Sharing theme: This week (Feb. 27)- A joke or comic
Next week: A Favorite Book
Asian Celebration: The Bhangra dance at Eugene Asian Celebration was wonderfully exciting! Everyone really enjoyed the show. We are sending special thanks to SatPaven for the weekly dance lessons and for making arrangements for the children’s performance! 100th Day of school: We celebrated the 100th day of school on Wednesday after our House of Chen field trip. Children counted out 100 beads, pasta, stickers and beans to glue to their 100 grids. Other students listed 100 countries or animals. There were also a few that cam up with 100 math equations that equal 100!
Legos: We are still collecting legos for use during inside recess and ‘choice time’.
If you have some you are willing to donate, please send them in! Thanks.
Student Behavior/Expectations During Pick-Up/Dismissal – For a smooth and safe dismissal please follow these expectations. Students are to quietly wait with their teacher or assistant. Students must check out with their teacher or assistant before leaving campus. Students may not run, play tag or catch at dismissal area. If parents would like to visit, please walk down to the playground area with your student(s).
Our Night sky: A message from Iris: I see that Jupiter and Venus are getting closer and closer. I also notice that Venus has gotten brighter; it's brighter than Jupiter now! This week, on Sunday and Monday, the crescent Moon should be near them in the sky. I hope that the weather lets us see them all together! After Monday, the Moon will be moving away from the planets, and also growing bigger; it will be a half Moon by Wednesday. If you are lucky enough to have binoculars (or even, lucky you, a telescope), try looking at Venus with them. Venus has phases like the Moon; I expect it to look about like a half-moon this week, and more like a crescent in a month or two. But I will have to observe it to be sure.
Spaghetti Dinner: Come help us kick off the Direct Donation Drive Friday at 6:00!
calendar: Fri 2/24: Spaghetti Dinner: Direct Donation Drive kick-off, 6pm Tues 2/28: RCO Meeting, 6pm M-F 3/26-30: Spring Break Mon 4/2: Professional Development. No School. Tues. 4/3: Students return to school.
MONDAY IS PRESIDENT’S DAY: No school Monday, Feb. 20!
SHARING THEME: This week (Feb. 20)- Something from another country
Next week: A joke or comic
ASIAN CELEBRATION: Our performance at Eugene Asian Celebration is this Sunday Feb. 19, at 4:15. When you enter, please identify yourselves as Bhangra performers and give your name. You will receive your complimentary admission. Come early in the day on Sunday and enjoy the many wonderful events, if you are able. Clothing: Girls are asked to wear bright colors and boys wear jeans and a white t-shirt. (Boys will also wear a sash and headband provided by Ridgeline.) Please check in behind the main stage at 3:30pm.
FIELD TRIP TO HOUSE OF CHEN: Our field trip to ‘House of Chen’ is planned for Wednesday, February 22. Our buffet style lunch will include three vegetarian choices and Mar Far Chicken. Students and adult supervisors will travel by LTD bus, leaving school at 9:15 and returning by 1:00. The cost is $6.00 per person. Please be sure we have your signed permission form and payment.Scholarships are available. If you would like scholarship information, please call the school office (541-681-9662).
HOME JOURNALS: Thank you for your support of the homework program. As I review the home journals, the writing impresses me. Not only is the writing becoming better organized but the ideas, content and vocabulary have also improved. The journal entries are really interesting to read. I love seeing the kids excited about writing!
LEGOS: We are collecting legos for use during inside recess and ‘choice time’. If you have some you are willing to donate, please send them in! Thanks.
STUDENT BEHAVIOR/EXPECTATIONS DURING PICK-UP/DISMISSAL – For a smooth and safe dismissal please follow these expectations.
Students are to quietly wait with their teacher or assistant.
Students must check out with their teacher or assistant before leaving campus.
Students may not run, play tag or catch at dismissal area.
If parents would like to visit, please walk down to the playground area with your student(s).
CALENDAR:
Sun 2/19: Bhangra dance at Asian Celebration @ 4:15
Mon 2/20: No School. President’s Day
Wed 2/22: House of Chen Field Trip
Fri 2/24: Spaghetti Dinner: Direct Donation Drive kick-off, 6pm
Sharing theme: This week (Feb. 6)- Something made from wool
Next week: A favorite card or photo
Valentine’s Day: Our class will celebrate Valentine’s Day Friday, Wednesday, Feb 14. I have attached a list of the student’s names so children can label cards for their classmates if they like. Distributing cards is optional. However, if you choose to bring Valentines, please be sure there is one for every child in class.
