Newsletter - March 17th

Star Class News

Week of March 17th

Paddy Day Parade
Monday March 17th, we will be releasing early for the annual Paddy Hough Parade.  Our students will get the opportunity to walk with us (and their parents) in the parade.  Please join us even if you don't attend school that day.  We can wear our class shirts, if you can find them!  We will release at 11:30 that day to give us time to meet up in front of Hough Elementary School.  We won't be having that snack that day, but pack a lunch.  There is an hour from when we have to release until the parade starts so it will give the kids something to do.

Classroom Basket
This year Chloe's mom (Mindi) and Drew's mom (Jennifer) are going to help put together the Class auction basket. We will be doing a "fire pit" theme. The picture they showed me of their idea is WONDERFUL, and we need your help. This year we are looking for a money donation to help purchase items for the fire pit and they will take care of the rest. We are hoping you can donate at least $5 (however any amount would be helpful). If you could give the donation to Teacher Jo by next week it would help give them time to get the items and put it together.

Auction Dinner
The Auction dinner has not had a very popular response. The low ticket sales has prompted a thought to cancel the event. Please help us get enough interest in this so we can continue with this fundraising evening. We need to sell more tickets so invite your friends, family and neighbors. The auction has many great items and need people to come bid on them! We do have limited childcare still available at a very reasonable price. I know we ask for your support often and appreciate so much what you have done for the class and our school. This is the last fundraising event for the school year and proceeds will be going to classroom materials and scholarships. Thank you in advance for stepping up and giving us your support.

This week
This week we are going to be learning with Lio Lionni.  We will be learning about sharing, friendship, teamwork, color matching and begin color mixing.  We will also be creating some green necklaces on Monday to wear to the Hough parade.  We also have some new toys in our room this week, the light table is back and we have use of the pipe wall from the old Kindergarten class.

Word Wall
This week we will be introducing the letter U for Umbrella.  Please have your child bring in items that start with the letter and put them in the pelican so we can share them at the end of the day.

Important dates and events
March 14th – Early Bird ticket sales for Auction - END
March 17th -  Early Release @ 11:30 for Paddy Hough Parade @ 12:30
March 20th – Kindred @ 10:15
March 21st -  Auction Tickets Sales END
March 24th–28th - Silent Auction for student made items
March 29th - Annual Dinner Auction 5:00 – 8:00

This weeks songs in the Star Class

Find the Color (to the tune of: The muffin man)

Oh, can you find the color______,
The color _____, the color _____?
Oh, can you find the color _____,
Somewhere in this room?

Colors (to the tune of: The farmer in the dell)

Oh, (name) is wearing orange,
Oh, (name) is wearing orange.
High Ho the derry oh,
(name) is wearing orange.
(Change name and colors accordingly)

Color Hokey Pokey

You put blue in,
You take blue out.
You put blue in
And you shake it all about.
You do the hokey-pokey and you turn yourself around.
That’s what it’s all about!
Continue with each color

Classroom needs
Wipes
Glue Sticks

Volunteer Opportunities
Auction Help – Sign up are on Maria's door
Recycling – 15 minutes
Washing toys – 30 minutes

Newsletter - March 10

Star Class News

Week of March 10th

This weekend we lost an hour!  We hope you all remembered to push back your clocks for Day light savings.

Paddy Day Parade
Monday March 17th, we will be releasing early for the annual Paddy Hough Parade.  Our students will get the opportunity to walk with us (and their parents) in the parade.  Please join us even if you don't attend school that day.  We can wear our class shirts, if you can find them!  We will release at 11:30 that day to give us time to meet up in front of Hough Elementary School.  Monday parents please let us know what works best for you for snack that day.  Teacher Jo will try to get an idea when we are all together on Monday.

Classroom Basket
This year Chloe's mom (Mindi) and Drew's mom (Jennifer) are going to help put together the Class auction basket. We will be doing a "fire pit" theme. The picture they showed me of their idea is WONDERFUL, and we need your help. This year we are looking for a money donation to help purchase items for the fire pit and they will take care of the rest. We are hoping you can donate at least $5 (however any amount would be helpful). If you could give the donation to Teacher Jo by next week it would help give them time to get the items and put it together.

