I know you have been begging for more things to add to your May calendar :-) so without further ado...please read through our calendar of events to keep afloat on all the exciting opportunities your 1st grader has these last two months.  I know this is a busy, busy time (speaking for experience...we need about 40 days in May instead of the mere 31 to fit all our school & family activities), but if you are like me, knowing ahead of time and planning it out helps just a little.  Mark your calendars:

Tuesday, May 5th...VOTE!  Please discuss the power of voting with your child and this important civic privilege.  If you have a chance to bring your children to the polls before or after school, it's an educational experience they will not forget.  This Tuesday, there will be two votes impacting our city and/or public schools.  Your vote is important.  Please vote.

Thursday, May 14th...Wizard Walk (1:30pm)...our only fundraiser of the year.  We will walk (wearing running shoes!!) about a mile with Wizard pride.

Thursday, May 14th...Family Fun Night (5:00pm)...come join in the fun with all your child's friends with games, prizes and food.  

The week of May 18-22...is our last week for parent volunteers...a HUGE THANK YOU to all that have helped with our literacy centers, library and math centers.  You have made an amazing difference in the lives of our children.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Friday, May 22nd...Field Day (8:30-11:30am)...group games and fun all morning long!  Parents will be invited to help with stations around the playground.  

Friday, May 29th...First Grade Finale (2:15-3:15pm)...you are invited to come share our excitement and celebration of 1st grade!  On Monday, May 8th, we will begin working with all our 1st graders on creating a a special finish to the year by showing off our writing, speaking, listening and creative abilities.  More information will be coming home about this soon, but I wanted to give you a heads up on the date/time if you would like to join us that afternoon in Pioneer Auditorium!

Sunday, May 31st...EGRNOW deadline.  Please read the information coming home each week in the Wealthy Wizard about EGRNOW and letters from our school board.  Being a parent in the district, the teacher representative on the EGR Schools Foundation Board and a teacher in our schools, I have a vested interest in the many facets of our education system--just like you.  If you would like more information or have questions, I'd be happy to chat sometime!  

Monday, June 1st (12:30-2:00pm)...all first grades will be walking to our East Grand Rapids Public Library to get the summer scoop on the KDL summer reading program, information about signing up for library cards and have a chance to investigate our beautiful public library.   

Thursday, June 4th...First Grade Picnic (11:15-12:30pm)...you are invited to join us at John Collins Park for our annual first grade picnic!  Everyone will need to bring a sack lunch that day.  We will walk down to the park, play fun games and enjoy a picnic with friends.  More information about this will be coming closer to that time.  

Great days are ahead! :-)

                        -shel silverstein