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Newsletter-January 30th

Please view our weekly newsletter: Download January 30

Here is another copy of the weekly homework: Download Five-Star Tiered Homework 1-31

Each grade level will be given time to collaborate and work on exciting new things for our students.  In order to accommodate this work time, our specials and lunch schedule will be changing slightly for the next couple of weeks.  We are only going to lunch 1 minute earlier (11:08). Here is the lunch/specials schedule, in case you were planning on coming to lunch with our class or a sibling's class. Download Collaboration Lunch & Specials 2011 - 2012

Here is another way you can support Varner!  Please see the information below to see how to order a license plate to support Cobb County schools.  Make sure to write "VARNER ELEMENTARY" on the top of your order form!  All orders are due by February 3rd!

Download License Plate Application_2012

Download Plate_poster_2012_8.5x11

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Order Your Official "Support Cobb Schools" License Plate Today!  Your School Will Receive $10 For Each Plate Sold!

 

The Cobb Schools Foundation is excited to announce that we have received approval from the Georgia Department of Revenue and the Department of Motor Vehicles to offer an official "Support Cobb Schools" license plate!  We need to sell at least 1,000 license plates before the plate can be manufactured.  The Foundation will donate $10 for each plate sold by February 3 to Varner Elementary!  To order your plate, simply print out the attached application, write the name of your school on the top, fill out the form, attach payment and send to the Foundation office.  Applications must be postmarked no later than February 3 for Varner Elementary to receive credit. 

 

After this initial period, all applications will go through the Department of Motor Vehicles and we will not be able to track them.  You will receive a copy of your application marked "paid" to be used as your receipt.  You will be notified as soon as the plates are available for pick up at your local DMV.  Simply take your receipt into your local DMV and pick up your new plate! There may be an additional nominal specialty plate fee at time of pick up, however, you will not pay any Ad Valorem taxes.  You will simply renew your tags in the month you always have. Each year you renew your plate, $10 will be donated to the Foundation to help provide grants for teachers, scholarships for graduating seniors, ASP scholarships for kids in-need and so many other programs support by the Foundation.

 

Please help us get the word out!  Print out the attached application and license plate design poster, write the name of your school on the top, copy front to back and send out with your students!  Pass this on to your friends and family! You don't have to live in Cobb County to have a "Support Cobb Schools" license plate.  Anyone can order this plate!  Our goal is to sell at least 1,000 before February 3, so that we can get approval from the Georgia Legislature to receive $10 for each plate sold. 

 

Help us be the first school district in Georgia to have our very own license plate and "Support Cobb Schools!"  Show your Cobb County Pride!  Grab a pen and send it in!

 

Mail completed applications along with $25 manufacturing fee no later than February 3 to:

  

Cobb Schools Foundation

Attn: License Plate

514 Glover Street

Marietta, GA 30060

 

 

Thank you for supporting our Cobb schools!

Coming Up at Varner

Scholastic Book Fair: Monday January 30, 2012- Friday, February 3, 2012. Please stop by and take advantage of the great deals.  If you have some time, there are still spots open to help in the book fair. Please contact Laura Shyman.    laura518@my.tupperware.com We are going to the Book Fair as a class on Tuesday and Friday.  See your child's agenda for an invitation to the K.I.S.S. (Kids Invite Someone Special) event at the Book Fair on Wednesday.  You are welcome to send money to shop any day of the week though!

Chick-fil-A: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 

Biscuits will be sold outside in the front of school for carpool students and in the lobby for bus riders. The biscuits are $2.50 each.

Dressing Through the Decades: Thursday, February 2, 2012.  Students may dress up in decade attire (40's, 50's, 60's, 70's, and 80's).  The cost will be $1.00.  All proceeds will benefit the Varner Relay for Life team. 

PTA Meeting: Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 6:o0pm.

 The third and fourth graders will be performing.  There will also be a Teacher's "Dressing Through the Decades" fashion show.  The book fair will be open until 7:30pm this night.

B4B: Friday, February 3, 2012. 

This is a reading incentive program for the students. Three times a year, students turn in a reading log, or complete AR goals and get rewarded for reading.  The students that have earned B4B will be coming home with  many valuable coupons from local business: The Book Worn, Stevi B's, Pizza Hut, The Waffle House, etc. 

Looking Ahead

February 2012

2/1- Chick-Fil-A morning $2.50 each

2/1-2/3- Scholastic Book Fair

2/2- Dressing Through The Decades $1.00

2/2-PTA Meeting 6pm

2/3- B4B (Reading program)

2/7- Sparkles Skate Night 5-8pm $6 inclusive

2/14- Jump Rope For Heart

2/15- Chick-Fil-A morning $2.50 each

2/17- Principal’s Breakfast (invitation only)

2/24- Spirit Day

2/24- School Dance 6:00pm-8:30pm 

2/29- Chick-Fil-A morning $2.50 each

First in Math

First in Math

This just in!!!  Varner has a new program to help students with math facts and skills!  This program is called First in Math.  First in Math is an internet based program that 1st thru 5th grades will be using.  There are LOTS of games to play at varying levels. (providing extention to all)  We will be working as a TEAM (class) to earn virtual stickers and competing against other 1st grade classes.  After logging in there are many games to choose from.  We have introduced Just the Facts so far.    

REMEMBER TO CLICK ON K-2 WORLD for our level games!
Your child is able to play other games from the home page for practice too!  This is just a starting ground.

Just the Facts + - 

And ANY others on K2 World!

The First in Math sight is very user friendly and gives great directions for the games if needed. 

We will put the log-in information in your child's agenda very soon. The usernames and passwords are created by the site and are quite different from what we normally use at school.   Have fun!

 Parent Welcome Letter can be downloaded here: Download First in Math Parent Welcome Letter

Accelerated Reader

 

 

 

 

We have started to implement the AR (Accelerated Reader) program in the classroom.  The goal is to encourage students to focus on comprehending stories read by themselves or by a teacher or parent.  Another goal of AR is to encourage students to choose books that are the right level of difficulty for them (not too easy, not too hard, but just right).  Students are even able to challenge themselves with higher level books.  All while allowing students to feel a sense of accomplishment and self pride when they do well on a quiz.

All that being said, Varner has gone to a Web Based AR program.  Allowing students access to ALL AR reading tests that are out there and much more.  There is a Home Connection Option that is GREAT!  Now parents can access what their child is doing daily in AR on-line at home.  Log-in information was sent home in your child's agenda today.

With your support at home, via a mini conversation, your child will benefit even more from this program.  You will be able to ask your child about the book, encourage him/her to select a more difficult book if your child is consistently scoring a 100% & the books seem too easy, reread a book with him/her if he/she struggled with the quiz, or even read a book at night and remind him/her to take a quiz the following day. 

A SIDE NOTE: WE DO NOT HAVE ACCELERATED MATH JUST ACCELERATED READER!

As always, thank you so much for your support in your child's education.

 

Newsletter-January 22nd

Please view our weekly newsletter: Download January 23

Here is another copy of the week's homework: Download Five-Star Tiered Homework 1-23

Here are a couple of classroom math games you can download & print to reinforce skills at home:

Fractions Memory-You could also have your child make his/her own Memory game using index cards and a crayon.  Write fractions, such as 1/2, 1/3, 2/3, 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, on index cards.  Draw shapes and shade to match the listed fractions.   Download Fractions Memory

Fractions Tic Tac Toe-Take turns identifying a fraction.  If you get it right, put an X or an O in the box. Keep playing until someone gets 3 in a row! Download Fractions Tic Tac Toe 

Fractions Go Fish: Download Fractions Go Fish

Newsletter-January 17th

In Our Classroom

Please view our weekly newsletter.  There's a special prize for reading it! Download January 17

Here is another copy of the weekly homework, in case the copy from your child's Friday folder gets misplaced. Download Five-Star Tiered Homework 1-17

Here is another copy of the January specials calendar as well.  Download January

Scholastic book orders went home on Thursday.  If you see something you are interested in purchasing, you may send a paper copy of the order to school (with cash or a check made payable to Varner) or order online.  If you place an order online, you will need the class activation code of GNCF3. If you place an order online, our class will also receive a free book! I will be placing the order on Wednesday, January 18th.  If you are looking for books on your child's reading level, you can browse for specific reading levels.  To find books at your child's reading level: Log in to the parent page.  Scroll down the "browse" section on the left side of the page.  Under "reading level" select Guided Reading Level (GRL).  You can narrow the book titles by reading level.  Your child's reading level can be found on the label attached to the book order. 

 

Coming Up at Varner

Martin Luther King, Jr: Monday, January 16, 2012   

NO SCHOOL

Chick-fil-A: Wednesday, January 18, 2012 

Biscuits will be sold outside in the front of school for carpool students and in the lobby for bus riders. The biscuits are $2.50 each.

Principal’s Breakfast: Friday, January 20, 2012

One student from each class is invited to have breakfast with the Dr. Adeli. The students have shown the Varner Life Skills in action.

Holiday Party Pictures

Wow! We had a great turn-out for our holiday party!  Many thanks to all the parents who generously volunteered to help with all of our activities!  Please check out some of the pictures from the party.

 

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Newsletter-December 19th

Please view our weekly newsletter: Download December 19

Remember to practice your math facts!  See the the previous posts for a variety of methods to practice math facts.

Here is another copy of this week's homework, in case your copy gets misplaced. :) Download Five-Star Tiered Homework 12-19   Noun Scattergories is one of the options on the homework.  The kids have enjoyed using their creativity for this game on the smartboard.  You can use a paper clip & pencil as the spinner to play at home.  Here are copies of the game and gameboard so you can play again and again! Download Parts of Speech Scattegories Recording Sheet   Download Parts of Speech Scattergories-Nouns

Coming up at Varner

Chick-fil-A: Wednesday, December 21, 2011. 

Biscuits will be sold outside in the front of school for carpool students and in the lobby for bus riders. The biscuits are $2.50 each.

Hat Day: Thursday, December 22, 2011. $1.00

Students who wish to participate please bring in $1.00.  Proceeds from this event go to Relay for Life.

Holiday Party Schedule:

Tuesday, December 20

Mrs. Seward                   10:00am - 11:00am

Mrs. O’Reilly                 1:00pm - 2:00pm

 

Wednesday,  December 21

Mrs. Defrain                   8:00am - 9:00am

2nd Grade                   9:30am - 10:30am

Kindergarten           11:15am - 12:00pm (45 Minutes)

1st Grade                     12:45 pm- 1:45pm

 

Thursday,  December 22

Majors                        10:00am - 11:00am

3rd Grade               11:00am - 12:00pm ( Times will stagger briefly by class.)

4th Grade               11:30am - 12:30pm

Driscoll                       11:30am - 12:30pm

Jacobi                         12:30pm - 1:30pm

Reaves                        12:30pm - 1:30pm

5th Grade              12:45pm - 1:45pm

NO SCHOOL: Friday, December  23- Monday, January 9, 2012.

STUDENTS RETURN TO SCHOOL: Tuesday, January  10, 2012

Newsletter-December 12th

Please view our weekly newsletter: Download December 12

Additonal copies of this week's homework may be downloaded here: Download Five-Star Tiered Homework 12-12

Please remember to practice your math facts!  You may download math facts flashcards here: Download Math Facts ALL

See previous post for additional math facts practice ideas!  We love seeing students moving up the "Yum-O-Meter!"  We know that "practice makes perfect" so the more you practice, the more fluent you will become in your math facts!

