!

OCTOBER 8-OCTOBER 12

Thank you to all that have turned in the Pumpkin Patch permission slips with the money.  I will let you know who will be driving.  Some who said they would drive do not have their driving information in the office.  Please check on it.

Our first grade service project will be to bring in items to be taken to the D Street Homeless Shelter.  I will be sending home a note about the kinds of items that are needed


We have started Level II in reading. In reading we are reviewing contractions, compound words, endings of s, ed, and ing, cause and effect, categories, predictions, short a and i, plurals, vocabulary, words in correct order for a sentence, rhyming, and comprehension.  In Math we have started a new chapter on subtraction.  In Science we still continue to work on the ecosystem.  We will also be working with the seeds that your child was asked to bring in.  In Social Studies we are learning about the atlas and directions.  The atlas will come home Monday.  In Religion we are talking about Baptism and grace. In Spelling we are working on short i words.

Friday is the end of the first quarter.  Report cards will go out the following Friday.

Please remember to mark your child's sweatshirts or sweaters.  The weather has cooled off and it is difficult to know whose sweatshirt is whose if their is no name on it.  

A reminder:   there is no school on Friday.  The teachers will all be at an inservice in Visalia.

VOCABULARY

some
may
more
mother
tell
when
again
long
he
she
surprise
was
grow

Have a great week. GOD LOVES YOU!  

OCTOBER 1-OCTOBER 5

We will have an all-school Mass on Thursday, October 4, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi.  It will begin at 1:15 and will be held outside.  We will hold the blessing of the pets after the mass.  If you are bringing a pet there will be a separate seating section for you and your pet.  Hope to see you there.

October is the Month of the Rosary.  We will be meeting once a week to say the rosary as a school family.  I am hoping you will find the time to say a rosary at home with your children.

The time period for wearing uniform shorts has been extended to October 31st.  Your children are allowed to wear their uniform shorts on Thursday for mass.

The Student Council will be selling pink shoelaces and pink style socks during the month of October in support of the fight against breast cancer.  The students will be allowed to wear the shoelaces and socks during the month of October.  Shoelaces will be $5.00 and socks will be $10.00.

Dismissal on Friday is 12:30.

Curriculum remains the same.  I would like your child to bring in some seeds if they have not done so.  I would like them by Wednesday.  Thank you.

VOCABULARY WORDS

your
where
make
fly
needs
be
tail
work
kite
day
by
that
down

Have a good week.  If you have read this blog, have your child write 3 short a rhyming words in their planner.  GOD BLESS YOU!

SEPTEMBER 24-SEPTEMBER 28

ITBS testing is over with and I would like to say thank you for the daily snacks.  They were truly appreciated and were gobbled up quickly.  It is hard to imagine that we are going to be into the month of October the following week.  Thank you to all that have returned the Progress Reports.  I am still missing a few.  Please make sure you sign them and return them if you haven't.

We are moving along in Language Arts.  We will be learning about contractions and adding the endings of (ed), (s) and (ing) to a root word this week.  We have started the last reader in Level 1.  We continue to read from the supplemental reader, Bells.  We will spend one more week on short a and will then learn about short i.  A vocabulary test will be given in about 2 weeks.  Please continue to review them on a nightly basis.  In Math we will start timed tests with addition facts whose sum will be up to 12.  In Science we are still learning about the Ecosystem.  In Social Studies we are starting a unit on maps and where we live.  In Religion we are learning about God's creation.

Friday is Free Dress Spirit Day.  Once again if your child is wearing free dress they must have on an OLM shirt.

REMINDERS:

Please sign the planners.
Please check your child's home folder nightly.
Please make sure your child returns their homework and reader.
Please put your name with money that is turned in and what it is for.
We are still having problems in these areas.


VOCABULARY WORDS

boy
girl
how
with
very
much
I'm
can't
I'll
it's
they
bet

Have a great week.  If you have read this blog have your child write in their planner what day we celebrate Johnny Appleseed Day.  GOD LOVES YOU!

SEPTEMBER 17-SEPTEMBER 21

Progress Reports went home on Friday. I also included the Conduct Rubric which is used by the school. Once again, remind your child to always put forth their best effort. The progress reports must be signed and returned by Friday, September 21. A reminder: the Progress Report is just that: progress---where your child is academically right now in my classroom. Some children are working really well, but when they are finished they do not use their time wisely. They have 2 library books in their desk and 2 readers. When finished with work they are to get out their books and read. Some students prefer to just sit and talk. This is not using their time wisely and it is disruptive to others who are still working. You may want to talk to your child about this behavior.

ITBS testing begins on Monday. It will continue all week. It is important that your child be at school for the test. Please make sure your child gets plenty of rest and eats a good breakfast. Once again just tell your child to do their best. Healthy snacks will be provided for the children during testing. Thank you to the parents who had a hand in providing the snack.

This week the spelling test will include 2 extra challenge words. The challenge words will be ones that your child should know how to spell. They will be short a words that will have 4-5 letters. Those 2 words will be included in the overall spelling grade.

