April showers bring a May flower, at least that's what we are all hoping. It also brings little league and soccer, but we want to remind you of how important it is that children follow up on school commitments whether it is work, attendance, or being respectful. It is important that we reinforce with our children the school rules on a daily basis and we need your help to do so. When Spring comes children sometimes get Spring Fever, which to them means do things they might not ordinarily do. I typically see more children who have never been in the office for silly things in the Spring.

April also brings the last of our State testing in Science and we want to thank you so much for your support on this, we have had one of the best attendance patterns during testing in recent years. The children seem to do better when they take the test with their entire class as opposed to taking it as a make up.

This year on April 18 we will have a Special Substitute principal. Two of our 6th grade students had an idea for a contest that would allow one person to become the Principal for the day. 5th and 6th grade students have been writing why they think they should be principal, our judges will decide and the person will be named the first week of April. We will have the person write a short essay for the newsletter in May about the experience.

Also in April we will celebrate the culmination of our Book It program. Mrs. Giardono and a teacher to be named will be joining me for whatever the winning class chooses as a reward in April in front of the whole school. you may remember last year I took a pie in the face from the Assistant Superintendent of the School District.

And if you haven't seen our students do their Ballroom Dancing you have missed a treat. We will have a demonstration on April 3rd and our Dance Crazy students will be going to a Dancing Gala on April 17th. it's amazing what they are doing and Dancing with the Stars has nothing on our students.

As always check out the school district Web site to find out what's been happening at Yates and in the district.

Teddy Bear wishes for a great April,

Valarie A. Scott
Principal