History of Thanksgiving Day

Origins of Thanksgiving Day

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Thanksgiving Day in the United States is an annual day of thanks for the blessings of the past year, observed on the fourth Thursday in November in each of the states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. It is a historical, national, and religious holiday that began with the Pilgrims. After the survival of their first colony through the bitter winter, and the gathering of the harvest, Gov. William Bradford of Plymouth Colony issued a thanksgiving proclamation in the autumn of 1621. This first thanksgiving lasted three days, during which the Pilgrims feasted on wild turkey and venison with their Indian guests.

Days of thanksgiving were celebrated sporadically until, on November 26, 1789, President Washington issued a proclamation of a nation-wide day of thanksgiving. He made it clear that the day should be one of prayer and giving thanks to God. It was to be celebrated by all religious denominations, a circumstance that helped to promote a spirit of common heritage.
Credit for establishing this day as a national holiday is usually given to Sarah J. Hale, editor and founder of the Ladies' Magazine (from 1828) in Boston. Her editorials in the magazine and letters to President Lincoln urging the formal establishment of a national holiday of thanksgiving resulted in Lincoln's proclamation in 1863, designating the last Thursday in November as the day. Succeeding presidents annually followed his example, except for President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who in 1939 proclaimed Thanksgiving Day a week earlier--on the fourth but not the last Thursday--to encourage holiday shopping. In 1941, Congress adopted a joint resolution setting the date on the fourth Thursday.
http://www.hellokids.com/c_9041/reading-online/holidays/thanksgiving-stories/history-of-thanksgiving-day

How do we celebrate Thanksgiving Day in Puerto Rico?
How does your familly celebrate Thanksgiving Day?

Short Vowel Sounds

Short Vowel Sounds Practice: Enjoy your link!

A       E       I        O      U

http://rbeaudoin333.homestead.com/shortvowel_1.html

http://rbeaudoin333.homestead.com/files/short_vowels/short_vowel_1.html

Personal Information

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9JIF9BCIxU

Carly's Voice

 

http://www.godvine.com/Mute-Girl-Thought-to-Be-Mentally-Retarded-Finds-her-Voice-1815.html#.UDTSZNXLzU4.facebook

It is hard for us to understand when you do not know what it is or know how it feels to be autistic. There are so many kids trap in a body that does not respond in the usual way. God created us perfect but we are all different in a special kind of way.

Welcome back to School!

At the Jose A. Vargas School the faculty will like to welcome all our students to the new school year 2012 to 2013. May God bless you all and may this year be one of great tasks and that we will meet all our goals and expectations.

Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself. 
~John Dewey~

"Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere."
- Chinese Proverb-

Love you all,

 Ms. Villanueva

Wildlife Museum in San Juan

On Wednesday May 23, 2012 the Talented Students from our school S. U. José A. Vargas were taken to the new Museo de Vida Silvestre (or Wildlife Museum) in San Juan that allows people to see what all sorts of wild animals from around the world look like. It is filled with a variety of mounted animals in displays that depict their natural origin and behavioral habits.

The museum itself is not that large, but it is well done and presented. The ground floor has its main feature a 2-story Tree of Life display featuring a huge Baobab tree, along with the many animals that depend on the tree for water and food. All sorts of wonderful animals are set there. It is amazing to see how long a giraffe’s legs are!
 The second floor is divided into the 12 biomes (environments) that are found throughout the world. As you walked from biome to biome, the dioramas of animals and plant life changed. It was really good. I thought the artificial snow and water used in the displays was really lifelike.
You can walk around on your own, reading the information and really looking at the dioramas. There are English/Spanish bilingual signs at each display describing the animals and their habitat. But do not miss the guided tour. They have 6 educators on staff, and they are able to offer tours in Spanish, English and 3 additional languages. It was really good, and well worth the hour or so that it took.

Río Camuy Cave Park

Seventh Grade Students!

On Wednesday May 9, 2012 students from José A. Vargas School went on a field trip to Río Camuy Cave Park to enjoy one of the most beautiful wonders of our country.

Río Camuy Cave Park is part of the third largest underground river cavern system in the world. We enjoy a safe, guided tour of the marvels. From sinkholes and cathedral-like caverns to views of the mysterious river and its eons-old stalactites and stalagmites. Be sure to wear comfortable, non-slippery shoes! .

