Okay, first, I have to say, that our class had the cutest 2nd grader in the entire concert. I'm biased, but others have told me this too. All the boys congratulated Darius when he got off the stage and told him that he did a great job. It was all really cute. I have to admit, the first time I saw him, I cried. Darius has come a long way in the time that we've been together.

In other news, I know that all of you are anxiously awaiting our trip to Santa. I know, it's overwhelming with excitement kind of times. Well, we'll be meeting you at the mall entrance right by IHOP.

In case your students have come to you talking about a new friend, believe the rumors, it's true. After break, we will have a kindergarten friend joining our group for a large portion of the day. He's already been joining us for pieces to help with the transition and everyone has been quite welcoming and accepting of him.

Alright, hope you have a great day!

Pizza, Field Trip, and More!

We are having a compliment pizza party today at 2pm! The boys earned the most compliments and are having a pizza party thrown by Mrs. Cassarino! Way to go!

We have been practicing our Christmas Carols (Today we did: Jingle Bells and Must be Santa). We're getting ready for the season!

We learned how to play dreidel in Social Studies today. That was a huge hit for our friends who all got to play against Ms. Watts.

Don't forget: Next Thursday is our Field Trip to the mall to see Santa and eat IHOP. Parents are invited to attend with us. It should be a great time!

:-)

Tis the season

for sickness.

I had three friends yesterday come to school with the beginnings of colds (some farther along than others). They were sneezing and coughing over everything and everyone. PLEASE enforce covering coughs and sneezes at home. In addition, frequent hand washing after sneezes and coughs will help get rid of the germs quicker. Last week and today we've already had boys who are complaining that they don't feel well and only want to lay down to rest. It's only going to get worse as the weather does. Please help me out here as Robyn and I don't want to get sick either.

Thanks for your help on this issue.

Happy and Healthy

We hope that all of you have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving! We are thankful to get to work with your boys everyday.

And for all of you braving the forces on Friday, may the sales be with you. :-)

Diana and Robyn

Finally, an update!

Alright, an update.

Bowling for our field trip was great! The boys loved it. We tried to get them to properly put their fingers in the hole and throw it down the lane. This strategy worked better with some than with others, as is everything. However, everyone enjoyed it. The teachers also bowled and as she will tell you, Mrs. Robertson won.

Things in the classroom have been going well. We created a class turkey and the feathers say what each child is thankful for.
Grant is thankful for: brothers, toys, mom, dad, and letters.
Darius is thankful for: Thomas, Wii, Mom, Daniel, and family and friends.
Patrick is thankful for: toys, cubes, Sean, sister, mom and dad.
David is thankful for: Wii, mom, dad, sissy, and computers.
Sunny is thankful for: sports, friends, mom, dad, and sisters.

Remember that Wednesday is an early dismissal day!

Everyone has been reading up a storm. We've been taking advantage of our subscription to Reading A-Z and have been printing out books for the boys. Sunny read his first book entitled "Big"! It was a huge success in our room. Darius, Patrick, Grant and David all continue to move along and are becoming more independent in their reading. No longer are we giving them words but rather having them use their strategies to try to figure them out.

In math, we've been working on fact families in both addition and subtraction. This is an easier concept for some than for others.

We've also been using timers for prized time. They can earn centers, such as legos, but only for so long and once the timer goes off, it's back to something else. It's been interesting to watch their faces once the timer goes off. Overall, it's been working well though with little complaining about giving up such prized time.

David lost his first tooth this past week and it was huge news in our room. All the boys pitched in to help him learn how to "twist the tooth" out! It was great! We also wish him a happy 7th birthday on Sunday.

Hope you all have a great weekend!!!

:-)

Sorry!

I may have put the wrong field trip form in the bookbags. If you want I can send you a copy via the internet, or I'll send the right one home on Monday.

Sorry!

Elections (in class and nationally speaking)

The boys got stickers yesterday because we learned about elections, the President, etc.

We held a class election for National President. It's never too early to learn about the democratic process. We did however skip over the confusing computer vote system and decided to do a voice vote. Obama was elected 5 to 1.

We held a class election for CLASS representatives. I am pleased to announce that the following were voted into office:

Sunny: Class President
Darius: Class Vice President
Grant: Class Secretary
Patrick: Class Treasurer
David: Class Chief Council


While these positions don't mean a great deal technically, it was enjoyable for them to create their campaign paragraphs (they are on our bulletin board outside our classroom and you'll be able to see them when you come in for conferences!). The boys were the only ones voting for these positions.

Also, wanted to let you know:
1. Report cards come home NEXT Thursday (the 13th) along with IEP updates. The marking period officially ended yesterday.
2. We are going on a FIELD TRIP NEXT Thursday (the 13th). Bowling and Tony's.
3. Great fantastic news that I shared with administration yesterday: The boys were able to come into school and tell me about their weekends. In addition to telling me about trick or treating, they were able to tell me about other costumes that they saw, favorite candy, etc. It was really exciting for friends who usually tell me that they did nothing or stare at me like I've lost my mind (make no comments!)

Don't forget to go out and vote today!
:-)
(wear your sticker to the following places for free food/drink if you do:
Starbucks (coffee), California Tortilla (taco, I think), and Ben N Jerry's (ice cream))

What I do on my weekends

I find out that at least 3 out of 5 moms in our class are on facebook!

Anyway, just wanted to say that Halloween was great in our room.

Also, please remember, NO School on Tuesday. No School Next Tuesday either. And the Monday after that. And the Wednesday after that it's early dismissal with no school Thursday and Friday.

Apparently, November is the month of short weeks...for students anyway.

:-)

Happy Halloween!

Hello!

Alright, some things.

1. this week has been great! We've carved pumpkins, eaten the pumpkin seeds (EVERYONE loved them!), created tissue ghosts, created hand bats, read halloween stories in the dark, learned the witches brew song, and bobbed for apples. Today, we're going to make witches brew (for us, it's going to be a safe bet of cheez-its, pretzel twists, chocolate chips, and animal crackers in a witches cauldron). We're also going to MAKE rice krispie treats. I've never made them before, but I figured that it would be fun, messy, and quite sticky. In addition, we also have our Walk for the Homeless today somewhere between 1:30 and 2pm. Thanks for sending all those forms back! We're also having our pizza party which I know everyone is excited about.

2. We have obtained permission from administration to use a different playground. We will be using the fourth grade playground by ourselves during the same recess time that we have now. While I have always liked for the boys to be able to hang out with other students during this time, it's just TOO many other students and TOO many opportunities for them to be at the right place at the wrong time. Since we're all friends in the class, I'm sure that they will be just fine. And besides, they'll get cooler equipment! If you have any questions/concerns/comments about this, feel free to email me.

3. We rearranged the classroom last night. (It's what I do when I've had a weird day). Mrs. Robertson put up our new bulletin board as well. It's entitled "Presidential Possibilities" and has a silhouette of each of the boys. A campaign button with each of their faces and a slogan for them going with either their first or last name. In addition, it has a blurb written by the boys about what they would do if they were president. I must say, it's a great one! The classroom I think looks way cooler than it did before. The library is now in front of the chalkboard (which we rarely if ever use), the morning meeting area is where the library was, and the tent is where the morning meeting area was. All in all, it's a new and exciting set up that we're excited for!

4. We hope that everyone has a safe and happy Halloween experience today (both in and out of school)! We've talked about Halloween Safety a great deal, crossing streets with looking both ways, having a parent/adult check the candy before they eat it, being nice about trick or treating (no silly song about pulling down underwear!), etc.

Enjoy! I've got to get my Red Crayon self ready to go see all the great costumes!

Houston, we found a pumpkin!

Mr. Robertson went and found us a pumpkin! We are so grateful so now we can explore the pumpkin guts today as planned!

Also, breaking news!
We are allowed to wear costumes on Friday! They do have a pertain to a story (so far I know that there are some monkeys and ghosts so we're good to go on that!)

Lots of Things

1. Due to my Fabulous estimation skills (I have none and received much coaching), we have won a pizza party from our PTO. It will be on Friday. As a result, no lunch is needed on Friday.

2. We are having a walk for the homeless on Friday during school. The forms are being sent home today. Please sign them and return them tomorrow even if you don't want to donate. Just having the form back raises money in itself. Also, if we are the first class to turn in all of our forms, we will win a prize from Ms. Schafer.

3. While on the topic of Ms. Schafer, the boys will be meeting their peer mentors between today and tomorrow. It is exciting news and everyone will have a peer mentor (from the high school). The only two that I'm a bit confused on are Grant and Sunny's because Grant was assigned two and Sunny none so we are splitting them up but I'm going to ask the mentors to choose a student. So, without further ado, the mentors:
David is paired with Matt.
Grant and Sunny will have Mallory and Shelby (will determine by tomorrow who will have who)
Darius will have Jasmine
Patrick will have Katie again! We're so excited that she's coming back and know that Patrick will be excited too!

4. We are having a Halloween Party on Friday. Tomorrow, I'm going to be carving a pumpkin with the boys. Either Wednesday or Thursday they will be decorating their own smaller one. Friday, we have the pizza party, the walk, will bob for apples, and may even watch something great! Please note, no costumes are allowed in school.

For now, that's everything. Hope all is well.

Walk this Saturday

There is a walk for Autism this Saturday at the Prince William Fairgrounds in Manassas. There are plenty of kids activities, it's free and informative.

Since I just found out about it with such short notice, I wasn't able to set up a fundraising site but am working on it anyway.

