Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!

We had some funny characters show up today at school.
















From the Computer Lab

Every Monday we have computer lab. We've been working in different programs.
Today Ms. Rolfe taught us how to use Tux Paint.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Friday, October 28, 2011

Welcome Elias & KJ

Elias & KJ have joined our community this month and we couldn't be any happier about that!  Our boys were especially excited, who were outnumbered two to one by the girls in our class.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

PTA Meeting Tonight @ 6

Tonight Ms. Nahurski, our School Counselor, will be discussing the Parent component to our School's  Positive Behavioral Support Program.  This will be a great way to support great behavior from your kid all the time, not just at school.  The fun starts at 6 right here at James John.

Books 2 U!

Don't be surprised if your 3rd grader  comes  home wanting to go to the library tonight
Joaquin and Paul from Multnomah County Library's Books 2 U stopped by our room today and shared some great books with us.


Books 2 U brings some of the best books from our local library into our public school classrooms and then talks them up!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Before You Buy Halloween Candy

Several of you have been asking if our class will be having a Halloween Party one week from Monday.
The short answer is yes, probably.
However, as part of our Healthy Schools Initiative, we are asking parents to provide healthy alternatives to the standard bags of candy.

A few healthy options might be: popcorn, carrot sticks, dried fruit, healthy crackers, chips, rice cakes, hummus dip, celery, string cheese, 100% Fruit Juices, bottled water.  Please no fruit trays- they're way too messy.  PLEASE NO PEANUTS OR PEANUT PRODUCTS

If kids have a costume, they can bring their costume to school and put it on before the party which will be between 1:30 and 2

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Our Favorite Memories of Wordstock.

Our Fabulous Librarian Ms. Rolfe, helped us make a super cool Wordstock Bus.


We filled the bus with all of our Wordstock Memories.


Big thanks again to Wordstock & Our Award Winning PTA for funding this trip.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

See Our Artwork at Girasole Pizza!

Girasole Pizza has kindly allowed us to hang up our St. Johns Bridge paintings in their lovely restaurant.    This Saturday Night they are also hosting a Fund Raiser Concrt for our SUN School Program with The Dreadnoughts  from 7-9pm.

Stop in for supper with your family and thank Emily, Brittany, Jake and all the rest of the fine folks at Girasole Pizza for supporting our School!





Late Opening This Wednesday

This Wednesday school starts at 10.

Monday, October 17, 2011

We Love Our New Soccer Field

Today was the first day we were able to use our new Adidas Portland Timbers Soccer Field.






We all agreed that it's super nice and we can't wait to start playing on it.





Thursday, October 13, 2011

No School Friday!!!

This Friday there is no School.  It is a Statewide In Service for all Oregon Public Schools.  
So go outside and enjoy the great fall weather.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Quiz your 3rd Grader

We've been learning a lot of great stuff in our Social Studies Unit.  
Here are some questions you can ask your 3rd Grader tonight, to get them ready for the big test tomorrow:



  • What was one success of the Linnton Settlement?
  • Who was James John?
  • What does the word City mean?
  • What river flows under the St. Johns Bridge?
  • What was one failure of the Linnton Settlement?
  • Name three things that make our neighborhood of James John diverse?
  • Why are rivers important to the development of a city?
  • What is the name of the neighborhood that you live in?
  • What does the word Population mean?
  • What is the name of the city you live in?

Building Bridges

Yesterday, as part of our Social Studies Unit on St. Johns (and amazing work-sample unit by Ms. Fraser from the University of Portland) , we built the St Johns Bridge.  So far this year, we have drawn and painted the St. Johns Bridge and learned more about it then anyone really needs to know.
Starting last Friday and continuing yesterday, each table group was given supplies, encouragement and little else.  It was great to see the kids working together, problem solving.  This morning your 3rd Grader will be putting the finishing touches on their St. Johns Bridge.  Stay tuned.




































Sunday, October 9, 2011

Wordstock was Awesome!!!

Yesterday we had 68 folks go to Wordstock!  We had a great time, thanks again to Wordstock and our Award Winning James John PTA for getting us there and back!













We were able to have a private, super secret meeting with one of our favorite authors Pseudonymous Bosch.




A few of our kids volunteered to help Mr. Bosch with is talk.




We were able to hear Patrick Carman speak.





Pseudonymous is a very secretive man.


We were also able to get some books signed!




Whole families attended!  Some of them in disguise.




Our super cool friends from Green Bean Books were there!

It was a crazy fun time!