The caves at Camuy are actually 45 million years old, but it took a few million years for nature to adorn their towering ceilings with crystalline stalactites, their walls with flowing stone tapestries and their floors with mushroom mounds of stalactites. Few cave systems in the world are as massive or dramatic as the Rio Camuy Cave Park; none have a thundering tropical river traversing countless miles of uncharted channels. Three crater-like sinkholes and one cave of the huge system in the park are open to the public and they are truly memorable experiences.

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El "Parque de las Cavernas de Camuy", red asombrosa de cuevas subterráneas naturales de piedra caliza.

Las cuevas fueron creadas por las aguas subterráneas del río de Camuy, hace ya más de un millón de años.

Se documentaron en 1973 en el libro "Discovery at the Rio Camuy", escrito por Russel y Jeanne Gurnee.

Alrededor de las cuevas se creó un parque público de 268 acres, que está situado en la ruta 129, kilómetro 9.8.
Este lugar es impresionante, una de las formaciones subterráneas más grandes del hemisferio occidental y hasta ahora solamente se han explorado siete millas (11 km) de esta serie de cuevas de piedra caliza.

Los caminos de la selva tropical descienden suavemente a las cavernas en forma de catedral. El parque es una de las redes de cavernas más grandes del mundo.

Respect our Mother Earth

Our planet is endangered by the lack of respect towards nature and the beings which live there.
This threat is very real: to see it, one just has to observe the pollution of rivers, the transformation of all green into a world of cement, and the loss of the memory of their immense value for life.
We humans have shown time and time again how well we seem to be able to destroy, better than how to protect or create.
We only think of wanting more for ourselves without giving any regard to what it does to others or our beautiful Mother Earth. Each individual action you take has consequences. If you reflect a bit before making a choice on simple things, you can have a big impact on the environment. For example, do you know that plastic water bottles are made from oil? If you choose to take your reusable bottle filled with clean tap water everywhere you go, you can save up to 5 plastic bottles in a single day.
You are in the forming years of what you want to be when you grow up, and who you become. You can choose your education field and mold your interests in such a way that you create a positive impact on the environment. If you reflect on the question of what your purpose in life on this earth is, you will find the answer to that question.
So my dear children, live your life consciously. Consider this beautiful gift of nature we have been given– the earth, her water, her plants and animals and do everything you possibly can to preserve her wonderful purity. Reflect on every choice you make and ask yourself: Am I honoring or destroying these precious gifts by the everyday choices I make, whether big or small?
Have this in mind, we need to leave this Earth better for our next generation for them to enjoy what God has created for us.
Tomorrow lets participate cleaning up our beautiful Jobos Beach, be part of the people who makes the difference.

Earth Day at Jobos Beach - Día de la Tierra en Playa Jobos

Sunday, April 22, 2012

10:00am until 4:00pm in UTC-04

El próximo domingo 22 de abril se celebrará a nivel internacional el Día de la Tierra y Rescate Playas Isabela, Inc. se enorgullece de traer un evento familiar-comunitario en la Playa Jobos localizada en la carretera 466. El nuevo local Palmas Beach Club, con sus remo...deladas facilidades, serán la sede para el evento que comenzará a las 9:00 am y se extenderá hasta las 3:00 pm con el cierre con el Taller de la Isla - Bomba. La celebración del Día de la Tierra se festejará con una programación de actividades para todas las edades por medio de talleres: educativos, de siembra y de arte, además de un concurso de construir esculturas en la arena y una limpieza de playa. Los talleres educativos estarán relacionados a la conservación, específicamente enfocados en los temas del anidaje de tortugas y la importancia de la protección de los corales que habitan en las costas. Los talleres de arte se enfocarán en la creación de rótulos con mensajes positivos relacionados a la conservación de los recursos naturales que nos rodean en el área: el agua, el mangle, y el ecosistema en general. Mantener las playas limpias es uno de los objetivos de la organización Rescate Playas Isabela y por esta razón en el Día de la Tierra se estará llevando a cabo una limpieza durante el evento; se proveerán materiales para la tarea. Los interesados en limpiar dentro del agua, pueden hacerlo si traen el equipo necesario como caretas, guantes, mallas, entre otros. Durante el evento, Rescate Playas Isabela estará ofreciendo orientación e información sobre cómo hacerse miembro de la organización comunitaria, y cómo puede ayudar en proyectos futuros. Para más información pueden accesar la página de Facebook: www.facebook.com/rescate.isabela o comunicarse al (787)431-0152. ¡ Los esperamos ! ENGLISH: This year Earth Day is Sunday, the 22nd of April. Rescate Playas Isabela, Inc. is proud to present the community and visitors with a family event at Jobos Beach located on Highway 466, Isabela. The new Palmas Beach Club http://www.palmaspr.com/ newly remodeled facilities, will host the event which will begin at 10:00 am and runs until 3:00 pm Earth Day will be celebrated with a program of activities for all ages through various workshops: educational, planting of seedlings and art, there will also be a sand sculpting competition and beach clean up. The educational workshops will be related to conservation, specifically focused on the themes of nesting turtles and the importance of protecting corals. The art workshops will focus on the creation of signs with positive messages related to the conservation of natural resources that surround us in the area: water, mangroves and the ecosystem in general and workshops for children recycling trash by creating pieces of art. The closing workshop will be at 3pm with Taller de la Isla - Bomba dance class and music. Keeping the beaches clean is one of Rescate Playas Isabela’s main objectives, therefore Earth Day will be a perfect day for a beach clean up. RPI will be providing materials for the task. Those interested in helping can also remove trash from the ocean by bringing the necessary equipment like masks, gloves, kayaks, etc. During the event, Rescate Playas Isabela’s will be signing up residents and businesses for the local recycling program, offering guidance and information on how to join the community organization, and how you can help in future projects. For more information, access the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/rescate.isabelaor call (787) 431-0152