If you're interested in going (and could use some extra hands) Mike and I plan on going and participating. We can join together and have a team (it's free).

Other than that, things are going well. Will update more later!

Live....from in bed

Okay, don't laugh, I threw my back out. Thankfully my husband set my laptop up for me so i can be in bed and read email.

I was at school today, rearranging some things, and before I knew it, I was down for the count. So, I did what any great teacher would do, I spent my planning period on the pillows and taught the rest of the day via videos and discussion. We watched a very compelling Berenstain bears and the truth about strangers.

Anyway, I write for a couple of reasons.

1. Please review with your boys the importance of keeping their hands and feet to themselves. We've had a lot of shoving, hitting, kicking, pushing, purposeful foot stepping on, etc. As a result, we've had a lot of card flipping. According to school rules set forth by administration, when cards get flipped, I'm supposed to be sending home a carbon copy letter every time that parents have to sign and it gets placed in their files. I'm trying to avoid this, but with some friends, I'm afraid that it might have to come to this.

1a. In addition, please review the need to do their personal best. Things like scribbling over work, attitudes, refusal to do work, avoiding work through other means, etc isn't okay. The boys got their first taste of my new policy today as I had some of them re-do their work that was not showing their personal best. I am trying to hold them accountable as I would like to see them all working towards more inclusion time.

2. Our house line is in the process of receiving new phones. Our cordless phones need replacing and so the only phone that works is in the living room. Since it doesn't appear that I'll be running around this weekend, this includes running to the living room from my bed to answer the phone. Sorry. Hopefully, one of the best husbands in the world will see fit to go shop without me tomorrow and replace the phones.

enjoy your weekends.

It's been a while

Hope that you all enjoyed your long weekends together! It's always interesting to hear from the boys what they say that you did. :-)

For those long range planners:
The dates in November of note....
No school for students November 4th (Election Day)
No school for anyone November 11th (Veteran's Day)
Report Cards come home on November 13th
Conference Day November 17th 11am-7pm.
Early Dismissal November 26th
No School November 27-28th (Thanksgiving)


For conference day, feel free to email me if there is a particular time that you know of that you'd like. Also, please be sure to email your child's general education teacher if you desire a conference with them. You should feel free to make back to back conferences with Robyn/myself and then your child's general education teacher.


New additions:
The boys are excited that we made the alphabet out of tape yesterday on the floor so that they can walk over all the letters and learn about them.
The letter of the week is B.
We're learning more about Christopher Columbus and Fall.


Please keep sending in box tops. :-)

Things Needed:

We would like to open up a new center in our room, however, we need some help.

We would like it to be a "house" center. I have some playfood that I bought at Target for 10 dollars. We will be purchasing a kitchen (unless someone has one and would like to donate it!). In addition, we're looking for play plates, silverware, cups, pots, pans, etc for kitchen (and any other playfood that you might want to donate). Also, we're looking for dolls, specifically a baby doll. In case you are wondering about the center and why we're looking to do it, is we're teaching responsibility and different places that we can have it. So, we're going to teach about cooking, cleaning, etc. We're also trying to teach independent skills (that might even help at home) like setting the table, clearing the table, etc. So, any help in those things would be appreciated!

I'm ALMOST done with the book. I've gotten distracted by things like sleeping so it'll be in circulation on Monday. It's going home with Patrick first but anyone who would like to borrow it after that is more than welcome.

Interims for first quarter go home on Monday. Or, as I look at it, 1/8 of school is already over! PHEW that time went fast! Please sign them and return them on Tuesday. If you'd like to talk about anything that is on there, please email me, call me, or set up a conference time. EVERYONE has things "that need work" on their interim. No one is exceptional at everything and so those are just some things in case you were wondering what you could be working on at home should you want to.

Remember, no school for students on Monday October 13th.

The school rules this year are:
Personal best everyday
All things to myself
Watch and listen to the speaker
Soft voices inside

We are really focusing on the Watch part these days. We're finding that some of our friends when they don't give eye contact aren't listening either. While I don't always stress eye contact because I know that for children with Autism it's difficult, but they do have to listen and I'm finding when they aren't looking, they aren't listening.

That's everything for now! Hope you have a great weekend!

New Book

"Mother Warriors" by Jenny McCarthy.

I didn't even know that she had a new book until I went to Target tonight to buy myself a Cabbage Patch Kid. Yes, that's right. I just admitted to all of you that I still collect Cabbage Patch Kids. And yes, collect is the right word as I have over 200.

Anyway, I digress.

Here's the opening line:
"All illnesses have some hereditary contribution. Genetics loads the gun and environment pulls the trigger."

That is just the forward. It was written by a peds doctor at UCLA and does claim that A. vaccinations can cause it. B. it can be cured.

Cured, not treated.

So, now, that I'm on page 9, I came to update the blog and thought that I would tell some of the strongest Mother and Father warriors that I know about it.

Have a good night!

No Cox Farms

Apparently, Special Education is also being limited to the five miles field trips even though we were told that we weren't going to be.

So, that severely limits where we might possibly go to.

Peer Mentors

There will be forms coming home so that your child can have the great opportunity of a peer mentor again this year.

Please sign them tonight and send them back to school tomorrow.

Thanks!

Friday September 26

Don't forget that School Pictures are on Monday! Our pictures are scheduled at 9:15 in the morning so it's very important that students show up on time!

Things are going well. We are done PALS testing for the fall and will start DRA testing on Monday.

Thanks to all of you who sent in boxtops. If you have more, please keep sending them in!

Today, I am glad to say that all of our friends worked together and stayed on GREEN! YES!

Have a great (and dry!) weekend!

Tuesday September 23rd

From Ms. Stern:
Picture day is the 29th (this upcoming Monday). Envelopes were sent home yesterday if you are interested in purchasing them. If you want to volunteer for the day, you can get a free package. However, they ask volunteers not to bring other children.

I'll be sending something or calling around for conference sign ups since I didn't put it out at back to school night. Most likely I'll call to set up times since I don't want overlapping. I'd also encourage you to set up times with their inclusion teachers!

From David and Patrick:
I finished the computer program in computer lab and got a certificate for knowing all my keys! Yay!

From Darius:
I wrote THREE sentences with spacing. My story said "Thomas and friends are working together. James and Percy were taking the mail. Gordon was pulling a car."

From the class:
We sang songs today! Ms. Stern put on a new cd of all silly songs and we had a lot of fun. We also sang "There was an old lady who swallowed a fly" with pictures and all! What a great time!

Friday September 19th

From Ms. Stern:
Did anyone want to place a book order this month? Do you need more sheets to look through? Well, if so, just let me know.

From David:
Patrick hit me in the head by accident. Then he said sorry and gave me a hug and got Clifford for me. We are still friends. Ms. Watts was absent and we had Mrs. Walsh. I have PE today with Mr. Blevins!

From Sunny:
David read me a story about Sam-I-am. I told Mrs. Robertson a story from the big book.

From Grant:
I put my pjs on when I first got to school. My mom made them for me and they are robots! I was at the spelling center and wrote about cold things like ice.

From Patrick:
I went to the fine motor center today. There was a fire drill with Mrs. Walsh. I was sad about Snake-e but after I ate, it was better and I had fun at recess.

From Darius:
I hope that alligator is sleeping at home. I did a great job today and had computer center.


Don't forget:
Today our friends cash out their earnings from the week! The "money" they earn comes from following the rules, going out of their way to help a friend, helping to clean up, and being all around good citizens. Also, if they earn a compliment, those who help earn the class compliment get another nickel!

Thursday September 18th

From Patrick:
I had a nice day. I needed some reminding to use my words instead of making noises but I'm learning. I stayed on green all day! I played, read, and talked about responsibility. I gave Ms. Stern my time line and she loved it! Tomorrow, I will wear my hot wheels pajamas and bring Snakey to school!

From Grant:
I played soccer at school with Ms. Stern today. I read a book, played with my friends, went to computer lab, and wore my shirt inside out! Today was really silly. I finished my Pals test too! Mom, don't forget to let me wear my pajamas to school tomorrow and bring a stuffed animal friend! Oh yeah, Grandma and Grandpa, I got Blake's lunch note today instead of Grant's! That was so silly! And, I played with magnets today and had them stick to my ears!

From Darius:
I earned THREE compliments today from Ms. Kennedy, Mrs. Wilson, and Mrs. Seward! I was such a hard worker and I did great on my social studies test! I love cooperating in a community and being a good citizen. I changed my shirt to be inside out! It sure was a great day!

From Sunny:
I made a sailboat as my center symbol! I talked about responsibility with Ms. Watts. I played with Patrick. I went outside with my friends for recess and I loved playing duck duck goose in PE. I love that class! What a great day!


From Ms. Stern:
Don't forget to wear pjs tomorrow! Monday night is chuck-e-cheese night. Let me know if you could use some coupons for there. We missed David today and hope that he is a-okay!

Wednesday September 17th

From David:
I won the points in the game with Ms. Watts. I know my rules. I wanted to play fast money for 20,000 dollars! Do you like my backwards shirt? The pop tube got my shirt! I didn't follow the rule "all things to myself" today but tomorrow will be better. In fact, after I broke the rule, I did have a great day.

From Grant:
Backwards day is fun! I was the teacher for morning meeting and helped my friends sing all the songs. I like number 15 because it is the freeze dance! I had a hard time at the end of the day not throwing blocks with my friend Sunny, but I turned it around.

From Patrick:
"Dear Patrick, I got backwards and mismatched. Love, Mommy Okay, that's enough! Nope, it's done. I talked about the golden rules with Ms. Watts in science and social studies. Okay, now, that's enough!" I had a hard time sharing with my friends, but I managed to turn it around.