Most of the students are doing well on the timed math addition tests. Others need to continue to work on these math facts at home. I wrote a note on the timed test to those that need that extra help. This is part of the math grade.

Continue to review vocabulary words nightly. When we are doing workbook pages sometimes your child must do the reading independently. If they do not know their vocabulary words these pages can be very difficult. Your child is also required to read a short story on the board which uses vocabulary. They are then required to draw a picture that goes with the story. This will also be difficult if they do not know their words. In a couple of weeks they will be individually tested on the vocabulary words. So please keep working on them every night.

The catalog sale ends on Wednesday. Hopefully you have been selling. I have seen a lot of penguins in our classroom. That is a good sign.

Friday, September 21, dismissal is at 12:30. It is also Spirit Free Dress Day. In order for your child to have free dress they must wear an OLM t-shirt.

Remember SHOP$SMART for SCHOOLS. Bring in your original receipts from any MERCED MALL store to the Customer Service Counter or to the office at OLM School. We want to be the school that WINS at the end of the year. THANK YOU.

VOCABULARY WORDS

clean

all

of

why

up

would

this

but

take

because

find

circle

animal

turtle

Thank you for all of your support. Please continue to sign the planners and see that your child completes homework and returns it. If you have read this blog.....THANK YOU. Have a great weekend. GOD LOVES YOU!

SEPTEMBER10-SEPTEMBER 14

It is hard to believe that Progress Reports will be going home on Friday. A reminder: this is a progress report. It is just that. It shows your child's progress since the beginning of the school year and lets you know where your child is right now. The first 4-5 weeks have been review with some new skills added. This is a good time to remind your child to always do their best work. Some of your children are not completing their work in the allotted time. If papers are coming home with "Incomplete" on them you know your child was not using his/her time wisely. Neatness, both in handwriting and in coloring are a part of the Effort grade. Now is a good time to review behavior both inside and outside the classroom. Some children are not following the rules at lunchtime recess. I have been made aware of this. A conduct rubric will be going home. Progress Reports are to be signed and returned by Friday, September 21.

Some homework and readers are not being returned. It is so important that your child be responsible. They need to complete homework, return it and their reader. It is not your responsibility: it is theirs.

Timed math tests have begun. Our goal is that your child is able to memorize math facts and not have to rely on beads, fingers or number lines. We have started an addition unit in math which should reinforce the timed tests. Flashcards are the best way to practice.

Spelling will begin this week. The spelling words will go home on Tuesday with a note. Practice tests are given on Thursday, with the final and graded test on Friday. Backward letters and upper case letters will be marked incorrect on a test. Please work with your child nightly on the spelling words. After a week I will be giving challenge words that go with the short vowel skill that we are working on for the week.

There will be another Safe Environment Meeting on Thursday, Sept. 13, at 6:00 p.m.

Student photos will be taken either on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Thank you to all who turned in the sheet as to when you might be available to work. November is a very busy month and I will be calling on a number of you to help out in the classroom for several projects that are planned. I will be getting back to you when you are needed. Remember, you must have Safe Environment and fingerprints on file.

Many of you are sending loose money in the family envelope with loose slips. If you are sending lunch or milk money, please state who it is for and how much you have sent in. If you are sending in Pizza Hut money you can staple the money to the sheet. All of these items go into one large envelope and go to the office. I do not sort it, I just put it in the office envelope. Thank you for your help in this matter.

Remind your child to empty out their Home Folder and put any office items in my tray. A number of children are not turning in items until the end of the day. As a result, some items can be considered late. Thank for your help in this matter.

VOCABULARY WORDS

walk

run

jump

play

from

my

friend

is

fun

think

home

like

lift

Thank you to all who are reading the blog. If you have read this blog, have your child write in the planner what state they live in. Have a fabulous week. GOD LOVES YOU!

SEPTEMBER 3-SEPTEMBER 7

It was great to see you at Open House. I hope you enjoyed your visit. I also hope you are enjoying your three day weekend. Remember: no school on Monday, September 3. It is a holiday.

The OLM catalog sale will kick off on Wednesday with an assembly at 1:30. Your child will be bringing home all of the information.

On Friday, September 7, the bishop will be here to celebrate the all-school Mass. It will begin at 8:15. No shorts are allowed on that day. All are welcome to attend. Dismissal will be at 12:30 that day. On Saturday, September 8 is the birthday of the Blessed Mother.

Thank you for the great job you are doing in signing those planners. The students have really gotten into the groove of writing in them every morning.

Curriculum remains the same. We are doing a lot of review in Language Arts. We have started the third reader. Your children seem to be doing well with the vocabulary words. On Friday the first reading packet went home with a note regarding the grading of the packet.

Timed math tests will begin on Tuesday. I will give them a week of practice before they are entered as part of their math grade.

Spelling words will go home the week of September 10 and their first practice test will be on Thursday, September 13. A note will go home with the first set of spelling words.

