We are wrapping up our buildings project this week!  The kids have had a great time, utilized many language and literacy skills and learned a lot about tools, construction vehicles and buildings.
     If you are on our Facebook page, you will notice that I am having the children come up with the Question of the Day!  It is amazing what they want to know!  I have taken a list of questions and after we answer them, I will be posting the results on the Facebook page.  They are really into this!
     We made play dough yesterday!  Some kids were ready to dig into the slimy mess, some, not so much!  Even though they may not like making play dough, playing with play dough is a great way for kids to develop small motor skills, use their imagination, utilize science and math skills and to help their social-emotional development.  I sent home the recipe that we used and a “Benefits of play dough” hand out for your reading pleasure!  I know it can be messy but it really is a great tool for children’s learning!

READ IT AGAIN: This week we read “Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf ” by Lois Elhert.  We learned that words could have more than one meaning.  We explored the words crown and fall and discussed their meanings.

SNACK: Harper and family were our snack helpers this week! I sent Harper around to survey the kids on their favorite snack of the week.  Many didn’t know, but some really liked bananas and some liked the chocolate pudding.  Thank you Harper for some yummy snacks!  Greenlee is our snack helper next week!

STAR OF THE WEEK: This week, Laken was our Star of the Week!  I asked Laken what his favorite part of being Star of the Week and he smiled really big as he said, “My book, “Polar Bear’s Underwear”.  The kids ALL loved it too!  He was also very proud of his little brother and sister!  Next week Harper is our Star of the Week.

CONFERENCES:  Thank you to everyone who attended conferences on Thursday, March 7.  Our final date will be Tuesday, March 12.  If you have not signed up for a conference, please call Becky in the office to claim a spot.  

PIZZA PARTY!!!—Our pizza party will be Friday, March 14 at 11:45. The kids will make their own pizzas using English muffins, sauce, cheese, pepperoni or Canadian bacon. To make sure we are following proper dietary guidelines, Mrs. McFarland is working with us to provide the rest of the meal.  So, on Friday, the menu is Pizza (made by your child), an apple, carrot chips and milk.  Since I will be providing the ingredients for the pizza, if your child orders a hot lunch on Friday, they will not be charged the full price of the meal.   They will be charged a reduced price to cover the cost of the milk, apple and carrot chips.  If your child brings a sack lunch of their own, they will be able to eat their personal pan pizza and their sack lunch.  (I sure hope this makes sense!)

PARENT SURVEY—Please make sure to check out the email from Home and School about the 2018-2019 Parent Survey.  It takes about 10 minutes to fill out and will help us make St. James the best we can be.  We really appreciate your feedback!  If, when you are filling out the survey, you feel like a question doesn’t pertain to you, please just skip that question.  There is a place for you to leave comments also.  

CHILD PICK UP—Please remember that if your child’s normal pick up routine is changing that you let myself or the office know.  It is our policy that we do not let children go with people that are not authorized without permission from a parent.  So, if you send Cousin Susie to pick up your child and Cousin Susie is not on the pick up list that you filled out for us, then we will not let Cousin Susie take your child until we hear from you!  Even if your child recognizes Cousin Susie!  This is a safety issue for all of us!  Please, please, please make sure to let us know if your child’s normal pick up routines will be changing!  THANK YOU!

UPCOMING DATES:
Monday, March 11—Bring water bottles to school
                                    Gym with Miss Lamb
                                    Lion’s Club Vision Screening
Tuesday, March 12—Parent Teacher Conferences 4 to 8
Thursday, March 14—Jo from the Public Library will

                                    visit.
                                    St. James Library day—Return                                         your St. James Library Book    
Friday, March 15—Music with Miss Elisabeth
                                    Home connection library day
                                    Penny Wars Pizza Party
Monday, March 18 through Friday March 22—Spring Break