Even if you are not a Patriots fan, I am sure that you have heard about the Superbowl that took place last night!  Regardless of which team you were rooting for, it was a great example of the power of perseverance and grit.  Students in room 217 show perseverance and grit every day as they learn new concepts here at school! It is wonderful to see them succeed when they have tried hard to master something, and I know they feel it too!  Ask your child about a time they have persevered to learn something new!
 
Please don't forget to send in an empty cereal box with your child if you have not already.  We will be using them to make valentines boxes at the end of the week. Thank you to all the parents who have volunteered to bring something in for our party!

Some major reading and organizing going on!

These are some photos from our recent Lego STEM challenge. This challenge was to build the tallest free standing structure only using the materials and time provided.  Every structure was unique!

I can’t believe the second trimester is half over already!  This year is flying by. As always, if you have questions or concerns or would like a conference, please do not hesitate to contact me.  I can be reached at school at 827-1544, ext 211 or by email at sue.white@rsu34.org.

We have a new student starting in our class tomorrow! Welcome Emma, we are so looking forward to having you!  

     Don't forget about the talent show this Friday from 6-8pm! Come join us and see some of the very talented OTES students in action!  
      
Valentine's Day will be here before you know it!  If you would like to sign up to bring in something for our class Valentine party, please use the link below to get to my sign-up genius page! You can sign up for what you want to send in, and I will get notified as each item is spoken for.  All you need to do then is send the item in with your student on the day of the party.  

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c054ca9a82baafe3-valentine

We are also collecting small cereal boxes to decorate and use as mailboxes for our valentines. If you have extra empty boxes around, we could really use them. Also, if your student chooses to bring Valentines in, please make sure they bring one for everyone. We have 20 students in our class, a class list will be coming home soon.

If it is 10 degrees or warmer, all students are outside getting some fresh air at recess time!!!
     Please make sure that your students come to school every day with all the winter gear they need to stay comfortable outside at recess!  Everyone needs a warm coat, snowpants, boots, hat, and gloves or mittens.   

The second session of after school clubs are starting this week!  They begin Wednesday, January 11 and go until March 1. Notices will go home tomorrow stating which club your student is in.

The OTES talent show is coming up!  If you have not already turned in your permission form, get it in ASAP !  There is a lot of talent in room 217, I hope to see some of my kiddos up on the big stage!

During the week of January 16th, We will participate in the Civil Rights Team’s NO NAME CALLING WEEK! More info to come on what are class will be doing to support the Civil Rights team's initiative in our classroom.

LEARNERS ARE LEADERS - Our for January criteria is: Civic Minded Community Member. Students who demonstrate these qualities consistently demonstrate concern for others, demonstrate responsibility for the school, their classroom, and their learning AND they demonstrate kindness towards the world and want to make a difference with their actions.

The next Learners are Leaders Assembly will be January 26th at 1:15 pm

I will be placing the Scholastic Book order on Friday, December 9, so the items are delivered in time for the holidays.  Please be sure to get your order in if you are planning to make one!

  

  Now that winter has finally hit, please send your student to school with winter gear for the time they spend outside!  All students need boots, a winter coat and snowpants, hat and mittens.  It is also good for them to have a pair of shoes that they can leave at school in their cubby to change into in the morning so they don’t have to wear their boots all day.

    Along those same lines, please put a set of extra clothes in a plastic bag that can be in their backpacks for when they get wet or messy! These small changes will make for a more comfortable day for your child.

Our class tried their hands at the Mannequin challenge during our science explorations of force and motion - Check it out!

Thanksgiving break is here! I hope everyone has a restful week filled with family and lots of good food to eat.  Drive safely! 

I sent home a Thanksgiving Break Reading Challenge! Have your child read at least 20 minutes each day and fill in the feathers.  If they bring it back when it is all filled in, they get a free book!

     Now that we are a little past the Fall Season, (I refuse to admit that it is winter) please remember to send your child to school with winter gear! It is no longer warm enough to go out to recess in a shirt and shorts. They need boots, a warm winter coat, snow pants and warm hats and gloves. If students do not have boots, they are not allowed on the snow at recess time, and that is no fun.

The 4th annual PTC online auction is coming up! Bids open up Nov. 28, and close Dec.2 at 5pm.
The web address for this auction is: www.32auctions.com/oldtownelementary2016
Some of the amazing items up for auction are a whitewater rafting trip, 100 gallons of heating oil, concert tickets, classroom artwork, and much more!