McMichael's MindQuest - mrsmcmichaels5thgradefocusclass

Hello FOCUS friends,

It was so nice to see my students again after Spring Break.  Everyone looked well rested and ready to dive back into learning!

This week in FOCUS the students:

• should have brought home an invitation to the Renaissance Festival.  We plan to meet at the Joust Arena at 2:30 NEXT Saturday, April 23^rd.  Please email me if you plan to attend. 
• illustrated one of Shakespeare’s famous phrases
• worked on Thinking Skills

Next week in FOCUS the students will:

• present their illustrated phrases
• learn about Shakespearian insults
• work on Thinking Skills

Here’s a little something from Barnes & Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/email/nav.asp?r=1&PID=37900&cm_em=debbie_mcmichael@gwinnett.k12.ga.us&cm_mmc=Non-Member-_-Generic-_-110414_NF01_GENERIC_COUPON_20-_-coucounmt2

Speaking of Shakespeare, here’s a coupon to Medieval Times:

http://links.email.georgia.org/servlet/MailView?ms=MzQxODMyMwS2&r=MjI5OTA1Nzk1OTAS1&j=MTA3NTgyMzAyS0&mt=1&rt=0

… and here are a few more things to do in our beautiful state this month:

http://recp.rm04.net/servlet/MailView?m=3398915&r=MjI5OTA1Nzk1OTAS1&j=MTA2OTc0NzkxS0&mt=1%20

NEWS YOU CAN USE:

• Last Chance to Register for the Mill Creek Student Writing Institute.  Don't miss out on the fun this summer!  Read! Write! Meet a famous author!  Registration has been extended by one week.  Please fill out the form and send it in (with your check) to your homeroom teacher this Friday, April 22^nd.  You will find the application on the "documents" section of my home page.
• Puckett's Mill shoe drive: April 18 - 22.  Could it be time for spring cleaning at your house?  If so, when you find old tennis shoes, alone or in a pair, please donate them to the PMES Shoe Drive next week.   We cannot accept sandals, Crocks, or anything other than tennis shoes.  Thank you for supporting the Earth during this Earth Week collection!

• We have extended our canned food drive one more week. All the canned food will be donated to the Hamilton Mill UMC food pantry.  Please encourage your child to bring in canned food until next Friday (4/22).

Stay dry this weekend,

Debbie McMichael

Happy Field Day Friday!

What an awesome day!  I was so excited for ALL of my students!  I know I’ll hear all about the trophies earned by my Thetford readers in the field events and my Southard children in tug-of-war!  Everyone did a great job today!  I hope to post pictures soon. 

Also Sci/TECH night!  What an incredible evening!  I hope you had the opportunity to stop by and learn something cool!

Please don’t forget that the Osborne Middle School Parent Night is on Monday.  I also hope you will consider one of the music programs for your child.  Here’s an article that gives information about the link between music and academic success:

http://www.cerebromente.org.br/n15/mente/musica.html

What is your opinion of visiting the Renaissance Festival on the Saturday before Easter?  Would your family be able & interested in meeting as a class at the festival on Saturday, April 23^rd? Check out their website: http://www.garenfest.com/index

This week the children received their FINAL Thinking Skills goal packet for elementary school!  The Gold Medal Party for 3^rd quarter winners will be this Wednesday, March 30^th during lunch.  If your child is attending the party, I hope you will consider donating a 2-liter soda and/or dessert. The 3rd quarter Gold Medal winners are: Addie B., Avery G., Cammie R., Danny M., Gouri R., Hannah S., Hayley C., Jason R., Jenna E., Laurel A., Libby H., Lucas P., & Tanishq S.

Congratulations to the following students who earned 4s in both Thinking Skills and Unit this quarter: Addie B., Anna G., Avery G., Bailey M., Braxton G., Cammie R., Colton L, Danny M., Gouri R., Hollyann W., Jarrod W., Jason R., Josh H., Laurel A., Lucas P., Sammy G., Tanishq S., & Zach C., These students went BEYOND expectations!