Field Trip to House of Chen: To celebrate Chinese New Year, the class will travel to “House of Chen”, Chinese restaurant, on Wednesday, February 22. The restaurant is located at 1851 Franklin Blvd. We’ll enjoy a lunch that includes three vegetarian choices (vegetable chow mien, vegetable fried rice and wonton soup) and Mar Far Chicken. The food will be served buffet style. The students and their adult supervisors will travel by LTD bus, leaving school at 9:30 and returning by 1:00. While at the downtown bus station, we plan to see the Rosa Parks statue. We are in need of 4 parent volunteers for this trip. If you can help, let me know.
The cost for our meal is $6.00 per person. Our LTD bus ride is free this time. Please complete the attached permission form and return it with cash or a check to Ridgeline Montessori Charter School. If the cost presents a hardship and you would like scholarship information, please call the office (541-681-9662).
Asian Celebration: SatPavan, our Bhangra dance instructor, has once again invited the class to dance at the Eugene Asian Celebration, held at the Eugene Fairgrounds Pavilian. Our performance is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 19, at 4:15. There is also a Lion Dance both days of the Celebration. Check the Asian Celebration website: http://www.asiancelebration.org for a schedule of events. This event admits children for free and every family that participates will receive one free adult admission. In order to receive your free admission, we need to give a list names to the Celebration organizers in advance. Please let us know, as soon as possible, if you plan to attend. You are welcome to come early in the day on Sunday to enjoy the many wonderful events. Clothing: Girls are asked to wear bright colors and boys wear jeans and a white t-shirt. (Boys will wear a sash and headband provided by Ridgeline.)
Questions? Does your child need a ride? Please e-mail, send a note or call 541-681-9662 to let us know you will attend.
calendar: Fri 2/10: Territorial Seed Orders due
Sun 2/19: Bhangra dance performance at Asian Celebration @ 4:15
Mon 2/20: No School. President’s Day
Wed 2/22: House of Chen Field Trip
Fri 2/24: Spagetti Dinner: Direct Donation Drive kick-off, 6pm
This week begins the Chinese or Lunar New Year Celebration. Chinese New Year begins on a new moon and ends with a Lantern Festival on the full moon, 15 days later. The Chinese Zodiac is represented by 12 animals. This year is the year of the dragon.
No School Friday or Monday: Friday, 1/27, is a grading day. Monday, 1/30, is a budget reduction day. Enjoy a 4-day weekend!
ZOOLOGY: In Zoology, the younger students are learning about reptiles, the next class of vertebrate animals. Reptiles are cold-blooded, dry skinned animals that lay leathery eggs. See if your child can name five types of reptiles. The older students are investigating invertebrates. There are nine groups or phyla and we are studying about the sixth group: Mollusks.
Sharing theme: (week of Jan. 23) A measuring tool
Homework: I appreciate your support of the homework program.
Remember, if you forget to return the packet on Friday, please keep your student’s homework packet until the following Friday. I don’t usually have time to check homework during the school day. If your student needs different flashcards or more journal pages, let us know and we’ll send them home. Questions? Please call (541) 681-9662, send a note or e-mail me: cheri.spies@ridgeline.org
Read-a-thon: Ridgeline is waiting for pledges to come in before we get a final $ amount raised. Thank you for participating in this new fundraiser. Reading rocks!
Calendar:
Tue 1/24: RCO Meeting 6pm - 7:30pm
Fri 1/27: No School. Grading Day
Sat 1/28: Alternative Education Fair 1-4pm Downtown library
Read-a-thon: Please return your Read-a-thon Pledge envelopes (with reading logs and funds collected) this Friday, Jan. 13. As always, any late envelopes will be accepted. Thank you to everyone for your participation in our first annual Read-a-Thon! Watch for an announcement of total funds raised next week!
Good Bye and Thank you to our teacher interns:
College students, Liu Kai, from China, and Jung Feng, from Taiwan, joined our classroom last September. Since then they have been sharing their culture and language with us while experiencing ‘American Education’. We’ve learned so much and are grateful for our interns’ dedication and patience. We’ll miss them. Next Thursday afternoon, Jan. 19, we are planning a farewell celebration. Students may bring cards or letters for Liu Kai and Jung Feng. Our celebration will include Chinese dumplings (potstickers) and rice.
