Our Last Week of School

I cannot express how impressed I have been with the sense of compassion and teamwork this class has developed.  The unforeseen obstacles we have faced this year have strengthened and helped these children grow in ways that they would not have otherwise.  They have grown and expanded into an amazing community and have learned life skills that will take them far in life.  They have learned to recognize differences, needs and strengths in one another.  I know some of you had the opportunity in sit in on our compliment circles and see how they are able to lift each other, recognize service, and celebrate who they are.  I have seen the beauty of them becoming leaders and helping their fellow classmates.  Teacher have come to me and expressed how impressed they are in the friendships and teamwork they witness with this group.  These opportunities shape these young people for the better and I feel so fortunate to see this first hand.  I have shed many tears of joy in seeing them develop further into amazing people this past year.  It took a little longer than hoped because of our unique challenges, but we normalized into peaceful focused work cycles.  The academic progress these students have made is so exciting.  Upper el teachers are thrilled to hear how well prepared in large math these students from our class are for next year.  Our reading has soared!  One of the reading specialists was nearly in tears of joy as we were going over reading scores.  These kids have made great strides and it takes all of us as a team to make this happen.  Please, please, please, continue to have your children read regularly over the summer.  It is so important to keep this momentum going.

As this year comes to an end, I am already planning for next year and wanting to make you aware of some of the changes you will see happening.  This was a transition year for many of students and we thought it best not to change too many things at once.  One thing that will be different will be home projects.  Projects will have assigned due dates and guided topics.  They will continue to be due monthly.  We will also be having book shares monthly.  Our first home project for next fall will be a little different in nature, it will be a show and teach.  I will be sending further details, but you may want to be thinking with your student over the summer about something they enjoy doing and how they can teach that to the class.

I am trying to replace the sadness I feel in not seeing them over the summer with excitement for all the new things next year will bring.  I have grown alongside them this year and love that this journey will continue as we meet together again next fall.  The Montessori philosophy is beautiful in so many ways, but one particular strength I appreciate is that I as a teacher get to know and grow with your child for more than a year.  I love knowing that with our soon to be level 2’s and 3’s, that I have already developed a knowledge of who they are and can continue to grow in that knowledge in order to help them reach their potentials.  Often times, like in traditional school, by the time you really start to have a great feel for the child and their needs, the school year is already winding down and they move forward into the next class, only to start the process all over again.  I love that we have the ability to develop a deeper understanding of each unique child we teach.   I love them all and I celebrate how amazing each child is and thank you for allowing me to be apart of this great work.

We will be honoring the moving forward of our level 3’s into upper el on Tuesday.  The bridging ceremony was changed from 11:30 to 11:00 a.m.  Level 3 parents are invited to attend.  It will be a short ceremony, followed by a picnic lunch for level 3’s joining upper el.  Level 3’s please do not bring something to warm for lunch this day.  Level 1 and 2’s will be having lunch in the classroom.

Wednesday is crazy hair day.

Thursday is crazy sock day.

Friday is pajama day and yearbook signing.

Don’t forget that all week is dismissal at 1:00 p.m. in order to provide time for conferences.

Wrapping Things Up

This will be our last week of regular morning work cycle.  I would like for our monthly home projects to be presented by the end of the week.  If for some reason you need to go into the following week, please let me know so we can schedule accordingly.   We had a handful of students who went on vacations to exciting places this month and would like to encourage you to have your child prepare a presentation (home project) to share with the class.

We will be having students from the kindergarten classrooms shadowing in our classroom this week.  Level 1’s and 2’s will be able to introduce themselves to the students who will be joining us next year.  This is such an exciting time of the year.  We will be having a special bridging ceremony for the kindergarteners moving up to first grade this Thursday.  We will be having a picnic lunch this day and I ask that you not send a lunch that needs to be warmed up.  Third grade parents should have received an email about your child’s ceremony for May 27th.