Notes for the week:

• Congratulations to our FOCUS friends from the PMES Odyssey of the Mind team who are advancing on to State Competition: Ben B., Caroline L., Bailey M., & Lucas P.

• Earth Hour is this Saturday: Earth Hour 2011:  It’s time to go beyond the hour.  At 8:30pm on Saturday March 26^th, lights will switch off around the globe for Earth Hour.  www.earthhour.org.

• Zoo Atlanta: Reading can sure pay off! Here is a great deal to visit Zoo Atlanta for free! Zoo Atlanta is teaming up with the Georgia Public Library Service to give Georgia families a completely FREE family pass to the Atlanta Zoo! The family pass allows for 2 adult passes and 2 children passes. To get your free pass, you must hold a valid Georgia library card and head to your local library to “check out your pass.

This week in FOCUS the students:

• started work on new Thinking Skills goals

• finalized their vocabulary, content, props, and skits for next week’s presentations.

Next week in FOCUS the students will:

• Present the information they are responsible to teach to the class: All about Shakespeare, the era/time period of Shakespeare, Theatre during his lifetime, and Clothing of the Renaissance.

• Work toward a Gold Medal in Thinking Skills.

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

One more week until Spring Break … did I say that?

Sincerely,

Debbie McMichael

Happy Friday,

I hope march is finding you relaxed because the schedule is just about to kick in!  See last week's newsletter for important dates.

Please read Mrs. Farmer’s Message From the Mill this week.  There is a letter about the Osborne Parent Night on Monday, March 28^th.  There are meetings for parents who received the AC Math letter at 6:00, and all gifted parents will meet at 6:30.  The formal presentations begin at 7:00.  This is a very informative night, especially if you have not had a student attend middle school.

I’m excited to announce that Tanishq Sandhu was selected as Puckett’s Mill’s Gifted Student of the Year!  Thank you to all of the wonderful students who submitted applications.  I understand it was a hard decision; I’m just glad I didn’t have to do it! 

This week in FOCUS the students:

• worked the final week of Thinking Skills.  I will accept the March Monthly Challenge until next Friday, March 18^th – several students SAY they will bring in their challenge!  Gold Medalists so far: Addie B., Cammie R., Jason R., Tanishq S. … and from the students who just joined us: Hayley C., & Libby H.  AWESOME!

• Some students Cracked the Code on Waste Water, and others finished up Similes.  With the alternate Specials schedule this week and the Writing test last week, we just tried to wrap up what we had time to complete in each class. 

• Your child should know his/her final grade in FOCUS & Thinking Skills.  You should see the updated Assignment Log go home next week.

Next week in FOCUS the students will

• Update the Assignment Log to close out 3^rd quarter.

• Begin Shakespeare with a history of the time period performed by our students (this will take two weeks)

• SCAMPER to solve a real world problem
• finish the longitudinal study of what they will look like in 40 years - dependant on their diet.

As part of the 5^th grade Achievement presentation, Mrs. Walton would like to do a 5^th grade student’s top 10 reasons they will miss Puckett’s Mill.  Sort of like a Letterman’s top 10.  Parents can e-mail their child’s top 10 reasons to kwalton@hrinc.net. 

I hope you have a great weekend,

Debbie McMichael

Happy Carnival weekend!

Hello to our new FOCUS family members!  This week all of our classes grew as we added 16 new students to the PMES gifted program. The experienced students had fun showing our new friends how we do things in FOCUS.  There will be a learning curve for a few weeks, so by the time the new quarter begins, everyone will be on the same track!

Please be sure to update your calendar as March brings us so many events!

