FRESH AIR

STUDENT LED CONFERENCES are going well and I am looking forward to seeing all our classroom families this week. I trust you will take advantage of the 6-day "fresh air" vacation as we head into the final trimester of fifth grade.

OUR VALENTINE'S PARTY was a lot of fun and the ice cream brownies were a special treat. Alex, Elizabeth, and Lluvia prepare their decadent dessert. Special thanks to Michelle Strainer, Ann Tibbe, Matt Wilkinson, and Wendy Walters for their assistance.

ACCELERATED READER provides an opportunity for students to improve their reading comprehension skills. We now have an AR Search link on the school web site that allows students (and parents) to check if a particular book is in the AR database of quizzes. Information about the book including grade level and points are included along with a brief synopsis of each book available to our readers. Students receive points based upon the book level, book length, and how well they do on an online quiz which checks for comprehension. Just click HERE or go to the Student or Parent section on the school web site to test drive the AR book find.

THE SWEETHEART DANCE was a wonderful event sponsored by our PTA. Above: Jaslynn, Brooke, Olivia, and Elizabeth are all dressed nicely for the recent dance at Lake Hills. Below: Alex, Nathaniel, Brock, Drew, and Maddy take a break from the Thursday night dance.

OUR CLASS PLAY has been selected, "Who Me? Yes, You!" by Michelle R. Davis. In cooperation with Pioneer Drama Services, the production will feature numerous sketches about social responsibility. The show dates have not been set, but most likely will be in early May. Students will audition for various roles in the next few weeks and we'll need to put together a design team of several parents to help with the production.

THE HOBBIT by J.R.R. Tolkien was selected by the class for me to read aloud to them. We just began this epic journey of Bilbo Baggins after finishing an interesting primer on economics, "Lawn Boy," by Gary Paulsen.

GOBBLET is a four-in-a-row, tic-tac-toe game where you can move pieces around the board to increase your chances of winning--or losing. Michael and Elizabeth enjoyed this strategy game during today's Game Hour recently "purchased" by a group of students with their "Caught Being Good" slips.

THE GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC MUSEUM is the destination of our Monday, March 23, field trip. The $10 cost per student covers transportation, museum admission, and the planetarium show. Students will need to bring a sack lunch or order one from food services. The field trip form sent home this week must be returned before Thursday, March 12. Please contact me if you are interested in chaperoning this trip.

SCHOOL RESUMES on Tuesday, March 3. Be sure to check the class calendar below for dates and details of events.