A Few Reminders

That's right - no school on Friday!  But we will see all your kids the rest of the week!

There will be no spelling next week.

And please see the Sign-Up Genius sent by email for Christmas Centers next Thursday, December 18th, from 9:30 to 11:00 am.  Originally the centers were scheduled for the afternoon but they've been moved to morning.


Also, I only have one parent volunteer right now and would love to have five more.  Please use the Sign-Up Genius if you can help out.  Thanks in advance!

Have a great week!

Sunday Sayings

Singing Among The Stacks

There will be singing in the bookstore!

Tomorrow, Saturday, December 13, 2014, the Harelson students will perform upstairs in the children's section at Barnes & Noble at The Foothills Mall.  

First grade will be singing at approximately 9:15 am and the performance will last about 10 minutes.

See you there!!

How We Build A Snowman In Arizona

Dear Parents,

I have a special project planned for our center on December 18th.  In order for the students to participate, they will need to bring in one 12 oz. bottle of milk.  Something like this:

Please have your child bring the bottle of milk on Thursday, December 18th.  I will have an ice chest ready so they'll be able to keep the milk cold.

I've seen the Shamrock 12 oz. bottles of milk in Safeway for $1.00 each, but any of these single serving bottles around 12 to 14 ounces will work.  Because when you think about it, have you ever seen a snowman that's exactly the same size as any other snowman? 

We're going to turn them into this:

We might not have snow, but we'll certainly have snowmen!! 

And Then They Sang...

Don't forget - tomorrow there will be singing!!

The FIRST GRADE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE will be held tomorrow - Thursday, December 11, 2014.

The school performance is in the morning and the evening performance is at 6:00 pm.

See you there!

Sunday Sayings

Give Joy, Get Joy

Hello again Harelson Families!


At the end of October I told you about Harelson's annual Holiday Family Adoption - where we begin collecting money to help families in the Amphi School District.

We've been doing this each Decemeber since 1976 - that's 38 years!

This year our focus will be with our very own families - those within Harelson Elementary School.  In order to preserve this amazing tradition, and make it a giant success, we were hoping that each student would be able to donate FIVE DOLLARS by December 10th, 2014.

We have TWELVE families this year that we're hoping to help.  All the funds collected will be used to purchase gift cards to equally distribute to the families who have expressed a need.

I'm still collecting in the classroom and will be until Wednesday, December 10th.  You may also drop off donations directly to the main office.  Reminders will be mentioned in our daily announcements until we reach the day collecting ends.


Please help your children participate by giving money - which they may have earned themselves at home - so we are able to help others in need. 

We thank you so much for your wonderful help and support!  When you give, you truly do get!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Become A Math Ninja!

Hello Parents!

I just wanted to remind you that Reflex Math information is coming home Monday in the RED FOLDER. 

Reflex Math is a math fluency program that we will use at school, but it's also for you to use with your child at home. 

I have emailed you a letter with information on how to access the program online and also included your child's password card (which I have laminated) for them to easily refer to.

I am hoping that you'll make use of this fantastic program to increase your child's math fluency - having them use it 4-5 times per week for a minimum of 15-20 minutes each time - in the comfort of your own home!

The use of this program shows measurable results in fluency from those who've been using it.  It's been proven that test scores improve using Reflex - "Across multiple grade levels and assessments, students who use Reflex are scoring higher and growing faster than their peers."

See some of those results here.  

As usual, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me!

Have a great weekend!

Get Ready For A Shopping Weekend!

Winding Down The Year

 

Can you believe it's December already?  Only a few more weeks and we'll be staring a brand new year.

There's still a few things to learn in this year though - like the following spelling words!

Here are your spelling words for the following week.

Make me proud!

Group 1
1. feet
2. we
3. she
4. be
5. he
6. green
7. tree
8. see
9. me
10. week
 
Group 2
1. also
2. other
3. family
4. some
5. new
6. their
7. worker
8. flowers
9. nectar
10. honey
 
Group 3
1. individual
2. special
3. slither
4. eagerly
5. industrious
6. creep
7. romp
8. wander
9. picnic
10. ribbon

There's shopping happening at Harelson!

