Halloween Savanna

Dear Parents,

         I want to begin this note with a thank you to Liz Fuchs for coordinating a great party after our parade today.  Thanks also to everyone who contributed to, and joined us for the parade and party.  It was a fun afternoon and the children enjoyed this Tuckahoe tradition. 

 It is hard to believe that Monday will be the end of the first quarter.  The children have made many changes since September that can be seen in all parts of their day.  For the most part, everyone is used to the daily routines, the homework procedures, and done well with test taking.  The pace of our studies will begin to increase (just a bit) during the second quarter. I am confident that the children will be able to meet these new challenges if they keep doing the good job they have done to date. 

I would like to remind everyone that homework and remembering all supplies is your child’s responsibility.  If your child forgets something at school, help them figure out a plan to make up the work.  These small mistakes ultimately will help your child develop strong problem-solving skills and take responsibility for their work.  I would still encourage you to go over your child’s assignments with them when they get home and have them explain what they need to do that evening.  If it is a long term project, use a calendar and help pace out the project.  Once your child has completed their work, review it with them, and then have them put all their work and supplies back in their backpack. 

I would like to remind everyone to let me, as well as Mirna Lopez (mirna.lopez@apsva.us) our attendance secretary, know if your child will be out for the day.  This can be done by email the day they are out.  After your child returns to school, they will have both class work and homework to make up.  They will be given a couple of days to make up any missed work.  If they need a longer amount of time to complete these assignments, please let me know.

         As you know we are headed to the Outdoor Lab on Monday.  Please remember to send your child to school with a bag lunch, including a drink.  There is NO food service at the lab.  Also, it is usually 10-15 degrees cooler up on the mountain, so be sure your child is dressed in layers, with closed toe shoes.  We are looking forward to spending the day outside and learning about simple machines.

         Below are some important November dates to place on your calendars.  If you could please let me know if your child will not be at school on Monday or Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving I would appreciate it. 

Important Dates

Saturday 11/1- Tuckahoe 5K Run

         Monday 11/3- Outdoor Lab Field Trip 9am-3pm

         Monday 11/3- End of the First Quarter

         Tuesday 11/4- Election Day- No School for Students/

         Teacher Work Day

         Tuesday 11/11- Veteran’s Day- No School

         Friday 11/21- Report Cards Issued

         Wednesday 11/26- Friday 11/28- Thanksgiving Break- No School

         Enjoy the weekend! 

10-24-14 Savanna

Dear Parents,

            We have covered a good amount of ground this week. We have wrapped up studying the Scientific Method in Science, Addition and Subtraction of larger numbers as well as Place Value in Math, and will be testing these units out next week.  We are just about finished learning about maps and globes as well.  In Language Arts we focused on sentence structure, including correct punctuation and capitalization.  We also spent time this week reviewing how to study for the upcoming tests.  The children should spend about 15 minutes per night leading up to a test reviewing vocabulary, and big ideas for the Science and Social Studies tests.  In Math, they should also review the vocabulary, and practice some larger addition and subtraction problems.  As I have told the children, they are ready for these tests and there will be nothing on the test they haven’t learned about.  

Thank you to those who contributed to the fall food drive.  This was a way for the children to help other children and families in Arlington.  In addition to helping those here in Arlington, the children are also being given the opportunity to help children throughout the world through “Trick or Treat for Unicef” this Halloween.  The children are bringing home a letter from Mrs. Brown today, outlining the program.  They will bring home their collection box next week.  I would like to encourage all the children to bring their boxes with them as they go trick or treating and collect for children around the world.  In the past Tuckahoe students have collected more than $10,000 in pennies, nickels and dimes. 

 There are several “housekeeping” items I would like to bring to your attention.  First, I would like to encourage everyone to reach out to Liz Fuch’s (Will’s mom) to see how you might help with the Halloween party on Friday.  We will need some help with costume changing around 1:30 pm and setting up the party.  The parade is at 2:00 pm and we should be back in the classroom around 2:45.  This is a fun afternoon for the children and your help is greatly appreciated.  Liz’s email is elizabethmetzfuchs@gmail.com. 

Our field trip to the Outdoor Lab is Monday, November 3^rd.  The Lab has asked that we limit the number of chaperones to five per class.  As I want to keep things as fair as possible, and to give as many parents a chance to chaperone on a trip as possible, I ask if you came with us to the Building Museum, that you sit this trip out. Also, please know that in an effort to keep things as fair as possible I take requests to chaperone on a first come basis.  I appreciate your help and understanding with this. 

Below are some important October/November dates to place on your calendars.  If you could please let me know if your child will not be at school on Monday or Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving I would appreciate it. 