The Our Lady of Mercy Foundation is hosting their annual Wine and International Food Tasting on Saturday, September 8. It is always a fun event and is a great way to meet people. For tickets call the office at 722-7496.

REMINDERS:

There seems to be some confusion on buying pizza. The pizza from Pizza Hut MUST BE PREORDERED. Your child can not come to school that day and buy a pizza lunch. A separate slip goes home with a deadline for the order. Please be aware of it. On the day of the Pizza Hut lunch I hand out the preordered pizza slip to each child who has ordered it. I hope this clarifies this for all.

Remind your children that their job in the classroom is to listen while I am teaching, to follow directions and to complete their work in the allotted time. They are to always do their very best work. Randomly I will select a paper to give them an Effort grade. The effort grade includes name on paper, following directions correctly and neat handwriting and coloring. Some students are not returning their homework or their readers the following day. That is also a part of their Effort grade.

When a math paper goes home with math vocabulary please review these words nightly with your child.  These are words that are going to be used for the chapter.  This page comes right out of our math workbook and has a short note for the parents.

VOCABULARY WORDS

found

going

am

for

under

across

bad

good

so

draw

are

look

Have a wonderful weekend. If you have read this blog have your child write on a piece of paper one rule they have at home. GOD LOVES YOU!

AUGUST 27-AUGUST 31

I hope to see you tomorrow at Open House. You will be able to see your child's classroom and some of their work. Open House is from 11:00 -1:00. A tri-tip dinner is being served from 11:00-2:00p.m. Remember this is an Open House. It is a time to look around your child's classroom. It is not a time for discussion about your child. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Thank you so much for signing those planners. Your children have really gotten into the routine of filling them out as soon as they get settled in the classroom in the morning.

At present we are reviewing the letters of the alphabet. We have started our reading program and are also using a supplemental reader. On Friday your child's first reading packet will go home. There will be a percentage in the corner. That is to let you know what the grade was on those reading workbook pages. I will be sending home a letter explaining the grading system on those pages. The workbook pages go right along with the story that we are reading. Just a note: I am aware that some of the readers seem very easy. That is a good thing. It really helps with reading fluency and expression while reading.

In Math we are reviewing number order and number words. Your child should be able to read the number words zero to twelve. They do not have to spell them. The first timed addition test will be given on Monday, September 10. Sums will be no higher than 10. There will be 25 problems and they will have 2 minutes to complete as many as they can. These tests will be entered into their overall math grade. Please work on these every night.

In Social Studies we are studying about communities, rules, laws and leaders. When finished we will start a unit on the Ecosystem in Science.

In Religion we are learning about Jesus as the Good Shepherd, the Church community, parishes, the Bible, Bible stories and we will then begin God's creation.

In P.E. we are learning about spatial awareness.

VOCABULARY WORDS

over

out

said

and

little

copy

far

away

come

here

now

in

want

bear

A few reminders: Please review reading vocabulary on a nightly basis. In math some students do not know the meaning of the terms greater than, fewer than, one more, or one less. Please work on these concepts with your child.

No more news at this time. Once again, thank you for all of your support. It is greatly appreciated. If you have read this blog, have your child write in their planner the name of the city they live in. Have a great week. GOD LOVES YOU.

AUGUST 20-AUGUST 24

We have completed and survived the first week of school. The first graders are getting into the routine of writing in planners and all the new classroom procedures. You, as parents, are doing great with signing the planners. Remember, Monday is the day that signatures on the planner are required. A note: initial the planner on the far right hand side of the planner as it makes it much easier for us to check. Thank you.

We have been working on our first list of vocabulary words. These are NOT spelling words. Your child must be able to read them, not spell them. Your child has been checked on reading color words. They will be checked on number words to twelve. Another list of vocabulary words will be going home on Monday. Add those to the list you already have. I do not want the vocabulary words sent back to school. We will be starting our first little reader this week.

Your child should also be working on math addition facts whose sum is any number up to 10. We will start timed tests in a couple of weeks.

REMINDERS:

Dismissal on Friday is at 12:30.

Make sure your child knows whether they are buying a hot lunch, milk, or have brought a lunch from home.

Make sure your child knows who is picking them up and where they are to go after school.

A homework paper must be returned the following day.

OPEN HOUSE is Sunday, August 26, from 11-1. A tri-tip dinner is served from 11-2. Tickets are available in the office.

If you arrive before 7:50, please go to the auditorium.

There will be a Safe Environment Meeting Tuesday, August 21, at 6:00 p.m. Remember ALL VOLUNTEERS must be trained even if you were in the past.

VOCABULARY WORDS (words to read)

rain

sun

on

white

it

get

to

do

have

color

Thank you for all of your support and help during this first week. It has been greatly appreciated. Keep signing those planners. If you have read this blog have your child bring Mrs. Mills an apple. If you don't have an apple, have your child draw one and color it and bring it in.

Have a great week and GOD BLESS YOU!

