Last Week Before the Holidays!

 Greetings, parents – we’re almost there!

 While we’re all eagerly anticipating the end of the quarter, I’m realizing how much I’m going to miss the kids over the break! From solemnly singing “Oh Factor Tree” (a factor song sung to the tune of “Oh, Christmas Tree”), to discussing our Arizona origins, to watching them cheer on their peers during the country presentations, your children bring me comfort and joy, every day. It is a privilege and an honor to work with them.

I was blown away by the quality of the European Projects: their depth and extent of research, organization of materials, and preparation and poise in presenting all impressed me a great deal. I know that many of you worked long and hard to help them. Thank you for your perseverance and support!

I have been grading the trifolds this weekend and will send them home with the children on Tuesday or Wednesday. Final project grades will be sent home in their graded work folders on Wednesday. 

I. Upcoming Tests, Quizzes, and Events

Spelling Bee (not for a grade) on Tuesday, December 18

Arizona Unit Test (Arizona packet and study guide) on Wednesday, December 19
Grammar Review Quiz (parts of speech) on Wednesday, December 19
Math Review Quiz (order of operations) on Wednesday, December 19

Half Day on Tuesday, December 18

Half Day on Wednesday, December 19

No School Thursday, December 20 - Friday, January 5 (Winter Break)

See below for a link to Mr. Naak's quizlet for the history test:
https://quizlet.com/254959706/history-arizona-test-flash-cards/

II.  Holiday Party Tomorrow (Monday, December 18!)

Mrs. Patel and Mrs. Boyle have been hard at work planning a fancy holiday party for the children on the afternoon of December 18 (tomorrow!) I’ve been told that visions of gingerbread cookies and nutcracker ornaments_­­ have been dancing in their heads. We do have sufficient supplies for the party, but if you’d like to send in additional treats, you're certainly welcome to do so. Parents are welcome to join in the fun: the party is scheduled from approximately 1:45pm-3pm on Monday, December 18. 

III. Gifts

Children are permitted to bring in small gifts for their friends. Here are some guidelines:

•  Nothing bigger than a very small box that can fit in a backpack easily.
• Gifts may not be opened on school grounds.
• The gift must go into backpacks immediately.
• Gifts do not have to be given to everyone but they cannot be given in categories, e.g. "gifts for all the girls," unless every girl receives one

In general: gift-giving to just friends and not everyone is acceptable, but it must be done discreetly and in a spirit of friendship towards all students. 

IV. Report Cards and Evaluation

Please look for report cards and evaluations sent via e-mail sometime shortly after January 4th.

This quarter, you will receive full narrative evaluations as well as grades for your child. (The grades given will be standard letter grades as usual.) The narrative evaluation will be three paragraphs long, in-depth, and detailed. While the narratives are extensive, it is still difficult to describe a child’s academic progress in full in a written evaluation. If you would like to schedule a conference and/or would like clarification on some part of the evaluation, please let me know via email.

V. Spelling Bee

On Tuesday, 4A will hold a classroom spelling bee. The winner will move on to the school-wide bee after the holidays. No word lists have been sent out in advance, and children are not expected to practice for this contest. Results will not be calculated into your child's grade. 

VI. Holiday Break

The Holiday Break is from December 21st - January 7th. Our first day back after the break is January 8. Tuesday the 19th and Wednesday the 20th will be half days with 12:05/12:25 p.m. pick-up.

VII.  Holiday­ Break Reading and Math Packets

I will be offering optional reading contest and math packets over the break. If you would like one for your child, please let me know as soon as possible.