Weekly Update 1/26

We are gearing up for our 100th day of school on Friday 2/6!  You will find a 100 Day family project in your child's backpack today.  They will be making a Zero the Hero Super Hero cape.  The directions are included in the packet.  I do have some additional tips from my experience last year:
 - you do not have to use the cape I have enclosed.  You may use fabric of your choice that is the same size.
- you can add a tie for the neck if you like.  Otherwise we will just tie the corners of the cape. 
- stickers are a great idea, however, they fall off easily.  A great solution to this is to place packing tape over the stickers.  Packing tape will work well over many items.  Safety pins work well and so does fun, colorful duct tape. 
Please have your child wear their cape on Friday, 2/6.  Let me know if you have any questions!

We are also looking ahead to Valentine's Day.  You do not need to create a Valentine's box for your child.  We will decorate a bag here at school.  Your child should bring Valentines for every student in our class.  Please send these in on the day of our party - Tuesday, 2/10.  Your child may write the names of their classmates if they wish.  It tends to make it difficult for them to pass out.  It will depend on your child's reading ability.  They may also choose to leave the cards blank (this is easier on some).  I don't have a preference either way.  They should sign their own name to each card.  This can take quite a bit of time and can be done in several settings.  Have them sign 10 on one day and 10 on another. 
The Valentine's Day Party will be Tuesday, 2/10 from 3-3:30.

Conferences will follow on Wednesday and Thursday of that week (2/11 & 2/12).  You should have received an email with your conference time (we used the same time and day from fall conferences).  If you did not receive an email - please contact the school office and Mrs. Koch will schedule a time for you! 
While 1st-5th grade will conduct student led conferences - kindergarten will have parent / teacher only. 

*  Thursday is Kansas Day.  We will spend the week learning many fun facts and information about our state.  One of the first things we learn is the difference between our state and our country.  This is a big concept for them!

*  In math we move on to Topic 16 - Analyzing, comparing and composing shapes.  This is a fun topic because we get to build and explore with pattern blocks!

*  Scholastic Book catalogs are coming home in folders today.  If you would like to order from the catalog - please go to:
www.scholastic.com/bookclubs  Our class code is GMMD6
Book orders are due by next Monday, 2/2.

*  Volunteer sign ups can be found here:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/508044da9a72aa46-february1/

Here are some examples of Zero the Hero capes from last year: