Dear Parents,

I am writing a note to let you know about today, Dec. 15th. I received a phone call from my husband telling me that his father had died. Even though my husband and I were expecting this to happen, (he was diagnosed with lung cancer in June), we were hoping that his death would be later - like sometime next year. I know the children were concern when I started to cry...my father-in-law was more of a father to me than a father-in-law.

My husband is on his way to Jacksonville tonight, where his dad lives, and I will join him after school on Thursday. My husband knew about the activities that are planned for this week and told me to stay here for the kids. As much as I wanted to be with my husband on that six hour drive north, I also wanted to make sure that the children were able to make their graham cracker house that they have looked forward to doing. I will be at school through Thursday. Then I will have a sub on Friday. The sub will do the Polar Express - cookie exchange with the children on Friday.

Please do me a favor. Hug your child and tell him/her how much you love them. Your child can never hear this enough from you - or better yet, call your parents if they are still alive and let them know that you love them. Even though you might think that you are prepared for anything to happen, you never are... Let your child know just how much he/she means to you these coming weeks. It only takes a few minutes to give them a hug and say "I love you."

HUGS

Have a Very Merry Christmas...

Sherry Stauffer



Hello,

The class will be having homework this week. I will give students the homework packets, minus the FRIDAY's math worksheet. I am asking for students to complete the Monday through Thursday homework and turn in their homework on Friday the 19th. I will inform students that all homework will be due on Friday, the 19th.

Students will need to know the words on page 58 of the Wordly Wise book. These words are listed on the flash cards.

Please note:

The math worksheets are the 5 math strands that students will need to know for the FCAT in March. The more exposure to these math strands the easier and more successful students will be with these problems.

Students may take ANY of these books home to study: Wordly Wise, Math, Science and/or Social Studies. These books must be returned the next day, as we do work out of them.

If you are volunteering Thursday Dec. 18th and/or Friday Dec. 19th, please plan on arriving at 1:50. I will need the most help on Thursday, Dec. 18th - the day of the graham cracker houses. It is my hope to have enough volunteers to help each group of 4-5 kids with their houses. The more volunteers, the better. The making of the graham houses is an awesome 'fun' time for the kids.

Thank you for the donating items for our graham cracker houses! What a blessing this event is going to be for the kids. If you have not sent in your items, please have your donations for Graham Cracker Houses in to the class by Wednesday, Dec. 17th. By having the items in, it will allow me time to buy what the class will need in order to complete our houses.

On Friday, Dec. 19th please have students bring in their cookies to share with the class. I have gallons size Ziploc bags for the kids to put their cookies in if you don't have a cookie tin to bring in. Hot chocolate will be provided.

Please note - the class is in need of Kleenex and snack items. If you can provide please items, please send them in.

Thank you for your help and support. It is my hope for everyone to have the peace and the blessings of this Christmas season. I have been blessed with your child in my classroom.

If you have ANY concerns, please call me at 936-1459 or send me an e-mail through this site.

Mrs. Stauffer