Mrs. Licari's Letter
January 2016
Happy New Year!
We are approaching the mid point of the school year and next week Tuesday, Thursday and Friday we will be conducting our Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) testing. I am very excited about the class taking these achievement tests as I am seeing some wonderful growth in all areas of the curriculmn. Please help your child to do their best by making sure they are well rested, and have a nutritious breakfast. As a side note, our library days will now shift to FRIDAY during the testing window as our librarian Mrs. Gonzales will be helping teachers conduct the testing.
The added night time reading has really boosted the vocabulary and comprehension levels of many students. If you want to take this assignment up a level ask your child to - "tell me everything you can about the story you just read." These are the exact words teachers 2-4 use when we conduct our retell evaluation.
I am also hoping to move all students over to the multiplication practice sets in REFLEX Math. Many students are already working at this level and students in need of more practice to achieve this goal were given a goal sheet in their agendas on Thursday. Any extra practice time at home for these students would be appreciated.
We have now completed all the lowercase letters in our cursive lessons, and have started the uppercase letters. Please encourage your child to use this new skill as much as possible. It's one of those skills that will disappear if not used.
Many children have brought in their own earbuds to use in class. Those will be returned in June. The headphones do not have to be new, they just need to be in working order. If you are able please consider sending in a pair for your student. I do have extra for the class to share.
I am super proud of how well the kids are prepared for outside recess. I am also impressed with how careful they are with their belongings. Please be sure to label their gloves, boots, snowpants and other winter clothing so if misplaced we can get them back to the right owner.
During boot season students are invited to wear slippers in the classroom if they choose. The only requirement is that they have some type of rubber sole. They may keep them in their lockers and slip into them when they come in from outside. I have also invited students to bring in pillow pets or small blankets to use during independent reading time in January and February.
Although students are not really aware of this, many of you know my sister's husband has been battling cancer. He recently passed away and I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for your kindness and help over the past two months. I especially want to thank all the parents who swooped in during the Christmas Breakfast and were awesome. That was a tough day and the parent support in this class is amazing! Thank you.
PLEASE CONTINUE TO SAVE BOXTOPS FOR OUR SCHOOL. Each box top earns 10 cents for our school needs.
BOOK ORDERS ARE DUE THURSDAY JAN. 14.
Dates to Put on the Calendar
1/12 MAP TESTING
January 13 PTO Meeting @ 7:00
Please consider attending and volunteering with our PTO
1/14 MAP TESTING
1/15 DIBELS TESTING
1/27 SE States Test
1/21 6-8 Dorr Skating & Byron Fun Spot
2/3 Half Day for Students
2/11 Valentine's Day Boxes to be brought in
2/12 Class V-Day Celebration
2/16 Jump Rope for Heart
2/19 Mid Winter Break
December Students of the Month
Caleb Cheatwood