Sharing theme (week of Jan. 16) A recipe, song or poem
Multiple Laundry Fairies: Thank you for your overwhelming response! We now have enough families signed up to wash our classroom laundry for the rest of the year!
Message from Iris:
In connection with our Solar System studies, I’ve included an astronomy message from Iris: Right now is a really good time for planet watching! (Assuming, of course, that Eugene's evening is neither cloudy nor foggy.) Our brightest planets are both visible in the early evening. Turn toward the South and look high in the sky. Jupiter is brighter by far than any of the stars! As the evening goes on, it will slowly move West. Turn about 45 degrees to the right. Venus will be there, but low to the horizon. I can't see it at my house; too many trees. If you have a clear view, it's easy to identify; it's even brighter than Jupiter. An easy rough measurement of distance in the sky, is by "fist". Hold out your fists touching each other, and count how many fists are between Jupiter and Venus. Over a couple of weeks, you can probably see them shift position! Jupiter will move West a little; Venus may shift quite a bit, and probably East. Watching this, will show you why the ancient Greeks called them "planets", meaning "wanderers". The stars don't change their positions like that!
Calendar:
Friday, 1/13 Read-a-thon pledges due Monday, 1/16 No School in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, J Friday, 1/27 No School. Grading Day Monday, 1/30 No School. Budget Reduction Day.
Many Thanks!! Azusa, Iris and I would like to thank you for your cards, gifts and holiday wishes. We so appreciate our ridgeline families and wish you all a peaceful New Year!
Sharing theme (week of Jan.9) New Year’s Resolution or a favorite book
A new sharing list is attached.
Read-a-thon: Read-a-thon tracking sheets are due next week on Friday. Remember your students spend at least 100 minutes in the classroom each week reading or listening to books. You can add these minutes to your Read-a-thon tracking sheet. If you need additional tracking sheets or sponsor pledge sheets, please email Cheryle at myersct@gmail.com and she will email you the form to print, or ask at the Ridgeline office. The Read-a-thon ends January 13.
Biomes: Our next biome is the desert. The students will research plants and animals from this habitat and complete a sand painting. We will also study groups of people that inhabit the desert. Please share books or items from home that support this learning.
Laundry Fairy needed: Our list is bare. Are you willing to wash the classroom cloths on an upcoming weekend? Let us know.
Solar System: The class begins a study of the Solar System this week. We begin with the sun then look at individual planets. Please share books or items from home.
Cafeteria Lunches: Cafeteria lunches are no longer available. Azusa and I hope to begin cooking more regularly in the classroom. Students will help with the food preparation much like they did for Stone soup. We will need parent volunteers. Please e-mail or send a note if you can help.
Calendar: Friday, 1/13 Read-a-thon pledges due Monday, 1/16 No School in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Friday, 1/27 No School. Grading Day Monday, 1/30 No School. Budget Reduction Day.
Sharing theme (week of 1-4-12): New Year’s Resolution or a favorite book
SCHOOL-WIDE, JOY OF SHARING FOOD DRIVE – This annual tradition continues all this week. Donations will be accepted through Friday morning and baskets will be prepared to go home with Ridgeline families Friday afternoon. Besides non-perishable food, personal care items such as toothpaste, shampoo, soap and toilet paper are being collected. Please share items if you can.
Cafeteria Lunches: Cafeteria lunches will not be available after Winter Break. Azusa and I hope to begin cooking more regularly in the classroom. Students will help with the food preparation much like they did for Stone soup. We will need parent volunteers. Please e-mail or send a note if you can help.
Read-a-thon: Remember to keep track of minutes spent reading (or listening to read-aloud) at home on your Read-a-thon ‘tracking sheet’. This is a different form than the ‘homework reading log’. (Sorry for any confusion.)
Also, students spend at least 100 minutes in the classroom each week reading or listening to books. You can add these minutes to your Read-a-thon ‘tracking sheet’. If you need additional tracking sheets or sponsor pledge sheets, please email Cheryle at myersct@gmail.com and she will send you the form to print, or ask at the Ridgeline office. Keep in mind, it's never too late to get additional sponsors, and every minute your child reads (or is read to) helps support our school's amazing programs. The Read-a-thon fundraiser ends the 2nd week of January.
Student initiated FOOD DRIVE – Thank you for your support of the students from our classroom (Jayden, Rayna, Ian, Amalie) that organized a food drive for Food for Lane County. Several boxes of non-perishable food were collected!