Password is a favorite game in our classroom right now.  It is a fabulous way to review solid and plane shapes.  By playing the game, your child is using great math vocabulary in order to describe and identify plane and solid shapes.  Download Password Game for Plane and Solid Shapes Vocabulary

To play:

-Download the PowerPoint game and press play (F5)
-The partners should face each other so partner 1 can see the computer screen while partner 2 has their back to the computer screen and cannot see what is happening. 
-Partner 1 will describe the plane shape shown on the computer screen to partner 2 who cannot see what is shown on the screen.  Partner 2 will have to guess what shape is showing by listening to the descriptive clues.

        Example: 
            Partner 1: "It is a plane shape.  It has 6 sides and 6 corners."
            Partner 2: "Hexagon!"

BLOG READER SPECIAL!!!!  Play Password with your child.  Write a quick note (or have your child write the note) stating that you played, and your child will receive a special treat for being a loyal reader. :)

Coming up at Varner

Boosterthon Fun Run Update:

As of Thursday, December 8, 2011  we have collected 81% of the pledges for a school profit of over $14,000! Great job!  If you haven't had a chance to turn in your  pledges yet, please do so as soon as you can. Our goal is 100%!  If we  get 95% of the pledges turned in by December 20, 2011, Dr. Adeli, Mrs. Howard and Mrs. Mueller will dress up as the "3 Blind Mice" for a WHOLE DAY!!  

Holiday Shop: Monday, December 12-Saturday, December 17, 2011

Here is a wonderful opportunity for your child to experience the joy of giving during the holiday season. Reindeer Lane Holiday Shop is the perfect way for your child to select holiday gifts for the entire family! The Holiday Shop will be supervised by parent volunteers who assist your child with making gift selections and managing money. We make the holiday buying experience safe, educational and fun. While children shop for gifts they will learn to budget money and make purchase decisions. You will see the joy and excitement on the face of your child when you open your gifts! You can be part of the fun and learning by giving your child ideas on selecting gifts and suggesting ways for your child to earn extra holiday dollars! We will provide each child with a money envelope for safety and convenience. Gift items range from $0.50 to $15.00 with the majority of items between$1.00 and $4.00.

Spirit Day: Friday, December 16, 2011.

Wear your Varner t-shirt current or previous years. The classes with the most participation will win a prize. We now have long sleeve Varner t-shirts for $15.00.

Reindeer Run and Winter Festival: Saturday, December 17, 2011. 7:30am-11:30am

Come out and join Santa and his gang at Varner’s Winter Festival.  Registration for the Reindeer Run (2 laps around the school) begins at 7:30am and the run begins at 8:00am.  The top 3 finishers in each grade level will receive a medal. Breakfast will be served beginning at 8:30am for $2.50 per person. The Holiday Shop will be open and you can have keepsake photo's taken with Santa for $5.00. There will also be Holiday Crafts for the kids. The Varner Vocaliers will be performing.

Newsletter-December 5th

There is LOTS of information to share this week!

First, please view our weekly newsletter.  We try to include as much information as possible to keep you informed of classroom happenings. :) Download December 5

If your copy of the weekly homework gets misplaced, you can download another copy here: Download Five-Star Tiered Homework 12-5 We tried to "bump up" the star values so your child may be able to choose fewer activities to complete since we would love to see students also practicing their math facts.  Mad Minutes will be coming home Tuesday-Friday.  Children who return Mad Minute practice will be recognized for their hard work by taking a bow in front of the class and receiving extra money for the treasure box.  Remember, your child does not need to complete the entire back (40 problems) in order to be recognized.  Here are some additional ideas to "mix up" practice time:

    1. You could have your child complete as many as possible in 1 minute 15 seconds and see if he/she beats the number completed in class (the answers written in pencil were done in the allotted time).

    2. You could complete some of the problems (and make a few "careless" mistakes!).  Ask your child to check your work.  When they are looking for errors, they have to solve every problem.  It's a great way to make practice a game!

    3. Practice with flashcards.  Just write a quick note that you used flashcards and your child will still be recognized for practicing.

