Have You Ever Seen a Real Coyote???

Earlier this month, my family got the opportunity to see one at the Suisun Wildlife Center, located at 1171 Kellogg Street, in Suisun.  We took Skylar to see the rescued animals, like this coyote here, and some birds like a Golden Eagle, and a barn owl.  (They also have an albino gopher snake that you just gotta see!!)  If you are interested in seeing some cool animals like these, you should ask your family to bring you this Saturday, June 4th, when the Wildlife Center is hosting a Baby Animal Shower to celebrate the new animals born this Spring!!  It's really a great place to see people who are working to care for animals that might not survive otherwise (this poor coyote lost an eye, and the golden eagle had a wing damaged so bad that he can't fly with it).  Our family appreciated our visit to the Suisun Wildlife Center, and I hope your family does too!
-Mr. Linnet

Concerns About Bullying...

...Hello Everyone,  I am sad to report that we have recently discovered bullying taking place within our classroom.  To my knowledge, there has been no direct forms of bullying, where someone was physically, verbally, or mentally trying to harm another student.  But that does not make this issue any less severe.  Indirect Bullying is also a very harmful act where some bullies somebody else, usually without direct contact.  They can spread rumors about somebody, write mean things about somebody, or tell other people to do mean things to a person.  Often with indirect bullying, the victim knows that somebody is being mean to them, but they do not know who.

The issue we have had centered around a group of students alienating another student.  It started with a leader telling their friends not to play with, eat with, or talk to a particular student.  Whether it began as a game or not, I'm not sure, but it quickly turned into a form of indirect bullying.  The victim was left feeling very sad, very unhappy, and very anxious around the rest of the class.  No child should have to feel uncomfortable at school!!

To address this very serious matter, I taught a long lesson about bullying today.  We watched a BrainPop Jr. video titled "Bullying" (you can go to www.brainpopjr.com to check it out if you wish), then discussed some of the events shown in the video.  I also led the class through some role-playing activities where we identified some of the major players involved with bullying:
     *The Victim (the person being Bullied)
           *The Bully (the person/people harming others)
               *The Friends (the people that come to the aide of the victim)
                    *The "Fake" Friends (the bystanders that allow the bullying to happen)
After role-playing a few common incidents that could occur in the classroom or at school, and discussing ways to handle a situation with a bully, I pulled the instigator of our issue aside (not in the presence of other students) to discuss the situation with them and make sure that it would not continue.

The motto that I left the class with was "Be Safe, Be Happy".  It is my feeling that every student that comes to school has the right to be safe, and be happy.  If someone makes you feel like you are not safe or not happy, then you are probably being bullied.  If you do something that makes somebody hurt or sad, then you might be bullying them.  We should all make good choices so that everyone can "be safe, and be happy".

I am hopeful that we can put this situation behind us, our class is made up of some pretty wonderful and respectful children.  I would like to believe that this was an unfortunate incident where some kids made a bad decision, but I also made it quite clear that any future incidents involving bullying will result in an immediate meeting with the Bully's parents, the Principal, and myself.  I also let everyone in class know that if they are found bullying another student they will not be granted Recess Privileges for the remainder of the school year.

How You Can Help:
Please sit down with your children and discuss your Family Values with your child.  Address Bullying in a calm and respectful manner, but be firm with your expectations for conduct with your child, and what consequences they can expect at home if they are ever found harming another student at school.  As unfortunate as this experience has been for one student in our class, the sad truth is it could have been any of them.  It very easily could have been your child scared to go to school, no longer feeling "safe and happy".  I know that none of us want that, so please take a little time out to discuss this matter with your child, so that we can all do our part to ensure that bullying does not continue with our kids, in our class, or at our school.

Thank you for your attention and action with this unfortunate problem.

-Mr. Linnet

We Need Help for the Coyote Howl!!

