Twas the day before winter break when all through the school not a person could wait, not even the teachers. The children were anxiously awaiting the sound of the 2:30 bell, while visions of playing danced in their heads...

May you and your family enjoy the Holiday Season. I'll see you in the New Year!

Our Winter Festival was a success! I want to extend a BIG thank you to all the parents who made the day so enjoyable for our students. The students made a frame, an ornament, and a snowman. An obstacle course, snowman ring toss, and "Tic-tac-snow" were played for us to burn off some energy. All enjoyed a snowman sugar cookie and hot chocolate while listening to The Polar Express. Pictures were taken today during the festivities. These will be making their way home on Thursday. WKBN was here filming our Winter Festival so be sure to tune in tonight for the local news. It looks as if this will become an annual event!

Today the High School Seminary Singers performed at our school. The program began with traditional Holiday songs with the students dressed in their choir robes. The program ended with contemporary songs along with a guest appearance by "Elvis". It was such a treat to have them visit and also to see the former North students.

Our 1st Winter Festival will be held tomorrow afternoon. The students will rotate between 5 stations set up throughout the school. All 3rd and 4th Graders need to bring hats, gloves, or scarves for their picture to be taken. Our Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Graders will be having their picture taken with a "special guest". I look forward to a fun-filled afternoon!

Our "Operation Stay Warm" was a success! The Act of Kindness assignment collected 35 winter coats to be donated to a local elementary school. The students had such pride in their donations. A few in fact had to show me the coat they put in the box. How nice to instill this character trait in our students. Mrs. Weimer delivered the coats and the school's gratitude was overwhelming. The generosity from North was again incredible. Thank you to all who donated!

Our Kindergarten classes looked comfortable and cozy today. They were all snug in their pajamas and slippers as they celebrated "Polar Express Day". The students even brought a pillow or a stuffed friend to enjoy the day with them. While watching the movie, they snacked on cookies and milk. Oh, what fun to be in Kindergarten!

Have a great weekend and maybe take some advice from our Kindergarteners. Enjoy a pajama-movie day at home!

Today, the students had the opportunity to shop at our Santa's Workshop. The PTO provided many reasonable gifts for students to purchase. The items ranged from Mom, Dad, and Grandparent gifts to gifts for the family pet. S & T was here selling various Poland items. The students will have an opportunity to shop again tomorrow and a make-up day is scheduled for Friday morning. Many thanks to Mrs. Klase, Mrs. Szolek, and the many volunteers that helped with this Holiday shopping day!

The musical notes of the High School Wind Ensemble filled our gym today. Mr. Olesko and Mr. Hvizdos along with their band students paid a visit to our school. North was treated to many Holiday songs along with the theme to Pirates of the Caribbean. The High School students showed us the various instruments and how each one sounds. Five lucky North students had the opportunity to perform with the Ensemble, helping with percussion. The music was enjoyed by all and definitely put us in the Holiday spirit.

Our 3rd Graders had their "Holiday Happening" today for parents and grandparents. The program started with a poem that spelled out "Merry Christmas" followed by some Holiday songs. The final part of the event was a craft project. The students and their special person made a snowman wreath. Thank you to all who attended.

Today, the students brought home a paper about "Operation Stay Warm" that our PTO has started. They are asking for gently worn, clean winter coats that your family has outgrown. These coats will be donated to a local elementary school that is in need. There is a box located in our lobby where they can be dropped off. On December 16th, the coats will be delivered to the elementary school. I will be talking to the students on Monday about this community project, as it will be our Act of Kindness assignment for the week.

This weekend is our last few days of our fundraiser at Five Below, next to Target. If you plan on shopping there, please hand the flier to the cashier so that 10% of your sale is donated to North. Thank you.

The students are enjoying a new book about friendship, Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall. The book is the first in the series and explains how Ivy and Bean became friends. Bean's mom tries to encourage her to become friends with the new girl in the neighborhood, Ivy. Bean wants nothing to do with her because she looks boring! When Bean's plan to trick her sister fails, Ivy comes to her rescue. We will continue to read this book to find out if a lasting friendship can form.

Thank you to the PTO for the delicious dishes for our luncheon. It was so nice to see so many of you join us today.

Tomorrow is our December PTO Meeting and Luncheon. It will begin at 11:00. We will be finalizing all the plans for the Santa's Workshop and our Winter Festival. Please remember to bring the side dish that you volunteered to make. We look forward to seeing many of you here!

Please return all of the Scrip gift card orders tomorrow. This will be the last time to order until the Spring. We will have the gift cards to you before the Winter Break. Thank you for supporting the PTO!

Last month, Armstrong came to North and filmed a Kids Corner episode with our 3rd Grade students. Miss Krista read a story that was set in the Civil War era titled Vinnie and Abraham by Dawn Fitzgerald. After the story, the students were encouraged to create their own statue using flour, water and salt. This episode will air December 5th-December 18th on Channel 20. The times were sent home today with the 3rd Grade students.

The Act of Kindness assignment this week needs your permission to use the phone. I have told the kids to call a Grandparent or relative and tell them how much they mean to them. Call Grandpa and say: "I really like spending time with you." Or call Grandma and say: "Thanks for letting me bake cookies with you. I really enjoy it." Kind words can mean so much!

Earlier this week, a red flier came home with your child regarding a fundraiser at 5 Below. Starting today through December 11th, the store is donating 10% of all sales to North. The store is located next to Target in the Shops at Boardman Park. Just remember to hand the cashier the flier as you check-out. Please feel free to make copies to give to family members or friends as they begin their Holiday shopping. Thank you for your support.

We kept with our character trait of 'Generosity' today and read the book The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. In this beautifully written story, the tree is continuously giving of itself to the boy. It begins with the tree giving of its' leaves, apples, and branches to swing from and this brings the tree great happiness. As the boy ages, the tree gives all it has until it is a stump that cannot give anything more. All the tree has left is a place to sit down. The boy takes this offer and the tree is happy once more. It is a well-written story that portrays our character trait throughout the book.