AUGUST13-AUGUST 17

Welcome to Our Lady of Mercy School. I am looking forward to a great year with your children. It was good to see so many of you at Back To School Night. On Monday the first school bell rings at 7:50. School begins at 8:00. You are more than welcome to bring your child into the classroom and to help them find their desk and to get settled. My door will be open a little after 7:30. Mass will begin at 8:30. Because we are going to mass please make sure your child is in uniform. Boys should be in the long blue cords and the girls should be in jumpers. No shorts are allowed on mass days.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This year all parents who want to help out in the classroom or around school MUST attend Safe Environment Training AGAIN. The first training session will be Wednesday, August 15, at 6:00 in the auditorium. No children are to be brought to this meeting. Another Safe Environment Training will be held the following week. It is very important that you attend if you want to help out. This is Diocesan policy.

Dismissal on Monday is at 12:30. Please make sure your child knows where they are to go to be picked up. Feel free to pick them up at my door at 12:30.

Your child should have all of his/her supplies by Friday, August 17. All students should come to school with a planner on Monday. They can be purchased from the office. The planner will be written in each day. It will go home and should be read by a parent and signed. It is to be returned the following day. I will be giving you a week to get into the swing of the planner, as this is important and is considered homework. There is a consequence if it is not signed and returned. A note will go home later during the week with all of the information you need.

Your child will be bringing home vocabulary words to read on Wednesday. Please review them every night. Your child should be familiar with most of them as many of them were sight words they learned last year.

VOCABULARY WORDS TO READ

go

can

we

see

will

not

what

saw

the

went

you

help

did

looking

walking

Have a great week and I will see you on Monday. GOD LOVES YOU!

May 21-May 25

Wow, the last week of the school year. It has gone by so fast. I have really enjoyed the year and have been so fortunate to have a wonderful group of moms and dads who have helped with many things. Thank you so much. I will be sending home a note to let you know some things you can continue to work on with your child through the summer months.

Things to remember:

Your child needs to bring a sack lunch Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Thursday is Field Day and the children have free dress that day.

Your child will be provided with lunch on Thursday.

Friday there will be Mass at 8:30. Students wear regular uniform. No shorts.

Dismissal is at 10:00. SUMMER VACATION

Have a good week. GOD LOVES YOU!

MAY 14-MAY 18

The days are going by fast now. On Friday, May 18, the 8th grade puts on the 8th Grade Carnival. It is from 10-12, with dismissal at 12:30. Free dress is allowed that day. The 8th grade will be around to sell tickets on Friday. I would suggest $5.00. That will be enough to play games and get some food. If that is too much then $3.00 would be good. If your child wants to spend more I usually allow them to buy $5.00 and then have them keep the rest of their money and they can buy more tickets if needed. Usually they do not run out.

No more news. Have a great week. GOD LOVES YOU! HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

MAY 7-MAY 11

A very busy week for the first graders is over. Grandparents Day was a huge success and the first graders did a good job participating in the Mass and the May Crowning. This is a good time to remind your children that May is the month that we honor Mary, the Mother of Jesus. One way to honor Mary is to pray the rosary.

My first graders have earned free dress on Monday, May 7, because we brought in the most money in the penny war. We did not have the most pennies, but we had the most money because many students sabotaged us. When wearing free dress remember: no tank tops or flip flops are allowed.

I will be gone on Monday and Tuesday because I am attending an Autism Workshop. I will be back on Wednesday. Mrs. Kirby will be my substitute.

The talent show will be held Friday morning at 8:30 for K-4. It will continue at 10:30 with 5-8. You are welcome to attend.

Curriculum is the same with lots of review going on. Your children will be taking a reading assessment on Level 5. Continue to review vocabulary words and short and long vowel sounds.

A reminder: No spelling test was given on Friday. It will be given on Monday, May 7. Please study for it.

Thank you to all of you for your constant help and cooperation. It is greatly appreciated.

Have a great week. GOD LOVES YOU!

APRIL 30-MAY 4

The Relay For Life was a huge success. Thank you to all that participated.

Progress Reports went home on Friday. They are to be signed and returned by Friday, May 4.

Curriculum remains the same.

Students may wear the uniform shorts starting on May 1.  A reminder:  shorts are not allowed on Mass day.

Friday, May 4, is Grandparents Day. The first grade is responsible for the all-school Mass on that day. We will also be participating in the May Crowning and we will  be entertaining.  It will be a very busy morning but one that will be fun for all.  I hope to see you there. The Mass begins at 8:15, followed by the May Crowning and then the pancake breakfast.   Dismissal is at 12:30.

I hope you all have a great week. GOD LOVES YOU!

APRIL 23-APRIL 27

Thank you for all of your prayers and support during this past week for Mrs. Bliss and her family.

Thank you also to all of you that drove on the field trip and helped out with First Communion. Thank you to the ladies that got all of the cookies ready on the trays and hauled the sodas to my car. It was greatly appreciated.

Progress Reports will be going home on Friday. Remember they are just that: they are letting you know where your child is right now academically. They do have time to bring their grades up. I think the most important thing you can tell your child is to always do their best and that their work should be neat. Some of the work that is turned in is very messy.

