I hope you are all enjoying our almost ’snow-less’ winter. I won’t lie, I wouldn’t mind a little white stuff on the ground to play in, Oh well, maybe next year! We are going to be starting a new program to help students become more responsible for their own behaviors This program focuses upon self management.

Each student will have a library pocket on their desk. At the beginning of the day each child will have a card in the library pocket. The goal for the day is to keep the card in the pocket. At the end of the day if the student has a card in the pocket, they receive a sticker on their sticker chart. At the end of the month, we will have a special celebration for all of the students who have earned stickers 90% of the time. Each child could lose 2-3 stickers depending on the month and still earn the celebration. 

Here’s a checklist of points for each child to consider: 

• I am ready for class with materials.

• I use my time wisely and appropriately.

• I am respectful of teachers and classmates.

• I follow directions.

• I listen and participate in class.

 I hope that every child qualifies for our Self Manager’s Celebration for the month of February. It is really a great way to recognize all of our students who do their best at all times. If you have questions about this program, please call or email me.

 Thanks!

Mrs. Clouse 

464-5745

clouset@dpsd.org

As you all know February 14^th is Valentine’s Day. Our party will be on February 11th. From past experience with Valentine parties, I have found the simplest and most cost-effective plan is the following:

I will order large, heart-shaped cookies from the bakery at Yoke’s (our Partners in Education) and have a volunteer pick them up. The plan is to frost and decorate the cookies, then exchange Valentines. There will also be an activity if we have time. Please send $1.00 to cover the expenses of the cookies. This should be sent in a sealed envelope with your child’s name on it by Tuesday, February 9^th. I will keep track of the money received. If this causes you a hardship and are unable to do so, I understand. Only do what you think you are able.

Regarding cards, it is not required that your child bring Valentines, but if they bring any, they must include one for all students. A copy of our class list is attached with a few teachers attached as well.

I appreciate your cooperation and contribution to our party! If you have any questions feel free to call me. Thanks!

Upcoming Reading Programs

Read Across America:

This program takes place in the month of February in celebration of Dr. Seuss. Our goal this month as a classroom, is to read 50 hours. If your child gets their planner signed, this counts as an hour (or more if they do more at home). A purple sheet went home on Monday that you and your child can fill out for any additional time read at home (above their 1 hour). In class reading does not count. For every 5 hours we read we will receive a stripe to add to The Cat in The Hat’s hat. If we reach our goal of 50 hours, we will get ice cream sundaes.

Reading is the Ticket:

This program helps each child earn a free ticket to use at Silverwood this summer. This year the reading record keeping will take place from March 5^th-April 5^th. More information will be coming about this in the next few weeks. So, kids can spend their entire Spring Break reading?

Reminders: 

2/12/09 – 2/15/09 Mid Winter Break/President’s Day- No School

2/19/09 – Pickles and Popcorn (students may bring .50 for a pickle and/or .25 for a popcorn)

2/25/09 – Family Math Night 5:30-7:00

Friday the 18^th, we will have a classroom party in the afternoon. As a school we have been reading and learning about The Polar Express. On the afternoon of the 18^th we will watch the movie and have hot cocoa and candy canes. I am contacting a few parent volunteers to organize milk and cookies in addition to our hot cocoa. What you may be contacted about are the things we need; milk, cookies, napkins, and cups. Unfortunately, the cookies can not be homemade. Please send a package of your favorite store bought (or bakery) cookies with enough for 12 children. Depending on how many cookies are brought by children, there may be a sampler that goes home. We don’t need to eat too many sweets!

Thank you!!

Ginger Bread Houses

Thursday, December 17^th we will be making Ginger Bread Houses at 1:30 pm in the gym. If you would like to come and help your child, we would love to have your help. If you can make it, please come around 1:00 and meet in the multipurpose room to help set up. Gingerbread houses will come home on Friday the 18^th. If you come to help on Thursday you are more then welcome to take them home or if you would like to come to school and pick it up there is a lesser chance of damage than on the bus. If you have any questions please give me a call or email me.

Dates to remember:

 -Winter Break: December 19^th-January 3^rd

-School resumes January 4^th.

  Happy Holidays! I hope everyone has a very relaxing break!

You may be receiving a call from a volunteer to coordinate our Fall Party on October 30th. A while back I send home a paper asking for volunteers to coordinate our parties this year, in particular our party on the 30th. The people who have volunteered might be calling you to ask for your help in sending treats with your student on that day. I don’t expect you to spend a lot of money on the event. If you cannot send treats that’s fine, just let the coordinator know that. If you have any questions concerning the activities on the 30th, or any phone calls you might receive, please give me a call at 464-5745. Thank you!

Important Dates to Remember:

10/15/09 PTCA Meeting 6pm in the library

10/16/09 PTCA Spaghetti Feed and Silent Auction at The Eagles 6pm

10/19/09 Missoula Children’s Theatre Try-Outs

10/20/09 – 10/23/09 Missoula Children’s Theatre Our play is The Amazing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe

10/23/09 Pickles and Popcorn (students may bring money for snack during 10:30 recess) $0.25 for a popcorn and $0.50 for a pickle

10/24/09 Missoula Children’s Theatre Performance 3pm and 6pm

10/30/09 5th grade Boographies and Fall Party

11/1/09 Daylight Savings Time Ends

11/10/09 Veteran’s Day Assembly 9am

11/11/09 Veteran’s Day-No School 11/13/09 Pickles and Popcorn (students may bring money for snack during 10:30 recess) $0.25 for a popcorn and $0.50 for a pickle

11/18/09 Picture Re-Take Day

11/19/09 4th Grade Music Program

11/19/09 PTCA Meeting 6pm in the library

11/23/09 – 11/24/09 Conferences- No School

11/25/09 Early Release

11/26/09 – 11/27/09 Thanksgiving Break- No School

If you are uncomfortable having your child watch it, please contact me and I will make arrangements for them to be elsewhere.