From Sunny:
I was in charge of pointing to the months of the year for morning meeting. I know all of them in order! We went over the rules in social studies. I don't like Ms. Nelson, she's mean. I like Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. I had a hard time not throwing blocks with my friend Grant, but I turned my day around.

From Darius:
I made my shirt backwards and it is silly. A bug bit my leg and made it itch and then he bit my arms! It hurt. In music class, I sang Christmas songs getting ready for my concert on December 15th! I played with magnets today and made one stick to the bag of my hand! I had a hard time following some of the rules, but I turned my day around.


From Ms. Stern:
Tomorrow is silly sock day! Friday is pj day and I sure hope that everyone will wear their pajamas and bring in a stuffed friend! Monday is Chuck-E-Cheeses night. If you come around 6pm, you can join Mike and I for some birthday cake (vanilla cake with chocolate icing!) for his 29th birthday.

End of the day report:
All of my friends turned their cards at least one today from green to yellow. Two of my friends turned their cards to red which meant that I had to call home with them there. I hope that all my friends have better days tomorrow and are ready to be great friends who follow the school rules!

Spirit Week

Today is crazy hat/hair day! Our friends are all participating (even if they didn't come in with one!)

Tomorrow is backwards day/mismatch day.

Thursday is crazy sock day.

Friday is pajama day with cuddle friend day. We hope everyone will wear their pajamas to join in on our pajama party day!

From Darius:
I'm working on take away in math. I also sometimes say minus. David, Grant, Patrick, and Sunny are in computer lab. They are learning how to type. I have a red crayon hat on that Ms. Stern made for me.

From Patrick:
We use gentle voices in the cafeteria. I sit on my bottom in class. I eat lunch in the cafeteria with Mrs. Meyers. I do great work. I will talk to my mommy at home. Monday is Chuck-e-Cheese night. Can I go? Okay, that's enough.

From Sunny:
We colored with Ms. Watts. We can show our friends to be quiet by putting our finger over our mouth. We practiced knowing our colors. I love the shapes on my ears! I helped Ms. Lunsford learn our morning meeting dances and songs!

From David:
Miss Watts told us to use our soft voices inside. We took a test about rules in the school and community. I got 100%. I am wearing a tuxedo shirt hat. It is good, not silly! I go to Chuck-E-Cheeses, Mrs. Robertson!

From Grant:
In social studies, I learned about using inside voices in school. It is important to follow the directions and rules. We shouldn't talk in class when someone else is talking. I like crazy hat day.

From Mrs. Robertson:
Silly hat day has been fun but I'm looking forward to backwards day even more!

From Ms. Stern:
Hope everyone is excited to see our friends help update the blog and tell you about things from their perspective!

Recap of our time.....

Things are going well. We start our day off with morning meeting. We greet others and provide eye contact. We review the calendar, special things going on, and anything that needs to be reviewed (such as listening to our teachers at specials and not putting crayons into the electric pencil sharpener to see what happens.....i'm not naming names on this latest one!)

Darius then heads to specials with his second grade class and the rest of us head to science and social studies with Ms. Watts. This past week we have been learning about the rules in our school and community. We've also been practicing the pledge of allegiance. The boys are all using interactive notebooks to keep track of their lessons in this class.

Second block the 1st grade friends all head to computer lab while Darius comes back to the room for math time.

Third block, David and Grant go to Mrs. Pumphrey's room for small group reading while Darius, Patrick, and Sunny all have centers in our room. Here they are participating in listening center (book on tape), art center, computers, building blocks, spelling, 1:1 reading, etc.

Fourth block, Darius heads to lunch with his second grade class. Patrick goes to small group reading with Ms. Childer's. David, Grant, and Sunny now participate in centers in our class.

Fifth block is lunch/recess. All the 1st grade boys eat with Mrs. Pumphrey's class. Darius is now in his small group reading class with Ms. Kennedy.

Sixth block for 1st grade is their specials rotation. Patrick and Sunny go with Ms. Childer's class while David and Grant go with Mrs. Pumphrey's class. Darius goes to Science and Social Studies with Mrs. Seward.

Seventh block Grant and David go to small group math/math extension/tech lab depending on the week. Patrick and Sunny have math in the classroom. Darius is now in computer lab.

The last block of the day we are finally all together again. It's a long and exhausting day but the boys seem to really enjoy it.

All the boys have really become a lot more social from when we first started and are growing by leaps and bounds. It really is exciting these days being with them because we're never quite sure exactly what they are going to say!

Alright, hope you enjoy your weekend!

Spirit Week

Spirit Week is next week. All I know is that Monday is Sports Day.

Stay tuned for more info on this.

Parallel block is still going well.

Sorry that I haven't updated much but things are going well, and quickly!

Book Orders

I'm going to set the date of book orders due on September 18th.
If you send them in earlier, I'll order them same day so that you and your family can have them earlier.
If you need/want to send it in later, that's okay too.
But to have a date, I'll say 9/19.

Remember, the thing about book orders, the more that you order, the more that the classroom earns in newer books that your boys help pick out!
How that works: Each book order through scholastic offers bonus points for the classroom. Sometimes, it's six times the amount, sometimes it's a standard 60 points, etc. It changes each order and each catalog. In addition, especially in September, if an order gets placed for over 20 dollars (combined so you don't feel the pressure) then we get free books right off the bat! In addition to the free books, the teacher can choose 10 dollars of free books for every order over 20 from that same catalog.
Wait, there's more! With the bonus points, we can either place an order to buy things from the catalog or we can use the special bonus point catalog and buy things that way. We can buy whole collections of books or other great things that are offered for the classroom.


So, that's book orders in a nutshell. I usually buy the books on tape/cd for each order myself as I'm trying to build a substantial collection of them (we're well on our way!)

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Things are going well.

In social studies class today we learned about rules. Grant and David loved the lesson and frequently repeated the rules that we learned.

Changing classes is going well. I think that the boys enjoy the opportunity.

We're planning field trips as they have to be planned by Friday. More information will be forthcoming soon about those.

Hope that you are all enjoying yourselves!

Spread the word!
Each school
supporter who
signs up for
Box Tops e-mail
newsletters at
btfe.com/2008
earns your school
5 Bonus Box Tops.

Week one complete

and we all survived. Parallel block starts Monday...it sure should be interesting!

Back to school night is Monday night at 7pm.

And now....

I'm not above or below begging but please don't make me do it. If your child does not have a signed computer form with you giving him permission to be on the computer in school they will NOT BE ALLOWED TO BE ON ANY COMPUTER AT ANY TIME. This year, ALL the students in my classroom have computer lab EVERY DAY! That means, EVERY DAY, your child will sit there, watching other kids use the computer if I don't have these forms back. If this applies to you, the form was once again in their backpack today. They must be in on Monday for your child to be on any computer in the school and computer lab does start on Monday.

In addition, EMERGENCY CARDS! Back and front. I'd hate to have an emergency and not be able to contact you. Okay, to be honest, I'd just hate to have an emergency. However, PLEASE fill the cards in. Again, if this applies to you, the cards are in the backpacks.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE fill these forms out.

That is the end of my begging, for today anyway.

Day 2

Their white notebooks are coming home today. These need to come back and forth everyday. And yes, there are homework calendars in there! I've included the calendar and some wide paper for homework sheets instead of what you've been used to.

Other than that, things really are going great. If you have any questions, please feel free to call/email.

And....PLEASE send back the following:
Emergency Cards
Computer Use Forms
PTO forms

I need the first two for every child. If I don't get the second one, they aren't supposed to be able to use the computers in our school! Some of you only sent back the first, some sent back all, and some none. The only optional one is the last. The rest must come back to me!

:-)

And....we're back!

Today was a great day! Long, but great!

Everyone did well, worked together amazingly well, and enjoyed being together. We played, we read, we sang, we danced, we toured the school, had a practice fire drill, ate, cleaned, and more! It sure was exciting.

No homework tonight. I'm just not that organized, hopefully tomorrow, I'm working on it (although, I must admit that I'm exhausted as in 21 years (most of them as a student) of first days of school and I still don't sleep well the night before!)

So, I'm going to work on the notebooks until I fall asleep which may be sooner rather than later.

Please do fill out the emergency cards, computer forms, and PTO forms and send them back tomorrow.

If you need anything, feel free to call me at home.

Enjoy your night!

Back to School on Tuesday!

I know that you are all excited!

You are more than welcome to bring your child into school on Tuesday or send them on the bus. It's up to you. I also don't know if you've heard from transportation regarding what time their buses are coming. I can't offer any information on that topic.

We won't be starting full-time parallel block until the 8th. We'll be practicing a great deal though the first week.

Also, in case they should mention them a lot, we're having a fire drill every day the first week!

Don't forget to make sure their is money on your child's lunch account (or you send them with money) if they are buying lunch!

Hope that you are all enjoying your last weekend of summer!

Am back at work

Apparently, the numbers for the school are changing because all classrooms are now equipped with their own phone lines. This isn't really overly clear to me but apparently, Robyn and I have our own phone number which is separate from the main office (as do all other teachers).

So, while you can't call us during the day and have us pick up (the way it was explained to me is that there is some weird hold on it....I have yet to really understand the system until I'm sure I sit through some meetings on it) you can leave messages and not have to wonder if people wrote it down correctly since last year, it was umm....interesting....to say the least about phone messages and understanding them!