• March 5 – Sparky’s Carnival!!  I hope to see y’all there!  Stop by the popcorn/ticket spot in the cafeteria between 12 – 1 to say hello!  Remember that this is a RAIN or SHINE event. 
• March 10 – Health Extension due.  Your child cannot make an E in Health without completing this assignment.  Please encourage your child to work toward the highest level of achievement!
• March 18 – Movie Night here at PMES; also known as Date Night for parents. 
• March 22 – All Pro Dad b-fast for 3-5
• March 22 – Stars & Strikes party for 5^th grade.  I posted the order form on the homepage of my website.
• March 23 – 5^th graders visit Osborne during the school day.  I’m sure our ladies (and some guys) will want a new outfit for this one!
• March 24 – Sci/TECH night.  Please come to this awesome event! 
• March 25 – 5^th grade Field Day @ Mill Creek HS. 
• March 28 – Osborne Parent Night at 7:00.  There will be a special meeting for parents of Gifted students at 6:00.  More information will go home in your child’s folder closer to the event.

This week in FOCUS the students:

• worked on Thinking Skills.  Only one week left!  The March Challenge has been posted.  We have two Gold Medalists so far: Addie B. and Jason R. – awesome work!!

• created similes for water … a geyser is like a child talking back to a parent, they both involve spouting off. 

• finished their longitudinal study of what they will look like in 10, 20, and 40 years if they continue the diet that are currently eating/drinking (alkaline, acid, neutral).

Next Week the students will:

• finish up thinking skills

• crack the Code for Waste Water Treatment

• visit the Treasure Box

If your child qualified for the Advanced Content Math class for middle school, you should have received a letter in your child’s folder last week.  Qualification was based on fall test scores for the CogAT & ITBS, as well as current grades in math.  Please be sure to return the permission form as soon as possible.  Even though the form says to fax to a person at Osborne, you may return that form to your child’s teacher. They are also collecting forms for delivery to Osborne.  If you faxed the form, all is well.

Mrs. Farmer has asked us to designate a specific snack time for our classes.  The 5^th grade has decided upon 4^th rotation, which is the last class of the day.  That means there will be no more snacking during AC Reading or morning FOCUS classes.  So, if you hear, “My teacher didn’t let me have snack!”  you will know the whole story.  Mrs. Farmer is also concerned about the content of snacks and will be addressing this with the students on the morning news.  Please read the Message From the Mill in the next few weeks to see what she has to say. 

Speaking of the Message From the Mill.  Mrs. Farmer posted information from last week’s Motivation Workshop.  I hope you have had the chance to take the survey with your child to see what motivates him/her.  If you are new to FOCUS, please check out last week’s newsletter for more information on what motivates our children.

Please allow me to piggyback another note from the Message From the Mill.  As March Madness approaches, we rev up for CRCT.  Your child will have the ability to take practice tests on the OAS site.  This is a valuable tool to predict how your child will fare on the CRCT.  As Reading teachers, we are also offering a “Minute To Win It” game competition.  Practice is important for all students. You may have noticed that the easiest tests sometimes cause the most difficulty for gifted children because they may try to read all kinds of things into basic questions or decide it's so easy that they make careless, costly mistakes.  I hope all students will take the evaluation very seriously and prepare during this next month.

In January I sent home information about the Duke TIP Program.  Since we have some new friends for this newsletter, I just wanted to mention that it’s not too late to sign up for the Duke Talent Identification Program.  You will need your child’s test scores from this fall’s testing.  You can email me if you have misplaced that information.  Visit this website for more information:

http://www.tip.duke.edu/talent_searches/grades_4-5/benefits.html

school code:263902 GE

As part of the 5^th grade Achievement presentation, Mrs. Walton would like to do a 5^th grade student’s top 10 reasons they will miss Puckett’s Mill.  Sort of like a Letterman’s top 10.  Parents can e-mail their child’s top 10 reasons to kwalton@hrinc.net. 

