Class News
February 5-9
Welcome to Mrs. Parkison's Class!
Class Information
We learned about our first penguin, the Rockhopper penguin! We practiced measuring the height of the rockhoppers. We compared our height to their height and we also used a scale to weigh the penguins. Ask your child about a fact that they learned about Rockhopper penguins! Next week we will learn about King penguins and also observe the penguins at the Woodland Park Zoo!
Field Trip Information: On Wednesday, we will be loading the busses at 8:30. Please arrive to school no later than 8:25. Students will bring their backpacks to carry their water bottles and lunches. Students need to bring appropriate shoes and coats, as we will be going rain or shine! Please send a lunch this day that does not need to be microwaved. It's best to send it in a bag that can be tossed after eating, so we don't have to carry around the lunchboxes all day. If your child has a Subway order, we will send those home at the end of the day (they will not be at school before we leave for the trip). We will not have time for shopping this trip, so please do not send money.
Valentine's Day: We will have our party in the afternoon from 1-2 pm and pass out Valentines after that. We will make bags to hold the Valentines that students pass out in class. Please send in a Valentine for everyone in the class if you choose to participate.
Absences: If your child will be missing school for an appointment or a trip, please let me know as soon as possible so I can plan accordingly. It is very hard to have students make things up without notice or preparation.
Library Books: We have Library on Tuesdays, so please return library on or before that day.
Homework: Please don't forget that spelling is meant to be done over the course of Monday-Thursday nights to reinforce the rules/patterns that are being taught in the classroom during the week.
Upcoming Dates
2/7 - Woodland Park Zoo (8:30-2:30)
2/9 - Last Day to Buy Candy Grams
2/12 - School Spelling Bee
2/15 - Spring Pictures - Uniforms not required
2/16 - Professional Development Day - no school, camp offered for those who register
2/19 - President's Day - school closed
2/20 - 2/23 - Mid-Winter Break, Camp offered for those who register
Learning Targets
Math: Open Number Lines & Penguin Math Games
Language Arts: Central Idea
Writing: Informational - Penguins
Science: Penguins
SEL: Emotion Management: Noticing Feelings
Specialist Days
Monday: Performing Arts & Art
Tuesday: P.E. & Library
Wednesday: Performing Arts & Art
Thursday: Technology & Foreign Language
Friday: P.E. & Foreign Language
DEI February Holidays
February was chosen as Black History Month as it holds the birthdays of two important men in American history who helped end slavery: President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.
February 3: Setsubun-Sai (Beginning of Spring), the day before the beginning of spring in Japan, celebrated annually as part of the Spring Festival
February 7-8: Lailat al Miraj, a Muslim holiday that commemorates the prophet Muhammad’s nighttime journey from Mecca to the “Farthest Mosque” in Jerusalem, where he ascended to heaven, was purified, and given the instruction for Muslims to pray five times daily. Note that in the Muslim calendar, a holiday begins on the sunset of the previous day, so observing Muslims will celebrate Lailat al Miraj starting at sundown on February 7
February 10 – Lunar New Year
Celebrating the new year across many East and Southeast Asian cultures, Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays of the year for some families and communities. The timing of Lunar New Year is tied to the lunar calendar, commencing with the 1st new moon of the year and ending with the 1st full moon. 2024 will be the Year of the Dragon.
February 11 - International Day of Women & Girls in Science
In 2016, the U.N. General Assembly declared February 11 as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science to help engage, recognize and promote the achievements of women in STEM fields.
February 13: Shrove Tuesday / Mardi Gras, the last day for Catholics to indulge before Ash Wednesday starts the sober weeks of fasting that accompany Lent. The term “Mardi Gras” is particularly associated with the carnival celebrations in New Orleans, Louisiana.
February 14 – Frederick Douglass’ Birthday (Observed)
This day honors the birth of abolitionist Frederick Douglass. After escaping slavery in Maryland, he became the face of the abolitionist movement in the North.
February 14: Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent on the Christian calendar. Its name is derived from the symbolic use of ashes to signify penitence.
February 14: Vasant Panchami, the Hindu festival that highlights the coming of spring. On this day, Hindus worship Saraswati Devi, the goddess of wisdom, knowledge, music, art, and culture.
February 15 – Susan B. Anthony’s Birthday
This women’s suffrage leader advocated for equal pay and the right to vote for women. She also was an active member of the Abolitionist movement alongside Frederick Douglass.
February 15: Parinirvana Day (or Nirvana Day), the commemoration of Buddha’s death at the age of 80, when he reached the zenith of Nirvana
February 24: Maghi-Purnima, a Hindu festival especially for worshippers of Lord Vishnu. Devotees take a holy bath on this day and carry out charity work.
February 24: Lantern Festival, the first significant feast after the Lunar New Year; participants enjoy watching paper lanterns illuminate the sky on the night of the event
February 24-25: Lailat al Bara’a, also known as Lailat Al Baraah, Barat, or popularly as Shab-e-Bara or Night of Forgiveness. It is an Islamic holiday during which practitioners of the faith seek forgiveness for sins. Muslims spend the night in special prayers. It is regarded as one of the most sacred nights on the Islamic calendar.