Halloween

• First, please let me know if your child/ family does NOT celebrate Halloween.  I can make alternative arrangements for those who do not.
• Would anyone be interested in helping to organize a Halloween party?  It would be nice to have several helpers so all the responsibility does not fall on one person.
• Please do NOT wear costumes to school that day.  Students can bring their costumes to change into later.  Costumes should not include any weapons (i.e. guns, swords, etc.)
• Our schedule for the day:
• Regular, academic morning (cut a little short)
• Lunch 10:30 - 11:30
• Stories and change into costumes 11:30 - 12:15  (A volunteer or two would be great here!)
• Start lining up for the parade 12:15
• Parade no later than 12:30, running until about 1 - All are welcome!
• Class party 1 - 1:45
• Clean up and dismissal 1:55
  

Correction for B.E.A.R

Be Enthusiastic About Reading!
Last month a flier went home for a bookmark design competition.  You also got an October calendar to keep track of your reading at home.  Each month, every student will get a new calendar.  If you read 25 minutes a night for at least 20 nights per month (and your homework is already to read 20 minutes a night,) indicate that on your calendar and return it to school at the end of the month.  Children who do so will receive a bookmark.  Any child who does this at least 6 times out of the next 7 months (October - April) will receive a free book from the PTO.  Again, this is replacing the Pizza Hut Book It calendars from past years, as the district is trying to encourage healthier eating habits and move away from using food as a reward.
As an FYI,

• It doesn't have to be that exact calendar.  If you lose yours, just print one from online and use that.
• "Reading" can mean students reading independently or with support, or listening to a book read aloud.

Storytelling

Storyteller Mike Anderson is coming to Longfellow!  He will perform for our kindergarten and first grade classes in the Longfellow Auditorium at 10am on Friday, October 19th.

You can also catch him and two other storytellers at Dominican University that same night from 7-8:30pm.  There will be face painting, a costume parade, and storytelling.  The cost is $5 per family or individual.

Housekeeping

• It looks like you've figured it out, but with the new blacktop and "official" lines, our class lines up at line K in the morning.  See you there!
• Our semi-annual Book Fair starts Monday!  Please consider buying books to support the Longfellow PTO which does wonderful things for our school.  If you're interested in helping out, email Joan at baborado@aol.com  They need volunteers Monday - Thursday 8-10am, 10-12pm, 12-2pm, 2-5pm, 5-7pm, and Friday, 8-10 and 10-12.
• A flier went home today about a Box Top raffle for a chance to win Book Fair gift certificates.  You can enter as many times as you have 25 Box Tops, so feel free to make your own copies or ask me for more.  FYI, Longfellow is ALWAYS looking for Box Tops, so keep them coming, even after the raffle!
• The Fun Run is Monday!  We will take our class picture in the morning and run/ walk the Fun Run after lunch.  All are welcome!  Don't forget to enter any online pledges at www.thegetmovincrew.com
• Don't forget!  Students will be dismissed at 11am on Thursday, 10/18, and Friday, 10/19.  I look forward to seeing you all at conferences!