Important happenings this week and beyond

Happy Monday!  Thank you all for the well wishes and I am happy to be back.  I was out due to pneumonia and will be back to the doctor's office tomorrow afternoon for a recheck, but believe I am on the mend.

So much going on this time of year that I wanted to update you on a few items:

• Field Day is this Friday.  For first time parents to Dublin this is a tradition where students enjoy non-competitive outdoor activities.  Our PTA serves all students hot dogs and parents at each grade level donate specific food items for lunch.  This year kindergarten is asked to donate a pack of cheese sticks (string or twist 'ems).  This event requires many volunteers to work the stations.  Our class will be participating in the afternoon.  If you wish to volunteer in the morning then you can stop in to watch our class in the afternoon.  Please note that donated lunches are served for working volunteers, so if you are not working a shift and wish to join us for lunch at noon you'll want to bring your own lunch.
• DRA testing this will take place this week.  All grade levels will be testing students for end of the year reading levels this month.  In kindergarten we also complete the Walled Lake Literacy Progress Profile testing again as well.  We will be having a substitute in our classroom this week on Wed. and Thurs. while I pull children to test throughout the day. 
• Guided reading groups will be decreased during testing time.  When all testing is complete I will pick up groups again and continue until early June.  In June we will need to start returning, organizing books back into our school literacy library. 
• Next Monday we will have our ice cream party reward for having the highest number of parents involved in the PTA.  This was originally planned for Friday, but I'm switching it due to field day.
• You are likely hearing about our upcoming Ice Cream Social.  If you're new to Dublin, please know "social" is an understatement!  It's our biggest event here of the year.  We are known for our incredible community and the entire community comes to join us on this evening.  It's more of a carnival without rides.  There will be bounce houses, usually a firetruck, games, prizes, food and more!  If you haven't volunteered yet, please consider doing so.  We'll need many volunteers and truly it's a fun night where you'll meet many parents and your children will have a ball.  If you can't volunteer maybe consider donating a prize.  There is a huge raffle at the end of the night with some great prizes. 
• Finally, thank you PTA and all of you involved with staff appreciation week here at Dublin.  We were treated to a wonderful lunch today and are being fed and honored throughout the week in many ways. 

 I know I just gave you tons of information at once, so please let me know if you have any questions.
Have a great week!