<h2>Dear Families,</h2>
Please let me begin by wishing health and happiness to you and your families during this holiday season and all year long.  Here in 114, we have really closed out the 2009 portion of our year with a bang.  My favorite part was the Holiday Assembly – I adore the children in my class and love watching them perform.  We’ve learned a bit about how the winter holidays are celebrated in different cultures and shared much about our own customs.
<h2>This Week, We Learned</h2>
This week we read many tales about Christmas, Hanukah, and Kwanzaa!  A class favorite seemed to be a book called <span style="text-decoration: underline">The Longest Christmas List Ever</span> by Gregg and Evan Spiridellis.  The story is about Trevor, a boy who begins writing next years Christmas list the minute all of this years gifts have been opened.  Ask you child to tell you what happens.

We also discussed our favorite parts of 2009 and how it will be a new year when we return.  We talked about what it meant to make a resolution.  My resolution is to better myself as an educator.  While I am comfortable in my classroom, I know I still have growing to do and I would love to hear your suggestions. I am sending home a form that can be used for such input – please be gentle.
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<h2>Next Year, We Will</h2>
Next year, we will take our Unit 4 math test.  We will review on the Monday after break and take our test on Tuesday.  Some of the topics we will cover are:  addition facts, filling in blanks on a number grid, patterns, counting and exchanging coins, frames and arrows, adding dice, measuring line segments, and telling time to the quarter hour.  Please use the break to review some or all of these concepts before our exam.
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<p align="center"><strong>http://emrosa.cuipblogs.net</strong></p>

<h2>Reminders</h2>
<p align="center"><strong>We will return from Winter Vacation on Monday, January 4<sup>th</sup>.</strong></p>

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<h2>Announcements</h2>
We have a <strong>Field Trip</strong> on January 14<sup>th</sup>. Please send in written permission and fees if you have not already done so.  Also, students must bring a bagged lunch (clearly labeled).
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<h2>Thank Yous</h2>
<ul>
	<li>Thank you to all of the parents who continue to send snacks and supplies.</li>
	<li>Thank you to those who have come to be our guest readers!</li>
	<li>Great thanks to those who sent goodies and games for our holiday party!</li>
</ul>
<h3>emrosa@cps.edu</h3>
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<p align="center"><strong>HAPPY HOLIDAYS!</strong><strong></strong></p>