Victor is forever trying to escape from locked trunks, walk through walls, and perform any number of Houdini's astonishing magic tricks...without success. Then -- amazingly -- he actually meets his idol, and begs Houdini to explain himself. A mysterious locked box is the magician's only answer, and Victor is left to wonder: Does the box contain the secrets to the most famous magic tricks ever performed?

 

 

 

Secret Person Project, Moriah House, and Discovery Assessment

Holiday Giving Opportunity

          In the spirit of giving, the Campus School students will be collecting items December 16^th – December 20^th for Moriah House.  Moriah House is Memphis Union Mission’s safe house for women and their children.  In our tough economic times, Moriah House needs our help more than ever.  This year there are seven children ages 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, as well as a two month old infant who will benefit from your generosity. Campus School families can help by donating the following items.

Monday: Paper Products 

·                  toilet paper

·                  paper towels

·                  Kleenex-regular and purse size

·                  diapers ( two month old baby)

·                  paper plates/napkins

Tuesday: Toiletry Items

·                  baby wipes

·                  toothpaste/toothbrushes

·                  soap/deodorant

·                  bath/shower gel

·                  lotion – adult and baby

Wednesday: Cleaning Products

·                  dish washing detergent

·                  laundry detergent

·                  Clorox wipes

Thursday: School Supplies       

·                  notebooks

·                  highlighters

·                  pens/crayons/markers                                                   

Friday:  Non-Perishable Food Items * If you bring one canned food item, you may wear jeans to school. If you bring two canned items you may wear jeans and a holiday or other appropriate top to school! Canned food (soups, stews, vegetables), peanut butter, packaged noodles, and sugar bulk or individual packets

 All 4th grade students will be taking Discovery Assessments next week. The purpose of the Discovery Assessments is to:

• Predict proficiency for Reading, Language Arts, Math and Science
• Screen students to identify risk for academic failure
• Measure academic growth within and across years
• Monitor progress on state standards and Common Core standards
• Analyze student performance using reports that show proficiency, state and national percentiles, percent correct, item difficulty, and content mastery 

Secret Person Project (Week of December 16-20)

Dear Parents,

          In celebration of the holiday season, students will choose a secret person to shower with small gifts and kindnesses. Each child in our class has filled out a survey about their interests and likes – your child’s secret person’s survey is attached to this letter.  This survey is meant to help your child to create and select gifts for their secret person.

          Each day we would like your child to do something nice for their secret person. In addition to this kindness, we have planned a list of gifts for the students to share with each other. If for any reason your child is unable to participate, please let me know ASAP.

Monday	Design a bookmark for your secret person.
Tuesday	Draw a special picture for your secret person.
Wednesday	Bring a sweet treat for your secret person.
Thursday	Create a holiday card for your secret person.
Friday	Bring a small wrapped gift ($5.00 maximum) for your secret person. Please attach the riddle gift tag.

          Please remind your child that the identity should remain a secret until we reveal on Friday. Also, please bring your gift in a bag so that no one can see how it’s wrapped.  

Holiday Chorus

"Fa-la-la-la-la!"

Congratulations to the 4th and 5th grade students who performed at Ball Hall and the President's reception.  They did an excellent job and were a real treat for the U of M employees.  What a way to kick off the holiday caroling.  Way to go!

By Barbara Robinson

     Called one of America s favorite Christmas stories, and now a classic television movie, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever has been a favorite of young readers the world over since 1972. Funny, memorable, and outrageous, it is the story of a family of incorrigible children who discover the Christmas story for the first time and help everyone else rediscover its true meaning. Publisher: Harper Collins Author: Barbara Robinson Format: 128 pages, paperback Ages: 9-12 ISBN: 978-0064402750

     The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, smoke cigars, swear, and hit little kids. So no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and decides to take over the annual Christmas pageant. None of the Herdmans has ever heard the Christmas story before. Their interpretation of the tale -- the Wise Men are a bunch of dirty spies and Herod needs a good beating -- has a lot of people up in arms. But it will make this year's pageant the most unusual anyone has seen and, just possibly, the best one ever.

      The six Herdman children are the terror of their town. When they take over the annual Christmas pageant, everyone rediscovers the true meaning of Christmas. ALA Notable Children's Book 1971-1975.