Reading Classroom Changes

RtI Update

Last week we completed our winter reading benchmarking and this week the data was reviewed and analyzed. Beginning Tuesday, January 20th many students will be changing reading classrooms. If your child is changing rooms, a letter is being sent home with them today. Students needing more interventions will receive two letters. The changes are based on the progress and/or needs of the students. As the work becomes more difficult, there are students who need extra interventions and small group instruction to help them comprehend the new strategies being taught. Other students have made enough progress to stop receiving interventions. However, all students are receiving the same curriculum and have the same reading expectations. In each grade level, the weekly newsletters explain what will be worked on in reading and language arts and that is what you should focus on at home. Please feel free to call me with any questions or concerns.

Preview of Next Week

Monday, January 19th - NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Friday, January 23rd - Reading with Ronald Assembly

WELCOME BACK

January is Here!

I hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing break. Our break started early due to the snow day on Friday, December 19th. Fortunately, the students got to enjoy a day playing in the snow; unfortunately we did miss our holiday parties. We will not be rescheduling the parties. The midyear benchmarking and other curriculum issues this week prevent us from doing so. I'm sure the students all had a wonderful holiday season filled with fun and treats and they can all look forward to our Valentine Day parties in February! Thank you for your understanding.

Also, thank you for all of the wonderful gifts and treats. I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity.

UPCOMING EVENTS

01/10 - Market Day Pickup @ LV 9:30 - 10:30

01/13 - School Board Meeting @ PV 7:00

01/16 - Vision/Hearing Screening

01/19 - NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

01/27 - School Board Meeting @ PV 7:00

01/30 - Ide Movie Night @ PV 6:45

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Happy Holidays

Winter has blown in with a bang! Below zero temperatures, piles of snow and gusty winds have been an integral part of the last few days. While I've been out running errands and shopping, I haven't noticed the cold, but the warmth. The warmth of children's smiling faces, the warmth of people giving (Toys for Tots, Food pantry workers, church donations) and the warmth of families spending time together. It is so easy to get overwhelmed by what needs to be done before we can enjoy the holidays but try to focus on why you're doing these things. Why do we run around looking for the perfect gift? Why do we try to bake dozens upon dozens of delicious cookies in a matter of hours? We do it out of love - love for our family and friends. Keep that as your focus of the holiday season and you too will feel the warmth!

January Events

Monday, January 5th - Classes resume

Monday, January 5th - 9th - Aimsweb Benchmarking

Saturday, January 10th - Market Day Pick-Up @ LV

Tuesday, January 13th - Board Meeting @ PV 7:00

Friday, January 16th - Vision/Hearing Screening

Monday, January 19th - NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Tuesday, January 27th - Board Meeting @ PV 7:00

Friday, January 30th - Ide Movie Night @ PV

THIS WEEK

This week is a very busy week here at Elizabeth Ide

2nd Graders are travelling around the world during reading learning about the different ways other countries celebrate the holidays. On Thursday, they are going to share goodwill with the residents of the Fairview Baptist Home. Friday, our 1st graders will be learning how to make paper to go along with their recycling unit. While the kindergartners will be hunting for the missing gingerbread man! Oh no where can he be!

Friday all the classrooms will be treated to holiday parties. Thank you volunteers for always making these days so special for our students. I hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing holiday break!

A BUSY WEEK

Conference Week

This week we held parent-teacher conferences. Parents and teachers were able to meet and discuss their children/students. This can often be any eye-opening experience. Parents often learn things about their children that they were unaware of; quiet children at home can be the chatty students in a classroom or show musical aptitude in the music room! Teachers see their students in a different light and may remember what is was like to sit on the other side of the table. Overall the week went well and I hope you all had a positive experience.

Recess

It's that time of year when we have to ask will recess be inside or outside? If the temperature outside is 20 degrees or lower (including wind chill) we will stay inside. All students will go outside, unless we have a doctor's note on file stating the student needs to stay in. When snow is on the ground, students need snow pants and boots to go up to the playground. Those studentswithout these items will only be allowed to play on the blacktop so please send your child prepared for outside recess.

Classroom Volunteers

Just a reminder that younger siblings are not allowed in the classrooms when you are volunteering in the classroom (room parties, classroom readers, mystery guest, etc.). If you have any questions please call the office at 630-783-5200. Thank you.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Who's Bringing the Pumpkin Pie?

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest pumpkin pie ever baked weighed 2,020 pounds and measured just over 12 feet long. It was baked on October 8, 2005 by the New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers in Ohio, and included 900 pounds of pumpkin, 62 gallons of evaporated milk, 155 dozen eggs, 300 pounds of sugar, 3.5 pounds of salt, 7 pounds of cinnamon, 2 pounds of pumpkin spice and 250 pounds of crust. Wow - What a Pie!!!!! If you make one this big please feel free to share with the office!!!!

I hope you all have a wonderful, happy and relaxing Thanksgiving Day!!!

THE WEEK OF 12/01 - 12/06/08

Conferences Take Place all Week

Tuesday, December 2nd - Report Cards go home

Friday, December 5th - NO SCHOOL

Saturday, December 6th - Market Day Pick-Up @ PV

NEW MEMBER OF THE ELIZABETH IDE FAMILY

Future Teacher?

Mrs. Olsen and her husband Robert welcomed a beautiful baby girl to their family today! Evalina Catherine Olsen was born at 12:20 a.m.; 7lbs, 13oz and is 20 inches long.

“A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for”

Congratulations!!!

Preview of Next Week

Tuesday, November 18th - Board Meeting at 7:00 @ PV

Wednesday, November 19th - 2nd Grade Musical at 7:00 @ LV

Thursday, November 20th - Ide PTO Meeting @ 7:00