    4. Use the PowerPoints (look on the right side for the "pages") to practice.  The computer always makes things more fun! Write a quick note that you used the PowerPoints so your child will still be recognized for his/her hard work!

    5. Call out facts while in the car, in line, setting the dinner table, etc.  Write a list of problems (2 + 1 =__, 2 + 3 = __, 5 + 2 = __, etc.) and post it on the fridge.  Have your child answer all the problems each time he/she opens the fridge.  Don't forget to let us know if you practiced!

 

Additional copies of the December specials calendar can be downloaded here: Download December

Scholastic book orders went home on Friday.  If you see something you are interested in purchasing, you may send a paper copy of the order to school (with cash or a check made payable to Varner) or order online.  If you place an order online, you will need the class activation code of GNCF3. If you place an order online, our class will also receive a free book! I will be placing the order on Wednesday, December 7th so the books should arrive before the holiday break.  Please let me know if you are purchasing an item as a gift, and we can make arrangements for a "secret pick-up."  There are additional catalogs available to browse online.  I know I found a bunch of great gifts for my little nieces, nephews, and friends' children of various ages. :)  I just can't stop buying books!  It's really a bit of an addiction at this point...

Coming up at Varner

Boosterthon Fun Run:

As of Thursday, December 1, 2011  we have collected 65% of the pledges for a school profit of over $11,600! Great job!  ( 10% of the total money collected  from each classroom  on Thursday, December 1, 2011 will be going back to the teacher to use for classroom supplies. )  If you haven't had a chance to turn in your  pledges yet, please do so as soon as you can. Our goal is 100%!  If we  get 95% of the pledges turned in by December 20, 2011, Dr. Adeli, Mrs. Howard and Mrs. Mueller will dress up as the "3 Blind Mice" for a WHOLE DAY!!  

Varner Giving Tree: Monday December 5-Friday December 12, 2011

The is Varner's holiday outreach program to Varner families.  During the weeks of December 5^th  and December 12^th, a tree will be set up in the front lobby of the school. This tree will be decorated with stars identifying the gift wishes of participating Varner families. If you would like your child to select a star from the tree, please complete and return the form that went home Friday. The counselors will assist your child in selecting a star from the tree each morning from 7:15am to 7:50am.  If you would like to come by the school to select a star yourself, then please ask the counselors or front office for assistance. After the item has been purchased, please tape the star to the UNWRAPPED gift and return it to the school counselors.  We would like all gifts to be turned in by Friday, December 16^th.  However, the absolute deadline is Monday, December 19^th.

Thank you for your generosity as we reach out to those who need our support and for working together to help teach all students about the importance of giving. Tina Carty and Amy Chupp: Varner's Professional School Counselors 770-222-3778

 

Breakfast Seminar: Tuesday,  December 6, 2011. 8:15 A.M.

Join us for an informative breakfast seminar "How can we help our children with basic reading and math skills?"  Join a few of Varner’s teachers as they discuss ways that you can reinforce basic reading and math skills with your student at home.  They will also give some tips for making homework more meaningful. So that we may plan for the light breakfast that will be served, please R.S.V.P.  by emailing the Home and School Key Team at:sandra.smith@cobbk12.org   (When emailing, please include your name and the ages of your child(ren). 

 

Chick-fil-A: Wednesday, December 7, 2011. 

Biscuits will be sold outside in the front of school for carpool students and in the lobby for bus riders. The biscuits are $2.50 each.

Movie Night: Friday, December 9, 2011 

 Smurf''s Movie      Rated: PG

Doors open at 6:35pm. Bring chairs or a blanket to sit on. The movie will be shown in the cafeteria. You will be able to purchase pizza, drinks, chips, popcorn, and candy at the concession stand. It is free to get in with an adult. If a Varner student is being dropped off to watch the movie, the cost is $5.00 per child. Please be prompt in picking up your child after the movie. (Parent consent and release form must be filled out.)

The movie will start promptly at 7:00pm and will end at 8:45pm. 

 All Proceeds benefit 5^th Grade Day 2012