Jose De Diego

http://www.los-poetas.com/m/biodiego.htm
http://www.elboricua.com/JosedeDiego.html

Picture and Spelling Bee Winners *

Third Grade Spelling Bee Winners

First Place - Andrea B. Rosas

Second place - Lexander Nunez

Third Place - Nataniel Mercado

Spelling Bee Second Grade Winners

First Place Ivan J. Perez

Second Place - Angel rivera

First Grade Spelling Bee Winners

First Place - Edwin Montalvo

Second place - Nicole Mendoza

Third Place - Gabriela Mercado

Picture Bee Winners-

First Place - Jeremiah Montalvo

Second Place - Yuleisy aviles

Third Place - Abdias Sanchez

 

 Andrea Beatríz Vélez First Place of the Third Grade Spelling Bee!

She has a great personality and  a lot of self confidence!

Amanda Laguer First Place for the Third Grade Drawing Contest!

She is going to be a famous writer!

English week Festivities

Dear Parents from the José A. Vargas School we invite you to join us in our festivities for the English Week!

English Week Theme: "Learning English Inspires Dreams, Shape Lives, and Give Us Hope for the Future"

First of all, Thank You for your support to the Scholastic Book Fair from March 12 to March 16 it was a success! Thanks to the faculty involvement to build enthusiasm and most of all to our students for their support,  because "If you read every day you will lead a better life"! To the star volunteers of the Library Club you send our fair into orbit!The drawing Contest will be held in the English Classroom for grades Kinder, First, Second and Third on March 19, 2012 at their respective English Class hour.
The Picture and Spelling Bee will be held on March 20, 2012 at the School library, from 8:30 to 11:30 A.M..
Pizza Party from 2:00 to 3:00 P.M. at their Homerooms.

Scholastic Book Fair

Our apreciattion to all teachers, parents and students that have been visiting our Book Fair

thanks to you it has been a success!

Scholastic Book Fair

José A. Vargas School invite you to join us and visit the Scholastic Book Fair. It will be held at our School Library from March 12 to March 16! This Year Theme is "Read every Day,  Lead a Better Life"

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

www.mnh.si.edu/panoramas/
virtual tour to the Smithsonian
The comprehensive virtual tour allows the visitor to take a virtual, self-guided, room-by-room walking tour of the whole museum. The visitor can navigate from room to room either by using a floor map or by following blue arrow links connecting the rooms. Camera icons indicate hotspots where the visitor can get a close-up on a particular object or exhibit panel.

Houses vs Homes

vs

Houses has windows, bedrooms and doors,

a home has food, love and much more.

A house has a kitchen, a balcony and a garage,

a home has a family who keeps it warm.

The house has walls, lights and closets

but a home has a father, children and a mother.

Maybe a grandpa,  a grandma or an uncle

but the house could be empty with no one to mumble.

to keep it cozy,  to respect and to play

to care for one another, to hug and to share.

To fulfill empty spaces with loving care

to communicate, to dream and have God there!

                                                                                                            Ms. Milagros Villanueva

S.U. José A. Vargas School

Isabela, Puerto Rico

Reading Comprehension

Rodney Cruz García

Highest Score in Reading Comprehension!

Reading Comprehension Champions!

