Ski New Hampshire Projects

October Happenings

We have two sessions of Math left this year in NECAPs. The children have been working hard looking back and trying to explain their thinking with evidence. I realize how difficult it is for the students to sustain such an extended effort, and I want to thank you for your support at home, as well as the students for working so diligently. Thank you too, for the many yummy snacks that have been provided to our classroom.

Today, I sent home Fall Fest raffle tickets. Please feel free to send the tickets in to class and I will submit them to the office. If you would like more tickets, please feel free to contact fall fest organizers. Here are some other dates to keep in mind!

October 17: Fall Fest 10:00-2:00
October 21: Delayed Opening 10:40
October 23: Picture Retake Day
October 29: Walk to School Day
October 30: Halloween Parade

Paperwork Thanks and Upcoming Events

Thank you so much for your time and diligence with the beginning of the year paperwork! Helping your child stay organized by checking and signing his or her agenda book, as well as signing our weekly reading log on Thursday nights are very much appreciated! I do realize that you have been inundated with information from the office, from the PTA, from organizations, and from myself! I am hoping that this blog will help you keep track of important dates that relate to our classroom.

September Events:

• Friday, September 18 School Directory form is due back to the PTA
• Friday, September 18 Back to School Picnic rescheduled from 9/11
• Wednesday, September 23 Little Harbour Open House - time TBA
• Friday, September 25th Extra Credit Math Stars due the last Friday of the month
• Monday, September 28th PTA Fundraiser Genevieve's Gift and Paper Sale due
  
• Wednesday, September 30 Mount Major Field Trip
  

Please feel free to check in and email with any questions!

I am hoping to gather some "followers" for this blog. If you'd like to sign up, I believe you will be automatically informed when I update this site.

Warmly,
Kristen Murray

Snack and Special- the Important Stuff!

Today, the students learned that in fourth grade we have special first thing in the morning! Just for reference, I've posted our special schedule here as well!

Monday- Art with Mr. French
Tuesday- Gym with Mr. Schulten - Please wear sneakers and appropriate clothing
Wednesday- Music with Ms. Connelly and Chorus (beginning in January)
Thursday- Library with Ms. Pilgrim
Friday- Computer class with Ms. Crowley

Our class enjoys our snack when we return from special. I encourage students to bring in healthy snacks and water in order to have optimum focus and learning take place in the classroom. Please feel free to send in water bottles with your children for their school day as well. I truly appreciate all the donations of healthy snacks for our moments of "forgetting". Thank you parents!

I will be promoting healthy behaviors in class this year! I plan on using the themes from the New Hampshire Public Television "Live Fit NH" program. There are some catchy themes with this program such as:

Drink an Ocean
Eat a Rainbow
Be Whole
Get Moving
Explore NH

In addition to these themes, I also believe in making positive choices and having a positive attitude for a wholistic healthy attitude! I am really looking forward to a great year with your children.

Warmly,
Mrs. Murray

Meet and Greet

It may be hard to believe, but most teachers get nervous for the first day of school. Weeks in advance, I start dreaming about school. I worry about the classroom layout, the labels, the classroom library, the bulletin boards, and so many endless little details. And yet, every year, when I meet my new students, all those details become insignificant. It's about the kids. It's about our journey together.

To all those who were able to attend our "Meet and Greet" today,
I loved seeing your faces; rejuvenated, tanned, smiling, entering our classroom today. Thank you for stopping by and introducing yourself and your families.

To those who I will meet tomorrow, our first day of school,
I look forward to meeting you and getting to know you and your family, too!

Keep those smiles on, we're going to have a great "ride" together!
Warmly,
Mrs. Murray

The Two Week Countdown!

As the heat arrives, I have started thinking ahead to our new school year at Little Harbour. Teaching is such a rewarding career and every year it brings the opportunity to begin anew. I look forward to meeting all my new students, enjoying each of their unique personalities and passions and helping them grow this school year and beyond.

Every year, I make new learning goals for myself as well as my students. I will be trying something new this year by "blogging" to keep in touch with you at home. It is my hope to use this technology forum to also give the students an authentic place to publish their own writing. We will be learning together, that's for sure!

With 2 weeks left of summer vacation, I am enjoying every day with my family, and yet, the excitement is building. I hope this blog will be a place you can come and learn about our lives and learning in fourth grade.

Enjoy the remainder of your summer! See you soon.
Mrs. Murray