I just want to let you know that I really appreciate all your support. I have noticed improved scores in areas that are not likely to improve without help and support from home. In a busy day, with all we have to get in, and 25 kids with 25 learning styles it always important to remember that you are their number one support and your efforts really do make a huge difference. So thank you.

I would also like to highlight a few upcoming events. We will be going on field work on the 10th and then again on the 24th of March so watch for more information about those.

Currently we are working on learning the scientific process using our collected seeds and seeds that were given to us from our fabulous farming friends. However we have a hang up.

We were told we had growing lights that were left from the previous teacher, and we do, but the pvc frame that the lights hang from is nowhere to be found. Without the frame our lights are useless and since our classroom does not have any outside windows we will have some difficulty with our experiments and planting experiences without this. If you, or anyone you know, can help with this we would greatly appreciate it. Our kids are anxious to get planting but I lack the time and tools to figure this one out on my own quickly so if you can help please let me know asap and thank you in advance.

Just a quick hello to let you know that report cards went out yesterday. We also sent home a fieldwork permission slip for a fodder farm we will visit next week on Thursday, February 5th. Please sign and return ASAP, especially if you can drive.
The following week, on February 9th, we will be going to the Baxter farm to feed cows. Permission slips should be coming home for that one today.
Also if anyone could be the fieldwork driver coordinator that would be very helpful. To this point it has not been a big deal getting drivers so the job shouldn't be too difficult. Please let me know if you can do this. Thanks!

PLEASE utilize the Adapted Minds math website. It is a great resource and I am already seeing improvements in the kids that have been using it. Math facts are especially important in these early grades and practicing those online help to save trees. :)

Mark your calendar for Wednesday January 21st at 6:00 pm. That will be our celebration of learning and we will have much to celebrate!

Also we are in need of some volunteers.
Classroom Supply helper:
Our classroom supplies have proven difficult for our students to take care of and pencils sharpeners are either too hard for our students to use efficiently or they break too easily (we have been through multiple electronic sharpeners). If you are willing to come in weekly and sharpen pencils and organize supplies that would be greatly appreciated.

Class Librarian:
Another time consuming task that our students really need help with is trading out books for their book boxes. It works best when parents can help with that and we have so appreciated the parents who have helped but we need a bit more help. If you are available to come and help with that for 30-60 minutes every week or every other week that would be greatly appreciated.

Crossing guard: 
Crossing guard duties for our class will come again the week of March 23rd. If you are willing to be here to help with that from 8:00-8:20 that would be very beneficial.

Playwright:
Or something like that. I will be honest here, we have mega crew that our class is in charge of coming up in February and I have now idea how I am going to find time to plan that in addition to everything else... SO if someone would like to or be willing to take that I would be much obliged. We have certain criteria and it is only supposed to last about 20 minutes so it is not too difficult but it is presented to the whole school so my hope in asking for a volunteer is that it will turn out better then what I have time for.

Before we fly away this Christmas Eve day I wanted include a link to the Adapted mind website a (hopefully) great new website we are trying for math https://www.adaptedmind.com/login.php https://www.adaptedmind.com/login.php. Letters have been sent home about this. Please encourage your child to use it and remember 20 minutes of reading everyday even over Christmas break.
The kids were given a reading challenge to complete over break. If they complete it and bring it back it is worth a WHOLE DOT SHEET! (Your kids know what this means).
Merry Christmas to ya all!

Hey parents, I have a strange request. We are going to be doing a special craft this week but I have been unable to find one component for the craft. If you have or can find and would like to donate to our class small foam packing/bean bag filler beads we would love it. If you can find a donate this item we need it by Wednesday or Thursday. Thanks for checking!
Mrs. Saxton

We have fieldwork on Monday, December 15th to the Natural History Museum of Utah. This field work is intended to build background knowledge for the upcoming expedition. The horse exhibit we will be visiting will end before the expedition begins so we had to go now. But since this current expedition is on communities visiting a community museum and exhibit about how horses have impacted our lives and communities still fits. :)
**Please remember to send your child with their booster seat.

Lasts Monday's fieldwork was a great success and our kids were able to experience a great culturally enriching performance that helped them meet many core standards while having a great time doing it. They loved Christmas Village, they were a good audience, and over all they were pretty well behaved. Thank you so much to the parents that drove and helped!

