SOAR NEWSLETTER - DECEMBER 18, 2009
S.O.A.R. Program
Putnam Co. R-I School District
Newsletter – Volume 3, December 18, 2009
S.O.AR. CELL PHONE – 660-626-8163
S.O.A.R. PHONE – 660-947-3361, ext. 555 or 556
THIS WEEK’S ACTIVITIES AT A GLANCE
Miss Mary visited again this week to share her love of reading with the students. Be sure to ask your students about the books that she shared.
A graph…is a graph…is a graph. Well, just ask your children what they learned this week about the different kinds of graphs as well as the various ways to collect data and exhibit it on the graphs. This activity included lots of red, green, white, and dark green M & Ms. They came away with some knowledge and a “sweet” treat.
The students have made Snowmen mobiles and Christmas paper chains to decorate the classroom. This week’s activities included some fancy creations using cinnamon and applesauce to make a dough. Many of the students requested that I provide the recipe for the “fragrant” ornaments so that they may make some more at home.
We found a great website that is sponsored by the Xerox Corporation that allows the user to pick a postcard design from several designs created by young people, add a message and then the Xerox Corporation forwards it free of charge to a soldier in Iraq. If you would like to send a message to the troops you may do so by visiting, www.LetsSayThanks.com. The students enjoyed this activity and it was a great way for them to do something nice for someone else.
Mrs. Foglesong, high school teacher, visited the program this week to share the Italian Lattice form which many of the students may use when multiplying three digit numbers.
What Christmas would be complete without icing sugar cookies. The students decorated and enjoyed sugar cookies on Friday. How yummy!!!
Cinnamon-Applesauce Dough Ornaments
Measure out equal amounts of cinnamon and applesauce. To this mixture add a few drops of white Elmer’s glue. Work the ingredients together with fingers/hands to form a soft, pliable ball. The mixture should not be too sticky, nor too dry. Roll the dough out on a tabletop that has been dusted with cinnamon to approximately ¼ inch deep. Use cookie cutters to cut. Use a small straw or pencil to poke a hole for stringing after the ornament dries. Be sure to check the ornaments daily. Turn several times per day to ensure proper drying. When dry, string your favorite ribbon, or raffia through the hole and tie. Place on your Christmas tree to be enjoyed by all!
UPCOMING EVENTS
STUDENTS TO GO TO UNIVERSITY OF MO FOR BASKETBALL GAME
Arrangements are in the works to take the students on a field trip to the University of Missouri-Columbia for a basketball game. The date for this field trip is Saturday, January 23rd. We will provide more information in the near future when specific details become available.
FAMILY FUN NIGHT SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 26, 2010
A Family Reading Activity has been scheduled for January 26th, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. More information will be provided in the near future. Please reserve this date on your calendars.
FAMILY STRENGTHS WORKSHOPS
The Putnam Co. R-I School District is offering three family workshops to benefit your families. They are scheduled for Thursday, January 14th, Thursday, January 21st, and Thursday, January 28th. The topics will include “Family Strengths, communication & Managing Stress,” “Positive Discipline, Self-Awareness, Self-Esteem & Balancing It All,” “General Guidelines For Parenting, Dealing With Anger & ‘I Love You’ Rituals.” They workshops will be held in the PC-RI Elementary Library and child care will be provided onsite by A+ high school students. I hope all of you will mark your calendars and plan to attend these helpful workshops.
JUST A REMINDER…
If your S.O.A.R. student is in need of a winter coat, gloves, shoes, boots, etc., please call Mrs. Fischgrabe at 947-3361, ext. 392 to let her know. She will assist you in getting this need taken care of.
School will close next Friday, December 18th at 12:45 p.m. and will be closed until Tuesday, January 5th, 2010. There will be no school and no S.O.A.R. during this time.
A NEW FORM
You may have received a copy of a “Homework Alert” in the mail this week (or may in the future). This form will be filled out by the S.O.A.R. staff if your child refuses to do homework during the designated homework time or if they tell us they have no homework when, in fact, they do. This helps our staff to keep the classroom teachers informed of the choices the students are making as well as a way to teach your children about being more responsible and accountable for their choices.
PLEASE REMEMBER THE NOTES…
Just a reminder to parents – a signed note to the elementary/middle school office is needed EVERY time there is: a change in where your child is going after school; if your child is or is not being picked up at the end of S.O.A.R.by a parent or other person that has been previously authorized by the parent; or if your child is or is not riding the S.O.A.R. bus home; and if someone else. Mrs. White and/or Mrs. Cullum will forward the information to the S.O.A.R. Program prior to the end of the school day. Thanks for your help with this. It will save time and confusion for us all.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT…
Since the rise in popularity of ”A Christmas Carol,” many lovely Christmas stories have been written and read all over the world. The purpose of most yuletide Christmas stories is to capture the spirit of Christmas. Many Christmas stories, even the more modern ones, have become a part of the Christmas traditions in many countries.
This is especially true about the Christmas stories which have been made into movies, for example, “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” and many other Disney cartoons. The greatest of all the Christmas stories centers at the true meaning of Christmas.
With the Christmas break approaching, this would be a wonderful time to read to your children—perhaps sharing stories that were near and dear to you when you were a child or spending time each evening to listen to your children read their favorite stories.
Many of the students have a great start toward earning their Gold Reading Certificate at the end of this school year. The S.O.A.R. Program wants 100 percent of our students to achieve this honor. Perhaps they can read several good books which they may complete book reports on in January.
I know that the stress of this time of the year often robs us of enjoying the true meaning of Christmas and time that we want to spend with our children and families. I found this poem that may sum it up for many of us:
Tis the Month Before Christmas
Tis the month before Christmas, we're all going nuts;
With so much to do, there's no ifs, ands or buts.
Buy presents, hang tree lights, pop cards in the mail,
Send gift packs, thread popcorn, find turkeys on sale.
Decorations need stringing up all through the house.
And you haven't a clue what to buy for your spouse.
School concerts, receptions, open houses with friends,
Long lineups, short tempers, tying up the loose ends.
With all our mad dashing, we're reeling from shock;
Let's stop for a minute and really take stock.
It's crassly commercial, the cynical say;
If that's true, that our fault-it's us and not they.
Take time for yourself-though hard as that seems—
Enjoy your kids' laughter, excitement and dreams.
Take a moment out now, don't get overly riled,
Instead make an angel in snow with your child.
The shortbread can wait, and so can the tree;
What's important to feel is a child's sense of glee.
The holidays aren't about push, rush and shove;
They're for friendship and sharing and family love.
Hear the bells, feel the warmth, light up with the glow
Of a message first sent to us so long ago:
Peace, love and goodwill, and hope burning bright.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
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On behalf of the S.O.A.R. staff, it is our wish that you and your family have a wonderfully joyous time together over the Christmas break. The stories, the cooking projects and the celebrations of this holiday are the foundation of the memories that your children will share with their children and grandchildren in generations to come! Blessings to you all!
Ms. Debbie, Ms. Amanda, Mr. Michael, Ms. Nellie, and Ms. Elladean
