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A Note From Mr. Davis

Greetings to all!!

Memorial Day
From time to time Hammond has been in school on Memorial Day due to the manner in which the master academic calendar works out. This year we will be in session; both the middle and upper schools will either be in final exams or reviewing for these. Unfortunately, we could not avoid this dilemma this year. We are aware that many Hammond families will have the time off from work and would like to observe this day together as a family. From the Lower School perspective, we understand and encourage those who wish to observe away from school to feel free to do so. Do not struggle with giving a decision like this a second thought! As we move forward, we will try to find a way to avoid this for all three divisions.

Fun Day
Monday, May 19th is Fun Day. This is a half day and children are free to leave school after the picnic lunch. Those who are planning to stay will need to register with Extended Day. On Fun Day, lunch from the KIVA is only available by ordering in advance. Make sure to return the order form in your child's Tuesday envelope.


Have a great week.
Mr. D





Pre-K Update
Fun Day will be on Monday, May 19th. We hope you will be able to cheer on the children as they participate in games and races. Afterwards, the children will return to their classroom, where you may pick them up for the family picnic. If you are not able to join your child for the picnic, please make arrangements for him/her to eat with a friend. If your child is staying for Extended, please be sure to make your reservation by Thursday, May 15th. Your child should meet with the Extended Day staff in the Pound Puppy room after lunch. In order for this day to run smoothly, please fill out the included form detailing your child's plans and return it to your teacher as soon as possible.

As the year comes to an end (can you believe it?), we are continuing our study of ocean life. Come check out the wonderful sea life floating in the hallways. See if you can find a familiar scuba diver exploring the hermit crabs, with star fish, jelly fish and sand dollars appearing soon! We will also continuing reviewing all of the letters and sounds of the alphabet, addresses, phone numbers, birthdays and counting 1 – 100 by 1s, 2s, 5s and 10s. Practice this with your child at home with fun games!

Speaking of the end of the year, our party will be at the Hampton Crest Cabana on Monday, May 26th in the Hampton Crest neighborhood. (We want to thank Beth Oliver for reserving the cabana for us.) The children will be taking the bus to the cabana, and parents who want to come may follow the bus, or meet us there. We will leave the school at 8:45am and will return at 11:45am. Per school policy, every child must ride the bus back to the school at the conclusion of the party. Once we have returned, you may sign your child out and leave with him/her.

We have begun our Lower School Reading Challenge. It is a time where the children will report all books they have read, or been read to, and we will raise the barometer out in the hallway. Send in the names of the books to your teacher over the next two weeks. Should we get to the top, Mr. Davis will have to complete a secret task! What could it be? Will he again dress as an ostrich and sit on a nest? Or perhaps you will see him on the roof of the building one more time! One thing we know, it will be worth it!!

We hope all our moms had a very Happy Mother's Day!!

Your Pre-Kindergarten Teachers





1/2 Day Kindergarten - Bear Cubs
The Butterfly Brunch was a huge success, and we thank all of our wonderful moms for arranging schedules to attend. It is something we shall all remember for many years to come.

On Thursday, May 15, we will travel to the Columbia Metropolitan Airport for a tour of the terminal. Summers' mom, Sandra Wrenn, will join us to tell us about being a flight attendant. On Wednesday, May 21, we will head downtown to meet Francis' dad, Bill LaMotte, for a tour of The National Bank of South Carolina.

Please be reminded that Fun Day for the Lower School is Monday, May 19. Each child will need a water bottle from home with his/her name clearly visible. The children will receive and change into their Fun Day t-shirts that morning. We ask that you meet your child in our classroom right after the field events for your family picnic. If for some reason, no one in your family is able to join us for the picnic, please let us know as soon as possible so we can pair your child with a friend's family. All children are dismissed when they leave for the picnic with you so there will be no need to report back to us.

Finally, we are marking Thursday, May 22 as the day to return all Book-in-a-Bag books, word cards with their plastic cases, and any other school materials that may have been loaned to your family. We are also looking for a volunteer or two to help us clean and organize the word rings and to inventory the books. Let us know if you are interested.

