One School One Book!

Dear Kindergarten, First Grade and Second Grade Parents:

Welcome to One Book, One School season! We are excited about our selection, Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. Here is a synopsis (click here) of the book. I am writing to you to let you know that there is a reference to alcohol in the book that you may want to read through before you read aloud to your child or have your child read independently (pages: 29 and 95). I did find an interesting blog written by a parent who read it to a four-year-old boy that you may want to read HERE. It gives a pretty thorough account of the experience and observations of reading this book to a younger child. We hope you enjoy the book! Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Author Visit

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Steve Antony will be here on Friday, February 17th to introduce our students to his new book, I'll Wait, Mr. Panda. If you would like to purchase a signed book for your child, please submit the form below with a check payable to Mann PTO by Friday, February 10th. As always, purchasing a book is entirely optional and whether or not you purchase a book will have no impact on your child's experience with the author.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Kathy Rolfes | Teacher Librarian

Pasta for Pennies!

Mann School student council has started a fundraising initiative! See below for more information! The link to our classroom donation page is HERE! Thank you!

P.A.C.K week is coming!

Week of March 13-17 is PACK Week! 

What does P.A.C.K stand for anyway? Pack Assorted Colors for Kids!

Pack Week is intended to help introduce children to new fruits and vegetables that they might enjoy. The food service is participating and I hope that all those kiddos that bring a cold lunch from home will join us! I encourage the children to bring a new fruit and/or vegetable that matches the color AND wear that color for the day! 

Monday, March 13 - Pack Purple / Blue

• Plums
• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• Raisins
• Purple grapes

Tuesday, March 14 - White / Tan / Brown

• Banana
• Pear
• White peach
• Cauliflower

Wednesday, March 15 - Pack Red

• Cherries
• Raspberries (yummy! My favorite!)
• Strawberries
• Red pepper slices
• Tomato wedges

Thursday, March 16 - Pack Yellow/Orange

• Carrots
• Apricots
• Peaches
• Pineapples
• Nectarines

Friday, March 17 - Pack Green

• Kiwi
• celery sticks
• cabbage
• sugar snap peas
• broccoli 

Exciting Service Opportunity!

Mann School is participating in an EXCITING service opportunity! Please see below for more information!

SPaRKS December Newsletter!

Curious at to goings on in the special areas of art, Spanish, gym, music and library? Check out their December newsletter here!

Order of Things!

In room 108's hallway we are practicing putting on our winter gear in an efficient and independent manner. Here is how we practice putting on and taking off. You may want to have the same routine at home for consistency. I also encourage each child to have an extra pair of socks in their locker, just in case we get wet socks as we are getting unbundled after recess play. In addition, you may want your child to keep their gym shoes in their locker so they are always at hand for gym days. {Thursdays & Fridays}.

Getting ready to go out and play...
1. shoes off
2. snowpants on
3. boots on
4. jacket on, zip all by myself
5. hat, scarf, and gloves

Coming in from playing...
1. gloves, hat, scarf off
2. jacket off
3. boots off
4. snowpants off
5. shoes on {I can tie all by myself!}
6. boots go on the bottom of our locker {so we don't get everything wet} and hang up our coat and snowpants

Daisy Scout Food Drive!

FIRST GRADE FOOD DRIVE

The first grade Girl Scout Daisy troop at Mann is launching a food drive for the Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry from Friday, November 11th through Friday, December 9th.  Over 1,400 families in our area rely on donations from the food pantry each month.  1 in 6 people in Cook County struggle with hunger and we want to help make a difference. 

Each classroom will have boxes/bags to fill with donations that are brought in over the month.  Monetary donations are also accepted and for every $1 donated provides $10 worth of food!

Items needed:

Beans, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Cereal, Pasta, Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables, Macaroni and Cheese, Pasta Sauce, Rice, Snacks, Soup, Diapers, Baby Food, Formula, etc!

Any questions?  Email meganelsener@gmail.com

Thanks for your help!

Girl Scout Troop 45140

Mann School Blanket Drive!

Mann School will once again participate in the second annual Oak Park and River Forest Community Blanket Drive. Donate new or clean (very lightly used) blankets and comforters for overnight shelters and transitional housing. Donate sleeping bags for street outreach. Our goal is to collect 100 or more. Between November 1st and 13th, please send your items to school. We will have a donation box in the lobby. Thank you!

Box Top Collecting!