Text Box: Kiva If you haven’t had a chance to contribute to our Kiva jar, please do so.  This is a great opportunity to have your money put to great use. Kiva lets us connect with and loan money to unique small businesses in the developing world. By choosing a business on Kiva.org, we can "sponsor a business" and help the world's working poor make great strides towards economic independence. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), we will receive email journal updates from the business we’ve sponsored. As loans are repaid, we get our loan money back. At the end of December, the donations will be tallied and then matched, up to $500, by Smart-E-Pants. Find out more information at www.Kiva.org.   Text Box: Curriculum Highlights Text Box: Here’s what we’ll be working on this month during table time. In language arts, group 1 will be working on using lines to write their letters and words, and they will begin working with sentences.  Group 2 will also be working on writing their letters on a line.  The focus will be on letter formation and spacing.  Group 3 will continue to work   Text Box: with the clock letters. In our thematic units include ‘Tis the Season, and Strike up the band. Our colors for the month are red, white and green, and our shape is the rectangle. We will also continue to work on number identification, sorting, and grouping.     Text Box: Ms. Susan has decided to make some changes.  She will still continue to help out occasionally, but November 30th will be her last official day.  We love Ms. Susan, and she will be greatly missed.  For now, Ms. Veronica will be closing on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons. Text Box: With only 12 school days, December is going to be a very busy month.  Here are a few of the dates you will need to remember. Wednesday, Dec. 5:  Ben Stenn, Josie’s dad, will be helping us with our Hanukkah project. Wednesday, Dec. 12-14: Parent/ Teacher conferences.  Please sign up for a time on the sheet by the computer.  If you are unable to make one of the available times, please let me know, so that we can reschedule. Wednesday, Dec. 12:  Ben Stenn, Josie’s dad, will be helping us with some fun holiday baking. Monday, Dec. 17:  Caroling at Down Manor.  We will leave Smart-E-Pants at 11:30 am.  We will be serving lunch when we return. Tuesday, Dec. 18:  Caroling at Hawks Ridge.  We will leave Smart-E-Pants at 12:15 pm.  We will be serving lunch at 11:45.  If your child normally   Text Box: gets picked up at 12:30, you may either pick him/her up at Hawks Ridge, or by 1:30 at Smart-E-Pants. Please have your child wear Text Box: red, black, or white if possible.  As always, we would very much like all the kids to attend the caroling on both days.  They are working very hard at learning the songs, and this is their chance to shine.  Grandmas and grandpas are also invited to come along. If you can help out with transportation on either of these days, please let me know. Tuesday, December 18: Smart-E-Pants Christmas party.   The fun begins at 6:00 pm.  Please bring an appetizer.  Santa will be making an appearance at 6:30 pm, so don’t be late.  We are also asking each parent to bring a new, unwrapped book for either a boy or a girl.  Santa will be passing the books out  to each of the kids.  This is supposed to be a surprise, so please don’t have your child help with this assignment.  We would like all books by Monday, December 17th. Holiday Break: Dec. 19-Jan. 2!  Happy New Year! Text Box: Please send your child with appropriate winter gear.  These items should be labeled! Text Box: Happy Birthday! Gus Schrankel turns 5 on the 15th! Feature Children: Isabella Simpson, and Ezra Mudry Text Box: School Delays and Cancellations due to weather: Please remember that we do not always follow the school districts.  Please listen to K105.5, call the gorge weather line at 386-1336, or Smart-E-Pants, 308-0900, with questions.   Text Box: Good Bye Ms. Susan Text Box: Welcome Ben and Gabby Gomez! Twins, Ben and Gabby Gomez will be joining us in the afternoons until December 14th.  Ben and Gabby’s parents work for the Hood River school district, and live just a couple houses away.   Text Box: School Happenings—Mark Your Calendar