Thanks!
Miss Tuller and Mrs. Nidiffer





Full Day Kindergarten
We had a great time entertaining our moms last Friday at the "Butterfly Brunch". We thank each of you for being with us for the special day. Hopefully it was just the beginning of a wonderful Mother's Day weekend for you all.

We are beginning our study of Ocean Life this week. We will take a look at some fascinating sea life!

Fun Day for the Lower School is this Monday, May 19. It is a half day but be sure to stay around for the family picnic at 11:00.

Also, if you have any sight word rings, library books, book in bags, or any other materials please be sure to turn into your child's teacher in the coming weeks.

Finally, as you plan for next year please note that your rising 1st grader is not allowed to have a rolling book bag.

Holding on tight as we zoom to the end!
The Kindergarten Crew





First Grade News
The school year is winding down and first graders are looking forward to second grade! Please look around the house for reading and library books that may need to be returned.

We had our last speedup yesterday (Monday). Our first graders have done a fine job of learning their facts. Please remember to review them often during the summer.

State Museum – Tuesday, May 20th – We will be going to the State Museum for a program on Pioneer Life. We will be leaving school at 8:15 and returning at 12:30. Please remember to send a bag lunch and drink on that day. Also, remember to wear red shirts!

We have been collecting pop tops this year to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. If you have some, please send them. We will be turning them in on Tuesday, May 20th.

Our final poem will be due the week of May 19th.

Fun Day – Monday, May 19th – Please have your child bring a water bottle that day. After the closing ceremonies at approximately 11:00, please pick up your child in their classroom. At that time, you may stay and enjoy the Lower School picnic. School will be dismissed at 12:00 noon.

Loving First Grade,
First Grade Teachers





Second Grade
Poetry, poetry and more poetry is taking place in the second grade. We have been reading poetry, writing poetry, reciting poetry, eating poetry, and creating art projects with poetry. You would be amazed how well the children have absorbed! We are very proud of their writings and interest in poetry.

Please have your child at school by 7:45 on Friday morning. We will begin loading the buses by 8:00. Your child is to wear a Hammond red shirt and comfortable shoes. Lunch is being provided by Hammond. All orders have been sent and confirmed. We will not be allowed to change any food orders. Thank you in advance to the volunteers who will be joining us. Due to prior planning for groups and payment, we can no longer accept any more volunteers. Leddy Cureton has done a wonderful job organizing the volunteer efforts. Should you have questions about carpooling, please contact Leddy? The buses will arrive back on campus by 3:00 carpool. We truly have an exciting day planned!

Dates to keep in mind:
Thursday, May 15th – Last Speed-Up for the year!
Friday, May 16th – Fort Discovery located in Augusta, Georgia
Monday, May 19th – Fun Day/ Family Picnic/Half Day
Tuesday, May 20th – Pop Tops due!
Friday, May 23rd – The Big Show at 8:20 in the Fitness Center

Excited Second Grade Teachers





Third Grade
Third grade is blooming with new birth in Mrs. Burkett's room! Our quail eggs have hatched and our baby quail that are peeping in our brooder. Drop by and see how they grow and develop in their new habitat. These adorable quail will be in "third grade" until they are mature enough to be put back into their natural surroundings (about 3 more weeks).

Below are a few reminder dates that you may want to insure are on your calendar. Some of these dates are new or changed and we thought this might be helpful to all because of the rushed schedule that May brings.

Important Dates
- Monday, May 19 - Fun Day! *Half day of School*
- Wednesday, May 21 - Class Picture Money Due
- Monday, May 26 - **Shag Reward Party!**
- Tuesday, May 27 - **Book Reports Due**
- Friday, May 23 - Big Show! Country of Study Day!
- Thursday, May 29 - Last Day of School!

**Please note that the "Shag Party" will double as our reward for hard work on the South Carolina History Play as well as our End-of-the-Year Celebration…Please contact Eleanor Ellison or Michelle Littlejohn if you would like to help!