Auction Tickets on Sale Now!
Early Bird Auction Tickets sale ends this Friday!  Make sure to pick up your tickets as soon as possible. Tickets are $15.00 per person and $25.00 per couple.  We will also have Reserved Tables at the front of the action for auction.  Tables have a 4 couple capacity and will go for $150.00 a table.  Ticket prices go up March 17th so get your tickets early!!  Your ticket includes:  dinner, beverages, dessert, entertainment, and access to all live and silent auction items.

Auction Night Day Care
This year Little Acorn is offering childcare during the auction with some of the teachers they have gotten to know.  We will provide dinner, crafts, large motor, and group activities for your children while you are playing upstairs and enjoying a child free night.  The cost is only $12 for the night, $20 if you have two preschoolers.  Space is limited to just 20 children, and is limited to children currently enrolled at Little Acorn.  You mush sign up and pay when you purchase your Auction tickets and childcare payment is non-refundable.

No Food in the Playroom
We have children with life threatening allergies and need to keep all food and drinks out of the playroom.   Please make sure that when you are hanging out before or after school all food and drinks remain out of the playroom.

This week
This week we are going to be learning about cause and effect with some of our favorite books by Laura Numeroff. We will be creating projects from “IF you give a Mouse a Cookie” “If you give a Pig a Pancake” and “If you take a Mouse to School”.  We will be creating our own animals and creating cause and affect stories, as well as creating some fun counting projects.

Word Wall
This week we will be introducing the letter G for Goat and Grill.  Please have your child bring in items that start with the letter and put them in the pelican so we can share them at the end of the day.

Important dates and events
March 10th – Tuition grace period ends at NOON
March 14th – Early Bird ticket sales for Auction - END
March 17th -  Early Release @ 11:30 for Paddy Hough Parade @ 12:30
March 20th – Kindred @ 10:15
March 21st -  Auction Tickets Sales END
March 24th–28th - Silent Auction for student made items
March 29th - Annual Dinner Auction 5:00 – 8:00

This weeks songs in the Star Class

The kids have been enjoying some of their favorite songs lately so we will continue singing some of our favorites this week..and maybe see if we can create a song of our own from the books

Classroom needs
Wipes
Glue Sticks

Volunteer Opportunities
Auction Help – Sign up are on Maria's door
Recycling – 15 minutes
Washing toys – 30 minutes

Newsletter - March 3rd

Star Class News

Week of March 3rd

Wow we have a lot going on:

Paddy Day Parade
Monday March 17th, we will be releasing early for the annual Paddy Hough Parade.  Our students will get the opportunity to walk with us (and their parents) in the parade.  Please join us even if you don't attend school that day.  We can wear our class shirts, if you can find them!  We will release at 11:30 that day to give us time to meet up in front of Hough Elementary School.  I will be asking parents this week what they want done for snack that day.  We could bring our own snack lunches and eat them at school, save them for the parade route, or do a lunch cooking project that day that would fill us up for the afternoon!

Donations Needed
We are currently seeking donations for the Auction. We are in need of items for both Silent and Live Auction. If you have anything you would like to donate or know someone with a business who would like to donate items or service we would love to accept them. We would also be very happy to provide a receipt for tax purposes. Thanks for your support.

Auction Tickets on Sale Now!
Early Bird Auction Tickets go on Sale on the 3rd – 14th.  Tickets are $15.00 per person and $25.00 per couple.  We will also have Reserved Tables at the front of the action for auction.  Tables have a 4 couple capacity and will go for $150.00 a table.  Ticket prices go up March 17th so get your tickets early!!  Your ticket includes:  dinner, beverages, dessert, entertainment, and access to all live and silent

Auction Night Day Care
This year Little Acorn is offering childcare during the auction with some of the teachers they have gotten to know.  We will provide dinner, crafts, large motor, and group activities for your children while you are playing upstairs and enjoying a child free night.  The cost is only $12 for the night, $20 if you have two preschoolers.  Space is limited to just 20 children, and is limited to children currently enrolled at Little Acorn.  You mush sign up and pay when you purchase your Auction tickets and childcare payment is non-refundable.