This Friday and Saturday the Harelson Entrepreneurs' Club will be hosting the Bobcat Artisan Market.  It will be held in the Funhouse and all of the items for sale have been designed and producted by Harelson 4th and 6th grade students.  All items are selling for under $5.00.  It's open to the public, so please join us and bring a friend!

FRIDAY

December 5, 2014

8:30 am - 3:30 pm

SATURDAY

December 6, 2014

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

If you would like for your child to be able to purchase items from the Bobcat Artisans Market please send them with money in a plastic baggie or envelope labeled with their name by Friday morning.  I will keep the envelopes until we go to the market on Friday at 12:30. 

Another little reminder for you:

The FIRST GRADE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2014.

The school performance is in the morning and the evening performance is at 6:00 pm.  

Also, on Saturday, December 13, 2014, the Harelson students will perform upstairs in the children's section at Barnes & Noble at The Foothills Mall.  

First grade will be singing at approximately 9:15 am and the performance will last about 10 minutes.

See you there!!

Sunday Sayings

Have A Turkeylicious Day!

Trotting For Harelson Families. Gobble Gobble!!

 

Dear Parents,

Harelson Elementary School is going to participate in our very first Turkey Trot.

There will be a short race before Thanksgiving Break.  It's not mandatory for the students to participate but we really hope they will!!

They can walk or run, it's up to them.  It's a healthy way to have fun during an event that centers around our community.

We are encouraging students who wish to participate to bring in one or more non-perishable food items.  

All of the food collected (and donated) helps families in need for Thanksgiving.  We will donate these to our Harelson Holiday families.  Kids who do not donate food can still participate in the Turkey Trot.  The more the merrier!

The race will be held on Wednesday, November 26th from 10:45am to 11:15am for the FIRST and SECOND graders. 

Here is the schedule for all the grade levels:

Kindergarten:  10:30 am to 10:45 am
1st and 2nd Grade:  10:45 am to 11:15 am
3rd and 4th Grade:  11:15 am to 11:30 am
5th and 6th Grade:  11:30 am to 11:45 am

We hope to have all of our students to participate in the Turkey Trot!

All non-perishable food items can be brought to the Forever Green starting before school until 8:45 am.  Student Council members will be collecting food and making a food pyramid.

We encourage students to dress up as turkeys - think headbands like the guy in the photo above!

I've also heard they have turkey hats at WalMart.  If you're going to trot like a turkey, you might as well reallllly look like one!

Please let me know if you have any questions.

See you at the Trot!

Sunday Sayings

The Classic Paper Plate Turkey - Is There Any Other Kind??

Hi Parents! 

We need a few things for Thanksgiving crafts this week and was wondering if you'd be able to provide them to us.  Here's what we're looking for:

• 25 paper plates - the plain white kind, inexpensive - to make a "Number Turkey"
• 20 cups of rice - maybe 2-3 big bags - for the Gobble Recipe Turkey
• 1 large bag of candy corn for "Thanksgiving Bingo" - we'll use the candy corn as markers for the bingo cards.

I'd also like to borrow, if anyone has a copy, the following book and DVD:

• Pete the Cat's First Thanksgiving (book)
• A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (DVD) 

If you're able to send any of these items in, please email me at plettera@amphi.com  I will check emails tomorrow.

Also, please make sure to go through your child's backpack and look for any assignments that need to be completed, and also ones that have already been checked.

Thank you!  Have a great weekend.

Nothing To Spell Here

Hey Parents!  When your kids come home and tell you there is no spelling test next week, believe them!  There will be NO SPELLING for Thanksgiving week.  Don't we have enough to do with all the turkey eating and napping going on?? 

That said, they will be getting some homework on Monday - look for it in the RED folder - which will be due back on Wednesday.

Also, Monday is LIBRARY DAY, so remember to send books to be returned.  And also please remember that BLUE behavior folders are also due that day.

Thanks so much!

Have a GREAT weekend!!

