Well…….we did it. We finished the whole series. I was a bit sad yesterday as we read the last 2 chapters….all of us wearing our Junie. B. Jones purple glasses and big hair bows…..

Barbara Park, the author of the Junie B. series graduated from The University of Alabama with a degree in Education. She has other books for older readers, too. You’ll have to check them out! 🙂  Most people have very strong feelings about Junie B. They either love her or hate her. The people who do not like her list a whole myriad of reasons….and her language is one of them. I do admit that I change the words or leave some out if they are too offensive. For instance, in the very first book we quickly have to change the word “stupid” to “silly”……because in first grade world……”stupid” is the “S-word”.  🙂

Bad words aside, Junie B.’s thought processes are right-on in terms of how little 5-7 year olds think. She’s just like every little boy and girl I have ever had. We love Junie B. We think she might be real…….and she has inspired many reluctant readers and been the introduction to Chapter Books for many many little children. She’s silly, she’s funny and she shares my phobia of clowns……..

There will be many many other series of Chapter Books in your children’s futures. Magic Tree House (we are starting that next), Hardy Boys, A-Z Mysteries, Nancy Drew, Little House on the Prairie, Ready Freddy, Geronimo Stilton, Harry Potter….oh, the list goes on and on….but Junie B……Junie B was our first…….she taught us how to enjoy a series. How to read in order. How to anticipate the next book. How to watch a character grow and develop right along with us. Doing the same things, having the same hopes, dreams and fears…..We love you Junie B……..we can’t wait to see if there is life after Dumb Bunny……..Hurry and write more for us Barbara Park……we are antsy for the next adventure……….we already miss our friend……

Parents, thank you for letting me introduce your children to the magic of reading through the Junie B. Jones series……the delight and joy and laughter I shared everyday with your children and Junie B. was simply priceless…….

Please enjoy this site with your children. We had a ball with it yesterday.

http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/junieb/

Happy Easter, Smart Bunnies! Alicia (who gets paid to do this………..)

In addition to celebrating Junie B Day tomorrow we will be wearing our PJ’s to school as well. Boys, you are off the hook on the striped shirts….girls, you may wear your big bows with PJ’s if you’d like……We are going to read read read and you are all going to teach me what you learned on your adventures! I missed you all and cannot wait to see you again in the morning.

Sleep tight…..roll outta bed….brush your teeth and come to school in comfy PJ’s (don’t forget to bring your shoes for PE).Nighty night loves……see you in the morning.

Your Munchkin is bringing home his/her blue ocean animal shirt today. Please make sure he/she is wearing it for the trip tomorrow. It helps us find one another in such a big place.

See you in the morning…..bright and early….wearing your ocean shirt!  Thanks! Alicia

Here’s what you will need:

Lunch for your child and a drink.Pack it in a gallon ziplock bag. If you are riding the bus, pack your lunch and drink in a gallon ziplock bag. Label it with your child’s name. Use a sharpie. This will go in the lunch cooler. Don’t pack a ton of stuff for the kiddos. They are usually too excited to eat. Make sure everything can be thrown away. No thermos bottles, Nana’s silver, or special bottles or cups. It must be disposable.

Next, pack a SNACK and a drink for your child(and yourself if you are riding the bus) in a different gallon ziplock bag. Label it with your child’s name. Use a sharpie. No thermos bottles, Nana’s silver, or special bottles or cups. It must be disposable. This will go in the snack cooler.

If your child is riding in a car with you on the way home you MUST let me know today. You MUST also check  your child out, using your signature, with Mrs. Suttles (RQES 5th grade teacher) BEFORE you can take your child in the car. PLEASE do not make me have a heart attack by taking your child without signing him/her out….

If your child is riding the bus home….great! You don’t have to do anything special!

We will eat at McDonalds on the way home. Mrs. Suttles has the folder with the orders.

Ohhhh! They are sooooo excited!  We cannot wait! Alicia

As many of you know, I have been dealing with a horrid back problem for more than 2 weeks now.  I haven been to therapy almost daily for the past 2 weeks and will continue this week. I have an MRI scheduled for Friday because it is believed that I have a ruptured disc. YUCK. All I know is….I have been in constant pain and am so ready to have my life back. Your sweeties have been so kind to their poor crippled teacher and graciously pick up things that I drop, they move books to and fro, and help clean up center materials without complaint. They know that I just can’t do it….even though sometimes I forget and try to do things I shouldn’t. The fieldtrip last Friday to see Cinderella at the BAMA theater almost did me in. The bus ride plus sitting for an hour and a half in the theater made walking later especially difficult and painful. Honestly, I was glad we dismissed early so that I could go home because I hurt so badly.

