Field Trip to Dana Point : Thank you to the many parents that volunteered to go to Dana Point with us! I wish we could take everyone with us! Remember Rancho Days are coming, and we will really need your help for that field trip. Everyone can go to that one! Congratulations to the winners of the drawing: Mrs. Stanford, Mr. Swift, and Mr. Comacho. We begn a novel called By the Great Horn Spoon written by Sid Fleischman. It is an adventurous story filled with great historical events such as the Gold Rush! We will be integrating lots of science, social studies and fine arts into this unit. Our Field Trip to the Ocean Institute in Dana Point will also be an intricate part. Our trip is Feb. 11 from 7:00 to 4:30. Please let me know if you would like to join us. We are allowed three parents per room.

Thank You! Thank you all so much for the many wonderful gifts you gave me for the holiday break! I have had such a good time going to Starbucks (and will continue to go for a long time with all the great cards!) and the movies. I love the warm, cozy throw, great decorations, beautiful braclet, yummy treats and candles, and wonderul perfume! Thanks also for all the touching cards and warm wishes for my daughter, Kelly! She is recovering well from her surgery which kept us in the hospital until Christmas Eve! She is ready to go back to school and will continue to have treatment this winter with some radation. We feel so fortunate to have all of you in our corner!!

Fitness: 100 mile club began on Oct. 16. Many of our students are well on their way to completing the first milestone of 25 miles! We have added an additional time on Wednesday after they eat their lunch when the students may choose to gain miles. Ask your child about how many miles he/she has walked (or run).

Homework: students will be using agendas from now though high school. Agendas help us develop the life skill of planning and keeping track of important dates. This is especially important as long term assignments tend to increase in the upper grades. Feel free to check out your child's excellence in writing down his/her assignments and give helpful hints when needed.

Reading: Does your child know how to earn a "4" in lit logs? Just ask her/him. In fourth grade, your child is learning how to evaluate his/her own work.

I am so proud of the hard work our class has shown in regards to reading!! We had a great day of reading last Wednesday. The students had plenty of time to read and take quizzes. They were really excited today when they got to see how much work they have accomplished on their goals! Some requested an increase in their AR goals for the second trimester!

With a record of 84% of our class meeting their 1st trimester goals, I am quite proud of their accomplishment! Now that we have figured out how lit logs work and the discipline it takes to read consistently, I am confident that 100% of our class will reach their goals by the end of the second trimester. You can help your child by looking at his/her reading record and making sure it is current. Remember that you can also access and monitor your child's AR progress, but students can only take quizzes at school. You can send your request through the AR website at http://ar.cusd.claremont.edu, through the AR link at the library website at ConditCondor.com, or LChristenson@CUSD.Claremont.edu.

On a final note, please remind your child to wash hands frequently at school and at home. I try my best to instill this necessity, so a little urging from you is so helpful. We have had many illnesses even this soon into the school year.