January 14-18 and 22, 2013

January 14-18 and 22, 2013

Dear Parents,

I hope you enjoyed your weekend, and that your family is continuing to remain healthy!

I wanted to let you know, and will be sharing with students on Monday, that I have a very special opportunity next week to celebrate my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary with my family!  My husband, Mike, and I will be traveling with my parents, my two sisters and their husbands for a week-long trip together next week!  I am so excited to be able to spend this time with my parents and family and thankful for this opportunity!  Since there is no school for students on Monday, January 21, I will include next week Tuesday’s home day lesson plans in this week’s blog.  I will also have next week’s lessons posted by the end of the week.  

While I am gone on Wednesday, January 23 and Thursday, January 24, Miss Morgan Gilman will be subbing on Wednesday morning and Thursday all day.  Mrs. Heather Dykhouse (Ty’s mom!) will be subbing on Wednesday afternoon.   Miss Gilman teaches kindergarten at ZCS.  She has subbed in Mr. Heeres’ room earlier this year and beautifully jumped into the curriculum and multi-age classroom dynamics!  I am also very thankful that Mrs. Dykhouse is available to sub as well!  She is excited to help out in our classroom next week!  If you have any SHC questions while I’m gone, please e-mail Mr. Heeres at jheeres@zcs.org.  You may also e-mail Miss Gilman at mgilman@zcs.org if you have any curriculum questions or ones specifically for our class.  

I will be back at school on Monday, January 28 to share all about my trip and hear all about your week!

Here are a few additional items to keep in mind this week:

You have received the e-mail note regarding the safety procedures/drills that we will be practicing at ZCS this week.  Please let me know if you did not receive the e-mail note last week and I’ll be glad to send it to you again.  We will be discussing this in class prior to the practice.  

1^st Grade Field Trip:  The next field trip for 1^st grade students is scheduled for this week Thursday, January 17.  Students will be seeing the Grand Rapids Symphony perform Hansel and Gretel in their Lollipops concert at Central Wesleyan Church.  Students will be leaving ZCS about 8:50 and returning at approximately 11:00.  Chaperones are limited 1 per every 5 students, so we are going to plan to have our students ride with the other first grade classes.   

4^th Grade Swimming Lessons- Week 2:  Please remember to send a swimsuit and towel for your child each school day for the next 2 weeks.  Students will board a bus and leave with Mr. Bouman’s 4^th grade class at 8:50 for swimming lessons at the Cityside Middle School’s pool.  They should return by about 10:15.  On Tuesday and Friday during the next 2 weeks, please have your child come to our classroom by 8:40 to go to Mr. Bouman’s room by 8:45.  They may be picked up at our classroom at 10:15.  Thank you for your flexibility with the swimming schedule on your home days of learning!  Please let me know if you have any questions!

LET IT SNOW!!!  As students look forward to snow, we are hopeful to be able to use the +300 sleds that are waiting in the shed at the top of the sledding hill!  When there is enough snow for sledding, please send snow pants, hats, mittens, and boots to school with your child.  These would be good to send even when there is not enough snow to sled, to protect students from the cold temps during recess!  There is no need to send a pair of indoor shoes to school, as students may wear their PE shoes inside. 

Upcoming Dates:

January 17- 1st Grade trip to the G.R. Symphony

January 14-18- 4th Grade swimming lessons

January 21- No School

Have a great week!

Mrs. Walters