I will post a new sign-up sheet on the classroom door.  If any parents are willing to donate an hour out of their evening on Friday, May 20th, we can really use some help covering the stations during the Coyote Howl.  I will be looking to hopefully get a (K) parent and a (1st) parent for each time slot.  Just write your name next to the time slot you are interested in covering, and I will pass the list on to the PTA.  Your help really goes a long way in making this event so successful.  (Don't worry, you all get the easy jobs.  I get to spend 2 hours having kids smash me in the face with cream pies!!)

Thanks again for all the donations for our Star Wars Basket.  We collected enough money to get the DVDs and possibly even a Star Wars Video Game.  We are still working out what kind of basket to package it u, but I think it is going to look really cool.  If you still want to donate items, we could use Star Wars Posters, Dolls, Clothes, and Toys.  (PTA asked us to remind everyone that the items must be new!)  We have received lots of puzzles, school supplies, and figurines, but a variety of items will make the basket look more appealing.  I'm excited to see how the final basket comes out!!

I can't believe it is only 10 days away!  This year has gone by so fast.  We've all been working so hard, that I've hardly noticed how the weeks (and months) have flown by.  Before we know it, the summer will be here, and I will have to start gearing up for 6th Grade.  I guess we all get promoted this year. LOL

Thank you again for all the great help and support you have given throughout this year.
Mr. Linnet

Look out Summer, Here we Come!!

With less than 7 weeks left in the school year, we are making a strong push toward the end of this year.  The weather is growing warmer, the flowers are in bloom, and the kids are growing more and more eager to get outside and enjoy it.  While I encourage all of you to spend as much time outside enjoying all of nature's gifts, please don't lose focus of the academic goals that still need to be met before we move on to the next grade.

This past week I tested all of my students in preparation for their Progress Reports, and I must admit that I am very proud of the growth being made by all.  Most of the students are exceeding grade-level expectations and appear ready to move on to the next grade.  While letters and sounds have been met by everyone, some of the students still need to work on basic reading and writing skills.  Don't forget to read your book bags daily, and practice writing stories weekly (not just for homework).  Have fun with writing. Keep a journal of thoughts or experiences, make up stories to share with friends and family, or simply write a book review telling what you liked or didn't like about each book you read.  Try to find real-life applications to practice your writing, and finding a style of writing that you personally enjoy!!  These skills are not meant just to be completed for a grade, they are intended to help you grow and develop in ways that will help you in all aspects of your life.

With this little bit of advice aside, I also want to remind everyone that the Coyote Howl will be coming up on the 20th of May.  Our class has "Star Wars" for it's basket theme.  Some of you have already begun bringing things in, and I thank you.  Remember, if our class basket earns over $200 from the silent auction, then our class will win another class party.  We are taking donations of $2 - $3 to help in purchasing the DVDs to include in the basket, but any other cool things you find will be greatly appreciated.  I have also sent a letter to ILM requesting a donation (hopefully from their Prop Dept. or George Lucas) to include in the basket.  I am confident that our basket will be a great success and one that many people will take interest in.

I will also be participating in the "PIE IN THE FACE" part of the Howl.  The kids loved this particular event last year, so make sure you bring them by while you are at the Howl to put a pie in my face.  If any other parents would like to volunteer at the Howl, I have a sign-up sheet on my door.  I have highlighted the tables that K and 1st Grade are responsible for, and would love to have a couple parents from our class represent us at the Howl.  This is one of the biggest fundraisers we have at the school each year, and with all the budget cuts we have seen (and felt) over the past few years, I can't begin to tell you how important it is to have us all come together to help support our school with this great evening of fun and games!!

I know this was a long message, but hopefully you have found it informative.  Now that it is over, let's focus on having fun and enjoying the last few weeks together.  I must admit that I was a little nervous at the start of this year in having to teach a K/1 combo with so many students, but now that we are almost over, I feel like it was a great experience for me professionally and will miss this class when the year is over.  Thank you all for all the great fun we have had as a class.  I am proud to say that I have the best class in the entire school!!

-Mr. Linnet