The real point to this entry however is to say that if you have any questions this week, email is probably best. Since unlike other schools that have allowed staff back in already to start setting up rooms, we haven't been allowed in for various reasons. As a result, I'll be there most of the time (and probably again as late as they'll let me stay) so that we're ready for next week! (that's right, NEXT week!)

So, email is best or leave phone messages at home and I'll return them.

Enjoy the last week of summer!

Calendar Date!

Open House:
September 8th, 2008.
7pm

Monday night (for those not near a calendar)

New Website!

Okay, I had the school create a website and I've been playing/trying to edit it for the morning and avoiding packing for my trip tomorrow.

How to find the page:

http://www.manassas.k12.va.us/education/school/school.php?sectionid=66
(Weems Elementary School Website)

(1) Click on Classrooms
(2) Click on Homerooms
(3) Click on Mrs. Stern-Richardson (side note: email is still dstern...probably not changing anytime soon)
(4)TA-DA!

I'm still playing around, but it does have the two homework calendars on it that I've worked on so far!

BINDER!!!!!

Okay, I realized that it might have been confusing since I myself was confused when shopping today.

What we were asking for is (1) 1/2 binder. That's just a 1/2 binder to word it differently. Hopefully no one bought the 1 1/2 binder. This is the binder that is going to be going back and forth everyday (the Bee Notebook or whatever it is that we've called it) with the homework and such. The 1 and a 1/2 inch binder would be huge for the boys to carry, especially if we're also trying to fit in lunch boxes in stuff to the bookbags!

I am SO sorry since it was unclear. Hopefully it isn't a big deal. I'm sure that I might have extras in case it is a big deal or you can always reuse the ones from last years as I'm pretty sure if I remember, everyone's were in fairly decent condition.

Sorry! Sorry! Sorry!

Happy Belated Birthday, Grant!

Sorry I missed wish you a happy birthday on the 10th! I hope it was a great one!!!

:-)

Welcome Sunny!

Beginning this year, we are going to have a new friend joining our class.

Sunny will be joining our 1st grade boys and we couldn't be more excited!

So, yes, we are still all boys, so far. As you know, that can always change.

Hope that all the back to school goodness is going well for everyone!

Can't wait to see all the boys in three weeks from today!

A new year, a new layout

Inspired by some of my favorite bloggers.

Update of sorts:
Still working on homework calendars. Really, not as much as I'd like to, but it's at least a couple of months in. I'm thinking about arranging a way to build some great website that would allow me to put all of them online. Of course, I think about this with no time left to my summer at all. But yet, I'm thinking about it. I'll talk to my computer man to see what he can build me that is user friendly.

I head back to Weems on the 25th. Have any of you received your letters telling you about your child's placement?

Oh yes, I thought of David yesterday as we were driving back from NY there were all these people lining the streets all the way through Maryland. We're talking a solid five hours of people lining our way.....it's because that is the way that NASCAR drives down. We actually drove with the trailers carrying the cars for a solid hour. As it was dark and we were moving, I couldn't get any pictures, but it sure was interesting and loud with them honking! In the end, Mike opted to go in front of them and distance ourselves from the fanfare, so I pointed out that he now effectively won the race!

Anyway, hope that you are all enjoying what is left of your summers! If you need anything or are concerned about 1st/2nd grades, give me a call this week (before friday night). After that, I'll see all of you after the 25th when we're back from Alaska.

Enjoy what is left of the summer!!!

1st and 2nd grade lists

What you'll need in addition to what we sent home for first grade:

One package of dry erase markers (EXPO Brand)
3 rolls of paper towels
1 spiral notebook
1 box of quart sized sandwich bags
1 inch three ring binder
2 boxes of tissues
1 or 2 bottles of hand sanitizer


what you'll need in addition to what we sent home for second grade:
2 large pink erasers
2 red ink pens
2 rolls of paper towels
2 boxes of tissues
1 zippered pencil bag (no pencil boxes)
2 highlighters (yellow or pink)
1 pack of dry erase markers (EXPO Brand)
1 box of ziploc bags
1 large bottle of hand sanitizer


Hope that helps everyone's shopping!

Enjoy!

First and Second grade list....

I'll be sure to post the first and second grade list when I get a hold of them. I'm putting it on my to-do list tomorrow. I have to be in the Staples plaza tomorrow anyway so I'll check it out.

I have to admit that I've been slacking at making those calendars. I've got September and October done. Although, I have a good excuse! We got a Wii and now a Wii Fit. It's safe to say, I love it.

I'm going to be working on them though and I'm going to ask Michael to see if there is a way that I can post all of them to the website. This way, you can access them at any point and take a sneak peak at all the projects! I'll let you know as we work on this together. I might actually have to cook him dinner once to convince him to do this, but it would be worth it.

Hope you are all enjoying yourselves!
:-)

Another note about homework

While last year, the homework was geared for just practice and building a routine for you and your child. This year, it is based off of Virginia state standards. They are working on building your child's ability to do all the things that are asked of them. They are responsible for all of the work as eventually, they will have to complete the same SOL tests that all children in Virginia are responsible for (these exams are sooner than you think!). I know that everyone's schedules are hard and filled with other things (errands, extra curriculars, other children, etc) but it is important that homework gets done and you are setting the tone now for the rest of your child's schooling.

I've found that for some of the more resistant students, setting a visible schedule of what happens when they come home helps greatly. For example, get off bus, have snack, play game for 15 minutes, homework, set table for dinner, eat, play game, take bath, get ready for bed, read, lights out. If you'd like me to create it as I have a program on the computer that can print icons that may help, please call me and tell me what you'd like on it and I'd be more than willing to create one for you!

Homework should be no more than 10-15 minutes a night if the child is willing to sit right down and get it done. If it is taking longer, please talk to me about it. In no way, shape, or form should they be working for a half hour! You can always adapt an assignment if it's not working. Just jot a note beside it that says "not cooperating and read and retold story instead". It's not a problem. That being said, something should be accomplished every night. I can't just assign reading and retelling since I have to check on the report card that it is done and have to have solid evidence in order to do that.

Please let me know if you have any concerns. We're going to get through it together. :-)

Doing something different this year.....

I want to incorporate more into the homework calendars. That's right folks, HOMEWORK. I know that it's a lot but this year, it's vital. Not only is it vital, but it's on the report cards!

I'm not really going to focus on the same things as last year on the homework, this year, I want to branch out and really incorporate the standards of learning. I'm using a site called
theschoolbell.com and am following their sight word lists. Every month, your child will be responsible for the accuracy of their sight words. Sight words are just that, they should be able to read them upon sight, not first have to sound them out. This will be easier for some than for others. In addition, now that we are all in first grade and some in second, the students are also responsible for the spelling of these words in their writing!

In addition, we're going to have monthly projects for AT HOME. Yes, they have to be done because we're going to display them in class. I'm going to leave one week per month where the only homework is to work on these projects. However, since it's the third week of the month that I'm going to leave (so far anyway as I'm working on the homework calendars for the year this week), you have the option to work on it well ahead of time. I'm not expecting amazing pieces of work (parents/adults may help but please make it the child's project). Again, I know that it's tough and priorities can be elsewhere, but it's time together and feel free to get the whole family involved!

Projects are mainly going to focus around science and social studies standards (for example: September's project is to make a time line of yourself). We're only talking about 5-8 years here but think of things that are important in that time. Maybe you documented when they took their first step, lost their first tooth, went to school, said "mommy" for the first time, broke their first bone, finally got a joke, made a mess of the kitchen. Whatever it is, pick out some great ones together and make it fun! Other projects may include: making a map of a faraway land using a map legend and other elements to be determined, creating a list of rules or "laws" as they are in your house, science experiments of what mixes with whatever and what doesn't, five senses experiment. These are only some that I'm working on developing for home enjoyment. I really want to showcase these projects in our classroom to show what our boys are capable of and with the schedule of therapies, social skills, block scheduling (YAY INCLUSION), and enrichment rotations, some of the more fun projects, have to be shifted home. Again, more will be forthcoming as I work up the calendars this week.

Hope you're enjoying yourselves!

Real Simple-August Edition

There is an article in Real Simple for August about a child with Autism and his family. Rather interesting read. If you want a copy, I have a subscription so just let me know.

Anyway, I have an addition to the school list. Apparently, the science/social studies teacher desires a three ring notebook (I think 1" should be fine since I don't know any differently). Basically, to be safe, if you go to a local store and find the weems list, make sure you have those things (MINUS:crayons, markers, pencils, erasers, composition/spiral notebooks, index cards, scissors, glue). I think that's about everything since our list had mostly everything else that I could think that they would want. If you are wondering if you should pick something up, shoot me an email or give me a call.

On that note, the month of August, I will be in and out of availability. At any time you can feel free to email me it may take me a while to get back to you. Please don't think that I'm ignoring you. Dates of limited (read: non-existant) availability: August 1-5 (not available at all but Mike can take messages if you call); August 7-10 (email will be able to be checked but not phone); August 16-24 (unreachable; so please, email if you need something as phone messages are usually something I forget to check).

In the meantime, I hope that everyone is out and about enjoying your summers! I personally have been enjoying the freedom center in the morning and the nothingness of summer in the afternoon. It's rather glorious but I'm anxious to hear how everyone else is doing!

:-)

I have one photo

I promised photos but I really have none to share from the wedding besides this one. I'll have more hopefully later in the summer, but I figured that I should put one up here (at least for a while)

Also, I just wanted to say that I hope all of you are having a great summer. They are indeed using our room for summer school so there won't be any programs. However, if you have any questions or need any suggestions for things over the summer, don't hesitate to call. I will be at the freedom center most days (at least in the morning) in the pool if you truly miss me that much.