A Mule Playing A Flute In June

Here are the spelling words for the upcoming week.  Study hard!

Group 1
1. huge
2. tube
3. cute
4. mule
5. June
6. use
7. flute
8. rule
9. cube
10. rude

Group 2
1. around
2. grow
3. find
4. under
5. food
6. water
7. bear
8. plant
9. animal
10. these

Group 3
1. environment
2. thrive
3. slimy
4. capture
5. require
6. inhale
7. sludge
8. creature
9. forest
10. leaves

On a more delicious note...

We need snacks!  Well, who doesn't need a snack, right?  Seriously though...our classroom is in need of snacks, so if you'd like to donate any we'll gladly take them.  I appreciate everyone who have sent snacks in.  Thank you so much!

Please remember that Monday is LIBRARY DAY, so bring books to return, and BLUE folders are also due. 

Sunday Sayings

A Night (And Day!) At The Theater

The 4th Grade Play will take place in the Harelson Elementary School Funhouse and we hope to see you there.

2:00 pm

School Performance

6:00 pm
Evening Performance

It would be a great support for the school and an even greater support for the students if your smiling faces were beaming up at them from the audience.

Coming To A Theater Near You!

Don't forget that tomorrow is the 4th Grade Play.  

2:00 pm

School Performance

6:00 pm
Evening Performance

Come be part of the magic!

Honoring Those Who Served

Today school is closed to observe Veterans Day, which is a celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Read the history of Veterans Day HERE.

And if you're a Veteran (well, not you, but your parents) or know a Veteran, check out these discounts available for everyone who served. 

Have a fantastic day!

Stuff That's Happening

Here's a little reminder about what's happening this week in Mrs. Lettera's class and at Harelson Elementary School.

MONDAY:  Library Day - bring your books and get read to pick a new one!  BLUE FOLDERS are also due today!

TUESDAY:  Veteran's Day - School is CLOSED.  Enjoy your day off!

THURSDAY:  4th Grade Play!!  Time for a little culture!

Sunday Sayings

Spelling, Veterans, And Little Actors and Actresses

Another week, another group of words to learn!  If you become a spelling master, you'll be on your way to winning lots of Scrabble games.  It's fun, I promise!

Group 1
1. home
2. woke
3. hose
4. stone
5. hope
6. those
7. joke
8. rose
9. bone
10. rode

Group 2
1. down
2. there
3. inside
4. together
5. now
6. herd
7. baby
8. meat
9. circle
10. slope

Group 3
1. enemy
2. protect
3. holler
4. bluff
5. extinct
6. crater
7. swamp
8. boisterous
9. broken
10. stolen

School will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, in observance of the Veterans Day Holiday.  Because of this, we will not be having afternoon centers this coming week.  

As if another day off isn't exciting enough, we have the 4th Grade Play to look forward to on Thursday, November 13th.

Have a great weekend!!

Learning Is Fun When You're Wearing Pajamas!

Today is PAJAMA DAY here at Harelson Elementary School.  It's the last day of SPIRIT WEEK and boy, did we have fun!

Give me an S!

Give me a P!

Give me an I!

Give me an R!

Give me another I!

Give me a T!

What does it spell?  SPIRIT!!

Thanks to everyone who participated in Spirit Week.  I hope you all had fun!

And I hope everyone is comfy in their jammies because we have some learning to do!

Thank you parents for helping your child be part of the fun this week!

* * REMINDERS * *

RED folders are due today.

SPELLING TEST is also today!

And, next week we get an extra day off to celebrate the service of those in the United States Armed Forces.

Veterans Day is Tuesday, November 11 and school will be closed for this holiday.

Wiggle Your Toes And Show Your Spirit!!

Crazy socks have always been popular.  I remember these colorful toe-socks being around when I was a kid.  I might have even owned a pair.

But today is CRAZY SOCK DAY which means we'll have plenty of kids running around Harelson with crazy, funky, fun socks on!

Are you wearing colorful ones?

Maybe a different sock on each foot?

Socks with sandals?

