We have several events during this short week, so this email is mostly reminders to keep you organized during these hectic final three days!
Holiday Spirit Week
This is another schoolwide Spirit Week. Participation is always optional, but the children really enjoy seeing each other dressed up:
Monday: Snow Day: Wear beanies, mittens, scarves and anything else that keeps you warm on a "snow day."
Tuesday: We won't be able to participate due to needing to wear our Nutcracker clothes, but if your child wants to pack something in their backpack for after the show, the theme is Holiday Spirit Day: Wear anything festive that goes along with a winter holiday that you celebrate.
Wednesday: Pajama Day (both the schoolwide theme day, plus what we're wearing for our holiday breakfast party).
Nutcracker
A reminder about clothing for the Nutcracker: please remember to dress your children in the clothes suggested in the letter sent home in the Wednesday envelope two weeks ago. Children should come to school dressed in these items on Tuesday. Those students who are wearing leotards can wear something over the top of their leotards when they arrive and change into their ballet shoes for the performance. As a reminder, here is the list:
MARIE/FRITZ: Bathrobe/pajamas & slippers
NUTCRACKER/SOLDIERS/TROPAK DANCERS: White Shirt & Dark Pants w/ dark shoes
MICE/MOUSE KING/CHOCOLATE DANCER BOYS: Dark Shirt & Dark Pants & dark shoes
MARIE/FRITZ: Bathrobe/pajamas & slippers
NUTCRACKER/SOLDIERS/TROPAK DANCERS: White Shirt & Dark Pants w/ dark shoes
MICE/MOUSE KING/CHOCOLATE DANCER BOYS: Dark Shirt & Dark Pants & dark shoes
CHOCOLATE DANCER GIRLS: Black leotard or t-shirt, black tights or leggings (skirt provided)
SUGAR PLUM, RIBBON CANDY, FLOWERS: Light colored leotard/light colored tights/ballet slippers or light colored shoes-- leotards with tutus attached are fine & encouraged for Sugar Plum Fairies & Flowers, especially. ***Ribbon tutu provided by the teachers for Ribbon Candies.
COFFEE DANCERS: Light colored fitted shirt w/ leggings or more form-fitting pants OR leotard w/ no tutu (we provide the Harem pants)
TEA DANCERS: Shirt doesn't matter so much (will be wearing jacket we provide) dark pants or leggings, dark shoes.
SUGAR PLUM, RIBBON CANDY, FLOWERS: Light colored leotard/light colored tights/ballet slippers or light colored shoes-- leotards with tutus attached are fine & encouraged for Sugar Plum Fairies & Flowers, especially. ***Ribbon tutu provided by the teachers for Ribbon Candies.
COFFEE DANCERS: Light colored fitted shirt w/ leggings or more form-fitting pants OR leotard w/ no tutu (we provide the Harem pants)
TEA DANCERS: Shirt doesn't matter so much (will be wearing jacket we provide) dark pants or leggings, dark shoes.
***We do apply light stage makeup for the performance, unless your child does not want it. Please let me know if you do not want any applied to your child.
Please borrow whatever you need to borrow-- we don't intend for anyone to have to buy anything. We still have several leotards and a few pairs of ballet slippers in the classroom that are also available-- let me know if you need to borrow. I will send them home with children who want to borrow one on Monday. Please email me to let me know you'd like to borrow one.
Please arrive promptly in the cafeteria for the Nutcracker, as we intend to start the show right at 9:15. Also, please do not try to come early and save seats. We will be keeping the doors locked until about 10 minutes before the performance. If you do not have a visitor's badge from the office, you will need to get one before entering the cafeteria for the performance. As a reminder, you can check in with the office to get a visitor's badge anytime during school hours beginning on Monday. Once you have your badge, everyone will be directed to line up behind the marked cone that will be placed near the front entrance of the school until the doors are open. There are plenty of seats for everyone, so no need to stress!
Please arrive promptly in the cafeteria for the Nutcracker, as we intend to start the show right at 9:15. Also, please do not try to come early and save seats. We will be keeping the doors locked until about 10 minutes before the performance. If you do not have a visitor's badge from the office, you will need to get one before entering the cafeteria for the performance. As a reminder, you can check in with the office to get a visitor's badge anytime during school hours beginning on Monday. Once you have your badge, everyone will be directed to line up behind the marked cone that will be placed near the front entrance of the school until the doors are open. There are plenty of seats for everyone, so no need to stress!
Photography
We want everyone to enjoy the performance, so please refrain from standing and blocking the aisles. It is no fun to watch a performance with a raised camera or phone in front of you blocking your view. We ask that you refrain from this behavior. If you want to take pictures, please go to the back row or off to the side.
On another photography note, we will have Mrs. Grist’s daughter at the performance recording a video of it on an iPad. We will also be taking photographs of the children in their costumes before the performance. You will have access to these photos & the video, so that you can spend your time on Thursday enjoying the performance. The only tripod that will be set up for videos is ours-- there simply isn't space in the cafeteria for multiple tripods, so please leave your tripods at home.
Front Row Tickets Auction
Congratulations to the winners of the auction! There will be eight seats marked in the front row marked "Reserved for Auction Winners." You & your party can sit in any of those eight seats.
Congratulations to the winners of the auction! There will be eight seats marked in the front row marked "Reserved for Auction Winners." You & your party can sit in any of those eight seats.
Make-Up and Costuming
Thank you to Moira, Sara N., Kathy, Sehwa, Lydia, and Shereen for offering to help with getting the children ready for the performance. Please come into the classroom with the kids on Tuesday morning at the start of the school day and we will begin right away. If your plans have changed and you are no longer able to help it is no problem, just let me know.
Holiday Party
We will have our holiday party and gift exchange on Wednesday, Dec. 20th. This is a pajama party! Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas and/or class t shirt as we enjoy a fun breakfast and crafts. Thank you to all parents who donated items and are bringing food! A big thank you to our party coordinators, Rachna & Rebecca! If you are helping for this party, I believe Rachna and Rebecca have been in touch with you. Please come in with the kids that morning and we will get all the food set up while they are doing their morning tubs. Thank you!
Library
Although we won't go to the library this week due to our holiday party, please return your child's library book by Tuesday, as usual, so that you don't have to keep track of it over the holidays. Thank you.
Upcoming
When we return from Winter Break on January 4th, we are having a special district-wide two days called "Smart Restart." Basically, this is a school wide event for the first couple of days we return. It's a time to do fun activities to get children excited about returning to school. We will be doing some fairy tale STEM projects and having time to play to ease our way back into school. It's also a time to review classroom routines and procedures because 2 weeks off of school is a long time for Kindergarteners!
Happy Holidays and enjoy your break!
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, 12/19 @ 9:15 am: Nutcracker Performance
Wednesday, 12/20: Classroom Holiday Party 8:15 set up
12/21-1/3: Winter Break
Thursday, 1/4: School resumes, Smart ReStart
Monday, 1/15: No School: MLK Holiday
Monday, 1/29: No School: Teacher Work Day\
Thank you parents for reading the email newsletters all the way through, even during this busy time!