In Language Arts we are reviewing blends, digraphs, compound words, contractions, categories, plurals, sequencing, cause and effect, endings of s, ed, and ing, short and long vowels, main idea, summary, vocabulary words, and comprehension. In Math we have started adding double digit numbers. Next week we will start double digit subtraction. In Science we are finishing up a unit on matter. In Social Studies we will begin to learn about different kinds of transportation. We are finishing up community helpers. In Religion we are learning about the Holy Spirit.

The first grade will be participating in the May Crowning Mass and Crowning of Mary on May 4, Grandparent's Day.

Relay For Life is on Saturday out at the Merced College Football Field. Hope to see you there. We are having a car wash on Thursday afternoon.......2:30. Proceeds go to Relay For Life. Hopefully it does not rain.

Just a reminder: please sign planners and the reading packets.

Have a great week. GOD LOVES YOU!

APRIL 16-APRIL 20

I hope you have been enjoying your Easter break. When we get back from Easter break my first grade class will be going on their field trip to the Challenger Learning Center on Wednesday, April 18. Lunch is being provided and it should be a fun day for all. Free dress is allowed.

The first grades will be responsible for the First Communion reception on Saturday, April 21, at St. Patrick's Church. A note will be going home on Monday so you know what you are expected to send to school. I need 2 moms to help serve on Saturday. I am also in need of 2 moms who will transport the cookies and soda over to the church on Friday morning, April 20, and to get things set up for Saturday. If you can help out please let me know. Thank you for your cooperation.

We have finished all vocabulary words. The Level 5 Reading Assessment will be given within the next couple of weeks. The math timed tests that will begin on Monday will be subtraction facts starting with whole numbers up to 18. In Math we will begin double digit addition and then go into double digit subtraction. Thank you to all who participated in our Social Studies unit by sharing their job with our first graders. It was greatly appreciated.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your vacation. I will see you on Monday, April 16.

APRIL 2-APRIL 6

Things have slowed down a bit for our first graders. We did our morning prayer and we performed in the Spring Program. This will be a short week, with dismissal at 12:30 on Thursday. There will be a Holy Thursday prayer service that morning at 8:15. The entire school will close down on Thursday at 12:30 for Easter vacation. There will be NO extended cared. School will resume on April 16.

Free dress on Monday for $1.00 in honor of Mercy's birthday. Money will go to the SPCA.

The first grade will be going to the Challenger Center in Atwater on Wednesday, April 18, for their field trip. The permission slips need to be turned in by Thursday, April 5.

When we return from Easter vacation on Monday, April 16, you need to know that we are in charge of the second grade's First Communion. Each student in my class will be asked to bring in 2 dozen cookies for the reception on Saturday, April 21. The First Communion mass begins at 9:00 on Saturday, April 21. I will need 2 parents who will be willing to take all the cookies and sodas to the church on Friday, April 20, in the morning at 8:00. You will be in charge of setting up everything. I will then need 2 parents to help with the reception on Saturday, April 21. I will be sending home a note when we get back from Easter break.

The last vocabulary list went home last week. In Language Arts we are working on long and short vowel sounds, categories, sequencing, cause and effect, problem solving, drawing conclusions, inferences, blends, digraphs, root words, endings of s, ed, and ing, plurals, nouns, verbs, and comprehension. In Social Studies we are finishing up a unit on community helpers. In Science we are studying matter. In Religion we are learning about Jesus' crucifixion and death. In Spelling we are reviewing long o. In Math we are finishing up the unit on money and telling time.

Please make sure you sign the planners and the reading packets that go home on Monday and Tuesday. The packets will have new books in them this week. They will take a longer period of time to read.

Please remind your child that they need to stay in their seat during the school day. Some students are up and about. It is a distraction to the rest of the class.

During this Holy Week of Lent please try to attend some of the church services. Remember Jesus suffered and died for all of us.
It is a good time to start a discussion with your child about the events that occurred during this week.

If you have read this blog.......thank you. Have a good week. GOD LOVES YOU! HAPPY EASTER.

MARCH 26-MARCH 30

I enjoyed meeting with all of you for conferences. I sent home a note regarding the Spring Program on Wednesday evening at 6:30. It will be held in the OLM auditorium. I will be sending home the green skirts Wednesday evening. I have a softball game that evening so I probably will not be back to my room to open it until around 6:15.

Thank you to the families that donated books to our classroom library. It is greatly appreciated.

Curriculum remains the same. In math we began telling time.

A few reminders: some of the planners are not being signed and some of the reading packets that go home on Monday and Tuesday are not being signed. This is considered homework. It can have an effect on your child's effort grade. Thank you.

VOCABULARY WORDS

envelope
writing
special
inviting
stamp
wish
should
caught
blew
peering

If you have read this blog....thank you. Have a great week. GOD LOVES YOU!