Parents Welcome
Dr Seuss is known for bring out the love of literacy, so if any parents want to come in and read to the children in small groups while we work on projects, you are more then welcome.  You can bring in your own books, or use some Dr Seuss books in our class.  This time will not count toward any volunteer time, but the Star Class loves to hear stories and if you have the time and enjoy reading just let us know what days work best for you this week.

This week
This week we will be celebrating with Dr Suess.  There are so many fun activities that Dr Suess can lead up to, we may have overplanned but what we don't get to we can try for next week!  Monday and Tuesday, we will be enjoying Green Eggs and Ham. We will also be making Gertrude McFuzz birds, and working with shadows and the shapes of the star class and other stuff, with the help of the Shape of me and other things by Dr. Seuss.  We are going to be looking at some of my favorite Dr. Seuss books...one fish, two fish and the Foot book.  We will be exploring math ideas with fish while we sort, match and create fish patterns, as well as play a math fish game.  We will also try to get to our the Lorax.

Word Wall
This week we will be introducing the letter C for Cat and Cute.  Please have your child bring in items that start with the letter and put them in the pelican so we can share them at the end of the day.

Important dates and events
March 3rd – Tuition Due
March 3rd – Early Bird Ticket sales for Auction Begin
March 9th – Daylight Savings Time Begins
March 10th – Tuition grace period ends at NOON
March 14th – Early Bird ticket sales for Auction - END
March 17th -  Early Release @ 11:30 for Paddy Hough Parade @ 12:30
March 20th – Kindred @ 10:15
March 21st -  Auction Tickets Sales END
March 24th–28th - Silent Auction for student made items
March 29th - Annual Dinner Auction 5:00 – 8:00

This weeks songs in the Star Class

Rhyming words

Cat and Hat are Rhyming words, Rhyming words, Rhyming words
Cat and Hat are Rhyming words, Cat and Hat

Continue with other words that rhyme...even words that are created can be fun!

Classroom needs
Wipes
Glue Sticks
Pictures if not in yet -
Cubby picture
All About Me books

Volunteer Opportunities
Auction Help – Sign up are on Maria's door
Recycling – 15 minutes
Washing toys – 30 minutes

Newsletter - Feb 24th

Star Class News

Week of February 24th

We hope that you were able to enjoy your weekend.  We can't believe that we are in our last week of February!  This year is going by fast.  It looks like our Library field trip is going to happen.  Most of the response we got came back saying that the fieldtrip would be a good idea, so we will be going the Thursday and Friday before Spring Break.  We will have more details soon.

Family Fun Night
Friday February 28th is our Next Family Fun night!  We will be celebrating the birthday of a beloved children's author; Dr Suess.  We will celebrate with crafts, face painting, birthday cupcakes and a dance party.  The party starts at 5:30, we hope you can make it!

Schedule Change
It has come to our attention that our snack time is making lunch schedules difficult at home.  We will be changing our schedule starting next week, to see if we can help out our families as well as the children that are hungry earlier in the morning.  We will be talking about the change all week since our class knows our schedule and we want to prepare them.

Donations Needed
We are currently seeking donations for the Auction. We are in need of items for both Silent and Live Auction. If you have anything you would like to donate or know someone with a business who would like to donate items or service we would love to accept them. We would also be very happy to provide a receipt for tax purposes. Thanks for your support.

Save the Date
Mark your calendars for our Annual Dinner Auction to be held Saturday, March 29, 2014
from 5:00 – 8:00 in Jason Lee Hall. Limited childcare will be available for preschool aged children during this event. Early bird tickets will go on sale March 3rd. Additional details will be available next month.

This week
This week we will be finishing our work with Mo Willems.  We will read one of Teacher Jaylene's favorite books, Knufflebunny on Monday and Tuesday and finish the week with Gerald and Piggie.  We will also be using this week to start talking about feelings, creating feeling stories, talking about what can cause certain feelings, and what to do if we or our friends have those feelings.  If we have time we will start creating our own books.  These books will become a work in progress and we will have them work on them until they are done.  

Word Wall
This week we will be introducing the letter Qq for Quilt and Questions.  Please have your child bring in items that start with the letter and put them in the pelican so we can share them at the end of the day.

