February 4, 2010
Just so you will know.....

            I hope all of you have enjoyed some wintertime fun. I overheard one of my students say today as we headed outside to go to our music class, “I miss the snow already!”  You have to love the enthusiastic appreciation of children when any kind of delight comes their way.
            Thank you for your help in making Penguin Day such a success. Though the day was a short one, I don’t think we missed a beat. We ate “Goldfish”  and ice cream sandwiches, and we loved looking like those funny little birds every minute we had. We even had penguin cookies. Thank you, Mrs. Gerlach! I commend  all of you and your students for the costume creativity. I don’t think I’ve seen a finer “rookery “anywhere! It was quite a privilege to lead that parade this year!
            Please notice the information being sent home today (Thursday) regarding a science project that is due next Thursday, Feb. 11. Before you scream, let me just say that it is not intended to be complicated, and it will be in lieu of a chapter 9 test. We simply want your child to use his/her imagination to think of a new use for an item  that he or she might otherwise throw away, as we all  consider the need to conserve  our natural resources during the next few days in science. We will share these items in class, along with our ideas for “recycling” them. I am thinking this class will not struggle with originality on this assignment!
            We will celebrate Valentines Day next Friday, February 12, from 12:45-1:45. We always request  at third grade level that if your child wishes to bring Valentines to classmates, there should be one for each boy, or for each girl, or for everyone in the class. Our room moms will provide bags so there will be no need for your child to bring one from home. There will not be a time for the children to deliver cards to friends in other classes since we celebrate at different times.
            There are no scheduled “content” tests next week, other than the usual spelling,  timed math facts, and Bible verse assessments. We have reached the half-way point in the grading period. I have included with the midterm grades AR reading reports so that you and your child can discuss their progress toward this quarter’s goal. Remember that the goals are a little higher, and the comprehension rate must be at least 90%. If there’s a little “moaning and groaning,”  remind that we are getting closer all the time to being 4th graders! We want to be ready. I have also included reports regarding your child’s progress with both AR Math and Math Facts in a Flash. By the way, because I send work folders home on Thursday, I have asked and received permission to send mid-terms a day early, and the science grade average does not include the test on chapter 8 which was given on Wednesday, February 3.
            If we were playing baseball, I’d say that unless the umpire has forgotten something, our bases are covered. Have a great week. I love every one of my 22 Valentines in Room 308!

In Christ,
Mamie Sullivan
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