MARCH 19-MARCH 23

This will be a short week with dismissal at 12:30 Monday through Thursday, with no school on Friday as many of the teachers are going to Anaheim for a Religion Conference. The Scholastic Book Fair will begin on Monday and run through Thursday. Our class will preview the Book Fair on Tuesday. Report cards went home on Friday and you may sign and return them this week when I meet with you for conferences.

Thank you to all the drivers that helped out on Wednesday going to Park Merced. We are now practicing for the Spring Program which will be held in 2 weeks. A note will go home with more information.

We have a new student in our class. We now have a total of 20. The class has been wonderful about making her feel welcome.

Thank you to all of you that have come and shared your job with the first graders. It has been a wonderful experience for all of them. In Math we will begin telling time. Continue to work on counting out money using quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies.

VOCABULARY WORDS

sniff
rough
fur
apples
carrots
smooth
smell
chew
flew
store

A reminder: please sign the planners and please initial your child's reading book packet that goes home on Monday and Tuesday.

If you have read this blog thank you! GOD LOVES YOU!

MARCH 12-MARCH 16

The third quarter is over and report cards will be going out on Friday. The following week I will be meeting with all of you for conferences. You may keep the report card and bring it back with you when we meet. This is a good time to remind your child that there is always room for improvement. Several suggestions: listen to and follow directions correctly, take your time and always turn in your best work, complete your work, take out a book and read when you are finished with your work.

We had a busy week last week. We Skyped with a school in Florida and I think it was quite interesting and the students really enjoyed it. Thank you to all the drivers that helped out on Wednesday when we traveled to The Hampshire and Emeritus for Stations of the Cross. We had several community helpers visit and share their jobs with us. A big thank you to them.

This week we will be traveling to Park Merced on Wednesday to present the Stations of the Cross. We will also be practicing for the Spring Program and our Lenten prayer presentations.

On Thursday evening is the 8th Grade Dinner Show. It is always quite entertaining and the dinner is delicious. Hope to see some of you there.

Curriculum remains the same. In math we have started counting money using quarters. Please work on this with your child. The following week we will begin working with clocks and telling time. I have been pleased with the reading packets that have gone home and the questions that have been answered. Please try to mix up the questions your child chooses to answer. Thank you for your support in this area. There are no new vocabulary words this week. It will give your child time to work on the ones they have.

Have a great week. If you have read the blog.......THANK YOU. God loves you!

MARCH 5-MARCH 9

Our busy schedule has begun. The first and eighth graders were wonderful in presenting the Stations of the Cross. It truly reminds us of the sacrifice Jesus made for you and me. On Friday, March 9, there will be an all-school mass at 8:15. Later on that morning we will be leaving at 9:45 to travel to Emeritus/Hampshire for a prayer service and presentation of the Stations of the Cross. If you have signed up to drive I will be using you. A reminder to all: please bring your booster seats for the cars.

On Monday in Computer Lab we are going to Skype with a first grade class in Florida. If your child does not turn in the permission slip for this on Monday they will not be a participant. You have the option to say "no". Thank you.

Friday is the end of the third quarter. Report cards will be going out the following week. I am amazed at how fast the year has gone by. We have started our Community Helpers unit. We had a large response to the note about coming in to share your job with the first graders. Thank you to all that have volunteered. If you are still interested just send in a note. We actually will be working on this unit for 3-4 weeks.

Thank you for having your child read the book in the reading packet and answering the question. I tried to star all the answers so you knew that I had read them. Try to vary the questions your child chooses to answer as some are much easier than others. We are working on counting out money. Some of your children are having difficulty with this. Please work on this at home. We have not started with quarters yet. So for now, work with dimes, nickels and pennies. Quarters will be introduced at the end of this week. We will be on money for about 2-3 more weeks and will then start with time. Another reminder: the addition facts with sums up to 18 will be single digit numbers being added together. We will learn about adding double digit numbers together later on. Thank you

A reminder: Lots of children are up and out of their seats during class time. They are getting pencils, crayons, kleenex, etc. and then choose to stop and visit along the way. Oftentimes they have sharpened pencils and the crayons they need in their school box, but choose to get up. It is very distracting to me and to the rest of the class. Please talk to your child about this.
The playground problems have gotten better, but there is always room for improvement.

VOCABULARY

breakfast
decorate
birthday
party
basket
fruit
secret
collect
curl
sound

Have a great week! If you have read this blog.........thank you. GOD LOVES YOU!

FEBRUARY 27-MARCH 2

If you attended the Ash Wednesday Mass I am sure you will agree that the first graders did a wonderful job. We are now into a very busy time. My first grade will be participating in the Stations of the Cross on Friday morning, March 2. It is tradition to act out the Stations with the 8th grade. You are all invited to attend. There will be no First Friday Mass that morning. It has been moved to the following Friday, March 9. On March 9th we will be going to The Hampshire and Emeritus to present the Stations of the Cross with the 8th graders. On Wednesday, March 14 we will be going to Park Merced to present the Stations of the Cross again. I will send out one permission slip for both days. I will need drivers. Then on Monday, March 26 and Thursday, March 29, my first grade is in charge of the Lenten morning prayer. On Wednesday, March 28, we will be performing in the Spring Program at the school. So you can see we are very, very busy. And in the middle of all of this report cards will go out with Spring Conferences the week of March 19.

