Happy Fourth of July!

No Child Left Behind - Basketball Version

The basketball version of what is going on in education right now.

1. All teams must make the state playoffs and all MUST win the championship.

If a team does not win the championship, they will be on probation until they are the champions, and coaches will be held accountable. If after two years they have not won the championship their basketballs and equipment will be taken away UNTIL they do win the championship.

2. All kids will be expected to have the same basketball skills at the same time, even if they do not have the same conditions or opportunities to practice on their own. NO exceptions will be made for lack of interest in basketball, a desire to perform athletically, or genetic abilities or disabilities of themselves or their parents.

ALL KIDS WILL PLAY BASKETBALL AT A PROFICIENT LEVEL!

3. Talented players will be asked to workout on their own, without instruction. This is because the coaches will be using all their instructional time with the athletes who aren't interested in basketball, have limited athletic ability or whose parents don't like basketball!

4. Games will be played year round, but statistics will only be kept in the 4th, 8th, and 11th games. This will create a New Age of Sports where every school is expected to have the same level of talent and all teams will reach the same minimum goals. If no child gets ahead, then no child gets left behind. If parents do not like this new law, they are encouraged to vote for vouchers and support private schools that can screen out the non-athletes and prevent their children from having to go to school with bad basketball players.

School's Out for Summer!

I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for such a great year! I am always sad at the end of the year because the relationship I form with my students is an important part of my life. This year's class is an exceptional group of students-bright, sweet, and very entertaining. I will miss them dearly. BUT, have a wonderful summer and stop by and visit me when you get a chance!

Field Day

Luckily the weather held out and we were able to have field day. Our class won the overall day winning ribbons in every single event! We placed first in the running relay, sack race, over/under, chicken throw, and cone weave; second in hula hoop, 3 legged race, human tunnel, and single ball jump; and third in the cone throw and the four legged race. Even better was the sportsmanship shown by our class. They cheered for every class until the races were over. I am so proud to be their teacher!
The chocolate party will be tomorrow. We just weren't able to get it in today.

Celebration Time!

Camp Campbell Gard was a great success-students and adults alike seemed to have a great time! I enjoyed sending the kids off to get lost in the woods;)
Tuesday brings the fourth grade field day as well as our chocolate celebration. We plan to watch the movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, so bring your favorite chocolate item to share with the class!
On Thursday we will celebrate our Walk-a-Thon win with Mrs. Porter's class from 9-11:30. We will also have our last AR lunch that day.
On Friday, we will celebrate the last day of school AND have our AR ice cream party.

So far, we're not celebrating anything on Wednesday...YET!

Don't forget-no school tomorrow!

Sweet Sorrow

As much as I hate to see this year come to an end, I must face the May 30 end of year date for the 2007-2008 school year. In the past, I have been very fortunate to have enjoyable, teachable, lovable classes, but either I'm getting older (obviously) and can't remember how good last year's (and the year before...) students were or this year's class is the BEST EVER! First grade teacher Mrs. Porter keeps telling me how great her class is, but I would put my homeroom up against any I've ever taught! They are smart, well-behaved, enthusiastic, loyal, and kind-and every other trait I hope to see in my own son.
50% of our class is in Washington D.C. as of this writing. In all fairness to those students, I can not/will not assign work to be graded while they are gone so all classwork assigned in their absence will not be graded. I do expect the students who remained behind to be honorable in their behavior and complete assigned work to the best of their ability.
Friday is the Camp Campbell Gard trip-yes, it is spelled correctly! Don't forget to pack a lunch and wear clothing suitable for the weather. We will spend lots of time outdoors, rain or shine!
On May 29, our class will celebrate our win for the Walk-a-thon top fourth grade $$ collector. Since so many of our students have siblings/relatives in the winning class from first grade, we have decided to celebrate together. The fourth graders could not decide whether The Bee Movie or Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium was the movie of choice (11-11 vote), so the choice was given to the first graders. Either way, I know the fourth graders are very excited about their guests!

Winding Down

Camp Campbell Gard: Please remember to pack a lunch on Friday. Pop is fine. Dinner and a snack are included in the amount paid, but there was a miscommunication and lunch will NOT be provided. Sorry about that glitch.

Washington D.C.: I have been informed that the bus will wait for no one. Be on time or early!

Because of the trips, all contracts are due tomorrow. There will not be a science test so that all students may fully utilize their time on contract completion.

Congratulations to this session's Rocket Club members!
Caitlin, Jared, Molly, James, Hunter, Jenna, Faith, Taryn, Holly Sa., Morgan, Jessica, Holly Su., Bryce, Lexie, and Tim are all in the final Rocket Club of 2007/2008!

Our last Friday folder came home last Friday (May 16). I have suggested to students that they may wish to check their mailboxes daily. All grades will be due by Tuesday, May 27 at midnight, so no late or missing work will be accepted after next Tuesday.

Coming up:
May 26: No School
May 27: Field Day
May 28:
May 29: Walk-a-thon party
May 30: Last day of school-Tug of War, Hot Dog Day
Not yet scheduled: AR ice cream party, chocolate party