NEWS YOU CAN USE:

You are invited to the 2^nd annual Sci/TECH Night at Puckett’s Mill: Thursday, March 24^th, 6:00 – 8:00 PM.  The night will begin at 6:00 with a “Going Green” show by Arthur Atsma.   After that your family will rotate through three self-selected events while learning about the brain, astronomy, bugs & insects, the science of fencing, tortoises, chocolate making, first aid, healthy eating and much more!  Check out the brochure on the PMES website to choose your learning walk for the night!  We’ll see you there!

March 18 Movie Night 5:30 – 9:00 PM

Parents don’t miss the chance to have a Friday night to yourselves.  Take some time to see a movie, shop  or have a relaxing dinner out while your child has fun watching “Despicable Me” at PMES under the supervision of our wonderful PMES teachers.  Students will have fun and receive pizza and a drink all for only $15 per student. ($10 for each additional sibling)  You will be receiving flyers this week in your Friday Folders.  Thanks for supporting Relay For Life!

Get out and visit our beautiful state this spring!

http://recp.rm04.net/servlet/MailView?m=3355350&r=MTg2MzQxNjAwMzQS1&j=MTA1NjA1Njk1S0&mt=1%20

I hope to see you at the carnival!

Fondly,

Debbie McMichael

Hello FOCUS families,

Spring is in the air! It’s that time of year when 5^th grade-itis begins to set in.  Perhaps you have seen 8^th grade-itis in your middle schooler or senior-itis in your high schooler; well, 5^th grade is no different.  Our children see that their days are limited in this wonderful school, so they begin to lose some of their hard-earned work ethic.  Please help your child be successful these last few months by staying on top assignments posted in the Go Portal, checking the agenda book and binder, and keeping up with homework assignments.  They really do STILL need you (doesn’t that feel good to know?).

Mrs. Farmer visited my class the other day, and she noticed that several students did not have homework (the data/diet spreadsheet).  When she asked me, I told her that I was concerned about my students’ work habits.  I put notes in the newsletter, I send home surveys, I guide the students to update the Assignment Log … but often work still does not get completed.  I am sincerely concerned about my students’ progress and work ethic because I KNOW that it will catch up with them in middle school - maybe not 6th grade, but it will reveal itself.  I’m so concerned about my kids that I attended the Motivation Workshop hosted by our Puckett’s Mill counselors (I was happy to see a few of my students’ parents there too).  I posted some information on the homepage of my website, middle of the page – Motivation!  Please take a few minutes to get to know your child by giving the survey to see what drives your child toward success.  Then view the PowerPoint for pointers on how you can motivate your child based on his/her driving force!  Here’s what I learned about our children:

• Think about what DRIVES you in your life?  Has that changed from when you were a child?

• Try to avoid power struggles. "Open the door, and leave it open" to avoid fighting because this compromises the parent/child relationship.
• Give choices that are real, so the child feels empowered (NOT – you have two choices: clean your room ~OR~ get grounded. RATHER – pick everything up off the floor ~OR~ make your bed and straighten your desk.  This way at least a portion of the room is getting organized; the child is empowered by choice, and there doesn’t have to be a negative consequence).

• Be sure to help your child budget her time so she can feel success

• After your child works the survey, and you determine his motivation strategy, make a Mystery Motivator box. Let the child write some rewards on paper, put the rewards in a box, and then pull a Mystery Motivator card from the box when it has been earned.  You know the reward will be motivating because your child thought of it! 

• Tell your child what you did today; motivate your child to tell you what she did today.

• Talk to your child and learn who he is!

Goals for homework:

• Be aware of what assignments are due and when
• Only positive feelings (or neutral) should happen during homework time

• Only help when help has been requested.  Then, offer to show the child how YOU would do the problem.  NOT this is HOW you do the problem.  Ask the child, “How did your teacher teach you to do it?”  If the child cannot answer this, then he should go back to ask the teacher and come home with an answer.

• The child should be holding the pencil 99% of the time during homework time.  If mom is working the problems, he’s not learning!

