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THE PAST TWO WEEKS WE… …read THE SNOWY DAY, PETER’S CHAIR,

A LETTER TO AMY, WHISTLE FOR

WILLIE, PET SHOW!, 2 different versions of

MISS MARY MACK, PENNY PENGUIN’S

PARTY and THE DIPPY DINNER DRIPPERS.

We learned a hand-clapping game that goes with

one version of MISS MARY MACK. See if

your child can teach it to you. We also talked

about what alliteration is and came up with some

funny sentences where all the words started with

the same sound. For example, “Penny Penguin

played piano” and “Miss Mary Mack made

muffins”. See if you and your child can come up

with some other examples of alliteration!

FYI I hope everyone is finding the Wonders’ Your

Turn Practice Book helpful that was sent home a

few weeks ago! Please read over the letter in

this week’s Friday Folder regarding another idea

I think will help you and your child. The bottom

portion needs to be signed and returned in order

to participate. If you have any questions, please

feel free to contact me. I’m very optimistic that

the different readers will help with practicing

reading skills at home and the transition to first

grade.

I want to thank all of you for the wonderful

Valentine’s Day gifts, treats and cards (I think I

ate my weight in chocolate and candy)!

NEEDED I wanted to remind everyone of the breakfast

procedure at Cary Woods. Each morning,

breakfast is served from our hall’s kitchenette and

the children bring it into the classroom to eat. The

children are accustomed to getting it before coming

to the classroom; however, when they arrive close

to the starting bell (7:45) they don’t have much

time to eat. Any breakfast items that the children

have left (that are not opened and/or do not need

refrigeration) I have them save for snack/home. If

you want your child to have breakfast at school,

please make sure they have plenty of time before

our day ‘officially begins’ at 7:45. This will help

increase the amount of instructional time I have

with the children and cut down on any waste.

DATES TO REMEMBER February 24 – Community Forum at Pick

Elementary (6:00)

24 – Marco’s Pizza Night

25 – Community Forum at Ogletree

Elementary (6:00)

28 – Relay for Life’s Hat Day ($1 donation)

March 3-7 – Read Across America Week

7 – Journals go home

PARENT READING This week’s reading titled The Crisis in Early

Education: A Research-Based Case for More

Play and Less Pressure is from the work of

Alliance for Childhood and is an extremely

insightful piece. This article encourages

educators to join forces with parents,

pediatricians, child development experts, and

enlightened policymakers to turn the tide in favor

of a healthy and creative childhood for all

children. If you signed up for the ‘Paperless

Classroom Communication’ option, this reading

can be found on the right side of our blog under

Suggested Parent Readings.

ONE LAST THING Please take time to review the article I sent last

week (Enrollment Climbing) from the Opelika-

Auburn newspaper. Cary Woods needs as

much representation as possible at this meeting

in order for our voices and concerns to be heard.

Based off the information given in our system's

'Needs Assessment' last year, Cary Woods'

capacity is 506 students. As of today, we have

540 children enrolled, which is the highest

among the city's 8 elementary schools. Our

children deserve only the best! Have a wonderful weekend!!! -S. Jones