November 1, 2007

A Letter from Ms. Heffron

November 1, 2007

Lately, during lunch hour students from several grades have been playing very energetic 4-Square games. 4-Square, in case you do not know, is an old game played all around the world involving a painted 'court', four players and a large ball. The objective, similar to tennis, is to hit the ball (using only your hands) into another player's area so that it hits the ground within the marked area but in such a way as to make it difficult for the other player to return the ball. Lively and fast paced, there are usually many players lined up along the edge of the game area to rotate into the game when one player gets out. I really like it that kids are playing 4-Square because it is good exercise, it moves quickly so many children can be involved in a short time, and children have great fun inventing new variations. The negotiation that is involved in creating variations gives children opportunities to learn how to compromise as well as encourages their creativity. 4-Square can be played by people of various ages, too, so it can be a fun family or neighborhood pursuit. I encourage you to give it a try with your child!

Before we know it the temperatures will drop and questions will arise about going outside to recess. For your planning, please know that children go out to recess every day unless it is heavily raining or the wind chill is below zero. In order for recess to be a fun time for children, they need to be wearing clothing that is warm enough and that allows running, climbing on the equipment or even hanging on the bars. We greatly appreciate you providing your children appropriate jackets and shoes (and boots and snowpants when it is colder) and reminding them to wear those items to school. Also, for our youngers, it is very helpful that children wear clothing that they can get into and out of themselves.

This leads naturally into the FOUND items we are accumulating here at school. There are bins in the front entryway and downstairs outside the doors to the music wing that are already overflowing with clothing. Please take a look if you think something may belong to your child.

It really helps to label outerwear with your child's name, too, so left behind items can be returned to the owner.

Notes:

• We are already planning for 2008 incoming kindergarteners. If you have a child who will turn four on or before September 1, 2008 and you did not fill out the census form, please call our office to be put on the mailing list for K4 information. The same applies if you know a friend or neighbor new to Cumberland. Please pass the information onto them.
• Bay Ball raffle tickets: There is still time to purchase the tickets that were sent home in Thursday folders. Drop off the stubs along with a check payable to the WFB Public Education Foundation to our office. Questions? Call Alicia at 967-4760.
• Indoor lacrosse for boys 3^rd and up, girls 4^th and up: Each group meets for a one hour session on Sunday afternoon. Details are available at www.hot4lax.com. A limited number of flyers are posted on the board outside our office.
• We continue to need supervisors for lunch/lunch recess. If you can work even one hour a week between 11:20-12:20, we will greatly appreciate it. Training is provided. Please call the office at 963.3943.

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