• When helping, stop at frustrational level.  Often frustration comes because parents don’t understand the concept, and then children read it to mean that the parent is frustrated with the child instead of the concept.

• Remove yourself from the homework setting BEFORE the “aha” moment occurs.  That way the child will understand that a parent/teacher/adult is not right there when concepts are mastered.  Motivating the child to work on his own!

Please remember that the Georgia Grade 5 Writing Test is next Wednesday.  The test will begin immediately following specials at 9:10 on March 2, 2011.  The start time is incorrectly listed as 8:30 in the Message from the Mill.  Please help your child get a good night’s sleep on Tuesday evening (perhaps bowing out early from late night sports), provide a protein rich breakfast, and a stress free morning.  This test is used for promotion purposes.

Next Thursday your child will need to bring 3 healthy food labels to school. Our cafeteria manager, Mrs. Smith, will be doing a Health talk during writing classes on that day. Please encourage your child to work the 3^rd quarter Health extension.  Students can only earn an “E” in Health if they complete the extension assignment.  Get in the kitchen and whip up a great recipe for the 5^th grade cookbook!

From the county: As of the beginning of February, GCPS has missed five days of school due to inclement weather. Traditionally, GCPS has protected student instructional time, making up all missed days of school. Three snow make-up days/student holidays were included in the original 2010–11 calendar. These days— Feb. 21, March 14, and May 26— now will be school days. District leaders are still considering how to best handle the remaining missed class days, realizing that additional winter weather could occur in February and even in March. A final decision regarding these make-up days and their impact on this year’s calendar is expected in mid-March. Once a decision is made regarding remaining make-up days, that information will be shared with parents, students, and staff.  This is different than what was posted on the GCPS calendar I shared with you in January.  FYI.

This week in FOCUS the students:

• completed a brain teaser to organize liquids on a pH scale.  Ask your child which has a small number, acid or base?

• reviewed the food chart (many students did not have this homework completed, so please be sure your child has this to continue next week’s assignment).

• analyzed how their current diet will affect them in the future?  Students create a poster showing results of diet in 10 and 40 years from now.

• continued thinking Skills (two weeks left!)

Next week in FOCUS the students will:

• welcome new FOCUS students who qualified for the program

• continue longitudinal poster/study of acids & alkalines on their diet

• work on Thinking Skills

I hope each of you has a wonderful weekend!  Sorry my message is so long.  I can’t help caring for the children I see every day. 

Fondly,
Debbie McMichael

Greetings from room 1.315

Thank you for all of the WONDERFUL Valentine goodies!  I came back on Tuesday to a desk full of sweets, and they kept coming in all week!!!  I do appreciate everything!

Thanks to those of you who returned the surveys … there’s one more week for your child to earn free Thinking Skills points for returning the survey! 

This week in FOCUS the students:

• turned in surveys

• learned how acid rain affects our environment and the Acropolis in Greece!

• completed experiments to learn more about acidity & alkalinity in their beverages

• received a spreadsheet to collect data about their diet

• worked on Thinking Skills

Next week in FOCUS the students will:

• have a final opportunity to earn a free Thinking Skills point for the survey

• work on Thinking Skills objectives (only 3 “working” weeks remaining in this grading period … check out the February Monthly Challenge)

• collect data & draw conclusions about their diet (our bodies are 50 – 60 % water!)

• more work with water discovery

Is your child motivated?  The counselors are offering a workshop on motivation this Thursday at 11:00 AM.  I will attend in hopes of finding new ways to motivate my students (and my own offspring)!  When I was a rookie teacher, at my first ever PTA meeting, the principal told the parents, “If you believe half of what your children tell you about us, then we will believe half of what they tell us about you.” Needless to say, I was shocked to hear such a statement …. fast forward 20 years, and it all makes sense to me now.  :-) Here are just a few of the “excuses” I've been told in 2011 about why a child has not completed an assignment (sometimes assignments he/she has 7 days to finish):

• My parents were too busy partying this weekend.

