Planning Ahead

Hey Families!

I wanted to give you a heads up in regards to some projects and events we will be doing in the next 3 months. The holiday season, while bringing anticipation and joy, also brings about stress and expense. For this reason, I thought it would help to let you know what is ahead so that you can plan for things both expense wise and to be a part of.

October: Pumpkin Day will be October 24th. I usually do not need parent volunteers on this day, but each child will need to bring a pumpkin to school. I always tell the children that they can bring a pumpkin the size of an apple or as big as they can carry.

November: We will be making a gift for someone special. This gift is a really neat one. I made one for my parents when I was 11 and my parents still have it! I can't tell you what it is! The cost is around $6.50. I tell the kids that they need to do some extra chores around the house to raise the money themselves since it is usually a parent gift and parents shouldn't have to pay for a gift for themselves!!

December: Gingerbread Houses - We will be making these houses the week of Dec. 15th. Each child will need to bring a container of white frosting, 6 graham crackers, and 1 bag of candy. (No red hots............I still have several bags left over from last year.) This is a very fun day!
Polar Pajama Day - This day will probably be Tuesday, Dec. 16th. The children will get to wear their pajamas and houseshoes. We will be rotating through polar learning stations and watching Polar Express while drinking cocoa and eating s'mores. This too is a very fun day! Your child will need to bring 1 bar of Ivory soap and 1 box of sugar cubes. I will provide the cocoa and s'mores. I will also need parent volunteers that day.

The last thing our class will be asking for is a donation of a pet item. I am reading a story about the life of a stray. It is a very touching story and will make you never look at a stray dog the same way again. This is the reason why my family still has 2 strays! 2 years ago, my class was very moved by this story and wanted to do something for the SPCA. They all decided to bring pet items to school. We had things ranging from dog or cat treats, collars and toys, to dog and cat beds! They did so well bringing things that the SPCA came to visit! They brought some of their dogs and talked to the kids about the shelter and how to take good care of pets. The newspaper even came and took pictures! The kids this year wanted to do the same. If every child donated 1 thing, we would have a big donation! I plan on asking the SPCA to come again!

You can send any of the items except for the pumpkin to school starting now. Please write your child's name on the items with a permanent marker. Remember, I am letting you know early so that you can space the cost of things out during this expensive holiday season. Don't feel like you need to send it all at once, unless you want to. I wrote an itemized list below. Thank you in advance!

*$6.50 cash or check (leave the "To" blank.....I will fill it in with the companies name)
*1 container (round tub) of white frosting
*6 graham crackers (or 1 package)
*1 bag of candy (get creative with what would dress up a gingerbread house......we will all share the candy)
*1 bar of Ivory soap
*1 box of white sugar cubes
*1 pet item (This is purely optional)

The pumpkin can be brought to school starting October 20th.