Important dates and events
February 28th  - Family Fun Night 5:30 – 7:00
March 3rd – Tuition Due
March 3rd – Early Bird Ticket sales for Auction Begin
March 9th – Daylight Savings Time Begins
March 10th – Tuition grace period ends at NOON
March 14th – Early Bird ticket sales for Auction - END
March 17th -  Early Release @ 11:30 for Paddy Hough Parade @ 12:30
March 20th – Kindred @ 10:15
March 21st -  Auction Tickets Sales END
March 24th–28th - Silent Auction for student made items
March 29th - Annual Dinner Auction 5:00 – 8:00

This weeks songs in the Star Class

If your happy and you Know it....with feelings

If your happy and you know it clap your hands
If your happy and you know it clap your hands
If your happy and you know it then your face will surely show it
If your happy and you know it clap your hands.

Mad...stomp your feet
Sad....hang your head
Frustrated....fold your arms
Excited.....Dance around
Sleepy.....go to sleep
Shy.....hide your face

Classroom needs
Wipes
Glue Sticks
Pictures if not in yet -
Cubby picture
All About Me books

Newsletter - February 17th

Star Class News

Week of February 17th

Thank you to all of the families that made it to our Good Night Moon Field trip. We had fun seeing so many of our friends there. We hope you enjoyed it! We also want to thank everyone for the goodies provided for our Valentines party. With short notice, we were able to have a wonderful lunch with pizza, fruit, crackers, and treats to go along with our movie.

Donations Needed

We are currently seeking donations for the Auction. We are in need of items for both Silent and Live Auction. If you have anything you would like to donate or know someone with a business who would like to donate items or service we would love to accept them. We would also be very happy to provide a receipt for tax purposes. Thanks for your support.

Save the Date

Mark your calendars for our Annual Dinner Auction to be held Saturday, March 29, 2014

from 5:00 – 8:00 in Jason Lee Hall. Limited childcare will be available for preschool aged children during this event. Early bird tickets will go on sale March 3rd. Additional details will be available next month.

Registration for Next year

Registration has begun for 2014-2015. If you haven't had a chance to register, stop by Maria's office to get a spot!

This week

This week we are going to be working on one of our class auction projects, catch up on some of the work we like to do monthly (since we are behind with all of the missing days) and start our Mo Willems unit. Mo Willems has written some of our favorite books, this week we will be learning about two of his famous characters Knufflebunny (a beloved stuff animal that gets lost) and Pigeon (trying to get stuff he wants). Next week we will be continuing our Mo Willems unit with other great characters Elephant and Piggie.

Word Wall

This week we will be introducing the letter Oo for Octopus and Olives. Please have your child bring in items that start with the letter and put them in the pelican so we can share them at the end of the day.

Important dates and events

February 19^th – Kindred @ 10:15

February 28^th - Family Fun Night 5:30 – 7:00

March 3^rd – Tuition Due

March 3^rd – Early Bird Ticket sales for Auction Begin

March 9^th – Daylight Savings Time Begins

March 10^th – Tuition grace period ends at NOON

March 14^th – Early Bird ticket sales for Auction - END

March 17^th - Early Release @ 11:30 for Paddy Hough Parade @ 12:30
March 20^th – Kindred @ 10:15

March 21^st - Auction Tickets Sales END

March 24^th–28^th - Silent Auction for student made items

March 29^th - Annual Dinner Auction 5:00 – 8:00

This weeks songs in the Star Class

We will be singing our favorite songs from the year. Children will get to pick the songs they would like to sing.

Classroom needs

Wipes

Glue Sticks

Pictures if not in yet -

Cubby picture

 All About Me books

Newsletter - February 10th

Star Class News

Week of February 10th

We hope that everyone was able to get out and enjoy the snow and stay safe! Teacher Jo spent the weekend wrapped up in her blanket looking out while her kids spent many hours in the snow sledding. Luckily it looks like the snow is melting, so we can get back to school. Remember if there is a 2 hour late start for Vancouver School District, we will not be at school. Unless they have to shut down the theater for weather concerns, we will be meeting for our field trip Wednesday regardless of what Vancouver School District is doing.

Good Night Moon Field Trip

Our field trip is Wednesday this week! There will be no class on this day. We will meet at the theater around 9:15, the performance begins at 9:15. It might be a good idea to carpool with another family to help with the parking situation.