We have started the last reader for the 1st grade. Your children were given a Reading Assessment for Level 4. I will keep that for the conferences. In Science we will start a unit on Matter. In Social Studies we will begin a unit on Community Helpers. In Math we will begin a unit on Money. Please work with your child on counting out money. We will start simple so please do not use a quarter. On daily assignments I require the students to write out the amounts counting on. This is the best way for them to learn counting money. Timed tests will start Monday with addition facts whose sums are up to 18. Please continue to have your child review all math facts.

Starting this next week, every Monday and Tuesday a reading envelope will go home with a little book in it. Your child is to read the book to you. There is a list of questions on the back of the packet. You should go over them with your child. Your child is to pick one question and answer it. The answer will be written in the planner. This is considered homework. Therefore it is very important that your child complete this assignment, you initial the envelope and return it the following day. Some of the books are easier than others. Easy books are good for improving reading fluency. Harder books challenge your child. If you have any questions about this just jot your question down in the planner.

VOCABULARY WORDS

against
board
push
toward
happen
hard
ground
gathered
crowd

I hope you have a great weekend. If you have read this blog have your child put these three words in ABC order: eight, one, four.
GOD LOVES YOU!

FEBRUARY 20-FEBRUARY 24

I hope you are enjoying the 4- day weekend. There are still a few Progress Reports out. Please sign and return them on Tuesday.
Thank you to the parents that helped with the Valentine's Party. The students really had a fun time.

Lent is beginning on Wednesday. The first grade is in charge of the Ash Wednesday mass. Some of your children came home with readings. Please make sure they are practicing them.

Lent is a season of prayer, fasting, and alms. Lent is a time to grow and change and to become closer to Jesus. Please talk to your child about this season and what might be something they can do for Lent. Sometimes we forget that Lent is not always about giving something up but also about doing something for someone.

Curriculum remains the same.

VOCABULARY WORDS

package
bright
letter
string
everyone
another
right
shoes
inside
perhaps
grown
around
night
collected
present

Have a great weekend. GOD LOVES YOU!

FEBRUARY 13-FEBRUARY 17

This is a short week, as is the following week. Remember we have no school on Friday, February 17 and again on Monday, February 20. Spelling words will be going home on Monday, with the tests being moved up one day.

Tuesday is Valentine's Day. We will be having a party in the afternoon. A note went home on Friday. Make sure your child has enough valentines for the entire class. We have 19 students. All your child has to do is to sign their name on the card. Do not address them. Thank you.

Progress Reports went home on Friday. They are to be signed and returned by Thursday. Remember this is where your child is right now with the grades that have been entered. They still have the rest of the quarter to raise them.

Reminders: We have been having many playground issues. Please talk to your child about playground rules. Please remind your child to keep their hands and feet to themselves. If your child is bringing money to buy snacks, juice, cookies etc. please remind them they are not to buy for another child. Feelings get hurt. Thank you.

VOCABULARY WORDS

tasty
pulled
eaten
finally
guess
pictures
turned
crayons
spread
watch
listen
frankly
capture

Have a great weekend. GOD LOVES YOU!

FEBRUARY 6-FEBRUARY 10

We had a great week with all of the Catholic Schools Week activities. A fun time was had by all. Hopefully we are back to a somewhat normal week. Thank you to all that drove back from the church. It was appreciated.

Tomorrow, Monday, is a Mardi Gras free dress day provided your child wears purple, green, yellow or gold.

Tuesday, February 7, is International Night. All of the reports are in and the students did a wonderful job. You will be able to see all of them Tuesday night. Hope to see you there. It will be a fun evening for all. It runs from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Progress Reports will go out on Friday and they are to be signed and returned by the following Friday. This is a good time to remind your child to always due their best, to follow directions, and to read all of the answers before choosing one. It is also a good time to remind you that your child needs to be reviewing vocabulary words, spelling words, and math vocabulary on a nightly basis. Some children are still rushing, not listening and making careless mistakes.

Our auction item has been completed. The book is WONDERFUL. I have a copy in my room and there is one in the office for you to preview. Feel free to drop by and see it.

VOCABULARY

air
square
storm
remember
city
donkey
distant
before
mystery
closet
caused
tasted
leave
paint

Have a great week. If you have read this blog let me know in the planner who was the Super Bowl winner. GOD LOVES YOU!

JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 3

It was great so see so many of you at the 5:00 Saturday evening mass to kick off Catholic Schools Week. The choir sounded wonderful. There are many activities planned for the week so make sure you keep the list of them where you can check on them daily.

ACTIVITIES FOR THE WEEK:

Monday: Faith movie for the students after lunch

Tuesday: BUDDY DAY Bring a small snack or gift for your buddy. It should cost no more than $1.00. It is also BLUE AND WHITE free dress for SPIRIT DAY. There is a home basketball game at 4:00. Hope to see you there.

