Successful Monterey Bay Aquarium Field Trip

Dear Grade 4 Families,

We had a very nice day today at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and I am happy to report that all of the students did very well. Our Discovery Lab lesson was very informative and engaging. All of the students were able to observe and feed some of the animals and we were able to look first hand at some of the adaptations for these animals in their habitats.

We spent the rest of the time in the aquarium as scientists looking closely at some of the habitats to better understand the living and non-living parts of a habitat and their interactions.

The students also were able to meet an aquarium staff member to find out more about their job and what they do there. I can't wait to hear who everyone met and what they learned. I think all of our groups also got a chance to go "behind the scenes" at the aquarium to see some part that the public usually doesn't get to. I hope all in all it was a valuable learning experience for all.

This trip could not have taken place at all without the help of our wonderful parents who drove the children safely to and from the aquarium and guided and helped the students along all day.

So please, when you see Debra Istenes, Merilee Kolpacsyk, Barbara Okamura, Ming Chiann Chou, Sonia Perez, and Corynne Brown, thank them for their wonderful and kind help today.

Thank you all from the whole class!

Book Orders: I didn't submit the book order on Tuesday and had a couple more orders come in.
If you would still like to order a book from the last book club order, I have extended the order to next Monday, January 26th. You can send in your order with your child or order online.

Best wishes to you all,
Mary Welsh

Gala Baskets 2009

Hello Everyone,

It is Gala time again! We need each class to make a gift basket to be auctioned off at the gala. I need a parent in each class to be in charge of the basket. The total cost of the basket needs to be at least $200.00. The basket should be assembled before turning it in.

There are many different themes you can choose from. So far I know the two third grade classes have already chosen a theme. Ms. Brown is doing a "Gardening" theme and Mr. Mills is doing a "Child's Art & Craft" theme. If other classes have a them already, please send me an email to let me know by next Friday 23 Jan. I will assign themes to the classes on Monday 26 Jan that don't already have one.

You may contact me via email at mykdar@yahoo.com. In the subject area, please put "Gala 2009" so that I may easily identify them. You may also contact me on via my cell at (831)917-1114. If I don't answer, I am probably working. So please leave a message, all calls will be returned. If you need any help or have any questions don't hesitate to call me.

Thank you,

Venus Watson (Mykah's mom - 3rd grade)

After School Art Class

"Express Yourself!" After School Art Class

• Learn and enhance a skill that will last a lifetime
• Have fun discovering an artist in you
• In depth drawing and painting

Thursdays: 4th- 5th grades
#3a: 6 weeks Jan 29, Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26, March 5
#4a: 6 weeks April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7

Taught by: Olia Polovneff, ISM parent and professional artist trained at the Art University in St. Petersburg, Russia. Contact Olia at polovneff@comcast.net or (831) 484-6740

Fees: Each session $80.00, includes $10.00 for materials and 15% donated to ISM.

Parent Update - 1/19/2009

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!
I trust you all enjoyed a wonderful long weekend with the amazing weather we have been having. It is hard to imagine what cold weather the northeast is facing at this time. We are fortunate in so many ways.

We have a short but exciting week ahead. We start off with watching the Presidential Inauguration on Tuesday morning. Many of the classes will be in the Multiuse room to start the day. I will try to direct the students there as they arrive. We plan to watch the president give the Oath of Office and listen to his speech. We will head back to class after that (just about recess time).

On Thursday, we will be heading to the Aquarium for our field trip. Thank you very much to all who have signed up to drive and chaperon. I will send you all a separate note regarding the day. There are still several permission slips not turned in yet so, please check to see if you have turned it in or not and return it tomorrow if possible. Thank you!!

Due to the short week and the field trip, we will not have spelling this week. Spelling will resume as normal next week.

We will continue with our "Multiplication Road" multiplication facts timed tests. The students are all progressing well. We may have a small reward coming up when all of the students complete their 6 times tables. Everyone is making a good effort on this. Please ask your child which facts they need to be working on for their next test and help them study.

Homework this week will be:

Tuesday:
Math Study Links 6.2, study Fact Triangles Reading 20 minutes and record in planner

Wednesday:
Math Study Links 6.3, study Fact Triangles Reading 20 minutes and record in planner

Thursday:
Study Fact Triangles
Reading 20 minutes and record in planner

Enjoy your week,
Mary Welsh