Happy Mother's Day Mamas!

I hope all the mamas out there had a fabulous Mother's Day!  I, myself was VERY lazy and didn't do much all day.  It is usually pretty hard for me to rest and relax, so it was a nice treat.  I spent some time with my kiddos and SKYPEd (Is that a word?) with my mom.  I love that technology lets us see each other even though we are thousands of miles away. 

My parents live in Virgina, very close to Washington DC.  I talk about them often and their location has become a great frame of reference for our class when we are using the map.  I always try to connect to something the kids know.  Building and utilizing background knowledge is a great tool to help students develop new understanding.  Your teaching tidbit for the day!

I hope you all enjoyed your plates. I have already gotten a couple of very sweet comments and loved hearing how excited the kiddos were to present them to you. They were such fun to make and I love the way they turned out.   I treasure those things that are made by their hands and struggle to find time to make those things happen nowadays.  I am so glad I made them a priority!  You are loved so, so, so, so, so, so, so, much!  (In the words of a couple of my girls.  I think they believe if they fill the page up with "so" they have written "a lot".)

This week we finish up our District Assessments in Math and Writing.  I will continue assessing reading through next week to see how much our kiddos have grown this year.  I am so excited with their progress. 

Breakfast with Buddies WILL be this Friday!  Thank you to all the parents who have sent in contributions and are bringing donuts.  The kiddos have enjoyed the time spent with their 8th grade buddies and are sad to say goodbye ~ but somehow donuts seem to make everything better!  I will send out a reminder tomorrow!

A few other notes:

• Remember the "Corky's"  Flip Flop Open House this week ~ today on EC from 2:30-4:30 and tomorrow on WC from 12:30-2:30.  Come see what's available and try on some samples. 
• Tomorrow is our last minimum day!  K-2 dismissal is at 1:30.
• All school library books are due FRIDAY.  Please check at home and make sure all books have been returned. 
• The Family BBQ is next Friday.  Be sure to send in your ticket order form as soon as possible.
• The 7th grade Medieval Faire is Friday, June 1st.  Students must have a signed permission slip to participate.  Games and treats will also be available.  Students must purchase tickets in advance.  An order form was sent home last week.  I will send home another next week.  $3.00 to $5.00 is plenty!  Free activities are available for all students not wishing to purchase ticket
• The Friends and Neighbors Golf Tournament is also coming up.  Be sure to contact the office or see the school website if you would like to register to play, donate or volunteer.  All kinds of help is needed!

Blessings ~ Mrs. M.

22 Days and Counting . . .

As a teacher it is both exciting and nerve racking to begin counting down to the last day of school.  While the joy of summer vacation is almost at reach, the many end of the year activities and deadlines loom overhead.   Never the less, I am ready!  This week I look forward to returning to somewhat of a "normal" schedule with the conclusion of CST testing last week for our seconds.  Thank you again to all the parents who donated snacks!!  Mrs. Quirarte even brought in cupcakes for all on Friday to celebrate the end of testing - what a treat!


The zoo trip was a success - beautiful weather, lots of parents and great kiddos!  Wednesday students had heard Dr. Seuss's story, If I Ran the Zoo, about a little boy named Mr. McGrew who thought everything was just a bit to "normal" in the regular zoo.  So he captured some much more unusual animals.  Well, upon our return students had the opportunity to create their own McGrew Zoo Animal!!  Let's just say that creativity abounds with the firsties!!  Thank you again to all of the parents and to Mrs. Ban for donating the snacks.


Don't forget the Corky's Flip Flop Fundraiser and the Friends and Neighbors Golf Tournament and Dinner!  We need your support to raise funds for physical education, music and athletics.  How are you going to help?

Mark your calendars.  There are lots of things coming up in the next couple of weeks!

• Tuesday, May 8th ~ Incentive Assembly, 1:40pm
• Thursday, May 10th ~ Writing Festival Awards, 9:45-10:20am
• Friday, May 11th ~ Skate Night - This is the last one of the year!  Come and show your support.
• Tuesday and Wednesday, May 15th (2:30-4:00 - EC Cafeteria) and 16th (12:30-2:30 - WC Cafeteria) ~ Corky's Fundraiser Open House
• Wednesday, May 16th ~ Minimum Day Dismissal K-2, 1:30pm
• Friday, May 25th ~ Family BBQ
• Monday, May 28th ~ Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL

Blessings ~ Mrs. M.

Ahhh! Friday!

I love Fridays!  Although, for our family it is rarely a relaxing break!  Usually it means hustling from one event to another.  Never the less, a break it is. . .

Thank you to all the parents who have shown such great support this week.  I am blessed to have all your help!  The zoo was great, perfect weather, and many excited and enthusiastic kiddos!  CST testing is done for the seconds and I am so proud of them for sticking with it.  The test demands such extreme focus! 

Today we will wrap up a few projects as we get ready to get back to a somewhat normal schedule next week . . . considering we have 20 something days left ~ I will try to make it as normal as possible. 

A couple of reminders:

• Information went home this week about the Friends and Neighbors' Golf  Tournament on June 8th.  This event is sponsored by the Foundation and helps to support music and athletic programs at our school.  Please consider how you can help at this fun event!


• Information is coming home TODAY about a  Corkey's Flip Flop Fundraiser.  Who doesn't love a "blinged" out flip flop?  Be sure to check out the flyer ~ cute flips and great prices!  All proceeds will help provide new PE and recess equipment.

As always, thank you for your support!

Have an enjoyable weekend!

Blessings ~ Mrs. M.

Testing! Quiet Please!

2nd graders are halfway through the CST test and doing a great job!  Our theme this week is to LISTEN and FOCUS! Thank you to the parents who have been sending in snacks.  It is a great treat to have in between sessions and help refuel their brain.  Only two more days!!!

Thank you to Mrs. Douglas who has been working with the first graders on a special project as we prepare for the ~ ZOO!

TOMORROW 1ST GRADERS ARE GOING TO THE ZOO!

The kiddos are so excited!  Thank you to all the parents who have volunteered to go as chaperones.  An orange note was sent home with chaperone information.  Please do not wait for the bus to leave tomorrow morning. . .get there before us to ensure you don't have to wait in a long line to purchase your tickets.  A note is going home today with all students with a few important reminders for the day.  Be sure to check it out!



McSwain Education Foundation

Friends and Neighbors' Golf Tournament

Friday, June 8, 2012

The Foundation is looking for help with this years tournament.  They are seeking donations, players, and committee members.  (I am going to help!  Come and join me!!)  Fliers have gone home this week.  If you can help please let us know.  I would love to see great participation from Room A-5!!  Thank you!

Blessings ~ Mrs. M.

PS ~ Only 25 more days left!  But who's counting. . . .