We Have a Wonderful Class!

• As many of you are aware, I spent last Thursday and Friday taking my daughter to UCSB for her first year of college.  The trip was bittersweet.   She was very excited to begin her next chapter and I was trying very hard to hold back a flood of tears!  Hug your 6, 7, and 8 year olds a little tighter as they grow up in a blink!  I am now the only girl in a house of boys...even our pets are boys!
• I heard that the County Fair was a huge success!  Thank you to all of the parent drivers.
• Please disregard the AR Log that came home last week.  
• Class photos are next Thursday, 9/22.
• I enjoyed meeting many of you at Back to School Night.  Thank you to all of the parents who volunteered to work in the classroom, help with a class party, and/or volunteered to prep at home.  We are so lucky to have so many volunteers.  For those of you who were unable to sign up for a conference, a form will be coming home Monday with a scheduled date and time.  
• Thank you to the second grade parents for the Literature Circle feedback.  Since Literature Circles are a third grade required homework assignment, I have decided to assign the second graders the reading but the written assignments are optional.  I am hoping to have an informal Book Club where the third graders will share their assignments and the second graders will participate in the discussions.  The goal of Literature Circles is to enjoy reading and discussing literature.  The Literature Circle books and assignments will not be coming home until after conferences.  I will send a cover letter explaining what is expected and when it is due.  For now, we will be doing Literature Circles in class only.
• Next Friday, September 23rd, is the Harvest Festival.  
• Finally, we are still asking for prize box items.  The children are anxious to turn in their red tickets for a prize and our box is a bit weak.  Small Dollar Store items and/or Oriental Trading Company prizes are always a big hit.
• I am also hoping to get large bags of gummi bears.  
• Thank you for your delightful children.  We have a room of bright, respectful learners.  Room 1 is a great place to spend the day.  Stop by anytime.