To: Parents, Guardians and Students

From: Dr. G.

Re: We Have Blacktop

Date: December 1, 2006

According to the National Weather Service, this November goes down in history as the fifth warmest in the last 100 years. Perhaps that is why there are some geraniums still in bloom. The warm weather has also facilitated the laying of the blacktop for the road around the new addition leading to the oil tank and also the return of the basketball court. While the dramatic building results we have seen over the course of the summer and fall appear to be at a standstill, the reality is that the activity has moved inside where a number of workers are completing the last stages of plumbing, sheet rocking, and painting. The slow start to the project because of the spring rains certainly was helped by the unseasonably warm fall. There are bets on at this point as to the type of winter we are in for, and that season is only 21 days away!

Mrs. Turgeon’s class was involved in one of the fourth grade science curriculum themes this week dealing with forces in motion. Given an array of Lego building pieces, the two member teams had 20 minutes to design and assemble a friction-efficient vehicle that could move at least 100 cm. Students were not told how to test for the outcome requirement but were asked to explain what they did to prove their vehicle met the requirement. They were encouraged to keep track of their progress by taking notes and were asked to describe problems they ran into and how they came up with solutions. The following day, they were instructed to draw a picture of the vehicle they made the day before. When they were finished, they were given a technical drawing of a “standard vehicle” and asked to compare and contrast the two drawings. Finally, the students were told to gather the necessary pieces denoted in the “standard vehicle” drawing and actually build the vehicle. It was exciting to be part of this class!

Students chosen to be part of the Homework Club, please note the change in the start date – it is December 11^th (not December 4^th as previously noted in the letter brought home).

Saturday is a big day here at Andover Elementary as the annual Holiday Breakfast and Craft Fair kicks off the busy season. Breakfast will be served from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. If you come between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., your breakfast will be served to you by Dr. G. and Dr. Z. Come early and browse through items from the 17 participating crafters who will be there to facilitate your holiday gift buying. And yes, it is true! Santa will be there to listen to children’s wish lists and to pose for a Kodak moment. Also, people who ordered poinsettias may pick them up at the Breakfast.

The children got a jump on their shopping earlier this week when the PTA Holiday Store was opened to students during the day. Items purchased were already gift wrapped and ready to give later in the month. Anyone who missed the sale will have a second chance on Saturday to visit the store.

As mentioned in an earlier memo, the Governor’s Mansion in Hartford (which is located on Prospect Avenue, opposite Elizabeth Park) is open for tours this weekend. The Mansion is decorated for the holidays and includes several trees adorned with ornaments made by kindergarten students in Connecticut. Our kindergarten classes designed two of the ornaments that have been placed on the holiday trees.

IMPORTANT: Tuesday, December 5^th is Picture Retake Day.

A Message from the Social Studies Committee: Have you made travel arrangements for February or April vacation which includes travel by air to Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, or Jamaica? If so, a valid passport will be required for all passengers (including children, regardless of age), effective January 23, 2007. For further information on this law, visit the government website at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc2223.html.

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Fourth grade students had 20 minutes to design a vehicle that had to travel at least 100 cm.

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The new “heating plant”.

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We have blacktop!