March 4-8, 2013

Dear Parents,

As we look ahead to a new week, I am looking forward to meeting with each of you either Monday or Tuesday during conferences.  We will be focusing not only on your child's current progress, but will also talk about continued growth and learning goals.  It is truly a blessing to partner together in the the education of  our children!

We had a great time last week as family groups, having lunch and sledding together.  We were blessed by an absolutely gorgeous day to sled together!  The next family group activity will take place on Friday, March 22 at approximately 1:00.  If your child would like to attend, please let me know.

We are also looking forward to spending time together learning outside of ZCS at upcoming field trips. Our first trip is this Thursday at Van Raalte Farm, where we will learn about the process of "Maple Sugaring".  We are still in need of a couple drivers, so please e-mail me if you are available.  See the post below for additional information.

This week, we will kick-off our annual "March is Reading" month!  The ZCS theme is "Oh the Places We Will Go!".  We will be highlighting several countries that are all connected with the first grade teaching staff, as they have organized this year's theme!  Each teacher was actually born in a different country!  Therefore, we will be recognizing and celebrating in a way that highlights these countries:  Costa Rica, Canada, China, Ecuador, and the United States.  In honor of Costa Rica, on Wednesday, we will celebrate with "Siesta Day" by wearing comfy clothes!  Each week we will spotlight a country with a special day celebration!  Stay tuned to find out what each week's special day will be!

We will also be celebrating all of the places we can go through books!  We are looking forward to  working with new learning buddies from the Young Fives class with Miss Den Braber!  We are excited about working with our new buddies!

We are looking forward to the upcoming elementary musical for 2nd-4th grade on Tuesday, March 12, at Community Reformed Church at 7:00 p.m.  There will be a dress rehearsal in the afternoon of Tuesday, March 12.  We will be leaving school at 12:40, traveling by bus to the church, and returning to school by 3:15.  Please plan to make arrangements to have  your children at school by 12:30, so they can attend this important practice and can feel prepared for the musical that evening!  If your child is unable to attend the practice, please let me know.  I will accompany our students to and from the rehearsal.    

This week Tuesday, March 5, the ZCS Destination Imagination students will be presenting their projects to the ZCS students as they get ready for the upcoming regional competition. If you are interested in seeing the presentations and finding out more about  DI, feel free to come to the media center at 2:25-3:15 to see the 2 middle school teams and 3 elementary teams.  DI is an after school program for students beginning in fourth grade.

Reading Assessments:  I will be wrapping up student assessments this week.  It is such a great time to see the tremendous progress with each student!

February Book-It forms are due this week.   New March Book-It forms will be sent home on Wednesday.

Upcoming Field Trips:

Please send $5.00 to school this week for the March 7 and April 11 field trips.  Thank you!

March 7 (Thursday)- SHC trip to Van Raalte Farm- Maple Sugaring.  We will leave at 12:40 and return by 2:50.

March 13 (Wednesday)- 3rd grade trip to the Van Andel Museum.

March 21 (Thursday) - 1st grade trip to Frederick Meijer Garden.  The cost is $5 for parents.

March 21 (Thursday)-  4th grade trip to Lansing- more details to follow.

April 11 (Thursday)- SHC trip to DeGraaf Nature Center- Natural Resources.  We will leave school at 12:10 and return by 2:30.  

April 19 (Friday)- SHC trip to Central Wesleyan Church for a fun afternoon together!  Thank you to the Spitters family for coordinating this special afternoon!

Have a great week!

Mrs. Walters