Weekly Update

Hello Parents!

A short weekly update before another fabulous three day weekend...

Operation Comfort Cases:
Our school is participating in a community service project in support of an organization called Comfort Cases. Comfort Cases aims to support children in the foster care system by providing them with a new backpack or duffle bag filled with both essentials supplies and comfort items to help when transitioning to a new home. Each grade level is collecting a different supply for the Comfort Cases and in 1st grade, we are asking for donations of new stuffed animals. Pinebrook will host a community-wide Comfort Cases Packing Party on Saturday, February 17th. More details will come as the event gets closer, but for now, please consider donating a new stuffed animal to be included in a Comfort Case. You may send the donation to school with your child. Thank you!

Mid-Year Literacy Assessments:
I am still in the process of our Mid-Year Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA). Those snow days have put us behind a little. Remember, the DRA assesses a student's ability to decode words, read fluently, and retell/comprehend a story. In preparation for our mid-year assessments, please ensure your child is reading each night at home. I cannot stress enough how important this is for your child to become a stronger reader. Please use the discussion guidelines on your child's weekly homework sheet to talk about his/her nightly reading or use the retelling bookmark provided at Parent Teacher Conferences.

Materials Collection for STEAM Expo:
Yesterday I sent home a bright pink flier about supplies the 1st grade classes need for Pinebrook's annual STEAM Expo. During STEAM Expo, we spend a school day exploring various topics through the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. To make this day possible, we are collecting the following supplies: cardboard, straws, tape, popsicle and craft sticks, toilet paper and paper towel rolls, index cards, pipe cleaners, construction paper, and cardstock. If you are able to donate any of theses items, please send them to school with your child. You may collect and send supplies through February. Thank you!

Third Grade Recycling Project:
Third Grade Pinebrook students are completing a Recycling PBL project. Students are trying to collect 500 pounds of plastic to create a new trash can for our playground. Our first grade classroom has a collection bin that we have been working hard to fill so we can support the third grade students with their awesome recycling project. Here is a list of items that can be collected and brought in to school with your child:

• milk jug caps
• detergent caps
• hair spray caps
• toothpaste tube caps
• coffee creamer caps
• deodorant caps
• flip-top caps
• spray paint caps
• ointment tube caps
• medicine bottle caps
• marker caps
• expo marker caps
• highlighter caps
• plastic pen caps
• cottage cheese lids
• mayonnaise jar lids
• yogurt lids
• peanut butter jar lids
• cool whip container lids
• coffee can lids
• cream cheese lids
• butter container lids

If you have a question about whether or not a cap/lid can be collected, please let me know so I can ask the third grade team!

Focus Areas for the Coming Week:

Reading- We will continue learning about how to become super smart nonfiction readers

Writing- We will continue our handwriting practice and learn how to edit our writing

Math- We will finish our addition unit and review before our assessment

Science-We will talk about winter changes and how animals prepare for the winter in preparation for our PBL project (Project Based Learning).

Word Study- Students received new word study words this week and will be assessed on Friday, January 19th

Remember...No school on Monday, January 15th due to MLK Jr. Day. Also, Tuesday, January 16th will be a Monday schedule so students will have Library and P.E. as their Specials. 

Have a super duper three day weekend!! :)