**Please note the Book Report due date has been POSTPONED from Friday, May 23 until Tuesday, May 27th because of the big show. This allows another weekend to be sure the Book "Advertisements" are Over-the-Top!

Thrilled in Third Grade!
The Third Grade Teachers




Fourth Grade
We had a great time at the middle school this morning. We caught a glimpse of life in the 5th grade. It looks very exciting!

Mark your calendar now for Wednesday, May 28th. This will be a festive celebration where we will share information about our recent trip to Earthshine. We will also recognize the students and say farewell to them as they leave the Lower School. This exciting celebration will take place in the Lower School Fitness Center at 1:30. Students are able to leave school following the celebration. As a special treat, the 4th grade students will NOT have school on Thursday, May 29th.

Please note the book fair for grades 5 – 12 on Thursday, May 15th. It is from 7:30 am – 5:30 pm in the Manning Library. Please see the enclosed sheet in the Tuesday envelope for more information.

We are currently working on measurement in math class. This is something that your child will need to study at home every evening before the test. Please help him / her with learning the different measurements.

It's good to be a 4th grader at Hammond School!



Tues., May 6, 2008

Happening @ Hammond

Here's the latest scoop on what's happening at Hammond School.

May 12-17 Lower School Book Fair at Happy Book Seller

May 15 1/2 Day Kindergarten Field Trip • 9:15 AM

May 16 2rd Grade to visit Fort Discovery • 8:15 AM

May 19 Fun Day (Noon dissmissal)

May 20 Pop Tabs for Ronald McDonald House Due

May 20 First Grade to State Museum • 8:15 AM

May 23 Lower School - Country of Study Day

May 23 Hammond Big Show • Fitness Center • 8:20 AM

May 26 Pre-K Field Trip • 9:00 AM

May 28 4th Grade Reception/Earthshine program • Fitness Center • 1:30 PM

May 29 Last day of School (Noon dismissal)

For updates to schedules, visit the Hammond Web Site.




Exciting Book Fair Information!!
This year the Hammond Lower School Book Fair will be held at the Happy Bookseller Monday May 12th – Saturday May 17th. Simply mention the Hammond Book Fair and our library will receive 25 % of the total amount that you spend.

For rising 5th grade students, they can either go to the Happy Bookseller for their required reading or go to the Upper School Manning Library on Thursday, May 15th. The Middle and Upper school will have their book fair all day on Thursday May 15th. Summer reading lists will be available at the end of this week online.




Extended Day News
If you need care for your child on May 19th please register your child with the Extended Day office.

Reminder: Your child will be eating with either his/her parents or their teachers before they come to Extended Day. Please make sure you have sent a lunchbox with them or have ordered them Andy's Deli from the Kiva. The Kiva will not have a normal lunch day.

Also, if you need care for your child on Tuesday, May 29th you must register by May 23rd. This is the last day of school and it's a noon dismissal as well. We also will be open on May 30th from 7:30-6:00. Please register your child by May 23rd as well.

Attention All Karate Students:
You will have your final belt test on Thursday, May 22nd and it will be at 5:00 in the Fitness Center.

Attention ACT participants:
Next week ACT classes will be held on Wednesday, May 21 instead of Monday, May 19, due to Fun Day early dismissal. Please contact Extended Day to arrange for this class. This is a reminder that parents are invited to attend the final ACT class of the year. This class will be held in the wrestling barn on Monday, May 26 during your child's class time. The students and Pam Boggs can't wait to show off what they've learned in the 3 months ACT has been at Hammond.

If you have any questions don't hesitate to call us!

Happy May!
Miss Duffie and Miss Shaw





Fun Day Lunch Orders!!
Make sure to fill out the Fun Day Lunch Order form in your child's Tuesday Packet. The only food available in the KIVA on Fun Day, Monday, May 19 will be those pre-ordered items. You can download a copy of the pre-order form from the Lower School website. Fun Day 2008 Pre-Order Form




Summer Camps - It is not too Late!!
Summer Camp registration is filling up fast!! Don't forget to sign up before it is too late!


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