Calendar:
Friday, 12/16 Last school day before Winter Break
Wed, 1/4 First school day back after Winter Break
Friday, 1/13 Read-a-thon pledges due
Many thanks for your support of the classroom and our school. We are all blessed with the gift of family. Have a wonderful and refreshing break. We’ll see you Wednesday, January 4, 2012.
Cafeteria Lunches: Please be sure to order and pay for your child’s lunch in advance! Next week’s order forms will be sent home Thursday.
Read-a-thon: Remember to keep track of minutes spent reading (or listening to read-aloud) at home for the Read-a-thon. Students spend at least 100 minutes in the classroom each week reading or listening to books read aloud. Remember to add these minutes to your reading log.
FOOD DRIVE – A group of students from our classroom (Jayden, Rayna, Ian, Jivan Jot) have organized a food drive for Food for Lane County. Food will be collected through Thursday, Dec. 15. Please support this student-led community service project by sending non-perishable food donations.
Scholastic Book order Forms: Book order forms were sent home this week. Scholastic Books is not a school fundraiser. However, we do earn points that can be redeemed for free classroom books. These inexpensive books also make great holiday gifts & stocking stuffers! Just a reminder: Firefly and SeeSaw book clubs offer books appropriate for beginning readers. Lucky and Arrow book clubs are for more experienced readers. You may order from multiple clubs and only write one check. Please write your student’s name on the order form, cut out the form, include it with a check to “Scholastic Books” and return by Tuesday, December 6. Also, please write your student’s name on your check’s memo line.
BOOK EXCHANGE: Bring in your gently used books and “exchange” them for new ones! Books will be accepted this Monday, 12/5 – Thursday, 12/8. The Book Exchange will take place on Friday 12/9, the same day as Pajama Day!
Homework: Families, thank you for your support of the homework program. Remember to return homework packets on Fridays. If you forget, just keep the packet until the following Friday. Questions? Please e-mail or send a note.
Calendar:
Tuesday, 12/6 Return Scholastic book orders
Friday, 12/9 Book Exchange & School–wide Pajama Day!
Please join us this Friday, Nov. 18, at BArnes & Noble from 6:00-7:45.
Sharing theme (week of 11/21): Favorite Artwork
Cafeteria Lunches: Please be sure to order and pay for your child’s lunch in advance! Next week’s order forms will be sent home Thursday.
Book Fair: Come join the fun! This year’s Book Fair event at Barnes and Noble (Nov. 18) will also kick off our first annual ‘Read-a-thon’. Our class will host a Bookmark-making table. Other classes will be offering special performances or projects. Save the date! Join us at Barnes & Noble this Friday, 11/18, from 6:00pm-7:45pm. You can buy books for our classrooms that evening or if you would rather buy them online, provide Ridgeline’s Book Fair ID number #10602324. Book purchases at the store can be credited to Ridgeline Nov. 18-24 if you show the clerk our Book Fair flier. Check out our book wish list. See you Friday!
Arctic and Tundra Biome: We have begun to study about the plants and animals that have adapted to live in this harsh biome. The students will construct dioramas that illustrate life in the Tundra so please send in small, sturdy, cardboard boxes. If you have items or books that support our study of Arctic and Tundra biomes, consider sharing with the classroom community.
Eugene Symphony Youth Concert: The Eugene Symphony concert was an amazing learning experience for all of us. When we returned to the classroom several students chose to begin research projects on musical instruments, composers and parts of an orchestra. If you have music experience/knowledge or an instrument to share, please let me know.
Stone Soup Celebration: Our school-wide Stone Soup celebration will take place next Wednesday Nov. 23. Students will sign up to bring a vegetable or pasta and a note will go home with the information. The children will wash, peel and slice the veggies on Tuesday morning (Nov. 22) to get them ready for Wednesday’s soup. Please NO Mushrooms. We want to keep children with allergies safe. On Wednesday, children should bring 2 bowls and a spoon for their soup and bread.
Upcoming Events:
Friday, 11/18, 6pm Book Fair & Read-a-thon kick-off @ Barnes and Noble
Tuesday, 11/22 Bring vegetables for washing/chopping in classroom
Wednesday. 11/23 Stone Soup at school. Bring 2 bowls!
Thursday/Friday 11/24-25 Thanksgiving holiday. No school.