Other than that, rest up, enjoy the heat, and I'll see you all soon!

Things

Report cards come home today.

IEP progress reports should be coming home today or will be mailed tomorrow (my hope is to send everyone's home at the same point which I'm hoping will be today!...it just depends how today goes)

The blog will be periodically updated (like with sales for supplies for school supplies that you might be restocking at home or for other kids....yes, i'm a sucker for a really good sale on school supplies....it's why we hardly need any next year)

Some inclusion teachers have already changed since the last time we spoke about them. It's the nature of teachers leaving, HR, administration, and general trying to figure out a new program. So, I'll get back to you with new teachers. If you were planning on coming in tomorrow to meet them, just stop by our room first.



I just really wanted to take a minute on the blog to say thank you to all of our families for the support this year. Without you, we (Robyn and I) would not be able to do what we do as well. It's truly been a pleasure being partners with all of you and seeing your children grow and progress. As you know, those boys are amazing individuals who make life, well, interesting for sure! Each one of them, Aldair, Patrick, David, Darius, Grant and even Luis and Hendrick, made this year remarkable with what they were individually and collectively able to achieve, overcome, and pursue in their own ways.

Patrick finally made it to the top of the climbing caterpillar where in the beginning of the year he would only watch his friends.

Darius participates in morning meeting actively and loves going to Ms. Mansfield's class to be with his other friends.

David is able to accept others emotions in the classroom and knows that it is okay if someone is sad, it doesn't mean that he has to be sad too. He no longer runs and tries to change their face to be happy. He also makes one great teacher!

Grant now engages friends in play in the classroom and at recess. He can frequently be found with Patrick and David chasing, tagging, and throwing balloons.

Aldair is leaving us to go back to Jennie Dean. His proudest moment he will tell you is giving a report about his favorite topic, Snakes. His prized possession, sticky notes. He's made great progress this year in inclusion and we will miss his smiley face!


All the boys have made huge gains and we couldn't have asked for anything more. Thanks for sharing your children with us and know that we are grateful for the opportunity to do this all again next year!

Last day of school is tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!

Aren't you excited?

Field day was a HUGE success. The boys absolutely loved it and they looked amazing in their shirts!

Tomorrow dismissal is 1:30! Kids will probably get on their buses at 1:15.

:-)

Getting better

Well having antibiotics for an apparent double ear infection and sinus infection sure makes me feel a lot better and more ready for tomorrow than I was for Friday. By the time I was able to crawl into bed Friday night, I was finished. I just got out and about today (and by about, I mean my couch). I'm trying to reserve all my energy for field day tomorrow.

Don't forget: Water bottles and sunscreen. The kids will be eating hot dogs and more.

Tuesday: Last day dismissal at 1:30.

:-)

Things....

1. On Monday, a parent in Ms. Spencer's class is buying lunch for those who are participating in water day. That means, we're offering the boys hot dogs, popsicles, and more. Feel free to not send lunch in if your child will eat this. If they won't eat hot dogs, please send lunch in.

2. Don't forget your 100th day shirts.

3. Please forgive my voice today as I believe I've got an upper respiratory infection/sinus infection but wanted to be at breakfast (and will be calling the doctor for an appointment as soon as humanly possible).

4. can't wait for breakfast later (in like 6 hours). :-)

Reminders:

Tuesday-in school concert performed by 3rd and 4th grade.
Wednesday-school wide celebration red carpet event 1:30pm (kindergarten is first, then first, etc....) We are going in between Kindergarten and First Grade.
Thursday-Sensory time
Friday-End of the Year Breakfast!
Monday-Field Day....EVERYONE SHOULD WEAR THEIR 100th DAY of School shirt!!!!! (also, please make sure your child has a water bottle, and a change of clothes as after field day is over, we're participating with Ms. Spencer's class in Water Day!
Tuesday-Last Day....1/2 day. Dismissal at 1:30!
Wednesday-Meet N Greet Teacher for next year.

carnival

HUGE Success in our classroom.

We played pin the tail on the donkey, our own fishing game, bean bag toss, egg race, don't drop the balloon, parachute time, and more! It was a great time and the boys loved it (and all of their tickets!)

The fishing game was probably the best and it's the easiest thing. Paperclips, foam sheets cut into fish, and a strong magnet tied onto string on a stick (we used a yardstick). The kids would have played this for hours had I let them.

Pin the tail on the donkey was amusing to assess their understanding of left and right. A whole bunch of cheaterpants who wanted to be blindfolded but thought that it would be okay to just move it a little so that they could see! It was hysterical!

Oh, I forgot, we also played clothing pin through the hole which was an old clorox wipe bottle with the lid popped open like you were going to get a wipe and they had to get a clothing pin through it. I was amazed at what lengths they were still able to do it! Great motor skills.

The room was decorated thanks to Mrs. Robertson with balloons (that was yesterday's feat with showing the boys how to blow up balloons) they much preferred to blow them up and let them go so they flew around the room.

Happy evening!

We're having a carnival in class tomorrow (you know, unless there are more tornado touch downs like today).

On that note, the boys did well having to stay in the hall facing the wall with their hands over their heads. Grant needed to sit me with as the thunder was too much for him (I can't say I blame him!) and eventually fell asleep with me rocking him. Just as well since we had been there for quite some time.

Saturday is the school carnival.

Next week we have a concert on Tuesday, "graduation" on Wednesday, and our class breakfast on Friday. (would someone like to bring some fruit? or juice? I'll have bagels (with appropriate toppings), coffee, and probably juice if I don't know anyone else is bringing it). Melanie said that she'd bring something dessert-y which we are very appreciative of. :-)

The week after Monday is field day and we'll be joining Ms. Spencer's class for water time afterwards. Tuesday will be the last day and it's early dismissal. Wow! I can't believe the year is already over.

Hope all is well!

Question....

For an end of year gathering....would you rather a breakfast/brunchy thing where you could essentially bring your child to school that day or a picnic lunch later in the day?

If you could either respond to this blog, email, or call with your preferences, that would be marvelously helpful.

:-)

Hi again

Okay, some things....

Hi, how're you?

Things are going well here.

Some dates:
June 7th: Carnival and Book Fair at Weems Elementary
June 16th: Field Day-Sneakers; water bottles; and bag lunches would be appreciated.

We are still working on securing funding for the summer. Thanks to all your efforts, we are hopeful!

We are learning about things that we typically only eat in the summer. Yesterday, we made smores (in the microwave). We're going to be doing melons and strawberries and things like that. If you have any ideas, please share them!

We're looking at having an end of year picnic where you would all be invited. Most likely not next week but sometime the week after, June 12th in particular. I'll let you know as it gets closer. It's just another opportunity for you to come and hang out with your child at school.

Other than that, nothing much is changing. We're almost finished with all of our end of year assessments. HOORAY!

Apologies and a fairly decent update

For some reason, I've been falling asleep as soon as I get home. I know that your first reaction is to hate me because I can yadda yadda yadda, but when I get a headache, the only thing that will help it is to sleep. So this is my weak apology for the lack of posts. This has been one of the only few days where I'll wake back up instead of sleeping through the night. This also explains why my better half is enthralled in a video game knowing full well that I'm on my way back to bed as soon as I post this.


Things have been going awesomely well in our classroom. We're enjoying learning about our five senses. We are making amazing progress in our reading and math abilities. Socially, we are BOOMING!!! The newest thing is to introduce ourselves (of course, my friends introduce themselves to people they already know...but it's progress that they know that they should tell people who they are and then ask them!) I have to say, looking over the year, these boys have grown expontentially!!! Each and every one of them is doing amazingly well.

Darius and I grew a sunflower plant together that we measured everyday. Darius will tell you that it is a beanstalk that he will climb into the sky just like Jack. We felt bad that as he brought it home today, he bent the stem. Hopefully, it'll be okay! He has also been going to first grade art class and is excelling!

Patrick has been introducing himself to everyone! He, along with his classmates, tried to learn how to juggle today. We will work on it again tomorrow (probably trying tissues as I hear that it is easier to master). His ability to communicate is growing my leaps and bounds as he was able to tell me that it was time to take down his picture from the field trip that had him covered in mud.

Grant is learning to communicate by addressing the person that he wishes to speak to. Last week, he came up to me and said "Ms. Stern, why is the water snake in your hand?" I sent that boy straight to the prize box! We are working on getting him to understand the importance of addressing his audience rather than just moving into their sight line. He's really starting to take off on it!

David has become our morning meeting teacher. As he thrives on order and routine, he has mastered the entire morning meeting session just the way that I would run it! It's amusing to listen to kids pretend to be you so you can hear what it sounds like. The kids have really responded to him being in charge. We just moved things around in the classroom to make the morning meeting area a real focal point of the classroom (it's now where characterland used to be...but no worries, characterland has been moved, not destroyed!)


So, I'll try to update this more. Or maybe I'll make this part of afternoon meeting and have the boys tell me things about their days to tell you. Either way, I'll try to be a better poster and apologize for my lethargic ways recently.


Oh yes, most excellent news about to be announced....


As of right now, our program is STAYING AT WEEMS!!!!!!!!!! That is the official word (although, always possible to change).

:-)

No trouble sleeping tonight!

All our friends had fun today at Old Mine Ranch. From face planting in mud to hayrides and pony rides and the petting zoo, today overall was great!

Everyone came back hot, sweaty, and ready for a good night of sleeping, hopefully!

