Longfellow Parent Survey

The Longfellow School Improvement Team (SIT) is gathering information from parents and guardians and their views about the school. Please click on the link to complete the survey.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MXJWFF5

End of the Year Math Goals

Some of our math goals remain the same as the second trimester, but some goals have increased. I've been assessing students to see who has met the goals already. By the end of the year, your child should be able to:

• count beyond 100
• perform interrupted counting beyond 100
  
• count by 10s beyond 110
  
• have beginning skills in counting by 2s and 5s
  
• count backward from 15
• read and write any number 100 or less
• recognize a penny
• tell time to the hour

If your child can't yet do any of these tasks, please practice every night! Can you believe it? Only 24 school days left! Any questions? Don't hesitate to contact me!

Ethnic Fest

This Saturday, May 1, is Oak Park's Ethnic Fest at Whittier Elementary School (on Augusta, just east of Ridgeland.) Look for the Longfellow float in the morning parade. Student and professional performances go on all day. There are also ethnic food and gift booths. Come celebrate the diversity of Oak Park!

Don't forget the Fiesta!

This Friday at 2:15 is the Kindergarten Spring Arts Fiesta in the auditorium. The children have been practicing and are very excited to perform!

Family Math Night!

It was great to see some of you at the Earth Day Family Reading Night! Next Thursday, May 6, is Family Math Night from 6:30-7:30. There will be lots of games, activities, (and prizes!) in the gym and mini-gym. I hope you make it!

Fun Run!

The District 97 Fun Run will be held on Saturday, May 8, at 8:00 am at Lindberg Park on Marion at LeMoyne Parkway in Oak Park. Check out the Longfellow website for a sign up form. Come on out for a free, fun event!

Field Trip Tomorrow!

Tomorrow we are taking a bus to Dominican University to see the play "Henry and Mudge." (You paid for this trip and signed permission slips way back in December.) We will eat lunch in our classroom upon return, but won't make it back in time for hot lunch. Please pack a bag lunch with a drink.

Happy Earth Week!

We've been talking in school about what it means to reduce, reuse, and recycle. What are some little changes your family can make this year?

• Sponges and towels instead of paper towels
• Reusable water bottles instead of throw-away plastic ones
• Canvas grocery bags instead of the store's plastic bags
• Plastic lunch containers instead of baggies
• Walking or carpooling to school instead of driving

Don't forget Family Reading Night this Thursday from 6:30-7:30! If you'd like to donate gently used books or swap them Thursday night, please bring them to school by Wednesday morning.

2 More Updates!

This Friday morning we are walking to the Oak Park Conservatory with two other kindergarten classes. The conservatory ties in with our Seed to Plant science curriculum. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes! We'll be back in time for lunch.

If you want to order spring pictures, money is due by this coming Monday.

Lots of fundraising around Longfellow!

There is a lot going on this Spring! Please consider giving a little to each of the following, or perhaps pick one your family could give to.

• The CROP Walk: third graders are walking in and raising money for the CROP Walk to end hunger. 25% of the funds stay in Oak Park to help people in our own community. The goal is to collect $2010 at Longfellow. Students can bring in donations now.
• The PTO is sponsoring a candy bar sale. Order by the case to raise money for technology equipment here at Longfellow. A flier went home this past Friday.
• The Feinstein Challenge: this is a food, toiletry, and money drive to benefit the Oak Park and River Forest Food Pantry. Mr. Feinstein is a philanthropist who will match donations at food pantries around the country up to $1,000,000! Last year the OPRF Pantry collected 14,916 food items and $57,367 during the Feinstein Challenge. Donations will be accepted through next Wednesday, the 21st.
  

Nourish to Flourish in April

This month's themes are hand washing, wearing a bike helmet, and hydration. The "H2O Squad" could be around any day with stickers for students with a water bottle! (Earth Day is next week; consider making the permanent change to a reusable water bottle and stop buying bottled water.) Students will also play "Sanitize Me!" tag in P.E. Be sure to wear your helmet when out riding bikes, scooters, skateboards, and roller blades when out in this beautiful weather!

Family Reading Night

Next Thursday, April 22, is Earth Day around the world and Family Reading Night at Longfellow from 6:30-7:30. The theme of the night is Read, Recycle, Recite. Families can rotate between 3 stations: reading together, participating in a used book exchange, and seeing student performances.

**Book Exchange: Students can start bringing in gently used books to our classroom now. I will keep track of the amount. For every book they bring in, they will be allowed to take one book at Family Reading Night. Books should be brought into school by Wednesday, April 21.

Spring Arts Fiesta!

You're invited!
What: A Kindergarten Concert
When: Friday, April 30, at 2:15
Where: Longfellow Auditorium

Odds and Ends

Welcome Back! I hope you had a relaxing break. I heard a lot of good music and ate a lot of great food in Tennessee!

• Ah, the weather! Check out the complete weather forecast. Morning recess can be chilly, so children may need a jacket. Afternoon recess can be hot, so they may prefer layers.
  
• I saw a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables for morning and afternoon snacks the week before break. Keep up the healthy eating!
• This week starts off the CROP Walk collection. Third graders are walking to help end hunger, especially in Oak Park. Any spare change would be appreciated!
• Happy Opening Day! The Cubs and the White Sox start their official season today.
• Next week is TV Tune Out Week! Turn off the TV and do something more physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally stimulating! Oak Park, River Forest, and Forest Park Public Libraries have activities for kids all next week. Check out their blog at http://tvtuneoutweek.wordpress.com/
• The gymnastics equipment is coming to Longfellow! P.E. class will focus on gymnastics on April 12, 16, and 19. Students should wear gym shoes OR no-slip socks. Long hair should be tied back. Shorts or pants should be worn instead of or underneath skirts and dresses.