Wednesday: Cherish Luncheon. The first grade will be part of the entertainment prior to the luncheon.

Thursday: Academic Super Quiz Game at 1:30. Moms vs Daughters/Fathers vs Sons Basketball Game at 6:00 in the OLM Auditorium. Should be fun to watch.

Friday: MASS AT ST. PATRICK'S. Students should arrive at St. Patrick's church by 7:50 a.m. They will be driven from the church to the school after mass. Make sure your permission slip is back by Monday. I am still missing several of them. If you are driving I will need you. We are short drivers. So if you are available to drive please see me or drop me a note in the planner. There is a Teachers vs. 8th grade volleyball game at 11:15. Dismissal will be at 12:30

REMINDERS FOR THE WEEK: All students need to bring a sack lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday. Thank you.


As you can see it is a very busy week. There will be no new vocabulary words this week. Please have your child continue to review them on a nightly basis.

Have a super week. If you have read this blog have your child write down the theme for Catholic Schools Week in their planner. Hint: it is written on the yellow handout in your family envelope. GOD LOVES YOU!

JANUARY 23-JANUARY 27

The school year is half over and we are moving right along. The Saturday evening 5:00 mass will kick off Catholic Schools Week. Make sure your child wears their school uniform to the mass that they are attending. Next week begins Catholic Schools Week. More information will be in next week's blog about all of the activities that will be occurring during the week. A permission slip will be going home this week for the All-School Mass at St. Patrick's on February 3. I will be needing drivers for that morning.

In Language Arts we have started the 2nd unit in Level 4. We continue to work on vocabulary, cause and effect, sequencing, predictions, classification, short vowels, nouns, verbs, blends, endings of ed, s, ing, plurals, contractions, compound words, digraphs, writing skills, reading fluency and comprehension. In Science we are learning about the weather and the seasons. In Social Studies we are learning about the Dominican Republic and other cultures. In P.E. we are doing dance and rhythms. We are also using bean bags. In Religion we are learning about the Eucharist, forgiveness and making the right choice. In Math we are starting a new chapter on shapes and solids. A vocabulary sheet about this chapter will go home on Monday. Please review the vocabulary terms with your child. They are used on the assignments and tests.

A few reminders:

All students had a homework assignment to write in the planner.

The only sweaters or sweatshirts allowed are OLM ones.

Coats and jackets are not to be worn in the classroom.

Please check the handbook for hair accessories. Some that are worn are not acceptable.

Leggings are not allowed. Tights are acceptable.

Please remind your child to use the bathroom before school, during recess and during lunchtime. It has really become an interruption during the school day. Students are asking to leave during instruction time, during tests and during assignments.



VOCABULARY WORDS

world
quiet
forever
family
attic
window
toys
climbed
empty
bored
million
share

Have a great week. GOD LOVES YOU!

JANUARY 16-JANUARY 20

I hope you all enjoyed your day off in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Thank you to all of you that signed and returned the report cards so promptly. It was much appreciated.

Your child will be bringing home a note about their topic for the country of the Dominican Republic. The due date is noted on the handout. Your child will be receiving a Social Studies/Effort grade on this project.

Please talk to your child about playground behavior. Over the last several weeks there have been some problems. Students are playing rough. They are running and chasing in the jungle gym area and they have hands on one another. Detentions will be given out if it continues. Thank you for your support in this matter.

VOCABULARY WORDS

swim
farther
drink
expect
built
hawk
grit
vacuum
edge
enough
clutch
gizzard
afternoon
everywhere

Have a great week. If you have read this blog have your child write down in the planner who won the Saints vs. 49ers game and what the score was. GOD BLESS YOU!

JANUARY 9-JANUARY 13

Your children seem to be back in the swing of school. Report cards went home on Friday. Also included was the SLE assessment. They are both to be signed and returned by Friday, January 13. There will be no school on Monday, January 13, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

International Night will be held on Tuesday, February 7 at 6:00. The first grade will be learning about the country of the Dominican Republic. Your child will be assigned a topic within the next week. A note will go home as to what is expected from them. They will have about 2 weeks to complete the assignment. It will be part of their Social Studies grade.

You should have seen the 4th level reader which your child brought home on Thursday evening. Hopefully your child did not go ahead and look or read any of the forthcoming stories. You noticed that the challenge in spelling is now dictation. Your children did quite well for the first time. You can help your child at home by giving them dictation sentences. Everything in the sentence must be correct in order to get a point.

Just a few reminders for the new year:

Sign planners every night
Return homework the following day
Only OLM sweatshirts are allowed
Any kind of jacket is allowed for outside wear
Review addition and subtraction facts
Review vocabulary words
Students should use the bathroom during their recess and lunch break

VOCABULARY WORDS

fourth
fifth
sixth
seventh
strange
whole
elephant
pillar
turn
agree
moral
great

Have a great week and stay warm. If you have read this blog have your child write in their planner what the weather was like over the weekend. GOD LOVES YOU!