December 20, 2019 Newsletter

Dear Parents,

We had an exciting week!  We talked a lot about traditions that we celebrate, especially around the holidays.  Each student had a chance to share what they celebrate and the fun things they do with their families.  I enjoyed listening to each one of them and hope you all enjoy the celebrations that will be going on this next week!

We read a few mitten stories this week.  We read “The Mitten” by Jan Brett, “The Mitten” by Alvin Tresselt, and “The Mitten” by Jim Aylesworth.  The students enjoyed comparing the characters and other details from the stories.  We also read more Gingerbread stories and even followed clues around the school to complete a Gingerbread scavenger hunt.  The students loved it!

The students brought home a lot of stuff in brown paper bags yesterday.  There are several art projects and even a holiday gift for you and the students!  There was also a special science experiment from the Burlington Science Center in your child’s folder yesterday.  Please click on this link to watch a video about the special experiment.

https://bsciencecenter.wordpress.com/2019/12/18/vacation-experiment-the-balancing-peace-bird/

We would also like to thank all of you for all the thoughtful and generous holiday gifts you have given to both of us and especially for all your support this year so far.  We look forward to working with your children more in 2020!  Have a fun-filled and safe holiday and a very Happy New Year!

We sadly said good-bye to Mohideep today but we wish him all the best as he moves and starts at a new school.  We will miss him!

Melanie Duncan and Mary Sullivan

December 13, 2019 Newsletter

Dear Parents,

It's hard to believe we only have one more week of school until our holiday break!  We have had a very exciting month of school and have learned so much.  The children have done amazingly well with all the excitement and changes in our schedule. 

We have almost finished our first unit in Fundations and are looking forward to working with uppercase letters in January.  We have been busy working with some Kindergarten sight words, writing in our journals, and sorting objects in math. 

We made two class books this week.  One is called “Room 115 Tried to Sleep” and the other is “The Mitten Book.” The students also made “All About Me” posters this week.  They included pictures of their families as well as some of their favorite things.  I recorded their voices explaining their posters on Seesaw.  Please be sure to check it out!  It has been a great way for me to get to know everyone better too!

We will be going to the library on Wednesday.  Please be sure to return your child’s library book by then.

The Francis Wyman Used Book Store is also going to be open Wednesday morning.  Students can bring either a quarter (25 cents) or a book from home to trade if they wish to participate.  It’s a great time to stock up on books for winter vacation or if students want to buy books for holiday gifts.  This is for students only...not parents.

I will be putting the January Volunteer Calendar together by the beginning of next week.  If you are available to help out from 10:10-10:55am any day(s), please let me know which day(s) and how often you would like to come in and I will plug you into the calendar.  

Have a great weekend!

Melanie Duncan

A Reminder:  School vacation will be December 23-January 1.  School will start up again on Thursday, January 2, 2020!  If you would like your child to bring their snow pants and boots home before the holiday break, please let us know.

Wish list items:  large paper plates (non-coated), cotton balls, large brown paper bags.  Thanks!

Hedgehog Show

Ms. P. from the Burlington Science Center visited our classroom on Monday and brought a special guest with her.... Rascal, the hedgehog!  We read The Mitten by Jan Brett and Ms. P. taught us some cool facts about the animals from that story.  We learned about their habitats and what the animals do to protect themselves.  She taught us a lot about the hedgehog and even let us touch it!  You will have to ask your child about how a hedgehog protects itself!