All this is to say…..the doctor will not allow me to go to Atlanta for our fieldtrip on Wednesday. I am devistated. But in my heart, I know that he is correct. I doubt seriously that I could make it there and back and still move the next day. He is also not allowing me to ride in the car 2 hours on Easter to see my family. 🙁 I am not a happy girl. But, since I do want to get better and make this insane pain go away, I must follow his orders.

Now, before you panic about the trip, let me put your mind at ease. This is a very easy trip. I compare it to going to CHOM. It is not difficult. It is not rushed. It is not stressful. Almost every child who is going has a parent going too. If you are not going with your child, I will assign your child to another parent. Each adult will only have their child and POSSIBLY one other to keep up with. It is not a “teacher guided” trip, and honestly, last year, the child that I escorted and I only saw others from our class if we ended up at the same exhibit at the same time. You really won’t need me there….I promise……but I sure hope you miss me. Also, in addition to Ms. Nevin (who is your children’s “Other” teacher), we will have 2 Rock Quarry Staff members helping with our class. Mrs. Suttles and Ms. Polion are both attending with their children. All 3 of these ladies will have a complete list of what’s what and who’s who. It will be fine….I promise. If you have walked around any place with your child and a friend then you know what you’ll need to do at the aquarium. Each parent will get the daily schedule, and all you have to do is show up at the right time and check in with Ms. Nevin when you get there. It’s that easy.

Since I am not allowed to go on the trip, I have volunteered to have ocean/zoo enrichment day for all first graders not attending the trip. (We will also have a few kindergartners with us, since kindergarten goes to the zoo that day). So if you were planning on staying home, you are still welcomed to do that…..but if you want to come to school…..I will be there…..hobbling about…..and I’d love to have you with me.

I will be at Rock Quarry at 5:30 to get you all settled in with lunches and snacks and to see you off. Please let me know if you have any questions. I feel like I am letting you down…..just know that I am as sorry about this as I can be……The Ocean is my favorite thing to teach and I hate that I am going to miss seeing it all through the eyes of my children…..

Alicia

Aquarium Trip Notes

• Each child and chaperone will need a sack lunch and two canned or boxed drinks.  To avoid keeping up with lunchboxes, etc., please pack lunches in a disposable bag/baggie.
• Be sure to label lunch bags and both drinks.
• Dress your child in tennis shoes (no chancing broken sandals, etc.) and comfortable clothing.  We’re making t-shirts to wear here at school.  We’ll send the shirts home a day or so before the trip. 
• Allow your child to bring something for entertainment on the bus — books, small handheld games, headphones/music, etc.  Your child will be responsible for keeping up with these items (just on the bus). If you think it’s too big/bulky, DON’T. J
• If carsickness is an issue with your child, please let us know now.
• Chaperones, you will help your group with an assignment; so, be prepared to carry/keep up with a paper/clipboard.

Proposed Itinerary

5:30-6:00 a.m. CST – Board Bus

6:00 a.m. CST – Depart for Atlanta

11:00 a.m. EST – Arrive at the Aquarium

12:00 p.m. EST – Deepo’s Wondershow in the 4D Theatre on 2^nd floor of the Aquarium

12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EST- Self-guided tour of Aquarium

3:00 p.m. EST – Dolphin Tales

4:30 p.m. EST- Board Bus to return to Tuscaloosa

Eat at McDonald’s

Return to Tuscaloosa approximately 8:00 – 8:30 p.m. CST

OK folks- Here it is! Dismissal schedule due to bad weather!

………….29 more………….

Tick………Tock……….                       🙁       …………..Tick……………Tock

Egg Hunt!!

  On Friday, April 22, we are planning an egg hunt. We need your help!  Please send 1 dozen candy-filled.  Please do NOT send chocolate. It will melt in the sun and make a HUGE MESS. Then we will have sad children. Please tape the eggs shut so they do not break open! The children will need to bring a basket for the egg hunt. This fun will begin at 1:45.

If you can help with this event, please send me a note. Parents that can help hide eggs will need to arrive at 1:00.

Thanks for your help.