January Testing

Christmas hasn't even come, but I have taken down our December classroom calendar and put up January. Time goes so quickly, but there are items that have to be thought about. One of those is the mid-year testing coming on Jan. 11th - 13th. Students will not come for class on those days. They will have individual testing appointments. We are allowing parents to schedule those appointments so that it will be more convenient to your schedule. Directions were sent home this week of how to do that. If you did not receive that information please view the "Online Scheduler Instructions" post. It will explain what you need to do to schedule an appointment for your child. Any students not scheduled by parents will be scheduled by the school. Thank you for your patience and help. This is a very important assessment to measure each student's growth since the beginning of the year.
If you need a fun website for your student during the holidays, one we used at school is called...northpole.com...and has fun activities to practice basic skills.
Last of all, I would like to thank you all for your wonderful generousity. I have been inundated with classroom supplies and gifts! It is absolutely OVERWHELMING. Thank you so much for your kindness and support. It is very appreciated. May you all have a joyous holiday season!

Online Scheduler Instructions

Reading Tickets

Christmas is Coming!

If only I could bottle the energy level of our classes! I would never get tired for the next 100 years. Things are very exciting as we anticipate Christmas. However, we continue to keep the academic work going. I know the holidays are busy, but would encourage everyone to keep reading over the winter break. Thank you to all those who return "reading tickets". I know how hard it is to keep up with all the demands. The important thing is to spend at least 20 min. a day reading with your child. Many of the students are getting more capable at reading books on their own. And there are so many wonderful Christmas stories. It's just a natural inclination to cuddle up with a good book on a cold night! Speaking of cold nights, the days haven't been very warm lately. Please help your child to remember to dress warmly for this cold weather. We do try to go out for recess if the weather is reasonable (freezing or above) and not stormy. Just a reminder that we will be decorating candy houses on Wed., Dec. 14th. All supplies will be provided.

December News About January

With the month of December, comes the realization that there are  items connected with the new year that need to be discussed. First of all, a white note was sent home today with information for registering to be included in the lottery for the French Immersion Program here at Butler Elementary. For those who are interested, please read the registration dates carefully. Apparently there were some incorrect dates given out previously. Anyone interested in having their child placed in the program next year, for First Grade, needs to register online at canyonsdistrict.org by Jan. 6, 2012. If you have questions, please feel free to contact the district at 801-826-5045. There are also some parent meetings  coming up in January as well.

Secondly, on January 11th, 12th, and 13th Kindergarten students will be tested for their mid-year standardized testing. This means students will not come to class on those days, but will come for an individual 20 min. testing appointment. We are using the same online scheduling for those appointments that was used for parent/teacher conferences. This scheduling will be open starting Dec. 17th and will continue through Jan. 4th. Those who do not schedule an appointment online will be assigned a time by the school. Instructions for how to do this will be sent home before the winter break begins. Remember this testing is what will help us chart the growth of each student since the beginning of the year.

Last of all, on Dec. 14th we will be decorating candy houses in class and students will bring them home that day.  All supplies will be provided here at school. Several parents have offered to help, but if there are any others, please let me know. It is just amazing how quickly the year is going. But as I watch the students and the progress they are making, I can see their growth. Keep up the good work!