Friday 12 December, 2014

1) As much Story Map time as possible coming over Monday and Tuesday, including some "No Laptop" time, (more artistic time) so plan appropriately

2) Grade 7 Mesopotamia test date Monday December 15 - I will fit this in between practices for the concert on Monday

3) Christmas/Holiday Party Thursday (student organized) - we meant to discuss who could bring what for the party today, but we had a concert practice that went well into the afternoon.  Students "volunteered" items they thought they could bring and wrote those on the white board in our class.  My hope is that anyone wishing to bring something could do so by ransacking items they already have at home (2 litre pops, chips, cups, plates, etc.). I hope to not have you lay out any money for this.

Also, this was suggested after school and I will discuss it on Monday:  we could play that fun gift "stealing" game using an unwrapped gift from the Dollar Store.  I'm hoping that if we announce that on Monday, that will give people enough time to get there by the party on Thursday.

*4) Christmas Concert costume for Monday.  I haven't sent any notes home about this because our song is a tropical one and I just asked the kids to wear anything Hawaiian/Tropical that they have accessible to them at home including board shorts, Hawaiian shirts, leis, sunglasses, tropical hats.  Please don't buy anything for this; if you can borrow something, great, but failing that, shorts and a bright t-shirt can work just fine.  The goal is NOT to add one more stress to parents this time of year.  And the only reason I'm looking for the costume to come in Monday is to add one more day for those students who might forget it on Tuesday when it's REALLY important for our afternoon performance.

One more week to go!  I hope to see you all at the concert next week.  Our students have worked very hard to prepare two fun songs for you.  Plus some of our kids have added roles as MCs, audio crew, set design and other leadership roles.

Please look for your child to bring their report card home on Monday.  I spent part of this week going over each report card with each child, explaining why they received the grades and effort marks they did. I find this often helps to alleviate some anxiety that accompanies report cards.  Bottom line, of course, everyone has areas with which they should be very proud and we all have areas at which we can improve (adults included).