I forgot to add, June 7th, mark your calendars for Weems Carnival! It should be a grand ol' time!!!

Field Trip Tomorrow

Tomorrow is our Kindergarten Field Trip as long as the weather holds out. We are going to Old Mine Ranch in Dumfries. We'll be gone from 10-2. Please pack a bag lunch and appropriate clothing and shoes.

In other news, things are going well. Everyone did an amazing job on their PALs assessment. There has been so much growth this year!

Other things to look forward to:
May 15th: Volunteer Breakfast
May 23rd: SOL Pep Rally
May 26th: No School-Memorial Day
June 16th: Field Day for Weems


:-) Enjoy!

BAG LUNCH TOMORROW!!!!!!!


We had a practice lock down drill today and our boys did great.

Things are going well.

Sorry I've been busy but I'll update this more soon!

Schedule of craziness this week:

Monday: Welcoming Mrs. Robertson back we hope!
Tuesday: IEP at 9am.
Wednesday: IEP at 9am
Thursday: Field Trip to Explore N Moore 10-2.
Friday: Ms. Stern is out.

I'll be away this weekend so if you need me, email is best.

Remember, 7 dollars are needed by Thursday along with BAG LUNCHES!!!!

Swimming was amazing. Everyone became fishes.

Field trip next week, 7 dollars. Five dollar admission and two dollars for a lunchroom usage fee. We're going 10-2 May 1st.

I'll be sending pictures home soon of firestation/swimming.

:-)

The rumors are true

Luis left us for a new home in Utah. We hope that his family travels well and gets there safely. We sure will miss him in our class.

Mrs. Cassarino came and told my friend Grant today that she too went to the dentist today and he gave her a sticker for being so brave! I sure hope that Grant was that brave for all the teeth counting!!!

TOMORROW is SWIMMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seriously, I can't wait. I of course can't find my swimsuit, but I'm excited (and have others just not the one that I really wanted to wear). Mrs. Robertson won't be able to join us as she is home having thrown her back out over the weekend so we promise to take lots of pictures! Ms. Childers will be joining us as our second adult along with our peer mentors Robbie, Leah, and Melissa. It'll be a great time!


Remember for IEP meetings that there is parental input. We type it in there but if you want to bring some notes with you so you make sure that it's there, that's important. Here's why it's important. This is the document that teachers read to know all about your child. Think of everything and anything that you'd want them to know about your child to make them (the child) a huge success story. As there are no guarantees about teachers from year to year as I'm told, imagine that the teacher next year is a stranger and that this document is going to help them plan accordingly for your child.

If you're up for it, don't forget that tomorrow is family fitness night for k-2!!!

:-)

We are on for swimming. 12-2 on Thursday. Four dollars per student. Bag lunch required.

:-)

Sink and Float

We did a great science experiment yesterday that held everyone's interest for well over an hour (we had some 4th grade helpers!)

First, we fashioned our own boats out of tinfoil and then, we had one tub of water, everyone got a chance to float their own boat as I added paperclips one by one to see how many they would hold. It was hysterical.

The point of the lesson was for them to learn that boats would float better with flatter bottoms and higher walls (so, the canoes went down quickly!).

It was excellent and messy, but worth it!

Some highlites of Friday:

Grant was working on his cube and couldn't put the pieces back together to make the cube so he asked for help. After, I fixed it, he said "You did a wonderful job!" Typically, I would first have to say "what do you say?" and he'd say "Thanks" but instead I got this full sentence.

Patrick played a full on game of catch and chase with Grant, Robbie, and Darius. He was the one to initiate it and everyone played. He's also been in love with setting up the trains so that there is a super train jump for them to make.

Darius has been using excellent words to express his feelings. In fact, he's now a pro at shrugging off the bad stuff, including when Ms. Stern says it is time for math! In addition, we had a long talk about how monsters are pretend and make-believe and he shared this information with many others.

We read the story "The monster at the end of this book" which stars Grover from Sesame Street and all the boys loved it since it asks for big voices, little voices, and all the ones in between. It is still one of my all-time favorite books ever.

We're not sure yet as there seems to have been some mix-up between when the field trip form left our school and getting to transportation because the swimming field trip is the only one that transportation seemed to know nothing about. Good thing that I had to call them to change the times. As a result, I'm not 100% sure at this time that we are indeed going but unless I hear back negatively, we are. I'll be sure to let you know when I do.

Other than that, have a great weekend and I hope you enjoyed the report cards, international night, and all the rest!

Some of my friends got more inclusion time than others as we had two boys who decided to spend the first hour of school in screaming fits. They did fantastically well (those in inclusion)

Next Thursday is the pool. I can't remember how much it will be and I'll try to get a firm answer tomorrow, I hope! It's no more than 8 dollars, but I can't remember. We need bathing suits, towels, (pool shoes if you want), and bag lunches.

Sensory day was a hoot and I apologize for all the messy boys who came home. We only had one friend who didn't like to be messy but he was one of my friends from the morning fits who was just having a long day.

But now, honestly, I'm spent.


Oh yeah, tomorrow night is International Night at Weems. I'm a horrible teacher who didn't send home the fliers so they'll be in the bookbags tomorrow. Sorry about that. We were too messy for everything going on.

Enjoy!

Sensory Day

We're having sensory day today. We're going to, for lack of better words, be playing with our food. Yes, I checked into all the ingredients so we'll be fine.

spaghetti, jello, cool whip, and finally, shaving creme to clean up our messes.

:-)

I do not enjoy three day weekends

for the fact that it's a rough start coming back for the boys.

I was on an interview committee in the morning and so when I walked in at 9:15, Robyn had it under control but thankfully handed them over.

Grant, Darius, and David did a great job in specials. Patrick and Luis had a rough time in PE but I assured Mrs. West that it was because we just weren't used to schedule again yet. (I dread to see what happens after the two weeks off at Christmas time next year!)

We did manage to salvage the day. There's been a lot of interest in magnets and we'll be starting our sink and float unit in preparation for the field trip next week (no worries, everyone will be floating and there will be no option for sinking!) However, if there is more interest in the bathtub with taking things that would normally float and making them sink, this is why.

That's about it. Enjoy!

Most amazing field trip....hands down so far

Today we headed to the firestation. Absolutely amazing. We saw where firepeople eat, sleep, watch tv, and hang out. We watched as Mrs. Robertson and Melissa (one of our peer mentors) went all the way up on the firetruck ladders. All the boys took turns trying on boots and jackets. They climbed into the trucks. And yes, the all took turns using the hose!!! It was great.

We then headed to Harris Pavillion. Yes, I know I said no farmer's market, but we worked our way around it and everyone is okay. Since it is so early in the season, not many vendors were out. We ate lunch in the gazebo and both Patrick and Grant wanted to know where the ice was (Patrick actually tried to skate on the pavillion and instead ran around saying that he was skating.)

The weather was perfect as were the boys.

When we got back to school, we said goodbye to Melissa and a little while later, headed down to an assembly. Oh yes, there was a magician at school today! Magic tied in with reading was had for an hour.

Needless to say, the boys should sleep well tonight!

Remember, no school on Monday for students. Report cards go home NEXT friday.

Melanie-I apologize, I have Grant's applesauce container still at school along with some other things from his lunch that I'll send home tomorrow.

IEPs are right around the corner as well. We're aiming at having them 1-2 weeks before they are actually due to avoid craziness and misfortune (mostly on my part). Also, we are planning them for 8am. If for some reason, 8am can't work, I can be flexible but I'm trying to avoid spending a great deal of time away from the boys and leaving them with subs. I will however provide ample choices in days and will contact you before. Basically from what it seems to me is that in pre-school they were scheduled almost a week to the day apart and so I'm just going in the same order.

As always, if you have any questions, just let me know!

Art Show Tonight!

There is an art show tonight at school starting at 6pm. The book fair is also going on.

We had a rough start to the morning with some of our friends not wanting to be at school so some of my other friends got the chance to go to first grade inclusion time! They loved it.

Next Thursday we'll be heading to the Firehouse. In the afternoon, we have a magician coming to encourage us to read!

I will be leaving early next Friday and won't be available all weekend. Should you need me, try my email but I can't promise that I'll get the opportunity to answer before Sunday night.

April 14th, don't forget, no school for students.

It's almost time for report cards! And then right around the corner is IEP time. Aren't you excited?!?!?!

There is now a page for parental input on IEPs. Basically, I would type it up into the section the day of, but if you want to start writing things down so that you don't forget them, it might be worthwhile.

:-)

FYI

The Manassas Pump It Up is holding a Bounce for Autism to raise funds for the Autism Society of America on April 8th from 5:30-7:30. Entry is donation based with a suggested donation of $10 per person.

Field trip partially cancelled

After severe reactions from food for the past two days, I'm making the decision to cancel the portion of our second field trip that would have been bringing us to the farmers market. I can not take the risk of it hindering the health of one of the boys.

In addition, there will no longer be food in the class beyond lunch time. That means no food for parties, craft projects, food rewards.

For field trips, absolutely NO peanut butter of any kind (that includes the peanut butter crackers, sandwiches, cookies, cakes, etc.). If your child happens to eat peanut butter in the morning for breakfast, please make sure that they brush their teeth.

I know that these may seem like extreme measures but with the magnitude of the situation that I've been in for the past two days with unexplained allergic reactions in one of our boys, I have to ask for these precautions.

If you have any questions and/or concerns, please feel free to email me.