Field day is Friday.  Lower El will be participating in the morning from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  The North Ogden Fire Department will be coming to the school at 2:15 pm to squirt the kids with water in the school field area. PARENTS NOTE: Please put sunscreen on your child or send sunscreen (labeled with your child’s name) with your child to school so they can apply it themselves. Each child needs to bring a towel and wear a swimming suit under their clothes. For girls, their swimming suit needs to be a one piece (NO 2-PIECE OR TANKINI) will be allowed.

Fat Boy ice cream fundraiser forms are due Monday.  Friday afternoon will be the ice cream pick up at the North Shore parking lot.

Snack help for this week is much appreciated.  If you have surplus of anything at home the kids would love to use it this week.

Last Reminder

Parents Tomorrow is our field trip to the farm.  Our room mother stated that only 3 students have asked for rides.  Please know, for liability reasons,  that it is your responsibility to arrange transportation for your child.  We do have a limited number of parents who are willing to provide a ride, but you must contact our room mother.  Please remember they will be getting dirty, please dress them appropriately.  Good shoes are a must.  Sunscreen would be an excellent idea and remember no heat ups for lunch.  It should be a fun day!  We will leave at 9:00 a.m. from North Shore.  Just a few permission slips were not handed in today, please make certain you send them.

Thank you

Thank you for the wonderful teacher appreciation gifts this week, I especially love cut flowers and have really enjoyed having them in the classroom this week.  I love your children and thank you for allowing me to be apart of their growth.

Field Trip

I know the kids are excited to be heading to Ms. Shanan’s family farm, Holmgren Historical Farm, in Tremonton. This has been a big hit in years past.  We will be joining her class for the field trip this Wednesday.  Ms. Shanan has been preparing permission slips and they will be sent home Monday, please have your child return them Tuesday.  I wish we had certified drivers for our class, with this being said, for legal reasons you are responsible for arranging a ride for your student.  Please contact our room mother for any assistance you may need in this area or your willingness to provide a ride.  We welcome and encourage you all to come and enjoy this exciting day with us.  We will be leaving the school from North Shore at 9:00 a.m. and will be leaving the farm around 1:30  p.m. and returning back to the school for regular dismissal.  Please dress your child in clothes that will encourage exploration.  They will be getting dirty!  Sunscreen and water bottle are strongly encouraged.  Remember to bring a sack lunch.  We will be roasting marshmallows and doing some dutch oven apple crisp.  We will be asking for donations for these items.  Please see the we join in link, and thank you in advance. This should be a great learning experience and a fun celebration for our end of year!

Last Week of School Events

May 23 – Field Day- Wear your sporting clothes, bring a hat, wear some sunscreen, and make sure to have a water bottle.

field day

May 26 – Memorial Day – No School!!!

memorial day

 

 

 

May 27 – Early Out for Parent Teacher Conference – Children out at 1:00 p.m.  Sign up now under we join in link.

parent teacher conference

 

May 28 – Faculty vs. 6th Graders Kickball Game

kickball

 

May 28 – Crazy Hat / Hair Day

crazy hair day

 

May 28 – Early Out for Parent Teacher Conferences – The children will go home at 1:00 p.m. – Sign up is now available.

parent teacher conference

 

May 29 – Sixth Grade Graduation

sixth grade graduation

 

May 29 – Crazy Sock Day

crazy sock day

 

May 29 – Early Out for Parent Teacher Conferences – School is out at 1:00 p.m. – Sign up times are now available.

parent teacher conference

 

May 30 – Yearbook Signing Day

yearbook signing

 

May 30 – Pajama Day

pajama day

 

May 30 – LAST DAY OF SCHOOL  1:00 p.m. dismissal

last day of school

 

 

The count down begins.

The kids are starting to count down the days until the end of the year.  We still have our normal work cycle for the next few weeks, with a few exceptions. The 3rd grade party is tomorrow afternoon.  If you signed up to provide something, please don’t forget to send it.  Students are invited to bring their own game to play in addition to others that will be available.   May 8th is our evacuation drill.  This is when we will be practicing picking up your children.  May 14th will be our field trip.  I will send further dates for end of year activities as they are confirmed.

Ask your child about our recent rice experiment.   It is pretty powerful.