Greetings From North Carolina!

We made it--safe and sound!

Do you remember a few weeks back when we learned about the different time zones? Well, here in North Carolina, I am an hour ahead of Nashville. So when you were just crawling out of bed this morning, I was already sitting in the first session of the Paideia conference! But then at night, I have to wait until 11:00 to watch the news! Think about this--let's say you are a fan of American Idol and it comes on television at 7:00 in Nashville. That would be 8:00 out here! If your bedtime is 8:30 and you moved to Chapel Hill, you would only get to watch the first 30 minutes of Idol! Wow--that's rough!

I hope you are all having a great week and doing your best. I am learning a lot of really good things and I hope to share much of it with you before the end of the year! It is so exciting to get to be the "student" every now and then. Many of you might not believe that, but it is true!

So, today was the walking tour. How did it go? I would love to hear from some of you here on the blog. Let me know what you learned and what you liked best. I am sorry that I wasn't able to be there with you!

Don't forget that the LCO payments of $10 are due on Monday! Also report cards will come home Monday. Have a good Friday and an awesome weekend. Come in Monday ready to make the final push toward TCAP!

Be good to each other!

Happy Easter! Happy Spring!

I am sure that with everyone out enjoying Spring Break, I am here talking to myself. That's okay--it's kind of like being in the classroom. I hope that everyone is having a great time. I hope that you all enjoyed the return of the rubber duckies for Easter. I had gotten several sweet complaints that I had not been giving those out this year. I never imagined that you would want the same gift both years. Boy, did I learn. If I loop again, I will definitely remember that one!

Belmont almost beat Duke a few moments ago, and it would have been an amazing upset. As hard as it is to admit (as a Lipscomb alum--Go Bison!), I was rooting for Rick Byrd and the Bruins, but they let it slip out of their hands at the last second--actually the last four seconds. But it just goes to show you that underdogs can make a big difference. Always give your best effort--you never know what you might accomplish. Impressive job!

Just a few reminders. . . .

1. Students are out of school Monday. (Not me--I'll be there working hard.)
2. I will be out of school Wednesday-Friday attending the Paideia conference in Chapel Hill, NC. I trust that there will NOT be the problems we experienced last time I was out.
3. The third installment payment for the LCO is due the following Monday (March 31). The payment due is $10.
4. TCAP tests will be given around the second and third weeks of April. When I have specific dates, I will let you know.
5. The Tax-Free Shopping Weekend was moved from this weekend to April 25-27th. Students will have SSA next year, so you can get a little bit of early shopping done. For more information on the tax-free holiday, Click Here.
6. Students might be attending a field trip next week with the other fourth graders. I am a bit out of the loop about details, but will see that you get the information on Tuesday if they go ahead with the trip. The cost will be around $2.
7. Don't forget the MANDATORY Parent Meeting about the LCO on Wednesday, April 16, at 5:00 in the library. We did send a preliminary shopping list home last week.
8. I sent home a note last week requesting photo album inserts that will fit inside a three ring binder. If you have any extras around the house or know someone who can get some, I would greatly appreciate it. I could use just about as many as we can get. I am a beggar, so I am not picky about what you may send in--I'll take the sticky sheets or pockets, or whatever you might have.

Well, that's it. I've got to go walk Oliver and watch some more basketball. Happy first day of Spring, and have a great Easter. Travel safely, and know that you will only have to see me once next week. Lucky you!

In closing, even though I haven't been able to go and visit him this week, :-( I will share an Easter photo of my nephew with you. I KNOW I am prejudiced, but I think he is just the cutest little thing!

Spring Break Plans

What are you going to do for Spring Break? Leave a comment to share your plans!

Spring Break is Here (Almost!)

Hello all. This week wraps up many things and leads us straight into Spring Break. Following this week, I have a feeling that the rest of the school year will pass in a flash! We will be down to the final nine weeks of elementary school. I bet it feels like yesterday you dropped your child off in kindergarten.

As we try to close out the year and elementary school in general on a bright note, I will need your help to hold this class to the high standards we have had since the beginning. I expect the last day to be just as good, if not better than, day number one. That means we treat each other, substitutes, teachers, and ourselves with respect that is due. I'll leave it at that or I will get on another soapbox and be here all night typing.

This Wednesday brings the field trip that Mrs. Moradian organized for us. Since most of our class will be going, I will be a chaperone. It should be interesting. Along the same thought, I hope you are saving the evening of April 16 for our meeting about the LCO. It is mandatory, so please save that date now!

If I haven't said so already, let me tell you what an awesome job your children and all fourth graders did Thursday night. I was so impressed. A big "thank you" goes out to Mrs. Alley, Ms. Bell, Ms. Morris, and Mr. Thompson for the hard work they put into making the program a big success. I didn't do anything but show up and receive the credit for my amazing students! That credit is all theirs!

Well, hopefully this week will pass quickly so you can get started on your Spring Break vacations. I hope that you have safe travels and a restful week. Have a great Easter, and come back on the 25th prepared for the final push toward TCAP and the end of fourth grade.

Be good to each other!

LATEST UPDATE

It seems as if I am singing you the same song I did back in December. Once again the pajama day Ms. Greer had scheduled for tomorrow was on the verge of being cancelled. BUT, it goes on as scheduled!

A second note I need to share with you is the fact that some food out of our students' lunches have recently been pilfered during the school day. I was not aware of the things taken a few weeks ago, but yesterday we had at least three lunches that had been gone through. Beginning today students will bring their lunches into the room first thing in the morning. That will not catch the thief, but it will prevent our class from being victimized.

Thanks for understanding and working with us as we try to end our year on a positive note! I hope to see you tonight at Paideia Night!

So Many Things I Forgot To Share

Okay, it must be that I am getting older, because it seems that I left so much out of this week's newsletter. What in the world was I thinking? Anyway, here is the new, up-dated scoop!

1. This Thursday is still Paideia Night. If you made reservations for the light dinner and sessions, make sure you are here in time for that. Dinner is at 5:30; sessions begin at 6:15ish. If you are just coming for the 4th grade program, be here no later than 6:45. Students are to be in costume and sitting in their spots on the risers around 6:50.
2. Ms. Greer has announced that in honor of Read Me Week and Dr. Seuss' 104th birthday, she has rescheduled our pajama day for THIS Friday! Yes, that means your child can come to school in his/her favorite pjs. Our homeroom can also bring pillows and such, but you might want to check with your child's reading teacher to see what they have planned.
3. This weekend is my least favorite of the whole year, and maybe that is why I tried to forget about it. Before you go to bed Saturday night, remember to set your clocks ahead one hour or else you'll show up late for church Sunday morning! How embarrassing would that be? Hopefully we'll never find out. But, alas, it is that time to grudgingly give up that precious hour of sleep. I like the "fall back" weekend so much better!
4. I think that may be it. I am including a link HERE for the legacy letters. PLEASE try to get those to me before Spring Break. Remember how nice I was about not needing them right away? Well, it is getting to the point where I am going to bug you every week!

Well, I hope to see you Thursday night! Have a great week.