Your favorite crazy socks?

Show your spirit!  Show us your socks!

Tomorrow is the last day of SPIRIT WEEK and it's PAJAMA DAY.

Wear your most fun, most comfortable, and most favorite pair of jammies!

See you in class!!

Olaf Movies!

Who loves movies?  I know I do!

What are some of your favorites?

Frozen?

The Lego Movie?

Rio 2?

Maleficent?  Ooooohhhh, a villainess!

How about your favorite characters?

You might be able to guess that I like Olaf!


I can't wait to see who will be roaming to campus today during MOVIE CHARACTER DAY.

So far, Hareleson Spirit Week is awesome!

Having Twice As Much Fun!

Today is Twin Day!  Whether you're an actual twin or just dressing like one for Harelson Spirit Week, here are a few fun facts about twins you might enjoy!

1.  Identical twins do not have identical fingerprints.

2.  Massachusetts has the most twin births of any state in America.  The state with the lowest rate of twin births is New Mexico.

3.  Mirror image identical twins have reverse asymmetric features.

4.  Identical twins do not always have the same genetics.

5.  The average birth weight for a twin is 5 lbs., 5 oz.

6.  Tall women are more likely to have twins.

7.  40% percent of twins invent their own languages.

8.   One of the easiest ways to tell identical twins apart is by their belly buttons. 

9.   Left-handedness is nearly twice as common in twins than in single individuals.

and the last, most interesting fact...

10.  For polar bears, twins aren't unusual at all.  In fact, they most commonly give birth to twins, and rarely deliver single cubs or triplets!

Large And In Charge....With A Cool Stache!

Moose are the largest species in the deer family which still exist.  I know we don't have any moose in Tucson, but my sister-in-law has seen them in real life and she said they're super-cute! 

It would definitely be a surprise to see one - and maybe you might someday in your travels - but it would be even more surprising to see one with a mustache!

How do you think he found out about Harelson's Spirit Week??

It doesn't really matter, does it?  Because today, on Mustache Day, he'd fit right in!!


Coming up tomorrow...Twins Day!

Sunday Sayings

I hope you've had a great Halloween weekend.  I'd like to thank everyone who helped with the Halloween festivities.  I appreciate the Sign-Up genius, the donations, and your time helping with the center.  We had a great day!  I am truly grateful for this wonderful class - the kids and their families!

Don't forget that tomorrow is the beginning of Harelson's Spirit Week and we're starting off with Mustache Day!!  So come to class sporting the 'stache of your choice.  This should be a real blast!

In addition, here are the spelling words for the coming week - we've got to squeeze some learning into all of this fun!

Group 1
1. like
2. time
3. dime
4. kite
5. ride
6. white
7. hide
8. smile
9. bike
10. ice

Group 2
1. live
2. who
3. out
4. work
5. people
6. bats
7. night
8. fruit
9. fishing
10. mail

Group 3
1. citizen
2. law
3. branch
4. patrol
5. community
6. leader
7. headquarters
8. earn
9. busy
10. neighborhood

In closing, I'd like to remind you that the school office is hoping to collect $5.00 from each student to help provide a nice holiday to some of our Harelson families who are in need.  If you can donate, the office is collecting until December 10th.

See you tomorrow!

Show Some Spirit!!

Next week is SPIRIT WEEK at Harelson Elementary School.  We're going to do something fun each day.  Here's the schedule:

MONDAY 
Mustache Day

TUESDAY
Twins Day

WEDNESDAY
Movie Character Day

THURSDAY
 Crazy Sock Day

FRIDAY
 Pajama Day

I hope to see everyone taking part!  It's going to be a great week!!

Happy Halloween!!

Artists In Need Of Direction

Dear Parents,

And yes, you are very dear parents!

As you know, seven of our students recently became part of Mrs. Peru's class, reducing our class number to 21 students.  Due to scheduling, the seven students that left will still be joining my class for their art instruction.

Having 28 students in class makes it difficult to get through some of our projects and doesn't allow for the individual help and attention we'd like to provide.

