December

December brings an excitement much like that of the new school year.  It's fun to watch the students walk into the building chattering about the weather or fun holiday events that have taken place the previous evening.  The snow that emerged last week caused the excitement to hit an all time high.  There were talks of possible snow days and hopes of playing outside in the snow.  I thoroughly enjoy this time of year and the excitement of the students, but not so much the weather.  Be sure to keep an eye out when it comes to the forecast and clothing choices, especially for recess time.

Castlio has another week of giving that begins on Monday.  Castlio families will decorate a gingerbread house by donating hats, mittens, gloves, scarves and socks in children or adult sizes.  The items will be donated to the Crisis Nursery, Youth in Need and Salvation Army.  If possible help us reach those in the community that could use items to keep them warm during this very cold season.

Our upcoming events for the week are:  Tuesday-3rd grade Spectra and Aimsweb testing for all, Wednesday-library and 3rd grade bullying assembly, Thursday-2nd grade Spectra is cancelled, and the 2nd grade bullying assembly.

Castlio Elementary is a community of generous families.  This week Student Council is selling turkey feathers for .50 each.  Each classroom has a featherless turkey until the students purchase turkey feathers to clothe the class turkey.  It's a fun event for the kids to see their class turkey grow exponentially throughout the week with the feathers they have purchased.  The best part of this event is the money-raised purchases Christmas gifts for needy children through the Toys for Tots program. 

Announcements this week:

The third grade students will switch their Spectra day with the fifth graders this week.  The fifth grade students have a special event-taking place on Tuesday; therefore we changed days to accommodate their event.  

All students have library on Wednesday.

The second graders will have Spectra on Thursday.

Finally, the last week of November is short to allow celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday.  There will be no school on November 27th, 28th or 29th.  Hopefully, you will have a time of celebration with family and friends.  

Smores Class Newsletter

There are exciting happenings taking place over the next couple of weeks at Castlio. First we have the Veteran's Day Pancake celebration on Monday, November 11th from 5:00-7:00. The Turkey Teacher drive taking place the week of the 18th. For the Turkey Teacher Drive students bring in .50 to purchase a turkey feather for our class turkey, multiple feathers can be purchased. The money raised from this event is donated to the Toys for Tots campaign in honor of a fallen marine who was a former Castlio student. Finally, November will end with a short week prior to Thanksgiving.

    Announcements for Week November 4th-8th

It's hard to believe the first week of November is upon us.  This quarter seems to fly by due to the holidays and extra days off. Even with the various times off the students will be engaging in high level rigorous learning.  Each of the grades are deeply involved in research projects that will be used to create presentations utilizing technology and models they will use to demonstrate their learning.  

The students have Spectra this week, 3rd on Tuesday and 2nd on Thursday.  The second graders will be on a Spectra field trip on Thursday from 9:15-3:00.  The students have library on Wednesday and counseling on Friday.  Castlio will be hosting the Fall Carnival 10:00-2:00 on Saturday.  

Check out our class Shutterfly site to see pictures taken at school.  

Figuring Things Out

Education is changing at a rapid rate and many times it can be overwhelming for the students and the teachers.  One thing is for sure, students need to be using technology to create presentations and demonstrate their learning.  This week all of the students will be using some sort of technology to demonstrate their learning:  Glogster, Popplet, Microsoft Word or SMART Notebook.  They will also use technology as a tool to access information for research:  Thinglink, Edmodo, School Tube, Popplet and this website.

   Announcements for the Week (10/27-11/1)

This week the students return to Spectra, 3rd grade on Tuesday and 2nd grade on Thursday.  We have library on Wednesday.  I am out Wednesday for a Common Core writing meeting for 3rd grade and Mrs. Adams will be my substitute.  Finally, there will not be any school on Friday.  The teachers have professional development for a portion of the day.  

This week also brings Halloween and the students have been excitedly explaining their costumes and family traditions they have around the holiday.  If you think about it please email a picture of them dressed in the costumes, I love seeing them!

Finally, Castlio is celebrating Red Ribbon Week!  Each day has a special theme, Monday is wear red day!  It's perfect in honor or our Cardinals playing their final game  (hopefully) to win the World Series! The counselors are collecting items for the Humane Society during Red Ribbon Week, cleaning supplies, animal treats and toys.  If you are interested in donating please send your items in this week.  

Have a super week!
Weekly Newsletter

Welcome to my new website!

I am very excited to debut my new class website!  This will allow me to showcase student work more effectively, integrate the flipped classroom in one place and have all our class needs in one place!  I am hopeful to add to the site regularly what students are doing, working on and even daily projects.