• My mom doesn’t read your newsletter.

• I had soccer practice.

• I had cheerleading, dance, and gymnastics!

• My team was in the basketball playoffs, and after that I had Lacrosse practice.

• My team was in the basketball playoffs, and after that I had baseball practice.

• My mom wouldn’t take me to the library

• My brother/sister had practice at 5:30, and then I had practice at 6:30, so we didn’t get home until after 8:00.

• My dad has been out of town, so he and my mom had some catching up to do (my favorite).  

Are these really excuses, or is it a matter of motivation?  Hopefully I will learn more at the counselors’ workshop … I hope you will join me to learn more about what you can do at home.  It’s never too late to show your child that school and learning matters!

As part of the 5^th grade Achievement presentation, Mrs. Walton would like to do a 5^th grade student’s top 10 reasons they will miss Puckett’s Mill.  Sort of like a Letterman’s top 10.  Parents can e-mail their child’s top 10 reasons to kwalton@hrinc.net. 

March brings us a busy schedule:

February 28 = new FOCUS students join the team

March 2 = 5^th grade Writing test

March 5 = Sparky’s AWESOME Carnival

March 23 = Osborne Middle School visit (students will go during the day 9:30 – 11:00)

March 24 = Sci/Tech Night at PMES

March 25 = 5^th grade Field Day at Mill Creek HS (during the day)

March 28 = Osborne Middle School Parent Night (more info on times coming soon; there will special meetings for gifted parents and a general ed meeting)

March 31 = Spring Pictures

The weather looks great for the weekend!  I hope you have a fun one!

Debbie McMichael

Happy Valentines Weekend!

I hope you have something special planned with your Valentine!  I will be absent Monday, as that is my 18^th wedding anniversary, and we are off to the big city to celebrate.  I look forward to seeing my darlings on Tuesday!

This week in FOCUS the students:

• added graded work to their FOCUS folder

• added a parent survey to the FOCUS folder - good for one free Thinking Skills point if returned NEXT week

• updated the Assignment Log (since Gifted grades are not on the Parent Portal, this is my communication tool about your child’s progress)

• used deductive reasoning to move from a premise to a conclusion - ask your child why the Northern Hemisphere’s winters are colder than the Southern Hemisphere’s winters.

• visited the computer lab to play learning games on the Peace Corps Water Website - check out the link on the Brain Food page of my website!

• worked on Thinking Skills (the February Challenge is posted!)

Next week in FOCUS the students will:

• turn in the surveys for a free Thinking Skills point.

• conduct an experiment on acidity/alkalinity in beverages, and apply the findings to the pH of the human body

• continue to work on Thinking Skills

Please feel free to add suggestions or information to the survey that would help me communicate with my families.  I have been sending the website link because I would like everyone to visit my website to see what’s going on in FOCUS (pictures, agendas, links, documents).  Also, it takes up space on email when/if I send documents, so it’s easier to post them on the website.  I want to keep you informed, so please let me know if I need to make any changes (or keep it going).

The only NEWS YOU CAN USE for today is ... Mr. Pezoldt is looking for old, LARGE t-shirts to be donated to the Art room to use as cover-ups.  THANK YOU!

I hope to see many of you at the Talent Show tonight, as I know lots of darlings performing!  I’m so excited!

Fondly,

Debbie McMichael

Newsletter 2/4/2011

Happy rainy Friday!

Thank you to all of the parents who stopped by to chat during Early Release! If any of my parents ever have a question, comment, or concern, please don’t hesitate to make contact with me.  I assure you that your child’s success is foremost on my agenda!

With that said, I hope you will read this week’s Message From the Mill.  There’s some valuable information on managing homework, assignments, and organization from Mrs. Farmer.  In addition to being posted on the PMES website, you can submit a request to receive Mrs. Farmer’s newsletter via email each week; if interested, please let me know. http://puckettsmill.org/mftm%20February%204.pdf

This week in FOCUS the students:

• updated a new Assignment Log for 3^rd quarter

• placed graded work in the FOCUS folder for your review.

