MERRY CHRISTMAS!

There will be no Spelling Test or Bible Verse Test this week.  Due to the flurry of math, reading, writing assessments last week, we were unable to take our Bible Verse test on Friday so we will review it and write it together as practice this week.
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus in our homes with family, may we all enjoy the PEACE OF GOD and this beautiful reason for the season.   Have a wonderful, restful vacation!!!
SERVICE PROJECT:  TOGETHER WE CAN
Thank you for all who have given so generously to the food drive for the community service project.  Our children had the privilege to help families of Pinedale this Christmas  season.  It has been wonderful to see the buckets fill up, knowing we are helping those in need, all in the name of JESUS!
SERVICE PROJECT:  FLEECE BLANKETS
What a tremendous response we received for the fleece fabric to make and tie soft, warm blankets for the homeless and for women and children in shelters for the abused!!  WOW!!  On Monday, December 9, Mrs. Mary Lou Savage will be working at the far west end of Building 5 cutting and preparing the blankets for tying.  If you would like to stop by and help her, you are welcome to join her at the tables in the hallway.
Tuesday, December 10  the FCS high school choir will perform a live Christmas Concert in chapel for our Grades 1-6.  Following chapel,  third graders will be returning to our classroom to tie blanket knots and complete them. Mrs. Savage will lead us in a  prayer to bless the blankets that will go out to serve and minister to those in need.  If you would to join us and lend a helping hand with the children tying knots, you are very welcome!!  Christmas Chapel begins at 8:10 AM and our service project will follow at 8:45 AM in our classroom.

LOST AND FOUND

Parents and students, you are welcome to please check the Lost and Found rack. Lots of nice items will be going to charity if not claimed by Friday the 13th. Thank you!

HALF DAY
Just a reminder that Wednesday, December 11 is a half day due to staff in-service with release time at 12:00 PM.
END OF SECOND QUARTER
Our second quarter ends on December 13th.  Please check your child’s grades on Powerschool and send in any late work, missing assignments, re-do’s by Tuesday, December 10.  Grades will be finalized and posted online in PowerSchool on Tuesday, December 17.
 
SECRET ANGEL
Today we will draw names for our secret angels.  Monday, December 9th until Thursday, December 12th, third graders will be a secret angel to that special friend.   Your child can draw a picture, write an encouraging note, bring a small sweet treat, pencil, sticker, eraser or any small token that says “I am thinking about you and praying for you.” The children should try to bring something every day.
On Thursday, December 12, when we have our Birthday Party for Jesus, students will bring a gift (no more than $5.00), for their secret friend and reveal the person they have been blessing. Above all, keep it a secret.  Do not put the name of the child to whom the present goes, but put your own child’s name on the tag (who the gift is from.)
CLASS CHRISTMAS PARTY
Our third grade class will celebrate Christ’s birthday with a Christmas party on Thursday afternoon, December 12 from 1:30-2:30 PM.   Please contact Patty Steele and Emily Phillips if you would like to help with the party.
ELEMENTARY CHRISTMAS SKATING PARTY

Grades 1-6 grades will be going skating on Friday, December 13 at Cal Skate of Clovis. Travel arrangements will be by CARPOOL.   If you are transporting students I will need you to arrive at school at 8:00 AM.  Thank you!

Reminder:  You can go directly to Cal-Skate.  You do not need to come to school first.  Children are free to leave directly from Cal-Skate for Christmas vacation if that works best for you.  School is dismissed at 12:00 PM.

1st Session – 8:15-9:55 AM / Classes: Tally, Raymundo, Weimer, Fraser

2nd Session – 10:15-11:30 AM / Classes: Ferguson, Hancox, Vander Kooi, Broersma

All skating fees for third grade students are pre-paid through our class account.   Parents and siblings that skate will need to pay the $6.50 for each skating session at the door.  Non-skating parents who would just like to come and watch kids skate will need to pay an entrance fee of $3.00 at the door.  Parents that wish to be a spectator at one session and skate at the other session need to pay $9.50.

Roller blades may been worn but they must have flush bolts, (no sharp exposed bolts/screws).  If your skates have a heel brake it must be in good condition, no screw showing.  Roller blades will be inspected by Cal Skate employees, if they do not meet the standards you will need to use roller skates.

SKATING TRANSPORTATION

The following parents have volunteered to carpool students to and from the Christmas Skating Party:

Julia Retamora (Emma Calderon’s mom)

Jeanette Rylander

Jennifer Dansby

Lamberto Siquerios

See carpool permission form attached to the newsletter and graded work only for those needing a ride to and from the skating party from.  Please return the form by Wednesday, December 11.

PEACH BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

 Our class will be busy selecting poems to memorize for presentation in an Oral Interpretation Speech Meet which will take place in January.   This is a FCS requirement for all 1st-6th classes.  Each third grade student is required to memorize a NEW poem of at least three or four stanzas (12-16 lines.)  We have a large and varied list of poems to select from in the classroom and library.  Parents are welcome to help children select a poem from home. Please submit the poem to your child’s teacher for approval and provide a copy of the poem by January 10th.

Although this is not due until we come back from Christmas vacation, I strongly suggest you try and choose your poem before January.  Students should begin to memorize their poem at home with parental guidance.  A “Helpful Hints” guide sheet will be provided  for an effective presentation.  Please begin to work individually with your child on these 5 steps over Christmas vacation.  Judging is based on expression, platform presence, voice, and speech.  We will practice at school as well after Christmas vacation.

Parents are invited to the speech meet, as finalists from the 3rd and 4th grade competition will be selected to represent our school at the Peach Blossom Festival of Oral Interpretation.  This is a citywide elementary speech meet held annually at California State University Fresno each spring.  We look forward to sharing our favorite poems with classmates.  Thank you for your cooperation in helping your child to learn his/her poem.

FRESNO CHRISTIAN MUSIC DEPARTMENT PRESENTS:  “A CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS!”

Our Christmas program is this Wednesday!  The Christmas concert will be a beautiful celebration of traditional and modern carols, with the reading of the Biblical account of Jesus’ birth. Here are some important details:

WHO:   Kindergarten through Fourth Grades, Elementary Choir, Junior High Choir

WHEN:  Wednesday, December 11, 2013

TIME:  5:30 – 6:30 PM

WHERE:  Fresno Christian Gym

Please drop your child off in the Music Suite (just to the right when you enter the gym.)  I will be in there waiting for them. When the concert is over, third graders will be dismissed from the risers.

 

COMING ATTRACTIONS

DECEMBER

DECEMBER 7 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZOE BULL

Tuesday, December 10  –  Christmas Chapel 8:10 AM

Tuesday, December 10  – Service Project/Tying and Blessing of the Fleece Blankets for the Homeless 8:45 AM

Wednesday, December 11 – Teacher Inservice – School dismissed at 12:00 PM

Wednesday December 11 – Christmas Program – 5:30 PM  – FCS Gym

Thursday, December 12 – Class Christmas Party 1:30 – 2:30 PM

Friday, December 13 – Elementary Christmas Skating Party @ Cal Skate

Friday, December 13 – School dismissed at 12:00 PM

Friday, December 13 – End of Second Quarter

 December 16 – January 3 – Christmas Vacation – Happy Birthday Jesus!

JANUARY

Monday, January 6 –  School Resumes – Happy New Year!!