Week of 3/25

 USD Health & Wellness Fair

There are many fun things to check out at today's Health & Wellness Fair over at Union Middle School, from 2:00-4:00. The fair will go on, rain or shine-- they have plenty of indoor spaces prepared in the event of rain. This is a community-wide celebration of creativity, community engagement, and wellness. The fair will include many health and wellness centered activities, exhibits, and resources. Members of our community's first responder agencies, medical organizations, and wellness groups will join with activities highlighting sports, movement and exercise, healthy nutrition, bicycle safety, animal-assisted therapy, and much more. You'll also be able to enjoy exciting live student music and dance performances and a special student creativity showcase highlighting inspiration, imagination, and Technicolor Dreams. Head over to UMS to check it out!

Language Arts

We are beginning Unit 4 in Fundations this week. In this unit, we will continue blending sounds to read & spell words. We will also introduce the digraphs sh, th, wh, ch, and ck. We've been talking about these digraphs when they are in sight words that we've introduced, but now, we will have drills & activities in Fundations that will also highlight these digraphs. Parent tips and activities for this unit can be found here. Our sight word this week is look. 

Math
We introduced subtraction last week, and will continue working on subtraction for several more weeks. The key to subtraction fluency is practice, practice, practice, which we will be getting a lot of in the upcoming weeks.

Kimochis

The Kimochis are back this week, and we will be focusing on kindness. Your child will learn about the Kimochis® kotowaza—or Japanese proverb—that accompanies this feeling. “Take the time to be kind” is this week’s kotowaza to encourage kindness. This kotowaza inspires people to say and do kind things. Research has shown that there is a close association between kindness and happiness. Kind people experience more happiness and have happier memories. Kindness also helps children make and keep friends. Kindness builds patience and tolerance because we can learn to think kind thoughts when others make mistakes or hurt feelings.

Makerspace

We had a great first trip to the Makerspace last Wednesday, where we worked with a building tool called Strawbees. We will continue working with Strawbees this week as well. Children have to work together as teams to build and create something. Pictures from last week can be found here. 

Reminders

**Library is every Wednesday. Please return your child's library book by Tuesday each week.

**School spirit days are every Wednesday. Wear your Alta Vista t-shirts or your Grasshopper t-shirts to show your school pride 

 

This Week's Helpers & Activities
Monday: Centers @ 12:20 (Jackie & Barbara)
Tuesday: Centers @ 12:20  (Barbara & Brooke)
Wednesday: Makerspace @ 8:30 (Aditi & Sandy), Library @ 9:10 (Kristine & Brooke), Dismissal @ 1:15
Thursday:  Centers @ 12:20 (Barbara & Sara)
Friday:  Music @ 12:30

Upcoming Events

Saturday, 3/23 2:00-4:00: USD Health & Wellness Fair @ UMS

Thursday, 4/4: Spring Fling

4/8-4/12: Spring Break

Friday, 5/3 @ 5:00: Kindergarten Movie Night