Snow Day

NO SCHOOL TOMORROW (2/1)!!

Science Lab

We will still do our lab next week, class! Enjoy your snow day.

If you want a lab to do this weekend, measure how deep the snow is each hour and plot the data on a line graph. You can share your results at our next rug meeting,

Facebook/Myspace and SNOW

For those of you on Facebook and/or Myspace, we now have PLA pages available to follow. I am the admin of the Facebook page, and Mr. Jones is in charge of the one on Myspace. Please let us know if there are any problems on there! We are using the pages to further open communication, as well as for advertising.

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I have heard a number of different forecasts for the rest of this week. The one thing they all have in common, though, is frozen precipitation. I am expecting us to be closed on Friday and possibly Monday. The kids are a day behind in science and social studies, which will put their lab on Friday. I promised them we could do it next week. Do not worry about completing Friday's in-class work at home. If we miss any days for snow this week, we will pick back up with our lessons where we leave off tomorrow. Now, let's all go do a Snow Dance!

Updates on ASC Field Trip, Family Project

Any student with missing work will not be permitted to go on the field trip. Missing assignments need to be turned in ASAP!

To ride the BlueMax Flight Simulator, students need to bring an additional $5 in cash to ASC on the day of the trip. This is optional. The other activities are included in the admission price.

We are still waiting on the polo shirts, but they should be in very soon. In the event that we have not gotten them in time for the trip, just wear a navy blue shirt. This is a matter that is out of my hands, but I am doing what I can to make sure you get the shirts you paid for.

FAMILY PROJECT: Create a model of the solar system using any materials you would like. I want to see all the creative ways we can represent the planets, stars, etc. These will be due on Friday 2/5: the day after ASC.

Open House

We will be hosting an open house next Tuesday (1/26) from 5:00-7:00pm at school. There have been a lot of changes and some confusion. This is an opportunity for all of us to get together and discuss how things have gone and where they are going. We will have snacks and drinks available. I look forward to seeing everyone!

In addition to this, we have also created an e-mail address that all teachers have access to. If you have any general questions, feel free to send them to schoolpla@yahoo.com. Any classroom-specific questions should go through the individual teachers. The Yahoo account is a new communication tool we are trying out.

Our Next Field Trip

On February 4 (Thursday), the upper elementary and middle school classes will be visiting Adventure Science Center/Sudekum Planetarium in Nashville. Both classes are about to begin learning about the solar system, so we are especially looking forward to the new Space Chase wing! We need volunteers to help us drive. Permission slips will be sent home very soon. For information about ASC, including current exhibits and programs, visit their website. The total cost for ASC will be $5 for entry/fees and an additional $3 for the Sudekum Planetarium presentation. Adult entry fees are $6 for ASC and $3 for the Planetarium. Permission slips and money are due no later than Feb. 3. The trip is the next day.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

We are halfway through the school year, and it is time to formally touch base again. Please sign up for a conference next week. I will be available to meet on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons. I know some work schedules don't allow early conferences, and that is fine. Please make an appointment, so I know how late to stay each day.

Well, there are still some leaf piles with a little snow on them...

SNOW DAY TOMORROW!!

Yes, that's right. We have a 5th snow day in a row. Remember what we always say: Be flexible! I am doing just that. We will resume our last Thursday's lesson plans, plus a little extra, on this Thursday. I can assure you we will be back Thursday, as it will actually be above freezing tomorrow. Can't wait to see everyone again!

A Great Opportunity

Many of you know that I am a member of the Upper Cumberland Writing Project. It is with much UCWP pride that I present to you the chance to attend one of our upcoming Young Writers Workshops. I will be facilitating the January event. It is an invaluable experience for any child who enjoys writing.

Winter Wonderland

Looks like we have another snow day tomorrow! I hope everyone has been enjoying the unexpected break and has stayed warm and safe.

In the event of snow, you don't have to do the work on our weekly schedule independently. We will pick up where we left off when we come back. A few lessons will be combined and/or shortened, but we'll still address the state standards. I will do my best to make sure we don't have to sacrifice labs or videos, as I know the students look forward to those supplemental activities.

When we get back to school, we will be working toward finishing Sarah, Plain and Tall, drafting our persuasive essays, trucking along in our math tribes, wrapping up our weather and water unit in science, and learning more about Colonial America. I haven't forgotten the Salem video I promised to show you! :) As much as we need the time for work, I'll still let you all have a video day in social studies.

News flash: Ms. Worley and I will begin team teaching this week. Each Friday from 2:00-2:45 we will teach one of the classes a special creative writing workshop. We will alternate classes each week. The class not having writing workshop will be supervised by Ms. Debbie or Ms. Betsy and will be given that time as a study hall. We are looking forward to reading your writing!