Next week our kids will be painting.  Yes, painting.  Imagine 28 sets of little hands holding paint brushes.  With real live paint.

If any of you are willing and have the time to volunteer in the art room, Ms. Inglee would love the help.  

Our art class is held on Monday from 1:00 pm until 1:50 pm.  You're welcome to come once in a while, or become a permanent volunteer for the Monday class.  As usual, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Please contact me if you're interested in helping out.

Bring your painting smocks!

Going Batty

Dear Parents,

We're going a little batty in class next week.  And we'll need lots of them!

If anyone would like to make 23 bats for our class, I'd be very grateful.

This can be done at home and I'll send all the supplies for the project.

It's very simple - trace the head and wings, glue them together and add googly eyes.  No bat is complete without googly eyes!

Please let me know if you can help out!

Families Helping Families

Dear Harelson Elementary School Families,


It’s the time of year again - when we begin collecting for our annual Holiday Family Adoption!

Harelson Elementary has been helping families in the Amphitheater School District each December since 1976!

This year our focus will be with our own Harelson Elementary School families. Please help us preserve this amazing tradition!


We are hoping each student will donate FIVE DOLLARS by December 10th, 2014.

All funds will be used to purchase gift cards to equally distribute to the families who have expressed a need.

I will be collecting in the classroom now through Wednesday, December 10th.

Reminders will be mentioned in our daily announcements.


Please help your children participate by giving money - which they may have earned themselves at home - so we are able to help others in need.

We thank you so much for your wonderful help and support.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Books. Go Get 'Em!!

You know what today is, don't you?

Let me give you a hint....

It has to do with something I'm holding.

In my little worm hands.  Worms have hands??

Anyway...

See my smile?  I'm happy for you.  Know why?  Because today is LIBRARY DAY!

And that means new books!!

Please return the books you have and pick out two new ones. 

Books are the best, aren't they?!

See you next week!

Sunday Sayings

** REMINDER **

Tomorrow is Library Day.  Please return your books so you can pick out two new ones!

Make A Cake For A Gerbil Farmer Using A Long A!

That's a silly title for this post, but it uses this week's spelling words.  Find them in the lists below!


Group 1
1. face
2. safe
3. cage
4. name
5. made
6. make
7. cake
8. age
9. take
10. late

Group 2
1. be
2. of
3. could
4. old
5. horse
6. paper
7. squeak
8. farmer
9. gerbil
10. myself

Group 3
1. group
2. share
3. borrow
4. rehearsal
5. respect
6. aquarium
7. lines
8. soothe
9. phrase
10. mistake

The spelling test will take place on October 30th due to Halloween Centers on the morning of the 31st. Please study and be ready!!

Halloween Centers will take place Friday, October 31 from 9:30 am until 11:00 am.  We are in need of some items in order to be able to do these centers.  If you would like to donate any of these items, please let me know.  I'll also be doing a "Sign-Up Genius" so everyone can see what's been spoken for.


The following list are things we'll need for the Halloween Centers:

• 6-7 volunteers to spend from 9:30 am to 11:00 am with us in the classroom for centers only.  I only have one mom right now.  I need more!
• Small bag of wood craft spoons - at least 50 count.
• Small bag of Popsicle sticks - at least 100 count.
• 2 square yards of muslin fabric to make Mini Mummies
• 1 bag of mini all-temperature glue sticks for a small glue gun 
• 23 chocolate pudding snack cups
• Gummy worms - at least 50 count
• 1 package of family size Oreos
• 2 or 3 bottles of food coloring in Halloween Colors.  Bring in leftovers from your own pantry if you want!
• 2 bags of regular colored candy corn
• 2 big bags of popcorn, already popped.  Check Costco.
• 1 small pumpkin (to fit in a 5-gallon bucket, for an experiment)
• 1 medium pumpkin (for estimating and studying)
• 1 bag of pumpkin seeds so the kids will be able to try a few 

** Pumpkins and Seeds need to be at the school on Monday morning! **

Thank you for all the help you always give.  I have a super-wonderful class - my kids and their adults!!