• received the Gifted Student of the Year application.  You can find a copy on the homepage of my website under "documents."  Application due date is a firm February 11^th.

• visited the Treasure Box

• transferred water usage data to a spreadsheet for further study

• completed Thinking Skills: Venn Perplexer, Bug Puzzle or Logic Puzzle, then GOAL work - in that order.  The February Monthly Challenge has been posted if your child needs extra points to earn his/her goal.

I’m so EXCITED that next week should be uninterrupted class time for everyone!  YAHOO!  Next week the students will:

• receive a newsletter questionnaire to earn special points, so please return that the following week - thank you!

• work on Thinking Skills

• Compare & Contrast the results of our water usage with that of other countries and play some water games!
• celebrate Valentine's Day!

Please remember that I will communicate all concerns via the Agenda Book (due dates, missing assignments).  PTA purchased those books for the children, so I feel that it is a valuable tool to help students stay on track with assignments and due dates. 

Here’s a wonderful link for a travel guide to Georgia!  I’d recommend that you order some of the brochures if you like to get out and see our great state!  Did you know you can “check out" a Georgia Park Pass/Historic Site Pass from a Georgia Library, just like you check out a book?  Check it out some time!

http://recp.rm04.net/servlet/MailView?m=3312618&r=MTg2MzQxNjAwMzQS1&j=MTA0MDY4OTEzS0&mt=1%20

Barnes & Noble anyone?  

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/email/nav.asp?r=1&PID=37367&cm_em=debbie_mcmichael@gwinnett.k12.ga.us&cm_mmc=Non-Member-_-Generic-_-110203_NF01_VALENTINE_COUPON-_-coucounmst

Here’s a fun festival this weekend - Fort Yargo State Park!

http://www.barrowjournal.com/archives/4563-Fort-Yargo-to-hold-winter-carnival.html

I hope to post the ice skating pictures soon!  We had about 15 FOCUS students, as well as other friends and parents!  Mrs. Widay sent me this link to a wonderful international  traveling exhibit that’s in Atlanta right now.  Would you be interested in getting the children together for some compassionate sensory learning?  While this doesn’t really go with our unit, it’s always a great learning experience to step out in the shoes of others!  Please email me if you are interested, and I’ll see if I can get us a group rate.  The student price is $17/person; $26/adult.

http://www.dialogtickets.com/exhibition.html

That’s my news for the week!  I hope the rain holds off and your family has a great weekend!  Please read on for Carnival news.

Sincerely,

Debbie McMichael

Get Ready for the PMES Carnival!

In today’s Friday Folder, you’ll find all the details about our upcoming carnival scheduled for Saturday, March 5 from noon to 4 p.m. at the school! This family favorite is designed for kids of all ages and has plenty for parents to enjoy, too!

The carnival brochure in your child’s folder overviews the:

- Inflatables, games, entertainment and other fun carnival activities!

- Class Baskets: Each class creates a themed basket for our silent auction, which benefits our school! See what theme your class has and watch for more details from your Room Mom!

- Silent Auction:  Join local businesses in making donations of merchandise or services to the auction.

- Volunteer opportunities: We need your help in order to make this event as successful as possible! Parents and teenagers are invited to help us set up, supervise activities and tear down. Please see the time slots available and sign up to help!

- Ticket order form: The best way to enjoy the carnival is with a wristband that provides unlimited access to inflatables and games. You can order discounted wristbands now through February 18 using the order form in the brochure.

If you have questions about the carnival or want to get involved, please contact our Carnival Co-Chairs Jenn Harris at 2jennharris@gmail.com or Melanie Hudson at melaniehudson@bellsouth.net. Or, visit the school’s website at http://www.puckettsmill.org/carnival2011.htm.