Operation Shoebox

With Christmas right around the corner, we are looking ahead to our 3rd grade Christmas activities. We started a new tradition a few years ago, and both parents and students felt it was very meaningful and worthwhile. We’d like to continue that tradition again this year.

Each year, rather than have a class gift exchange, we have chosen a charity to donate to which the third graders feel a connection. In the past we have donated to the Carroll County Haiti Mission Project and the Philippines Typhoon Relief fund.  This year the third graders have really embraced honoring and helping veterans, so we have chosen Operation Shoebox as our charity.  This organization sends care packages to service members all over the world.  To learn more about it, visit the following website:  https://operationshoebox.com/.

We are asking students to bring in donations for Operation Shoebox care packages.  The specific items that we will be collecting include:

• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Dental Floss
• Travel size body wash
• Travel size shampoo
• Travel size tissues

*All items should be new, in unopened packages

Please send your donations to school on or before December 16th. Thank you so much for donating to this very worthy cause. And, thank you, too, for helping us share the true meaning of the season with our 3rd graders.

Happy Holidays!

Fun Feasting!

It was a great Thanksgiving Feast today in third grade!  Everyone contributed to our class trail mix, and it was fun to see how all our different ingredients created a new recipe! The third graders shared what they were most thankful for this holiday season, and we talked about the importance of coming together with family and friends to give thanks. Mrs. Reese and I are thankful for forty awesome third graders!  

Sharing Thanksgiving Cheer at the Nursing Home

The third graders enjoyed several lively games of Thanksgiving Bingo with the nursing home and assisted living residents today.  Everyone had fun, and everyone was a winner! Mrs. Reese and I were very proud of the third graders' behavior and caring attitude as they enjoyed spending time with the residents. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I'm thankful for my family and friends, and of course, my amazing third graders!!!!  Peace to All!

Here's a fun website to explore during Thanksgiving break:

Click Here for Thanksgiving Fun!

Thank You for the Thank You....

Seth and Andy were thrilled today to receive letters from Seth's grandpa in Kansas.  Mr,  Nicholas served in Vietnam and was the veteran that Seth and Andy chose to honor on Veteran's Day.  His letter shared that he appreciated being honored and was thankful that we were spending time in school learning about veterans and the sacrifices they've made. He also shared photos of his time in Vietnam.  

Dwight also received a letter from his grandpa who served in Vietnam.  He was in the military police and went on to be a police officer after his time in the service. He shared several photos of his time in the military and information about his career as a police officer.

Andy and Seth share their letters from Seth's grandpa

Seth with his letter

Dwight with pictures of his grandpa

Happy November Birthdays!

Happy November Birthdays to Jack, Micaela, & Remy!

Fun with Science Tools

Our science lesson today introduced students to the different tools that scientists use to solve problems or do experiments. We made our own tools to help us hear faint sounds more clearly. 

Talking about Feelings with Mrs. Kuzniar

In guidance class this week, the third graders explored the wide range of feelings that third graders experience.  One of the activities that Mrs. Kuzniar had the students do was to act out different types of feelings.  She also discussed with the class how to try to be aware of the feelings that others have, and how that those feelings may not always be too easy to understand or too obvious.  Thanks Mrs. Kuzniar for a great guidance lesson that really got the third graders thinking....and feeling! 

Check out some of the strong feelings below that the third graders acted out:

Micaela is feeling crushed.

Evie is "ticked-off".

Morgan is feeling wonderful!

Madi is "heart-broken".

Dwight is nervous.

Aden is feeling shy.

Andy is feeling glum.

Jack is furious!

National Education Week

Today we attended an assembly to kick off National Education Week.  First, the October Wildcat of the Month winners were announced.  Congrats to Cora for winning Wildcat of the Month!

Then we all had to answer riddles to discover different people who play a part in our education at River Ridge.  Cora held the sign to thank the school board.  We also thanked administration, counselor, cooks, custodians, bus drivers, nurse, OT/PT, speech, social worker, psychologist, paraprofessionals, volunteers, teachers, and kids. 

Next a student from each class participated in a cookie-eating/milk-drinking contest. Dwight was our contestant, and he came in 2nd place!  Way to go, Dwight!

Some of the teachers even tried their luck at the contest, and Mrs. Kelzer won!  We're off to a great start for National Education Week!

Just a reminder....

Just a reminder...our River Ridge Elementary Christmas program will be
December 17th at 6:30 p.m.

International Visitors!

Today the AFS/International Club hosted exchange students from different countries. We were lucky enough to hear presentations from students from Italy and Indonesia. Thanks so much to Mrs. Nicholas for providing this great opportunity!

Ana and Flavia from Italy share their culture

Flavia and Ana from Italy

Ardiani from Indonesia sharing her culture