On Thursday and Friday, I had the opportunity to attend the MACUL Conference in Detroit. This is a conference for educators all over Michigan and gather to discuss how to appropriately use technology in the classroom as a tool for learning. It was amazing! There are so many ideas running through my head. I cannot wait to try these apps and teaching tools in the classroom. I know the students were in good hands and I missed them dearly. I cannot wait to see their faces, hear their stories, and receive some hugs on Monday morning. 

We had a great Field Trip on Wednesday!

"Quick, show me your 'I am sorry and I am in jail' face!"

We are entering the home stretch before spring break. Take a look before for some information about the next two weeks.

Conference Sign-ups:

This morning conference sign-ups opened up at 8am. Some of you have already signed up for conferences, but if you haven't then be sure to choose a time slot! Conference times are available from 4:00-8:00pm on Monday, March 27 and Wednesday, March 29. Remember your child is joining us for this conference, so pick a time that works well with your family. (http://www.virtualparagon.com/hollandchristian/conference/) 

Student-Led Conferences: 

Our 2nd semester Student-Led conferences are such an awesome time of celebrating the 2nd grade growth that we've seen, and also coming together to challenge your child in the last few months of 2nd grade. One question your child will ask you at conferences will be, "Mom & Dad, what do you think I'm good at?" Think about this ahead of time, and come with a mental list of some of the ways that you want to encourage your child in who God has created him/her to be! 

Homework Reminders:

- New spelling words will be coming home today. The test will be Friday, March 24th.

Judge Ezra and Reporter Petra

- New math homework and purple reading slips will be coming home on Monday. Thanks for your diligence with getting these handed in each week. 

-Your 3rd Yellow Reading Incentive slip is due on Monday if you are participating.
- Please continue to practice the Easter Bible Memory (Matthew 28:1-10) at home with your child! We are off to a great start because this passage is review for most students.   

Kid Town: 

Kid Town is right around the corner!  It’s a fun Social Studies program where we create products and earn “money” for one week, and then the following week we get to work at various businesses (these will be set up in our school gym—a Pizza Parlor, Pet Store, Post Office, Recycling Shop, Movie Theater, etc) and shop at the businesses. March 27-30 we need students to bring in any (cleaned out) recyclables, wood scraps, or scrap art materials from home! We will be collecting them in the back of our classroom. The week after Spring Break, April 10-14 will be our creating week where we will design items to sell! Next Friday, March 24, we will be sending out some sign-up links for parent helpers during our creating week and Kid Town week. Please check your schedule and be on the lookout for our sign-ups. We'll need parent helpers April 10-14 (creating week in our classroom) and April 17-21 (Kid Town week) from 2-3:00pm. 

Bake Sale: 
The rainforest bake sale is coming back to South Side! The first graders will be selling baked goods to help save an acre of the Amazon Rainforest. Each item will be sold for .25 during lunchtime. The  bake sale will run from Monday, March 27 through Thursday, March 30, so don't forget your quarters! Thank you for helping us care for God's creation. 

Reading Projects: 

Just a reminder to bring in a shoebox if your child wants to make a Diorama for his/her reading report. (They can also make a flap book or poster--I have the supplies for these things) THANKS! 

Tulip Time: 

Tulip Time is right around the corner! We will once again be marching in the Thursday Kinderparade. One heads up you'll want to remember... now is the time to be getting a dutch costume for your child!--it's not something you can grab at Meijer the night before. :) 

Important Dates:

March 17: Student-Led Conference Sign-ups Begin, 8:00am

March 20: Reading slips due

March 24: Report cards home, Math Homework Due, Spelling Test

March 27 & 29: Student Led Conferences 4-8pm
March 31-April 9: Spring Break 

April 10-14: Kid Town Creating Week from 2:00-3:00pm

April 17-21: Kid Town Week (in the Gym) from 2:00-3:00pm

April 25: South Side/Pine Ridge Program--more details later