Bear Necessity Slips

Today children will go home with a Bear Necessity Slip for them to earn from YOU over break. If they are especially safe, responsible, and respectful in your family setting, sign the form and return it after break.

Health Lessons

Starting after break, our social worker, Canika Prescott, will come in each Monday morning to teach health. The kindergarten health program consists of identifying emotions, how our bodies feel when we experience those emotions, appropriate ways to react to those feelings, and what facial expressions would signal those feelings in others. At the end of her time with us, Ms. Prescott will also be talking about safe touches. She teaches children to identify safe and unsafe touches and what to do in case someone touches them in an unsafe way. I have always felt these are very important and age-appropriate lessons, but if you'd like to preview any of them, just let me know.

P.E.

In Physical Education students will be practicing gymnastics from April 5th through April 18th. Please make sure that your child wears shorts or pants for PE. Long hair needs to be tied back. As usual, kindergarteners need to wear gym shoes.

Summer in Song

As some of you know, I co-direct a 1st-3rd grade chorus here, the Longfellow Larks. My co-director, Jennifer Trueman Resek, a school neighbor and former Longfellow parent, is teaching a class this summer called "Summer in Song" through the Oak Park Education Foundation.
This particular class is for students who will be in 1st - 4th grade next year. You can find more information at www.opef.org/basecamp/register/. Camps filled up fast last summer, so register soon! There are other classes for various grade levels in this summer's program including LEGO Landmarks for incoming first graders. B.A.S.E. Camp runs from June 4-29, but classes vary in start dates, times, lengths and locations. Programs are open to students from any school. This year there are three locations: Julian Middle School, Brooks Middle School, and Oak Park and River Forest High School.

A Reminder from Nurse Angie

The weather may be beautiful, but we have reached the peak of flu season and many students and staff are calling in sick. Please remember District 97's policy that any child with a fever > 100 degrees and cough/ respiratory symptoms should be excluded until clinical recovery (fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing meds). We know parents and guardians are busy and need to work, however students need to stay home until they are fully recovered so as not to make others sick. Please contact Nurse Angie with any questions or concerns. Thank you!

Scholastic book order forms went home this week. If you do not wish to order, no problem. If you would like to order books, please complete the form by Friday, March 16. You can either order online with a credit card, or send the form back to me with a check made out to Scholastic.

Class Activation Code: G8Q66We earn a free book for the classroom library every time a parent places an order online.
•SIGN UP at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. On the parent page, click the “Register” button in the “First Time Here?” section. Register for your own user name and password. When prompted, enter the Class Activation Code: G8Q66. This unique code ensures that your order is sent to me.
•SELECT the books you’d like to order—choose from thousands of titles—many more than in the flyer.
•SEND your order to me online by the due date and your child’s books will be delivered directly to my classroom. Ordering online is fast, easy, and secure.

Splat the Cat Author

Rob Scotton is coming to the Magic Tree Bookstore on Oak Park Ave. on Tuesday, March 13 at 4pm. Rob will do a drawing demo so kids see how he draws Splat the Cat! For more info, call the book store at 708-848-0770.

PACK Week Next Week!

Pack Assorted Colors for Kids Week starts Monday the 12th to encourage children to eat fruits and vegetables in a variety of colors. We're keeping track of the amount of fruits and vegetables we eat at school and wearing clothes to match them next week. Here's our schedule:
Monday (3/12) – eat and wear PURPLE
Tuesday (3/13) – eat and wear WHITE
Wednesday (3/14) – eat and wear RED
Thursday (3/15) – eat and wear GREEN
Friday (3/16) – eat and wear YELLOW/ORANGE

Last Call for Book It! Calendars

Please turn in any Book It! Calendars you have for February as well as any older ones you have sitting around. Anyone who has participated all 5 months (Oct-Feb) will be invited to a lunch celebration at school. If you would like to keep track of your reading in March, use any calendar you find online and turn it in to me at the end of the month. I'll give you a coupon for a free personal pizza. All coupons expire by May 1.