Good Bye November? Already?

Oh my goodness parents - November is almost done. Where did it go? Who blinked?  Well, all I know is that I am having so much fun with your kids I forget deadlines and such - like sending home homework or spelling words! 

There's a few things that are important for you all to know:

1. Tuesday, November 24th, we will be doing a Thanksgiving dinner TASTING. We have been working on how to properly set a table and polite things we can say when we taste something and we don't like it. The kids have been having fun with this are excited to have the tasting - really they are excited for the pumpkin pie! Who am I kidding? So am I! 

2. During this tasting, your child will NOT be required to taste or eat foods that you have previously told me they cannot eat. These foods will NOT be on their plates. I want to make that very clear. If you have any concerns around this, please let me know immediately.

3. This is the most exciting news for me to share. Your children are such awesome kids! Over the last few weeks we have been talking about really trying our best and if we need help asking our friends for help. We have been encouraging this mostly during specials times when they are with their general education peers. Here's the thing - are ya ready? They have been making buddies in their assigned classes, saying hello in the hallways with their classes, and sitting with them during lunch time (some times)! THIS IS AMAZING! Today, both the 3rd grade and 5th grade won class pride paws for being such amazing friends during their specials class. This is huge for us and my heart just swells with pride to be a witness to what wonderfully caring, thoughtful, interactive students. Seriously brings tears to my eyes. From these experiences, they walk taller. They take more risks in the classroom and outside the classroom. They have more questions and wonderings about their environment and friends. It is simply...amazing. 

So hats off to you parents because without you and all you do, we would not be having the same outcome. 

Looking forward

In December the entire school will be doing a canned food drive to support the Oregon Food Bank. We will be participating in this. I will send more information home regarding this. 

However, please be thinking about this: usually I take the students to the Dollar Store to purchase gifts for their parents. How do you feel about having the students bring in some money and instead of buying gifts, they purchase food for the food drive? Think about it and please email me with your thoughts. Nothing is written in stone.

We will be having a holiday party in December - the 18th - Friday right before break. All are welcome to come and I will be sending home more information as we get closer. 

Thank you so much for your support. Please feel free to email with questions or concerns.