January news from Mr. K. . . . . . . . . . . . . .   We hope our Bel Air families had a relaxing and joyous holiday season.  Teachers will be in the building on Wednesday, January 3, preparing for second semester and discussing our North Central goals, Reading Mastery, and completing report cards.    Are you interested in being a substitute paraprofessional?  Please give Mrs. LaCrosse a call (644-2539) and she will advise you of the steps that need to be taken.  We appreciate any serious considerations for this request.   The response to our food and gift collection for Good Neighbors was just terrific!  Mrs. Farnik, Mrs. Mangels, and our student council representatives delivered around 1,600 food items and 140 gifts to the Good Neighbors offices on December 15.  Your generosity certainly helped make the holidays much cheerier for many children and their families. THANK YOU!   We would like to remind you that warmer clothing may be advisable as we enter the winter months.  Students are not allowed into the building until 8:10 AM because our teachers are preparing for the school day. We request that students come to school with appropriate winter wear.  The north side of our building can get pretty chilly, especially on windy days.  It would also be beneficial to put your child’s name inside his/her coat or jacket.  We have many students who have the same type of outerwear and names would help avoid picking up the wrong jacket.  If your child is missing any clothing items, you may be able to find it in our lost and found tub.  It is located in the hall near our kitchen.   Parent Quiz Your child forgot her jacket . . . .again.  She forgot to bring her flute, too.  Teaching your child the skills she needs to remember things also helps her become more responsible.   Are you giving your child the tools she needs to build her memory skills?  Answer yes or no to each statement.   ___1.     I ask my child to repeat important things she needs to remember to me three times. ___2.     We use checklists and post them in convenient spots – a list of morning chores in my child’s room, a list of what goes to school by the back door. ___3.     We believe in “a place for everything.” If the book bag is always hanging on a hook by the back door, it will get to school. ___4.     We use sticky notes to help remember things. ___5.     We make a game of remembering things.  We make up rhymes and sayings “I take my fancy flute on Friday.”   Mostly yes answers mean you’re helping your child learn memory skills that will help in school and in life.  Mostly no’s?  Check the quiz for some suggestions to improve your child’s memory.   Educationally, Tim L. Kwapnioski