Dear parents,
Here is a link and instructions for accessing your child's progress report. Please keep in mind that progress reports will be updated regularly and you can access them anytime to check on your students work. A final progress report for the semester will be sent home in January but for now please email me a confirmation of receipt so I do not have to sacrifice a tree and send a paper copy of the mid semester check in. :) Thanks!

A few things to remember when viewing your child's progress report:
We grade on a rating scale 1-3 means they are beginning, 4-6 means they are developing, 7-9 means advanced and 10 is accomplished. With the exception of things like spelling and math tests 10 are rarely given. Percentages are not an accurate reflection of our grades and grading process. Neither are letter marks (A, B+, B,... etc). Your child's grade will not transfer well to these interpretations. However the Aspire system likes to attach a percentage, if you notice a percentage please disregard that. 
We are in the first part of the year so expect to see many beginning and developing scores. If a data point is blank or showing 0 that is most likely due to a missed assignment or no name. Hopefully when students see that they can not receive credit for assignments they do not write their name on or turn in they will become better about that as well. 
Finally, please keep in mind that we are striving for a growth mindset not an end all mark that suggests set intellectual levels. Thanks for all you do.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Saxton
Link or copy and paste instructions for how to access here:
https://mail.promontoryschool.org/owa/WebReadyView.aspx?t=att&id=RgAAAAD7rSpS5efZRo3J1xzJ27U%2fBwBZzoAnixTMQbocje2u2uFVAAAAS540AABZzoAnixTMQbocje2u2uFVAAAAakrrAAAJ&attid0=BAAAAAAA&attcnt=1&pspid=_1416271471323_68280587 

This is your friendly reminder about fieldwork tomorrow. Please be sure your child has their booster seat, coat, hat, and gloves. Stretchy gloves are preferred since they will be doing some sketching and writing outside.
Drivers please arrive 15 minutes early to get checked in, instructions and your passanger list. Thanks so much!

Dear Parents,
Just a reminder that we have fieldwork coming up on Tuesday, November 18th. We still are missing quite a few permission slips. If you would like your student to attend please remember to sign and return that. If you need a new copy please let me know and I can send one home with your child.

All that have volunteered to drive we do need and please send a quick email to confirm that you are still planning to drive. Please plan to arrive about 11:30 to get checked in at the office and get your passenger list and instruction. And THANK YOU!

Also yesterday your child should have brought home an invitation for a community member to come and speak with our class. As part of becoming a leader of their own learning I wanted the kids to have the opportunity to do the inviting. Many of our students were really excited to invite their own parents or grandparents and they ALL are very proud of what you do for our communities.
Some decided on other people to write an invitation to and I would encourage you to take the opportunity to help them track down and invite whomever that may be if it is possible, but this is not required or expected. You may do what you are comfortable with.
If you have been invited I hope you will consider coming as it is an excellent way for our kids to learn more about the huge variety of occupations and valuable contributions people make to our communities. Having family come also helps the kids to personally connect themselves and their families to the bigger communities we live in.
While I know this message is getting lengthy I would really like you to come if you can. Please contact me via email or by phone through the schools ph# after school hours @ 435-919-1900.

And finally I am excited to announce that thanks to a parent helper we finally have a functional class blog up and running!
http://saxton1-2.blogspot.com/ is the web address/link.
 I plan to post regularly what is going on in our class so please use that as a resource.
Thanks so much for all your support and we look forward to visits from our parent and other experts, those who have come so far have been amazing and the kids have loved it. (For example Mrs. Bradford is a regularly spoken of hero.)
Thanks again,
Sincerely,
Mrs. Saxton

The following are excellent sites to assist in student learning.

http://www.raz-kids.com
http://www.spellingcity.com
http://www.starfall.com
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/math.html#numbersensegames
http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z3c6tfr

Dear Mrs. Saxton's full 1-2 crew,
 (that means kids and parents too!)
I am so happy to announce we have a new blog,
that should be more user friendly, not such a time hog!
Now we can post more about what we do
in all of our time spent in class and at crew!
And to the dear parent who has helped set this up, thank you!