World Autism Day April 2

USAAA is taking it one step further this World Autism Day. While awareness is the first important step in solving the worldwide autism epidemic, the next step is providing solutions. We want to give something to you that you can use today and implement immediately in your journey to help your child.

Visit www.usautism.org/resources, where we are providing some resources from our conferences, to celebrate this day April 2nd, which will be available to download until April 9th. The complimentary resources include presentation papers that may be of help to you now, and an exclusive video that will give you an overview of treatments and interventions for your child.

welcome back

I hope everyone enjoyed their spring break.


The boys for the most part have been doing well getting back into the swing of things.

Allergies, coughs, and runny noses seem to be flying around. Please encourage the boys to cover their coughs and sneezes to keep down the germs.

Mrs. Robertson enjoyed her birthday today and we celebrated with hand made gifts, a photo book, and cupcakes.

Other than that, bowling and pizza on Thursday!

:-)

Tomorrow: Dress Up as your Future Career Day.

Also tomorrow, we're having an Easter Egg Hunt! WOOHOO! We have homemade easter baskets, and ten eggs for each boy.

Friday we're gonna get to see The Easter Beagle Charlie Brown.

Then it's spring break.

The Thursday we come back we're going bowling and pizza. It'll be a great time.


In the meantime, we got a tent in the classroom. That's right, a tent. The boys love it! Grant helped us pitch it (his words) and everyone loves to go in there to read.

Grant and Darius had great days today. They got to go to the prize box to reward the behavior that was right on. My other three friends had okay days today but needed reminding about things such as not throwing mulch, listening to teachers and not running ahead of them in the hallway, and listening during PE. I'm sure it'll be better tomorrow.

All of the boys have been much more verbal today. Especially during our tornado drill today when they were supposed to be silent. I've never heard more about germs in noses than during that time!

Alright, hope you have great nights. I don't know whether I'll update this again until after break, so if I don't, enjoy the week with the boys!

:-)

Tomorrow is Career Day!!!

Tomorrow we'll be joining Ms. Albert's class for career day for three exciting presentations. We have a fire-fighter, Grant's dad presenting his job at Lockheed Martin and Ann King from the VRE. Sounds like a great time.

On Thursday, it's dress up as your future career day. Everyone is encouraged to dress up in an outfit that shows what they would like to be when they grow up.

AAAAAAAnnnnnddd it's Monday

1. The cutest class photo ever in my humble opinion went home today.

2. Four flyers of books went home today to order from Scholastic. They are due back NEXT Friday if you want to order.

3. Orders to get Weems Wear went home today. Those are due back THIS Friday.

4. Next up.....What are your plans for Monday the 24th? Well, might I suggest, come to the best fundraiser around! Weems is teaming up with Manassas Cinemas and we're offering 5 dollars tickets to see HORTON HEARS A WHO!!!!!!! The showtime is 7pm. It's five dollars for each ticket whether it is child or adult. You know you wanna be there!

5. We had a great time with our High school Friends who came to read to us today in costume. It was great.

6. Tomorrow is drop everything and read and don't forget....Wednesday is dress in your favorite character costume!!! :-)

Another week....

I do want to say that the boys really are growing by leaps and bounds. They've matured (although sometimes they don't like to show it), learned a great deal, and are really showing their own personalities a great deal. They are nothing short of their own miracle makers every day. I do cherish each one of them.

Here are fun stories for each:

Grant today was writing on the big white board that is on top of our chalkboard. He's singing to himself "there was an old woman who swallowed a one" and since he doesn't know all the words just yet, he's singing the verses to "there was an old woman who swallowed a fly" and just subbing in the numbers. He's however not writing the new number until the correct verse. He's singing ever so soft that had the other boys been at specials, I would have just thought Grant to be writing during choice time. Absolutely adorable. Of course, I then took him with the little old lady head who can swallow the numbers and helped him sing the song with the words so he could feel successful at this.

David will also say how he doesn't want speech even though he loves it and never wants it to be over when it is. Today, Ms. Lunsford came in before David was back from computer lab since he had it in the afternoon and so there was no time to register that he didn't want speech because he just transitioned right there. As a result, David earned top honors for his first day of no negative talk! Excellent!!!

As I've been reading Dr. Seuss all week and I knew that Patrick particularly loved Horton, I read Horton Hatches an Egg today. Not only was Patrick attentive for the whole story, he was asking the other boys comprehension questions and asking them to predict what would happen! YAY!!!!!!

Darius has been working hard at staying positive and remembering that it's okay to make mistakes. Well, there was an assessment today for him asking about long e sounds. When he worked in inclusion on it, all he wrote were "e" for every answer when it asked for words with the long e sound. When he came back I could see that he was upset and frustrated. We took a walk and didn't talk about it. We came back and I made him sit right back down and I picked up the pen. He turned away from me and I asked him about a couple of words. When he realized what it is that I wanted (he obviously didn't understand the directions originally) he told me the words that could go there. After he finished writing the last word, he said thanks and gave me one of those smiles that just melts me.

Luis has finally really taken finally to sharing and helping. The other day when Grant came in, his zipper was stuck. A couple of days before, Luis' zipper had been stuck and I showed him how to undo it. Today, when Grant came in, before he had the opportunity to do it himself, Luis walked right up to Grant and said, "I'll help you Grant!" and unzippered his jacket for him. Grant said "Thanks Luis! I will hang it up now!" YAY CONVERSATION and HELPING!!!!!


Next week, Ms. West made it so that our boys will get an hour of their own time to go to Rolling Bowling! How excellent, I say!

Enjoy your weekends. :-)

Interims went home today. Again, those check marks are on a continuum (spelling?) for the kindergarten ones and straightforward for the first grade one.

We sat through half an assembly given by the 4th graders about black history month. It was just a lot of sitting for us.

Those magic bottles sure are amazing...as is our new march bulletin board featuring the boys as leprechauns in almost life sized posters!!!

Patrick said today in reference to his poster: "who's that"
Mrs. Robertson: "who do you think it is? Is it Luis?"
Patrick: "No."
Mrs. R: "is it Patrick?"
Patrick: "No, it's a leprechaun!"

Great times.


Rolling Bowling is coming to Weems next week for PE so we get to bowl in PE! How exciting!!!

Enjoy!

magic bottles

In addition to singing there was an old lady who swallowed fly on what seems like repeat, we created magic water bottles today. We used crayon shavings, glitter, and well, water in bottles. It's a great calming thing to help friends when they get upset. I'll let you know if they actually work.


Doctor Seuss next week. Here's what is going on:

OHS Readers come dressed Seussically and ready to read to our students from 10:30 – 10:50. Classes will be combining so that everyone can participate. Teachers grouped with a single teacher can decide which classroom to meet in. Teachers grouped in threes will be assigned a location. Schedule is attached.

Tuesday – For D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read), students will carry a book with them throughout the day and at the sound of the secret code, they will stop what they are doing to read a book. The code will be revealed as part of the morning announcements. D.E.A.R. will happen 2 – 3 times on Tuesday. Students will read for 15 minutes.

Wednesday – Dress as Your Favorite Book Character Day. Students are permitted to wear costumes or other clothing to reflect their favorite story book character. Please discuss this with your students on Friday. A letter will be going home.

Thursday – Buddy Up with Books, with 3rd and 4th grade reading to the younger classes. The time selected will be 10:05 – 10:50. 4th grade classes will split up and read to Kindergarten and 2nd. 3rd grade will read to 1st. Assignments attached.

Friday – Lunchtime Read Aloud with Ms. Burnett and Mrs. Cassarino. If your class has the opportunity to make Dr. Seuss hats during this week (only a suggestion), it would be a great time to wear them.

I neglected this for a week

Sorry about that. I have no excuses for this.

So, I'll give you a brief update on each child:

In no particular order:

Luis is doing well. We are working on increasing sensory input for him to help him be able to focus more (and better) as that is his main difficulty. He reads up a storm and can't get enough visual stimuli into him! He also still loves the listening center with Danny the Dinosaur being his favorite.

David is fantastic. He's counting by 2's, 5's, 10's and can't seem to get enough! He is doing really well with going to specials alone and knows that he has to listen and follow directions. He loves art the most with Mrs. Brannon.

Grant is amazing. He's writing sentences everytime I turn around. That is actually his choice center and he thoroughly enjoys writing in all mediums (markers, chalk, magnetic letters, etc). We are still working on remembering to cap our markers when we are done with them. He's also been engaging kids more to come and play with him.

Darius is spectacular. He's been doing great things including working for longer than the timer is set for and reading like it's his job! His hard work has been paying off in first grade and he was indeed the PE Star of the Week! He was so excited to hear his named announced on the loud speaker and wore his new bracelet with pride! Congratulations Darius!

Patrick's hard work has paid off as he has almost mastered off all his letter sounds in no time at all! He is grasping his letter sounds and using and applying them to reading sight words and sounding them out. He loves working on the computer, especially Math Carnival and our newest addition, starfall.com. All the boys love the website as it makes silly sounds, helps them hear the differences in all the sounds, and tells them a whole slew of words that begin with those sounds.

All in all, the boys really are putting forth amazing efforts. We started in our telling time zone (so don't be shocked if they are able to start identifying these things) For kindergarten, they need to know to the hour (all the o'clocks) and for first grade, they need to know to the half hour. The SOL reads that it can be analog OR digital clocks. I recommend analog (it's what we use at school) but some are still at the digital phase and that is okay!

Interims are coming home soon. Again, if there are any questions, feel free to email me, call me, or ask to set up a conference. I'm available most days from 11-11:45 (there are two days because of the specials rotation that this is not an option and it changes as we are on a 6 day cycle), and after school. I can do before school but would prefer to leave this as a last resort.

