LaBelle Lions April and May 2008
A Note from Your Principal
It is hard to believe that the end of school id fast approaching! There will be several important events in April and May. The CRCT test for first through fifth grade will take place April 23- May 2. It is so important to make sure that your child attends school each day and is on time. The results of these tests help show the strengths your child has and the areas for their teachers to continue to support instructionally. Students must be at school daily to learn the most they can and it really shows in how they perform. We appreciate all those families who promote good attendance habits.
Spring holidays are April 7-11.In May, we will have our multicultural night, field day, and our million word celebration. The dates are listed below on the important dates to remember.
April Principal’s Book of the Month
April’s book of the month is Arnie the Doughnut by Laurie Keller. It is
a silly story about a doughnut who narrowly escapes his doughnut fate.
Arnie is proud to be chocolate-covered, with bright-colored candy
sprinkles. His first day on the planet is a big one. He is 1) cut into a
ring 2) deep-fried 3) cooled 4) iced 5) sprinkled and 6) named Arnie.
What he doesn't realize is that step 7 is being eaten by a human. So,
when a customer, Mr. Bing, starts to put him in his mouth, he screams,
"What are you doing?" Arnie is further crushed when he calls the bakery
to warn the others only to discover that all the other pastries are
"aware of this arrangement." Mr. Bing decides that in order to get his
money's worth from Arnie he can pretend the doughnut is the dog he's
always wanted--a doughnut-dog that will roll over, play fetch, etc.: "He
went through a short phase of chewing on the furniture and barking at
the mailman, but after a crash course in obedience school he graduated
first in his class." Ask your child what Arnie’s fate is by the end of
the story.
May Principal’s Book of the Month
May’s book of the month is Adelita by Tomie de Paola. It is based on the story of Cinderella. Following her father's sudden death, Adelita is left with her cruel stepmother and stepsisters. Adelita's kindly nanny/housekeeper takes on the role of fairy godmother, making certain that the girl has something to wear to the party thrown by a local wealthy family to honor their son, Javier. Adelita makes an unforgettable impression at the gala, draped in a dramatic red shawl that was her mother's; Adelita uses it to signal to Javier when he comes looking for her the next day. DePaola has characters talk about `the mysterious Cenicienta' [Cinderella] who had appeared and then disappeared from the fiesta, (just like the fairy tale"). DePaola’s beautiful illustrations give the reader a real taste of Mexico. Ask your child to retell the story to you.
Year at a Glance
April 3: PTA SNPK and Kindergarten perform
April 7-11: Spring Holidays
April 23- May 2: CRCT
May 8: PTA Multicultural Night
May 9: Field Day
May 13-14: Lunch and Learn- Summer Survival Tips (13th Spanish and 14th English)
May 16: Million Word Celebration
May 21: 5th Grade Banquet
May 23: Last Day of School