Friday 10/24- Harvest Fest 7pm

         Friday 10/31- Halloween Parade- 2pm

         Saturday 11/1- Tuckahoe 5K Run-

         Monday 11/3- Outdoor Lab Field Trip 9am-3pm

         Monday 11/3- End of the First Quarter

         Tuesday 11/4- Election Day- No School for Students/

         Teacher Work Day

         Tuesday 11/11- Veteran’s Day- No School

         Friday 11/21- Report Cards Issued

         Wednesday 11/26- Friday 11/28- Thanksgiving Break- No School

            As always, I want to thank you for all you do at home to ensure that your child comes to school each day ready to learn.  Good luck to anyone running in the Marine Corps Marathon!

Early Release this Wednesday

Just a reminder that this Wednesday, October 22nd is an EARLY RELEASE WEDNESDAY.  This means school will be dismissed at 1:26 pm.  Please mark your calendars, and make child care arrangements if necessary.

Friday October 17th Savanna

Dear Parents,

       I would like to begin this week with a big thank you to the parents whom accompanied us today to the National Building Museum.  From the hum of excited voices as we left, through the morning of instruction and building everyone seemed to enjoy the day.  The city we built was both fun and functional.  Who knows, maybe the next generation of city planners will include one of our students!

       With Parent Teacher Conferences over, and the two shortened weeks coming to an end today, we are working to get back into our normal routine.  As you may know from your child’s assignment notebook, we continue to be learning about collecting data and how to present it in Science.  We are reviewing subtraction of larger numbers and how to borrow and regroup when needed in Math. In Language Arts we have been working in our Word Study Groups, and discussing how to put together sentences using subjects and predicates along with adjectives. 

       I would again like to remind everyone to take a few minutes each evening to go over the assignments your child has for the evening.  They should be able to complete these assignments with little assistance from you, but a bit of help from you to go over the pacing of the work will help.  I will say for the most part assignments are coming back on time and well done. 

The leaves are beginning to change outside out window and the temperature is fluctuating with early signs of Fall.  This signals me to take a moment out to remind everyone that the children do need to be dressed appropriately for the weather each day.  The children do go outside each day for recess and we want them to be warm enough to enjoy their time on the playground.

       Below you will find a list of some of the upcoming events at school.  There are several flyers about these activities in your child's Friday folder as well.  Please mark the dates on your calendars.

Friday 10/24- Harvest Fest 7pm

         Friday 10/31- Halloween Parade- 2pm

         Monday 11/3- Outdoor Lab Field Trip 9am-3pm

         Monday 11/3- End of the First Quarter

         Tuesday 11/4- Election Day- No School for Students/

         Teacher Work Day

         Tuesday 11/11- Veteran’s Day- No School

         Friday 11/21- Report Cards Issued

         Wednesday 11/26- Friday 11/28- Thanksgiving Break- No School

  As always, if you have any questions, please let me know.

                                                Mrs. D.

 

Success in the Savanna- October 3, 2014

Dear Parents,

            This week there are several housekeeping items that I would like to share with you.

1.     Please check your child’s Friday Folder each weekend.  I noticed this week that several of the permission slips for our field trip to the National Building Museum and picture forms were left in the folders with out being looked at. The Friday Folder is our way of getting important information to you in an organized manner.

2.     Enrichment classes begin next week.  The Enrichment Committee has sent the following information out about notes:

FALL ENRICHMENT BEGINNING - BRING YOUR NOTES!  With the start of Fall School Enrichment programs next week, please be sure your students bring written notes regarding their participation in an Enrichment program to their teachers so they are aware of where your child needs to go for their program. Please keep in mind that a note must be written each day that your child is participating in a program. This is to ensure that children arrive to their programs at the right time and at the right location.

3.     As a follow up to enrichment, we also need notes anytime there is a change in your child’s dismissal.  This is a safety issue and we want to ensure that you child gets to where they need to be each afternoon.  Your help and understanding is greatly appreciated.

4.     If your child is playing a fall sport, I would appreciate if you would send me a copy of their game schedule or bring a copy with you to our conference next week.  I do enjoy supporting the children outside of school by coming to their games.

As always, I appreciate all you do for your child to ensure they come to school ready to learn each day.  I hope everyone enjoys a relaxing weekend.

                                                                                    Sincerely,

                                                                                    Mrs. DiNardo

                                                                                    kim.dinardo@apsva.us

Upcoming Events

Thurs./Fri 10/9-10- Parent Teacher Conferences

         Monday 10/13- Columbus Day- No School for Students

         Wednesday 10/15- Silver Diner Night- 5-8pm

Friday 10/17- National Building Museum- 9am-12pm

Friday 10/24- Harvest Fest 7pm

         Friday 10/31- Halloween Parade- 2pm

         Monday 11/3- Outdoor Lab Field Trip 9am-3pm

         Tuesday 11/4- Election Day- No School for Students/

         Teacher Work Day