Upcoming Events

Parents-

I've been working this evening on a classroom calendar for March since it's such a busy month!  I wanted to point out a couple things affecting this week:

• March 2, Wednesday, is Read-Across-America Day.  Students may wear pajamas and bring fun reading material for a DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) time in the morning.
• March 4, Friday, is Read a Button Day.  Students may wear all the buttons (with words) they'd like!

The calendar should be emailed out tomorrow (and sent home via kid mail).  Aside from weekly volunteers it should have most of our activities on it.

Have a wonderful week!

Coin Challenge Results

I'm sure you've heard, but the Montessori classes won the 2011 Waukazoo Coin Challenge!

Not only that, but the coin challenge brought Waukazoo some wonderful publicity.  The Holland Sentinel was here last week to report on our school's efforts.

In total, the coin challenge raised $2862.70 to buy PET's.  That means we were able to purchase 11 vehicles for children in developing countries who desperately need these devices!  That total surpassed our school's goal of $2000.  Thank you to everyone who helped dig through couch cushions, clean out car change cups, and emptied the coin jar at home!  Thank you to everyone who also donated dollars, several of our Montessori families donated generously to this worthy cause!

PET Organization

Classroom Open House

Parents-

The Upper Montessori classroom will be open next Thursday, February 17, from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. to allow prospective 3rd grade parents the chance to preview the class, tour the room, and find out more about the Upper Montessori program.  If you know of any families that are considering the Montessori program at West Ottawa/Waukazoo, please spread the word and let them know about next week.  The open house is not a formal presentation, just a chance for families to familiarize themselves with the classroom and what we're all about at Waukazoo.

Thank you!

Pink Out!

Explorers Homework Project

Parents-

Students will be bringing home their project today!  They have already had over 6 hours of classroom time dedicated to research their topic.  Students have been considering/researching the following questions:

Historical Explorer

• Who was the explorer?
• Timeline of his/her career
• Where/what did he/she explore?
• Facts
• Why was the person exploring (the goals of the mission)
• Accomplishments and/or failures
• Lessons learned

 Modern Day Exploration

• What area of exploration did you choose?
• When (timeline)
• Achievements and/or failures
• Why explore this?
• Discoveries

Comparisons

• What did the two explorations have in common?
• What is different?
• What were the challenges that each faced?
• Lessons learned

Question: What could the modern explorers learn from the historical explorers to be more successful?

Students are bringing home posterboard to begin their work.  The project is due next Friday (February 18th).  See attached example of a poster presentation.

A note from the PTA . . .

Blizzard Beach will be this Friday due to last week’s snow days...

Come dressed in Tee Shirts, Shorts, Flip Flops, etc. (Summer Clothes but NO bathing suits.) 

Students will go outside during recess and lunch so please make sure that the children bring appropriate outdoor clothing.

A frozen treat will be  provided by the PTA at lunchtime so bring your beach towels for a lunchroom picnic.

From Mrs. Perrien:  Friday is also Pink Out!  Hopefully students will be able to find something pink and "beachy" for this Friday!

Art Fair Coming to Waukazoo!

There is an art fair showing your child’s artwork. The art fair is on March 10 at Waukazoo School. It will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. You may buy a frame for your child’s artwork if you want.  4th graders will be doing optical illusions.  5^th graders will show a firebird picture from the music they will hear live when they visit the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra. 

Written by Evelyn and Jolene