HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope you all had a wonderful winter break. PTA Meeting Next Week Make one of your New Years Resolutions a promise to attend at least one PTA meeting this year. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, January 14th at 7:00. Childcare is provided. MATH/SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY FAIR The Annual Science Fair will be held on Thursday, February 11th. Please look for the information packet to come home soon. Wiring for the Internet As of January 6th, our school computer network (and the Internet) now extends to Room 10. Rooms 7, 8 and 9 will be "online" very soon! Martin Luther King, Jr. Assembly The Martin Luther King, Jr. Assembly will be on Thursday, January 14th at 2:00. The Assembly will feature performances by individual classrooms. Dr. King developed Six Principles of Nonviolence that we would like to remind everyone of: No one needs to use violence to right a wrong: There is a way of nonviolent resistance. It takes more strength to be nonviolent. You must use your mind and imagination to show your opponent s(he) is wrong. This takes emotional strength. You do not humiliate your opponent. You try to gain his/her understanding and friendship. You are fighting forces of injustice. You are not fighting people themselves. Your victory is a victory over injustice, not over certain persons. Nonviolent resistance is a willingness to accept suffering without retaliation because "suffering is more powerful for converting the opponent and opening his ears " The nonviolent resister refuses to hate because the love of community is more important. The nonviolent resister believes there is a greater good that will prevail, and therefore, he/she has a deep faith in the future. We look forward to seeing the students of Arbor Heights expressing their understanding of the teachings of Dr. King during the Assembly. District Wide Testing The months of February, March and April are sprinkled with Assessment Testing. Third and fifth graders will take the ITBS tests, in addition to the Direct Writing Assessment. Grade 4 students will be taking the WASL tests. It is important for the success of all students that they get a good night's sleep, eat a healthy breakfast and attend school on a regular basis. Students that are frequently absent or tardy miss important learning time and this will certainly impact their preparation for the assessments. Sincerely, Barry Dorsey Principal