Luis Muñoz Marín Biography

http://www.biography.com/people/luis-mu%C3%B1oz-mar%C3%ADn-40337


 When the United States granted Puerto Rico the right to elect its own governor (1948), Muoz Marín was overwhelmingly elected and then reelected in 1952, 1956, and 1960.

http://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/m/munoz_marin.htm

Homework: President's Day

Info. about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington's_Birthday


http://www.biografiasyvidas.com/monografia/washington/



http://www.answers.com/topic/abraham-lincoln

http://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/l/lincoln.htm



Happy Birthday Nicole!

 Nicole Figueroa Perez - 8 years old

Hoping that your day will be as special as you are!

Family Values Interviews - Oral Presentation Winners

First Place:                                    Sannette Aldarondo

Second Place:                                Taylimarie

Third Place:                                  Amanda Laguer

Fourth Place:                               Orlando J. Rivera

Fifth Place:                                  Andrea B. Rosas

Sixth Place:                                 Paola N. Mercado

According to their interviews the most important values for their families were love and respect.

The values that were missing these days were respect for life, respect for the elder people and lack of  the prescence of God in the family. The family members agree that we have to go back to the tradional values taught by our ancestors. I must say that we should start living values with our own families because like Father Elias used to say; " if we save the family we save the world"

Children missing moral values at home, teachers say

Discipline in schools is worsening as children are no longer learning moral values at home, a teachers' leader said.

The focus on the primacy of the individual, rather than community; the changing pattern of family structures; the shortening of the length of many relationships; the creation of many more step families; the emphasis on parents going out to work and the consequent perception of the reduced value and worth of the full-time parent have all changed the way they behave."

The traditional sense of community, and parents taking responsibility for their children has gone, and it is now showing in the behaviour of children in schools.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2473208/Children-missing-moral-values-at-home-teachers-say.html

Martin Luther King

Homework for your portfolios

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAkingML.htm

http://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/k/king.htm

You must know the most important facts of MLK's  life.
Yo

Homework: Eugenio Maria de Hostos Biography

http://www.answers.com/topic/eugenio-mar-a-de-hostos

Portrait by Francisco Oller

Born 11 January 1839

Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
Spanish Empire


Died August 11, 1903(1903-08-11) (aged 64)
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic


Occupation Educator, philosopher, national activist


Nationality Spanish (1839-1898), Puerto Rican (1898-1903)
Spouse(s) Belinda Otilia de Ayala y Quintana


Children Eugenio Carlos, Luisa Amelia, Bayoan Lautaro, Filipo Luis Duarte, María Angelina.


Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/eugenio-mar-a-de-hostos#ixzz4Of8ChVZDhttp://www.preb.com/biog/emhostos.htm

How to Express Family Values

http://www.ehow.com/how_8338223_express-family-values-family-reunion.html?utm_source=rcp&utm_medium=test22

A family reunion letter should be warm and specific.

Family reunions are wonderful occasions for far-flung clans or those family members who haven't met yet. Writing a reunion letter is an important step in setting up such a major event. The letter gives family members essential reunion details vital to their planning. A good letter, according to the website Family Reunion, will be informative and to the point. Be engaging and kind, but be clear.
How to Write a Good Family Reunion Invitation Letter | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_6593142_write-family-reunion-invitation-letter.html#ixzz4Of4TPedV

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Computer 

1. Open a word document and begin formatting the letter. Be somewhat formal; for example, write "Smith Family Reunion Invitation" on the top in a large, bold font. Skip a line and start by clearly stating your intentions. Some family members who haven't heard from one another in some time may be startled, according to FamilyReunion.com. Don't write, "I was thinking we should get together." Instead, try, "It is my pleasure to invite you to the Smith family reunion, which will be held Sept. 18, 2010, at the Royal Hall in Brooklyn, New York." This will provide the reader with details from the start.
   
   
   • 2
     Let everyone know what activities you've planned. 

     Continue by concisely describing what the event will entail. Include the number of family members who have been invited, what will be available at the location (food, drinks, entertainment) and what other activities to expect.
   • 3
     Ask your family to help out.
   • family image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
   • In the next paragraph, ask for donations if you need help paying for food, location rentals or other items. Let your family know how they can pay you. If you don't want to ask for money, ask the family to donate food or bring specific items to the event.
   • 4
     Detail the specific location and time in the final paragraph.

Read more: How to Write a Good Family Reunion Invitation Letter | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_6593142_write-family-reunion-invitation-letter.html#ixzz4Of5cTkMM