Hope things are going well on the homefronts!

Enjoy!

Freecyclers!!!

If everyone could keep their eyes/ears out for kid kitchen equipment (play food, etc) or things for make believe play (dress up clothes, etc) the kindergarten team would appreciate it as they are trying to build a place for all these skills and need equipment.

Also, if anyone knows anyone getting rid of play kitchens, we'd appreciate those as well.

Hope you all enjoyed your long weekend!

A big announcement at the end

1. I sent home the valentine for you to make for your child. Feel free to be as creative as you want to be. After all, if you keep it (since it's going home with your child) then you're going to be looking at it!

2. Valentine's day party on Thursday. We're thinking ice cream and toppings. Anyone want to volunteer anything? Anyone have a better idea? There will be charlie brown's valentine.

3. I'm aiming to have a parent meeting in march. I'm trying at least. We'll see as it gets closer.

4. Starfall.com is a website that we've been using in class for computer time. It's fairly neat as it has options for the boys to be read to or to read themselves and starts at a sounds of letters and works all the way up to stories. In addition, it has all our celebrations!

5. Almost all my friends reached the end of characterland and are starting over again! That means that we've had great behavior, listening, and doing our work! WOOHOO! If your child went to the prize box, that means that they completed character land and are working on another go at it! As they complete it more and more, the prizes are going to get better and better!

6. Don't forget, no school for children on Monday! School for adults, but no children. If you're interested in coming in for a conference, I might be able to arrange for one, but I need to wait to see what they have us scheduled for so it wouldn't be able to be scheduled until probably this weekend and maybe even a touch and go on Monday (sorry, I'm a slave to an agenda that doesn't come quickly).

7.Our big announcement.....

Ready?







Set?






Go!





Our boys are now ALL going to their enrichment cycles....


ALONE!!!!!!!!!


That's right! Mrs. Robertson and I aren't going to enrichments.* The boys are doing an amazing job! They are listening, working, and really trying. Some enrichments are going better than others but the fact is...they are doing it! YAY!!!!!!!! (*we still attend some from time to time depending on the activity but that is more so for an extra set of hands for everyone, not just our boys. In addition, we attend if there has been a problem the class before it (example if they had a problem last PE class, we attend the next one) just to make sure that everything is okay.

YAY!

Enjoy :-)

Fitting....the 100th post on the 100th day (almost)

I went to a conference on Friday and I have to say, well worth the money.

I learned a lot of new things and plan to incorporate a lot of them for our boys.

The one thing that really stood out for me were "power cards".

Basically for younger kids it's a 3x5 index card. On one side, you put a prized character on it (example Thomas the Tank).

On the other side you basically have a mini social story.
Example:

Thomas the Tank is a hard worker. He loves to get all of his work done and be a very useful engine. Sometimes, Thomas makes mistakes. He doesn't mean to and he always fixes them without getting upset.

I'm going to be just like Thomas the Tank. I'm going to do all my work and if I make a mistake, I will just erase it and fix it and move on. It's okay to make mistakes because that is how Thomas and I both learn.


There should never be more than two power cards going on at a time and they should focus on things that you really want them to learn/master.

Anyway, I should go. We moved, I'm tired, and I still have more unpacking to do!

Update on donate to 100

We are already half way to our goal! Impressive! Thanks for all your help so far and please keep sending things in!

I have to go back and pack.

We did indeed have a great day!

Things, Things, and more...Things!

1. Class picture day is Monday, February 11th (aka 100th day of school). Just an FYI and flyers went home if you were interested in purchasing. Please please please please please please please please please send your child to school that day. Our photos are in the morning. (10ish).

2. The 100th day is coming! Monday! WOOHOO! On that note, we've decided to do "donate to 100" and we're hoping that you'll help. Do you have clothes that no longer fit you, your spouse or your children? Do you have toys/videos/games/books that have outlived their lives in your house but still have value? Well, as a class (that's right of only 5!) we want to have a drive that we can help out other families with. We want to have 100 things to donate to goodwill (or a different charity if you know of one). So please consider helping out and talking it up with your kids (maybe they'll pick out a toy that they can give to someone who may have none).

3. We met today with Officer Pavalok about the importance of stranger danger, 911, and wearing a helmet when we ride a bicycle. Please go over these topics at home and stress the importance of knowing who is a stranger and who is someone we can ask for help from.

4. I'll be sending home a valentine (hopefully tomorrow) that is for parents! It asks you to write why they are special and to decorate it and send it back to school by the 14th. I'm hoping that you'll all participate. We will be having a party (ice cream with toppings) on the 14th. If you'd like to volunteer to bring something in, that'd be great! We'll also be watching Charlie Brown Valentine or something along those lines.

5. I'll be out on Friday at a conference and I'm moving this weekend so I'm not really available for communication (in fact, I don't know when I'll have my home line back). If you need something, email me and I'll do the best that I can to get back to you asap. I'll also be sharing out information from the conference to help all of us help our kids!

6. If you haven't sent back your report card folders, please do so. I really don't want to have to waste another one if I don't have to. If you have any questions, comments, complaints, confusions, or even compliments, please let me know. I'm available most days before and after school and can arrange from 11-11:45 some days as well if that works better.

Enjoy!

We've gone back to using character land as behavior mod. I must say, today, it worked really well. Who knows about monday.

We're working on ordinal numbers (first, second, third, fourth....).

6 more days until the 100th! We have a full on countdown in chains for that and valentine's day.

We talked more about the groundhog and seeing his shadow, but I think that they were more interested in the popcorn that they were eating.

Alright, I should go and pack.

Also, if anyone would like to conference about the report cards, feel free to email or call to set up a time (before or after school or between 11-11:45am depending on the day). Please remember that I need those orange folders back but everything in them are yours to keep.

Enjoy your weekend!

Funny Story

Okay, so during morning meeting I wrote on the board "Good Morning Groundhogs" because we have been talking about shadows.

So, when I went to go and read it to the boys, Patrick got very upset and said "no, read it again!"
So, I read it again.

Still upset, he demanded that I read it again. After I read it a third time, he said "No, No, No!...it is Good Morning..."and then full named Grant. Get it. He thought that I misread Grant's full name. Then Luis said "No, Good Morning Luis" and then added his last name.

It was hard to contain my laughter but I was proud that at least it made sense and he thought that I really was messing up!

The boys really have been much more verbal recently.


*Highlites from the past couple of days:
Grant was using the letters on the chalkboard today and when I looked over at him, he had spelled out "I love" and then wrote in chalk "my" and then used letters mixed with some chalk letters "mom and dad". Robyn got him on tape reading this!

Patrick asked friends to play with him so that they could play "steps and escalators" aka "chutes and ladders"

Darius has been reading more and more! Today, he asked 15 minutes before he had to go to inclusion if he could go now. Excellent!

David has been much more sensitive to the other people around him. He is coming out of his shell to make sure that everyone is okay. He loves to make sure that everyone has what they need so that they will be happy. In addition, his reading is soaring, as is everyone's!

Luis is learning to understand that his actions have reactions and how others feel when he makes a choice. He is trying to understand that it's important to have friends and keep them. A good life lesson.


Next weekend I'll be out of reach from Thursday night the 7th through Sunday the 9th. Thursday night my mom is coming to town and Friday I'll be at an all day conference regarding strategies to helping high functioning students who have autism and aspergers. Friday night-Sunday I'll be moving into our new place (a whole .3 miles away from our current place...maybe even less, i haven't marked it).


Things we are talking about and working on:
Sharing (never ending), groundhogs and shadows (we drew ours outside yesterday and then made them dance!), following directions, magnets, counting by 5s and 10s, and more!

Enjoy!

passing on the information

A couple of their sessions seem to look interesting (so far I'm intrigued to see Raun and Valerie's presentations). I figured I would pass this on in case you were interested or wanted to have a gathering amongst yourselves to watch together.

Dear Families, Friends and Colleagues,

We are pleased to inform you that the Autism Orlando Biennial Conference 2008 taking place in Orlando Florida from February 14th - 17th will also be available via EP LiveOnline™ as the events are taking place.

"Autism Through the Lifespan" (www.autismorlando.com) features 22 of the world's foremost autism experts speaking on topics covering the full range of everything that you should know about Autism Spectrum Disorders Across the Lifespan. The program content has been developed by Autism Today and USAAA (US Autism and Asperger Association), and EP LiveOnline will simply be facilitating the ability to access the seminars through the Internet.

We are inviting you, your friends, family and colleagues to participate from the convenience of your home or office. For a charge of only $175 you will be able to attend as many or all the programs as are taking place in Orlando via video streaming. Or, for $24.95, you can access individual presentations.

We urge you to register now for these seminars, to allow sufficient time to get your computers properly set up for the event. Order your sessions immediately by clicking on the following link and following the prompts for registration and payment:
http://www.autismorlando.com/vemics-webcast.htm This link will also allow you to get a glimpse of all of the seminars taking place.

Consider Your Savings & Benefits: Save on expensive plane tickets and hotel stays Save money on gas and transportation Avoid all the greasy, fried food and boxed lunches Learn in a quiet environment, distraction free Know that you children are being looked after Save up to $800.00 just on plane tickets, hotel, food and transportation!

This conference will be available to view live, on line by you, your family, and colleagues from anywhere in the world via EP LiveOnLine in real time! It's Just Like Watching a Live TV Show!

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

The EP Live Online ™ Team
www.epliveonline.com