Hi everyone

With three weeks ’til Winter break things are hotting up around here at the same time as the weather is cooling down.

Please have your child wear layers to school, some sort of woolly hat at this time of year is a great thing to pop in their bag as the wind can be very chilling out there on the playground. Please also keep them focused on being organized, I am trying to do the same at this end, there are many things coming up between now and December 18th so they need to remember a lot which is sometimes difficult for the pre-teen it seems (or for my 3rd grader!)

Congratulations to 5KP for earning points for their houses today and braving the cold to run around outside for our Turkey Trot Race. We had 5 students come in the top ten so well done especially to those super-fast dynamos. Also congratulations to Ale Turner who is now officially the fastest girl in 5th grade…she even beat me!

………. Mr. Hossack, our PE teacher has asked that students wear their House Shirts every Friday to show their school spirit, and those that do will earn points for their Houses.

In Math we are working on Unit 5 and hope to have it finished before the Winter break.

In Writer’s Workshop we are going to look at some free-choice writing where the class write a story for themselves using the skills we learn in class. The kids are really excited about this, they have had enough of

personal narratives for the time being.

In Reader’s Workshop we are focusing on sharing thoughts through responses that students write each week. Your child has a day during the week when they have their two responses due. Ask to see your child’s Reader’s Response notebook to see what they have been reading lately and the thinking they have been doing as they read.

In our Science unit on Health and Nutrition we have been looking at bones and muscles. The students have also kept a running record of the food they have eaten and what sort of exercise they have taken part in over the last couple of weeks. They are having a lot of fun and it should continue as we move into digestion later on this week…always a fun topic with 5th graders!

Here are some notes about other goings on in the school.

December 3rd, Winter Bazaar and General PTSA Meeting 8:30 A.M.
Come to the General PTSA meeting and stay to shop at the Winter Bazaar!  Many vendors will be on hand to help you fill some of those wish-lists!  Booster Club will also be selling our 2010 Spirit T-shirt!  Come and pick up one for your student (and the whole family!) for only 80 RMB, benefiting the Booster Club!

December 3rd is also Treat Day so have your child bring in 5 rmb if they want to buy a yummy snack

December 4th, Giving Tree Program Collection Ends / Donations must be in

December 4th, Friday Night Live!   Come out and support our SAS Pudong Eagles as they take on Concordia this Friday evening, December 4th at SAS Pudong!  Division III and Division II games start at 4:30 pm, followed by Girls Varsity at 5:45 pm and the Boys Varsity at 7:00 pm.  Eurest will be selling hot dogs and other items outside the gym, Boosters will have drinks and baked goods for sale. Students can stay on campus for the games, or bring the whole family out for a fun evening!  Activity buses will run at the conclusion of the Boys Varsity game.

December 7th through December 11th Santa’s Workshop

December 11th is the last day for our second hand clothing drive. Please dig deep for this one, it is a cold time of year for so many people and any extra clothing we can give to them would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for the huge response last Wednesday, it was so exciting seeing so many items of clothing and also toys etc come in for people less fortunate.

December 18th – half day for students and teachers and the beginning of winter break.

Volunteers still needed in the Eagle Shop:  The Eagle Shop team still need volunteers to work at the store on Friday.  It’s a great way to help the school and our kids!  You can sign up at any time that is convenient for you…The shop is open from 11:00 – 1:30.  If you are interested please contact Hina Farooqi at hinaharis@gmail or on her mobile at 13601665122.

Volunteers still needed in the Library: The library is still looking for “Helping Hands” to reshelve books.  You can come any day, any time and for as long as you would like.  If you are available to help please contact barbara.boyer@saschina.com.

Enjoy December…