Winter Break Wishes

Hi Parents,

I'm writing today to wish you a happy, healthy, joyful winter break, and to pass along wishes for the happiest of holidays.  I will send along a weekly update at the beginning of January with classroom information for the first week of the new year.  

I'd also like to offer my sincerest thanks for the treats and gift cards so many of you sent.  I am humbled by your kindness and generosity.  :)

Enjoy the time off!  May you rest, recharge, and relax.  May you connect with your family and loved ones.  May your pants with buttons fit in January.  :)

Many Blessings,

Weekly Update

Hi Parents, 
We made it to Friday! It's hard to believe we only have two weeks until the next break. Where is the time going??

Holiday Shop:

We previewed the items for sale at the Pinebrook Holiday Shop today. Students may purchase items next Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday.  If your child is purchasing Holiday Shop items, please kindly use the envelope I sent home yesterday to send his/her list and money next Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. Students who bring money may shop during our recess time.  Please remember there is no obligation to buy.  If you'd like to shop with your child, the Holiday Shop will be open Saturday morning (tomorrow!) from 9:00 - 11:30 am. The 5th Grade will be hosting its annual Pancake Breakfast fundraiser starting at 8:30 am too.

Scholastic Book Fair:

The Scholastic Book Fair will be held at school all next week. Students previewed the Book Fair today.  Students who bring money may shop at the Book Fair during recess next week (December 9th - 13th).  If your child plans to bring money for the Book Fair, please send the money in a sealed envelope marked with your child's name, my name, and "Book Fair" on the outside of the envelope. If you would like to attend the Book Fair to shop with your child, our Family Shopping Night will be Tuesday, December 10th from 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Due to the Book Fair, students will not check books out of the library next week.  Please keep your child's current library books home until Friday, December 20th.

Gingerbread Week!
Next week, we will read various versions of the story The Gingerbread Man.  If your child has a version of this classic story at home, he/she is invited to bring it to school, and I will read it to the class.

Gingerbread House Supplies:

As a culminating activity to our unit on gingerbread stories, we will make gingerbread houses. Please see last week's Thursday folder for a note requesting supplies for this project.  I am asking each student to bring 2 items from our supply list, and I highlighted the items I am requesting from your child on the letter I sent.  Please send the supplies no later than Tuesday, December 10th.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

Polar Express Movie Party:
During the week of December 16th-December 20th, we will read and explore the holiday classic The Polar Express.  As a special treat, Friday, December 20th will be a pajama and movie day!  Students are welcome to wear pajamas to school.  I will offer hot chocolate to drink too.  I will make the hot chocolate with water only, without marshmallows, and I will offer a candy cane on the side.  I sent home a gold Polar Express "movie ticket" in yesterday's Thursday folder.  This is your child's permission form so he/she may watch the movie and enjoy the hot chocolate.  Please kindly sign and return the ticket as soon as possible.

Interim Progress Reports:
Interim progress reports (commonly called "interims") will go home Wednesday, December 11th.  A friendly reminder that I do not send an interim home for every child.  If I send one for your student, you will receive it via email at the email address on file in your ParentVue account.  If you need assistance accessing your ParentVue account, please contact Mrs. Sciortino in our school office at 703-957-4325.

Focus Areas for the Coming Week:

• Reading:  We will read various gingerbread stories and compare and contrast the elements of each.
• Writing:  We will complete some gingerbread themed writing activities.  
• Math:  We will finish our graphing and data unit.  We will talk about tally charts, bar graphs, picture graphs, and object graphs.  We will analyze graphs and create our own graphs.
• Social Studies:  We will finish our Holidays Around the World rotations and begin to prepare for our World Market on December 17th.

There's a lot happening as we head toward Winter Break!  Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, or feedback about anything written here.

I hope you enjoy the weekend!