December 2015 Page 1

BEL AIR

SCHOOL NEWS

Mrs. Andreasen’s December Newsletter

We hope that you had a relaxing Thanksgiving holiday. It is hard to believe that our Christmas

break is only three weeks away. I am sure many of you are already in the process of preparing

for the holiday season.

I would like to thank all families for participating in our Good Neighbors can collecting pro-

ject. This is an annual altruism project at Bel Air. Bel Air Elementary was able to donate well

over 1,700 food items to our local Good Neighbors. Because of your support, we will be mak-

ing the holiday season a little more special for those who are less fortunate.

On Thursday, December 3 we will have our Bel Air Christmas Program at Johnny Carson

Theater. The program begins at 7:00. Please have your child arrive no later than 6:45. I have no

doubt Mrs. Begeman and our students will help us get into the holiday spirit with some great

music!

The end of the first semester is Tuesday, December 22. Progress reports will be sent home with

students on January 5, 2016. If you have any questions pertaining to grades or comments made

on the progress reports, please don’t hesitate to call. We appreciate the home and school con-

nection and see the importance of this partnership.

Second semester parent-teacher-student conferences will be held February 8, 9, and 11. Signup

sheets will be sent home at the end of January. School will be dismissed at 2:00 PM on Febru-

ary 8 and 9 with conferences running 4:00-7:00 PM. School will be dismissed at 11:30 AM on

February 11 with conferences running 1:00-4:00 PM. The Wednesday dismissal time will stay

at 2:00 on the 11th. There will be no school on Friday, February 12th.

We have already had our share of chilly days! Please have your children dress appropriately.

Also, it would be beneficial to put your child’s name inside of his/her coat or jacket. We have

many students who have similar outerwear and names would help avoid picking up the wrong

jacket. If you are unable to find an article of clothing, it may be hiding in our lost and found

boxes. They are blue with red lids and are located in the hall near the kitchen. All items not

claimed by the end of the year will be given to the Salvation Army.

I hope you had a relaxing and wonderful Thanksgiving break.

Educationally,

Trisha Andreasen

Bel Air School News

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Upcoming dates:

December 3: Bel Air Christmas Program

December 22: End of first semester

December 23 through January 3: Winter vacation

January 4: School resumes

January 5: Progress reports sent home with students

February 8,9,11: Parent-teacher-student conferences

February 12: No school

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It has been very busy in the First Grade Jungle! We have spent a lot of time writing in our jour-

nals, and learning how to complete an outline for our weekly writing. This group of first grad-

ers have a great imagination and they LOVE to write! It’s very exciting!

In Math we are learning our math facts, even/odd numbers, line of symmetry, pennies and

dimes, number sense, telling time to the hour and soooo much more. We are working hard at

completing math facts for our banana split party at the end of the year. The students love to be

the math student of the day.

During the month of October we were able to complete pumpkin experiments, learn about the

life cycle of an apple, make volcano apples, fire safety and ways to be drug free. The month of

November brought learning about veterans, and Thanksgiving. During the month of December,

first graders will be traveling around the world to learn about how other countries celebrate the

holidays.

One of the highlights in first grade is being the “Star Monkey of the Week”. During their spe-

cial week, students receive special “star” treasurers and share their star student poster. Parents

are encouraged to come in during this time to share with their child. It’s a great week and eve-

ryone loves to learn about our friends.

Have a GREAT holiday season!

Mrs. Garder

Bel Air School News

December 2015 Page 4

Newsletter December 2015

Happy Holidays to all of you from Mrs. Dodson’s Third Grade Class

It was an exciting day of learning for third graders when the Kiwanis Club gave a dictionary

to every child in third grade. Mr. Ron Skiff and Mr. Ron Benson shared with the students that

“Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and

one community at a time.” The Kiwanis are involved in variety of projects that involve com-

munity service, fundraising, and assisting children locally and worldwide. The students

learned that 3rd Grade Dictionary Project, Headstart Program, and Scholarships for Youth are

a few of many projects in our community in which they are currently assisting. The club also

purchased 95 Pediatric Trauma Kits for Area Community Rescue squads. The third graders

found all kinds of interesting information, including a word from the English dictionary

which is 1,909 letters long! Thanks Kiwanis for taking the time to care about kids and for vis-

iting our class!

The Kiwanis visit initiated a conversation of how we can serve others and show our apprecia-

tion to the people who help us grow. Third graders wrote down their ideas in the form of a

coupon of how they could show their gratitude to their parents by giving them a coupon

which they will complete by December 31st.

Here is what they came up with:

Wil: not fight with my brother, I promise.

Tajia: help Mom and Dad make Christmas cookies.

Breckn: wash dishes.

Colin: give our dog a bath

Tatum: help do laundry.

Zac: not fight with my sister for a day.

Kyra: take care of my baby sister.

Uziel: clear off the table every day.

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Jaxon: wash the car and truck.

Carter: setting the table and washing dishes for life.

Aubrey: vacuum the floor for a month.

Noah: I can empty the trash can everyday all month long.

Kaylee: set up Christmas lights, decorations, and tree.

Rieleigh: help cook and wash dishes.

Hayden: promise that I will wake up without someone waking me.

Ava: clean the basement.

Kierstyn: clean the living room.

Adalia: I will empty the dishwasher for the month of December.

Addyson: make your bed every day for a month.

Max: help shovel the snow off the driveway.

Logan: help you make Christmas cookies.

Emma: clean the dishes.

Chance: folding the clean clothes.

Mattie: help put away groceries.

Ethan: put the Xbox controller away.

Jase: clean my bedroom.

Jaidan: clean the kitchen.

Wyatt: not beg for things and keeping the cat away from the presents.

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Mato: rake the yard everyday for now on.

Enjoy the coupons, parents!

In math the students learn using hands-on manipulative, group activities, mental math to de-

velop a solid foundation in the language and basic concepts of mathematics.

We completed the Life Cycle of Plants and Animals in science. Ask your child what insect

did a complete metamorphosis in our room. It was amazing to watch the transformation of a

mealworm! We will soon start learning about the Sun, Moon, and Earth.

In social studies we learned about land environments. Right now we are learning about Na-

tive Americans and the different ways they lived using the resources around them.

Students have covered the lower case cursive letters and are now learning the upper case let-

ters in handwriting. Soon they will be writing their name in cursive!

Students have been busy setting goals, reading, and taking quizzes in Accelerated Reader.

So far they have read 357 books since the beginning of the school year! My greatest joy in

teaching is watching children take responsibility for their learning and become excited

about a book they are reading.

Parents, thank you for your support and for all you do to encourage your child’s success at

school.

Happy Holidays!

Mrs. Dodson

Bel Air School News

December 2015 Page 7