It's hard to believe we are to April already! We will blink twice and this school year will be behind us. The weeks ahead are quite busy.  They will be filled with review, testing and looking forward to new information that can help the students next year.
Since our schedule is so packed, there will be many days we do not have reading groups. Therefore, we will not be sending books home everyday. Reading groups will "offically" end the week before TCAP (April 20th). This will allow Mrs. Shelton and her staff to check the students reading levels, test literacy skills and conduct inventory on all the reading group books.
I also want to inform you of some upcoming events.  Next Thursday night from 6-8 pm, the Creative Discovery Museum will be here for Math Night. This event is perhaps one of the most educational and fun of all the Parent Involvement Nights. You will NOT want to miss it. Bring your children and family

Tonight is our Habitat for Humanity Program.  If you are in need of a home or looking for a way to volunteer in your community, please come tonight at 6:30pm. I look forward to seeing you.

The Yates online book fair opens Tuesday, March 6 and will close on Thursday, March 15.  You may access the fair from this address: http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/yates .  Remember, the in-school fair will be open in the library this Thursday, March 8 - Friday, March 9 from 7:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.  The fair will also be open for the PTO Auction and Chili Supper Friday from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.

Good morning Yates families! This week will be filled with reading fun. We will have a community member read to the students each morning over the closed circuit television. This morning's special guest was Dr. Ringstaff. He did a super job, and was so entertaining!
Be sure to look at your child's newsletter for the different events each day.

I wanted to remind you that this Thursday, February 23 at 6:30pm, Habitat for Humanity will be at Yates. They will be sharing ways for families to get involved in helping their community, and provide information on how to apply for a home.

The Literacy Night: ABC's of Reading has been rescheduled for January 26th at 6:00pm.  Please make plans to attend. This event is primarily for parents, and it's purpose is to better educate you in the methods and structure of a reading lesson.

I trust you had a great break and spent quality time with your children.  Now, it's time to get back to work.  It was so good to see the students in the building again this past week. Here at Yates, we know the next few months will hold much growth.  I love popping into the classrooms seeing the spark of learning in the children's eyes that always seems to occur this time of year.  I invite you to share in is this experience.

I want to remind you that Thursday, January 12, is our next Family Invovlement Event at 6:00pm.  Mrs. Shelton and the teachers will be focusing on the basics of reading.  You'll have the opportunity to see what concepts are taught in a reading group, watch a group take place, and ask questions so you can better help your children at home. I look forward to seeing you there!

Thank you so much to the families that came out for our family invovlment events. We had 65 people on Tuesday night and 82 on Wednesday morning. It was so good to see you interacting with your children.
I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving.  We will only be in school on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 21 & 22.