New Year Wishes and News

I braved/welcomed 2015 down at the amazing
Burj Khalifa. It was definitely worth all the effort!  

A very warm "Happy New Year" to you each! I hope you enjoyed a restful and refreshing time with your family and friends over the holidays. Based on what the children shared with me, it sounds like most everyone had a really great time and I'm so glad. 

My holiday was very reflective as I had quality time to think, pray, and make some important decisions that will affect my future. And, though my family was 7,000 miles away, I enjoyed a "virtual Christmas" via Google Hangouts with them, which was just wonderful. I'm so very thankful for technology, which allowed me to feel like I was right there in my living room at home, opening gifts right along with them. Receiving the presents by mail, which I already opened virtually, will also be a fun, second Christmas for me. I'm expecting them by February...maybe. ha! 

The children seemed to be very happy to return to school, though they seemed just about as tired as I was on Sunday, our first day back. (Was it just me or did that alarm sound louder than usual? Lol.) It was a very calm, quiet, and easy-going day as we spent time sharing our happy news, holiday highlights, and getting back into the general swing of things. 

As the week has progressed, their energy seemed to be return and things are getting back to normal in our classroom. They have been working diligently to finish their informational/nonfiction books in writing and they have selected a biography book for our next reading unit, which will begin on Sunday. In math, we have begun Chapter 5, which covers place value and will include decimals and fractions. We will be skipping a few irrelevant lessons (4, 5, 6, 10, 12) and will spend more time on those lessons, which are typically challenging for students. We also begin an exciting unit in Social Studies about the Bedouins and Emiratis. It's always one of my favorites. 

You should have all received the news that we will be going on a field trip on Sunday. We are all greatly anticipating a wonderful time learning more about local culture as we visit the Dubai Museum and the Sheikh Mohamed Center for Cultural Understanding in the historical district near the creek. Last year, the children thoroughly benefited from this outing, so I expect this year will be no different. Kindly return the yellow permission slip and AED 65 by Thursday. 

In addition to this, there were some forms that went home today regarding Track and Field Day T-shirts. If you would like to order one, please also return that form and the money by Thursday, as well. 

I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for the generous Christmas gift you gave me as a class. The Tips and Toes Gift Certificate for a manicure, pedicure, and hot lava rock massage was an amazing and apropos way to show your appreciation and love. THANK YOU!!! 

One last item. I just uploaded all of our class pictures from November and December. Please enjoy! 

I think that's it for now. Thanks for all of your wonderful support and I hope to see you soon. :) 

Looking forward to a fantastic 2015! 

The Nossal "Great Room," where I was virtually sitting with my family (including the dogs) on Christmas morning. My brother, Peter, and sister-in-law, Melissa, were also able to join us virtually from Pittsburgh, PA. We spent about 2 hours opening gifts, laughing, talking, and being "together."

My sister, Julie, was not exactly expecting this quick screenshot, but it gives you an idea of what a virtual Christmas looks like. See Peter on the lower right of the screen...and me, also. :)
If you don't use Google Hangouts, it's another great option in addition to Skype. 

My friends and I had a great time enjoying the fireworks downtown and I was particularly happy to see my dear friend and former colleague, Marcy (far left), who was visiting from the UK.  Happy 2015!!