March 31, 2013

I trust you all had a pleasant weekend of remembrance and celebration. My hope is that all the students will return to school feeling refreshed and focused on learning. This week will be an extremely important one, as the students in grades 3 through 9 will be taking the Standards Based Assessments mandated by the state. Our job in grades K through 2nd, will be to support those that will be testing by being respectful of their need to do well. That means we will try not to do anything that could distract the other classes during the tests.

It is very important for all the students in every class to be at school on time and well rested, and that includes our class. When students come to school late, it disrupts the learning process of  those already in attendance. In this up coming week,  coming late could disrupt the thought processes of the students who are testing. These SBA tests will be starting on Tuesday and go through Friday and thank you in advance for your support in this effort.

In our class this week, we will try to maintain a normal schedule. With only 8 more weeks of school left for this year, I want to make the most of our time and see that the students finish strong in their academic core subjects. Of course there will still be time for some fun activities and art projects weekly. The photo to follow is of the students during art last Friday. It is obvious they are enjoying being creative!

March 24, 2013

 Weekly Greetings!

It was good to be back together after the Spring break, though we got off to a slow start the first few days with a number of students tardy or absent. Hopefully this week everyone will be back and on time daily. There are so many things in our day that those students miss and that cannot be made up if they are not in class...For example, many of the Science experiments we do in a group, are lost to those that are absent. Currently, the afternoon students are learning about matter and the changes that can occur in some solids when mixed with liquid. In the picture to follow, the group is comparing salt and gravel. Both are solids with a shape, but when the salt was mixed with water it dissolved.

 Often while I am working on reading with the older students, the Kindergarten does hands on projects or center based activities. The next photo was taken as the group was matching pictures to a letter with the same beginning sound of the picture.

These are just a couple examples of learning activities that cannot be made up if a student is absent.

Also, please help your child remember to do their homework nightly. A number of students are having trouble getting the assigned work completed each night, and have already lost the new folders I sent home on the first day back from Spring break. I really need your support outside of the school day to help each child feel successful by being responsible with their homework.

Thank you and have a great week.

March 17, 2013

 I trust everyone has had a pleasant and restful Spring break. The week before our vacation was filled with special activities, and a ceremony to put closure to the loss we experienced when Mr. Cudney passed away 3 months ago.

On Tuesday, March 5 our class traveled to Tok to participate in the Battle of the Books competition with other schools from our district. This was the first time students traveled to compete, as in previous years the competition was done by using a call in system. It was a really good experience for us all, and once the students relaxed they did really well. Next year, we will all know more of what to expect and should do even better. The picture to follow is of the students that participated, and was taken just before entering the Tok School.

After lunch on Friday the 8th, all the students, staff, some district administration, and many community members traveled half way up Tetlin Hill in view of the village and school to share memories of Mr. Cudney.

 When everyone had had a chance to share, Mr. Becker carried a portion of Mr. Cudney's ashes that had been sent by his mother, out to the edge of the woods and scattered them.

 

 It was a very touching ceremony, and gave many of us a way to say our farewell to Mr. Cudney.

As we start back after break, we are now in the fourth quarter of the school year. It is hard  to believe that there are just 9 more weeks of school! Mr. Becker will be out on leave for the next two weeks, and Mrs. Dawn Buffum from the district office will be with us to help out in his absence.

Please continue to help your child remember to do the homework sent home Monday through Thursday nights each week. I will be giving each student a new folder again for the quarter, as I have done staring each new quarter so far this year. A number of students have done a great job taking care of their folder and doing the homework regularly, but some students still need to improve in this area.

Have a wonderful week!

March 3, 2013

Weekly Greetings!
This is our last week before Spring Break, and on Friday it will also be the end of the 3rd quarter! The weeks have been flying by, and this one will be no exception. Please remember that we will be traveling to Tok on Tuesday to compete in the Battle of the Books district competition for grades K,1, and 2. The students must be at school at 8:00am if they want breakfast, and we will depart promptly at 8:30am. The competition starts at 9:30am at the Tok School. Any students that miss the van departure will be sent home, as there will not be a staff person available to supervise them.

On Friday after lunch, we will be having a special ceremony on Tetlin Hill to scatter a small container of Mr. Cudney's ashes that were sent by his mother. If any of you are free during that time, it would be nice if you could join us in saying goodbye and help put closure to the loss we have all felt in Mr. Cudney's passing.

Last week on Friday the class was fortunate to have a visit from Mr. Dewy Halverson, a noted Iditarod musher from the mid 1980's through the 1990's. He is Ms. Barb's husband and with the start of the Iditarod on Saturday, it was great to have someone share stories of the race. There are a couple of pictures to follow from his time with the class.

Have a great week, and call or come into visit if you have any questions about this week's activities.