We have a had a fun-filled day before we left for Spring Break. I assigned an Act of Kindness for the week we are off of school. I asked that your child organize a "Family Game Night" to get everyone involved in playing a game together. This could be a traditional board game or a Wii bowling tournament. Enjoy your time together! Thank you to the P.T.O. for providing an ice cream treat this afternoon. The students left with a full sugary belly.
A big "Thank You" to Kohl's department store for having volunteers visit our school today. They were busy planting with the students. We had 2 stations, one station the students were planting vegetable plants in half of a water bottle. These will be taken home the end of May to start your own garden. The second station the students planted flowers for a special day in May! This activity will possibly provide the school with a grant. I will let you know when we hear that we have received it.
Have a safe and fun Spring Break!

Spring Break is approaching fast! I know the first week of May is far from your mind, but I want to let you know about this week for testing. The day we return, May 2nd will begin our Ohio Achievement Tests for 3rd Grade, followed by 4th Grade on May 3rd. Please tell your children to try their best. Also, have them get to bed early (or on time!) the night before their test dates to help with concentration. Encourage them to eat a good breakfast and reassure them that the tests include information they already know!

Our 3rd Grade students and teachers have been very busy (and messy) in their classrooms working on a project. Last week, they covered a blown up balloon with paper mache. This was a sticky process that involved glue, water and newspaper strips! The next day, the students applied a white paint base coat. They are putting the finishing touches to their paper mache eggs by adding colored paints and glitter. These colorful art projects will make their way home at the end of the week.

Thanks to Ms. Johnson, Mrs. Kellgren, and our Art Show Committee for putting on a wonderful show last Friday. The artwork and demonstrators were a nice added touch to the program. The children had opportunities to make different art projects such as designing their own egg to take with them. The night was filled with many fun activities for all. Thanks again for a spectacular job!

The Gorant candy orders are in for pick-up. Please come to the school to get your order anytime between 8:00 a.m.-3:00p.m. Thanks for supporting the fundraiser!

Our 1st Graders have been collecting new or gently used children's books. The final count was taken and together the 2 classes collected 240 books. These will be delivered to the Akron Children's Hospital for those children staying at the hospital. I am so proud of the classrooms working together and spreading kindness in their own way. Please be watching for pictures in our local newspapers about this activity.

Just a reminder, the Elementary Art Show will be Friday, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at North. The show is for all Kindergarten-4th grade students in the school district. If you have some time tomorrow evening, please stop and look at all the beautiful art that is decorating our hallways!

Today, Charlotte's plan unfolded, with the quote "some pig" weaved into her web. Mr. Zuckerman and Lurvy were singing praises about Wilbur, the pig. Mrs. Zuckerman tried to correct them in saying that they are wrong, it is an amazing spider that is on their farm. To her dismay, they ignored what she was saying and continued being amazed at Wilbur. As word spread through the town, people drove miles to have a look at the pig. Charlotte smiled and looked on because she knew her plan was working to save Wilbur. This is a perfect example of humility, our character trait for this month. Talk to your child about giving up something they think they deserve by putting others first. This could be letting someone else sit in the front seat, let a sister or brother pick what to watch on t.v. or pick out the kind of cereal to buy. They just might like the way humility makes them feel!

We have been reading Charlotte's Web by E.B. White during the morning announcements. Our character trait this month is humility, putting others first by giving up what you think you deserve. Charlotte, in this classic story, is a perfect example of what it means to be humble. She believes Wilbur is worthy of being saved from his looming demise. Tomorrow we will be reading Chapter 11, and will learn of Charlotte's plan to save Wilbur's life.

Welcome back from a wonderful weekend! Hope you got outside and enjoyed the warmer temperatures and sunshine. It is amazing how nice weather adds a certain 'spring' to my step. Recess was enjoyed by all before the rain begins. Thank you to the P.T.O. parents for volunteering their time with hanging the art work for our Elementary Art Show that is taking place on Friday. They spent, and will continue to spend, countless hours displaying the works of art.

Today, our kindness assignment was discussed for this week. The students are to compliment a friend, teacher, neighbor, or family member about something they did. The sincerity of the compliment matters rather than just saying something meaningless.

The P.T.O. Basket Raffle ended this morning. We had an official drum roll from one of the 4th grade students as the names were drawn. Congratulations to the following winners and thanks again for all those that bought tickets and supported P.T.O.

Justice Basket - Brandon T.

Pokemon Basket- Zac F.

Movie Basket- James C.

Wii Basket- Dylan G.

Have a great weekend. Let's hope the sunshine and warmth are here to stay!

Tomorrow we will be picking the P.T.O.'s basket raffle winners. If your child wins, we will contact you so that you can make arrangements to pick up the basket. Thank you to all that supported this raffle and good luck!

Last week, I took a field trip with Mr. Masucci and Mr. Sofranec to a greenhouse in Rootstown. It was quite an experience for me, considering I do NOT have a green thumb! Needless to say, after roaming the endless rows in this greenhouse, I returned with a few flats of vegetable plants and a flat of flowers. The students will enjoy planting with our Kohl's volunteers before we leave for Spring Break. More details about this planting experience will come soon.

Our 3rd Grade and Kindergarten cowboys and cowgirls did an excellent job at the Spring Sing last night. I would like to thank all those that came to watch. The outfits the students wore made the night even more successful. It was quite a show! I would also like to thank Dr. Szabo, Mrs. Hay, Mrs. Wittenauer, Miss Gura, and Mrs. Hoover for all their hard work to make last night's performance a success.

Please remember the P.T.O. meeting is tomorrow at 9:00. We will be electing officers for the 2011/2012 school year and also discussing the fundraiser for next year. I look forward to seeing you there. Thank you for supporting P.T.O.

The Dress Rehearsal this morning today was a huge success. Our Kindergarten and 3rd Grades did an excellent job with singing. Tonight's performance will begin at 6:00 in our gym. Please keep students with you in the gym until they are "rounded-up" to go to their rooms. I am looking forward to another great performance.

Yesterday, I assigned the "Act of Kindness" of walking, petting, or playing with a neighbor's dog. I stressed the importance of asking parent's and neighbor's permission before completing this assignment. The students can also use their own dog or a relative's dog. We will talk about this on Friday.

Fourth Grade Recognition Night is fast approaching. Please send in 4 pictures of your 4th grader that shows progression from baby to 4th grade. These pictures are due on Friday, April 8th. Thanks for your help.

I would like to thank Sarah Orr and the committee for our successful Mother/Son Movie night. We enjoyed watching Megamind along with our popcorn and snacks. I also want to thank the students for their excellent behavior. More than a few people commented on such well-behaved boys. Thanks for such a nice night.

During lunchtime this week and our Spring Sing tomorrow, tickets for P.T.O. basket raffle can be purchased. There are 4 baskets being raffled off, one being a Wii game system and video chair!The winners will be chosen on Friday, April 8th. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. Thanks for supporting our P.T.O.!

Happy April Fool's Day! I did manage to "fool" the kids today in the lunchroom, ask them about it! We discussed our act of kindness for this week, which was helping with laundry. I was pleased with the number of students that completed this act. I stressed the importance of continuing the past acts of kindness. It is always nice to receive a gift of kindness to make the day a little easier and brighter!

Please ask your child about the new book we are reading in the morning. I will share more details in the next few days.

I look forward to seeing all the boys with their mothers tonight at 'Movie Night'.