Friday, 12/9 Book Exchange & School–wide Pajama Day
A Stone Soup Legend
Many years ago three soldiers, hungry and weary of battle, came upon a small village. The villagers had suffered a small harvest that year and there had been many years of war. They quickly hid what little food they had and told the soldiers there was nothing to eat.
The soldiers spoke quietly among themselves and the first soldier then turned to the villagers. "Your tired fields have left you nothing to share, so we will share what little we have: the secret of how to make soup from stones."
Naturally the villagers were intrigued and soon a fire was started under the town's greatest kettle and the soldiers dropped in three smooth stones. "Now this will be a fine soup", said the second soldier; "but a pinch of salt and some parsley would make it wonderful!" Up jumped a villager, crying, "What luck! I've just remembered where some has been left!" And off she ran, returning with an apronful of parsley and a turnip. Another villager said, “I think I remember some left over carrots in my pantry.” As the kettle boiled on, other villagers brought small offerings and eventually barley, celery, rice, potatoes, beans, beef and cream had been added to the great pot. Loaves of bread were found and everyone sat down to feast.
The villagers ate and danced and sang well into the night, refreshed by the feast and their newfound friends. In the morning the three soldiers awoke to find the entire village standing before them. At their feet lay a pack of the village's best breads and cheese. "You have given us the greatest of gifts: the secret of how to make soup from stones", said a villager, "and we shall never forget." And off the soldiers wandered, down the road.
Moral: When we all work together, a greater good is achieved.
Conferences: I enjoyed meeting with students and their families during conferences. Thanks for your involvement and support of your child’s education.
Sharing theme (week of 11/14): A Joke or Comic Strip
Cafeteria Lunches: Please be sure to order and pay for your child’s lunch in advance! Next week’s order forms will be sent home Thursday.
Book Fair: This year’s Book Fair event at Barnes and Noble (Nov. 18) will also kick off our first annual ‘Read-a-thon’. Our class will host a Bookmark making table. Other classes will be offering special performances or projects. Please save the date! Join us at Barnes & Noble on Friday, 11/18, from 6:00pm-7:45pm. You can help provide books for our classrooms by purchasing them that evening or if you would rather buy them online, provide Ridgeline’s Book Fair ID number #10602324. Book purchases can be credited to Ridgeline Nov. 18-24 if you show the clerk our Book Fair flier. See you Friday!
Eugene Symphony Youth Concert: Our class will attend “Recipe for Music”, an elementary youth concert at the Hult Center this Tuesday, November 15. Transportation will be by LTD bus. We plan to leave school at 11:45 and return by 2:30. The cost for this Field trip is $5 for the concert ticket and .75 bus fare--total $5.75 per student. Adult supervisors will pay slightly more, $6.25, due to adult bus fare. A permission form is attached. Please complete and return as soon as possible. Scholarships are available for this outing. Please contact Cheri for more information 541-681-9662
Garden Volunteer Needed: The beds outside our classroom need to be cleared and ‘put to bed’ for the winter. This could be done with or without student assistance. Please let me know if you have some time available.
Holiday Tree Sale: You can purchase a holiday tree and benefit Ridgeline. Complete the order form sent out with E-News or call (541-681-9662) or stop by the school office for more information.
Upcoming Events:
Friday, 11/11 No School. Veteran’s Day
Tuesday, 11/15 Eugene Symphony Concert at Hult Center
Friday, 11/18, 6pm Book Fair & Read-a-thon kick-off @Barnes and Noble
Friday, 12/9 Book Exchange & School–wide Pajama Day
Thanks for sharing your amazing children. Cheri and Azusa
‘Recipe for Music’ Field Trip Permission Form
On Tuesday, Nov. 15, we will attend the musical concert, “Recipe for Music”, a Eugene Symphony presentation. This performance will take place at the Eugene Hult Center and transportation will be by LTD bus. We will leave school, right after lunch, at 11:45 and return by 2:30. The cost for the event is $5.75. Please complete the attached permission form, enclose a check made out to Ridgeline Montessori Charter School (or cash) and return as soon as possible. Scholarships are available for this excursion. If you would like scholarship information, please email, call or send a note to Cheri. (541-681-9662).
My child, _________________, has permission to travel with the class to see ‘A Musical Recipe’ at Eugene Hult Center on Tuesday, Nov. 15. Students will be transported by LTD bus.
_________________ ______
parent signature date
___ I have enclosed $5.75 for performance ticket and bus fare