Valentines Party

We are going to have a Pajama Party to celebrate Valentines Day on Thursday and Friday.

or our Valentines Day celebrations, we will be having a Pajama Party to celebrate Good Night Moon on Thursday and Friday after our field trip play! Since I wont be able to have families sign up for goodies. Teacher Jo will be picking up a special treat for the kids, if you want to help donate just let us know. We will not be having an official party, but we will be creating Good Night crafts, snuggling in for a small video, and handing out valentine cards. We have found at this age it is easiest to leave off the names of the other kids, but those that are ready can practice writing their own names over and over! We have 10 kids that come on Thursday, 11 kids that come on Friday or 16 kids total in the Star Class. You can decide how many valentines you want your child to bring in.

Registration for Next year

Registration has begun for 2014-2015. If you haven't had a chance to register, stop by Maria's office to get a spot!

This week

This week we are going to be learning through Good Night Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. We will be sorting mittens, saying good night to our favorite things, and having a Pajama Party on Thursday and Friday.

Word Wall

Due to the play and unknown number of days....we will NOT be having word wall this week. If your child would like to bring in something to share that they say Good night too, they are welcome to bring it in and put it in the Pelican.

Important dates and events

February 10^th – Tuition grace period ends at noon

February 12^th – NWCT play “Goodnight Moon”

February 13^th – PJ Party and Valentines day

February 14^th – PJ Party and Valentines day

February 17^th – Presidents Day – No School

This weeks songs in the Star Class

Good Night

Good Night (childs name/object), Good Night (Child's name/object)

Good Night (child's name/object)

It's time to say Good Night

Classroom needs

Wipes

Glue Sticks

Pictures if not in yet -

Cubby picture

 All About Me books

Newsletter - Feb. 3rd

Star Class News

Week of February 3rd

Sorry to send this out so late tonight! The Superbowl game had me a little distracted. Way to go Seahawks!!!

Good Night Moon Field Trip

Our field trip is next week! We have some families that are interested in carpools. This may be a good idea, since there is not a lot of parking near the theater. Please let us know if you would be interested in carpooling and we can see if we can arrange something.

Portfolios

Clare's family has graciously donated new binders for us so that we can fit more of the children's work in their portfolios. They have also offered to help us transfer the work we have already added on Wednesday during class time. If anyone can help out, please feel free to stay. We will set up a work area in the kindergarten class. Thank you Mitchell family!

Registration for Next year

Registration for 2014-2015 is this Wednesday for In-House Registration beginning at 9:15 in JLH and Open Registration will be held on Feb 7^th.

Valentines Day Celebrations

For our Valentines Day celebrations, we will be having a Pajama Party to celebrate Good Night Moon on Thursday and Friday after our field trip play! We will not behaving an official party, but we will be creating Good Night crafts, snuggling in for a small video, and handing out valentine cards. We have found at this age it is easiest to leave off the names of the other kids, but those that are ready can practice writing their own names over and over! We have 10 kids that come on Thursday, 11 kids that come on Friday or 16 kids total in the Star Class. You can decide how many valentines you want your child to bring in.

This week

This week we will talking about the author of Pete the Cat, Eric Litwin. We have enjoyed talking care of Pete the Cat in our class (several of our friends have dressed him up and made sure to take him to the doctor). Now we get to create projects around him, talk about our favorite shoe colors, count his buttons, and help him share his magic sunglasses while we create our own!

Word Wall

This week we will bring back the word wall with the letter Kk for Kangaroo and Kiss. Please have your child bring something that starts with the letter to put in our pelican.

Important dates and events

February 3^rd – Tuition Due

February 5^th – In House Registration begins at 9:15

February 7^th – Open Registration begins at 9:15

February 10^th – Tuition grace period ends at noon

February 12^th – NWCT play “Goodnight Moon” at 9:30

February 13^th – PJ Party and Valentines day

February 14^th – PJ Party and Valentines day

February 17^th – Presidents Day – No School

This weeks songs in the Star Class

Check out http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/feature/petethecat/ for the songs and stories of Pete the Cat!

Classroom needs

Wipes

Glue Sticks

Pictures if not in yet -

Cubby picture

 All About Me books