Dear Moms and Dads,

On November 28^th, we will transform either the stage or one of our classrooms into an old school complete with a model woodstove! The children will be given a name of a townsperson and a grade (1^st-8^th)they are in. They’ll find that they are in the same classroom as their pretend brothers and sisters! We’ll have first graders sit up front on benches and proceed through the grades so that the eighth graders are in the back. The children will be given some assignments similar to those children worked on long ago, such as reciting the alphabet or working on penmanship by copying a verse on the blackboard.

As part of this reenactment, we are asking that your child dress up similar to children of earlier years. For example, the girls can wear a long dress and an apron (pillowcase or large towel could be used) and a kerchief around their head. The boys could have knickers by tucking their pants into their socks (or a pair of Dad’s socks). They could also wear button down shirts. Photos are attached for your information. Books may also be carried with a belt. Children may also wish to bring a small piece of wood for the stove!

Another activity of earlier years we wish to introduce the children to is a box lunch social. This is where everyone packs a lunch and then all the boxes (bags in this case) are put on a table and people choose a bag and get a surprise lunch. Therefore, we are asking that on November 28^th, you send in a box/bag lunch with your child. We’ll decorate the bags here at school and send them home for you. You might try to pack a lunch using food you think most children would like.

Another activity we’d like you to help your child with at home prior to Nov. 28 is making a rag ball about the size of a softball from old rags or old socks and string. Any way you and your child can make this rag ball is fine. We’d like your child to bring this homemade toy to school on Nov. 28 because for a short recess we will be asking the kids to make up games to play without using any of the playground equipment we have. The rag balls will be something fun for them to play with and might inspire some games.

We’ll be sharing our old school day during the school wide assembly. You’re welcome to come and see it. The assembly will take place at 8:05.

If you have any questions, please let us know.

Sincerely,

Brenda and Kathi