Tuesday, May 19, 2015

End of the Year Party!

Dear Parents,

As an end of the year celebration, Mrs. Caton, Ms. Brown, and Mrs. Largo will be hosting a rotating Fiesta on Wednesday, June 10th.  Classes will rotate to four different activities - three lead by teachers and one by parents.

The parent-lead activity will be a snack.  Listed below are the food and party supplies needed in order to provide snack for all three classes.

Requested Food Items: (sign-up link below)

Baby Carrots – 8 small bags
Washed Strawberries – 8 quart sized container
Washed Grapes cut into smaller bunches – 4 bags
Regular Tortilla Chips – 12 bags
Gluten Free Tortilla Chips – 2 bags
Mild Salsa – 12 regular sized containers
Costco chocolate chip cookies – 6 18-pack containers
Individually Packed Drinks – 96
Plates – 100

If you are able to donate, please sign up on the Fiesta Google Doc.  Please bring your donated items at 1:00pm on the day of the event.  Set-up for snack will be from 1:00-1:30pm under the covered area.

Also, if you're interested in volunteering during the party, please sign up on the Fiesta Google Doc.  Parent volunteers are not needed until 1:00pm for set-up.  Snack will begin at 1:30pm, and we’d love some parents to be able to stay after snack to help with clean-up.

Thank you in advance for all of your help and support.

Sincerely,

   Mrs. Caton                       Mrs. Largo                             Ms. Brown
ccaton@pps.net              alargo@pps.net                     jbrown5@pps.net

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Monday, May 18, 2015

Oregon Trail Homework

1) Follow this Oregon Trail Homework Link to complete tonight's homework
2) Click on "Historic Sites"
3) Complete tonight's homework!
4) If you want to find more information than what this site provides you're welcome to do a web search

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Hip Hop Dance Performance!

Our class has had some amazing performances lately! They wowed the crowd with their hip-hop dance two weeks ago and again on our Oregon Trail field trip with the song Wagons West. I'm so proud of their hard work practicing the dance and how well they did! If you didn't get a chance to see it or just want to watch again, take a look below!
(For a video with a little better resolution click here, I believe you can download it as well)

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Oregon Trail Overnight

The Oregon Trail Overnight is Thursday, and I couldn't be more excited!  This trip has always stood out as two of the most amazing days for our fourths graders.  I'm sure that this year will be no exception.  As you help your child prepare for the trip, please use the packing list that went last week as a guide for what to bring as well as what not to bring. 

A few things to keep in mind...


1.  Eating a good breakfast on Thursday morning:
Please make sure that your child eats a good breakfast.  They may not have a snack until lunch as we'll be traveling and getting situated at camp.  They will be busy, mentally and physically, for two days and must have enough fuel to keep going.

2.  Dress with layers:

Please make sure that your child wears layers.  The weather can change quickly, and we are outside for most of our time at camp.  There are only certain times that students can access their clothing items, so they should be able to add and subtract layers on the go.  For example, upon arrival they will be outside without access to their clothing for the first hour or so.  I think we'll be pretty lucky this year with the weather, but it's always better to be prepared and comfortable!  Although it likely won't be raining, the ground may still be muddy from past rain, so wear appropriate shoes.

3.  Medications:
Be sure to bring medications to Ms. Brown when you drop your child off tomorrow morning.  MEDICATIONS MUST BE IN THEIR ORIGINAL CONTAINER OR THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE TRIP AND WILL NOT BE GIVEN TO YOUR CHILD.

4.  Packing with large plastic bags:
The kids are instructed to pack their belongings in large plastic bags.  The main reason for this is that upon arriving our bags are unloaded and left outside until for awhile.   If it's raining (or if the ground is still muddy from past rains) the bags will protect our clothes and sleeping supplies from getting soaked.  Both bags should be labeled with masking or duct tape that states your child's name (first and last) and ALAMEDA.  Bags sometimes get ripped, so please pack an extra bag or two. 

