In a normal year, this would be parent-teacher conference week. As I prepare 2nd trimester grades, I’m feeling frustrated at the lost opportunity to meet with the parents of my students. Conferences, I believe, are not merely a means of delivering report cards; they’re essential in building positive home-school partnerships–and even lasting relationships that extend beyond the classroom. Due to State budget cuts, however, the time normally allotted in District 6 for conferencing was eliminated this year. If this frustrates you as much as it does me, write your Oregon legislators and ask for better funding for schools. Were schools adequately funded, your kids would be going to school five days a week, they’d be in classes of less than thirty students, and we’d be sitting down this week to talk about your child’s future. If upon receiving your child’s report card on Friday you feel we need to talk, call me at home (541-664-3947) or e-mail me at mack.lewis@district6.org.

Congrats to “The Orange Crush” for winning the Room 15 Floor Hockey Championship. Our six-week tourney concluded with the team consisting of Brody, Falon, Maddie, Katryna, Anthony, and Isaac beating the “Cool Gangsters” in the championship game.

Applause also for Ally, Cielo, JC, Evan, and Maddie for being the winning team in our 2nd trimester History Jeopardy competition. They “won” over $21,000. History Jeopardy is an engaging way to review all the material we’ve covered over the previous three months in preparation for the trimester exam. It must have worked because the class average was nearly 90%. High fives to Matt and Julianne for their perfect scores!

Thumbs up to Bailey for winning the Fact Car Rally Race. Fact Car Rally is our system of practicing and testing the multiplication and division facts. Bailey finished the year-long race in less than half the year, while Melissa (2nd place) and Ally (3rd place) completed the route in less than two trimesters. Who will finish fourth? Stop by the classroom to check out the “racetrack” and see the current positions.

Finally, hooray for Emma for being among the finalists in the CPE Rotary Student-of-the-Year. The award was ultimately given to Kayliana F. from Mrs. Mac’s class.