5.  Lunch for Thursday:
Please make sure your child packs a lunch for Thursday, labeled with their first and last name.  Do not pack their lunch with other belongings.  We'll transport our lunches in our regular lunch tubs to and from the camp.  If your child is getting a sack lunch from the cafeteria, please remind them to grab that before coming to class Thursday morning.

6.  Pick-Up on Friday:

We are scheduled to return to Alameda around 1:30pm.  Once we unload the bus and bring all bags back to the classroom we'll have a recess.  The kids normally need this time, especially after being crammed on a bus.  Also, it gives them time to socialize and talk about their fun experience.  If you'd like to pick your child up early, you are welcome to do so.  However, you must check your child out of school in the office before getting them from the classroom or playground.  If you're not planning on picking up early, school will let out at 3:00pm as normal.  Students who normally ride the bus will need other arrangements as their bags will be too much to carry and fit on the buses.

This is all that I can think of right now.  If anything else pops in my head, I'll let you know.  Feel free to email for any last minute questions as you're packing. 

thanks,

Julie Brown
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Thursday, April 30, 2015

Oregon Trail Packing List

Dear Families,


The time has come to prepare for the Oregon Trail Overnight.  The following is a list of what your child needs to pack and what he/she is not to bring.
We will leave school at 9:00 am on Thursday, May 7th and return between 1:30-2:30 pm on Friday, May 8thYour child will need a sack lunch for the first day. Everything in the lunch needs to be disposable.  Please write your child’s name on their lunch sack.


Clothing: (Please remember to label all clothing and bedding with your child’s name AND school) Students will carry their own bags so pack accordingly. Students may dress “pioneer style” if they wish. This may mean jeans and boots, or girls may wear long skirts (please wear warm clothes under skirts). Keep in mind that layers work best: long underwear, shirt, sweatshirt, warm jacket, and a coat (think layers). 

Students should bring the following (Pack in a large plastic garbage bag. Use masking tape and a marking pen to write the student’s name and school on the garbage bag. You should use an extra-thick garbage bag – thin bags tear too easily):
  • One full change of clothes besides what is worn on the first day
  • Jeans or heavy pants (girls may substitute a long skirt, but we will be outside most of the day so make sure they’ll be able to stay warm)
  • Shirt or blouse
  • Warm jacket
  • Underwear
  • Extra shoes or boots
  • Raincoat or poncho (You can find emergency rain ponchos for under $2.00 at some stores)
  • Gloves
  • Sweater or sweatshirt
  • Socks (extra pairs are a good idea!)
  • Pajamas – something warm
  • Lunch – packed separately from other gear
  • Sleeping Gear: Students will be carrying all of their own gear and clothing – so pack accordingly! They will also be responsible for unpacking and repacking. Frequently the thin garbage bags rip, and bedding items can get wet.  You may want to send an extra garbage bag, pre-labeled.
  • A sleeping bag or blankets and sheets – the cabins are heated.
  • Pillow with pillow case
Personal Gear (put in a plastic bag or zip lock bag and store with clothes):
  • Wash cloth
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste / floss
  • Brush or comb
  • Hand towel
  • Soap
  • Large plastic bag for wet or dirty items
**Please do NOT bring the following: money, cellular phones, radios/Ipods, electronic games, virtual pets, comic books, pocket knives, jewelry, card games, matches, curling irons, make-up or anything to eat (besides the lunch mentioned above), including candy or gum. (An afternoon snack on the first day and all meals will be provided.) 

Medication
Place all medication needed by your child into a Ziploc bag labeled with your child’s name, school and teacher’s name. Give the medication directly to Ms. Brown first thing in the morning on May 7th. **Medication must be in original container! The directions on the prescription label must match exactly what you wrote on the parent/guardian authorization on your child’s health history form.

If you have any questions, please contact me.

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Hip Hop Dance- Practice!

Here's the final cut of our hip-hop dance so you can practice at home! 
(I left the post below with the link. The link has a clearer picture than the uploaded version)

Newest Dance Video- Link

Practice! Practice! Practice! I'm having problems downloading the newest video of Miss Kerri doing our dance. Until I can get it to download please follow this link: DANCE