Reminder it is early out at 1:00 p.m all week.

Tuesday: Regular dress code due to 3rd grade bridging.

Wednesday: Crazy hair or hat day.

Thursday: Crazy sock day.

Friday: Dress down or pajama day.

I cannot believe we are nearing the end of another school year.  The low temperatures and rainy days make it even harder to believe that we are quickly approaching summer.  It is during this time  that my heart and mind is full as I reflect over the past year and prepare for the upcoming school year.  It was so exciting to welcome the kindergarteners (upcoming first graders) into our classroom this week.  It reminds me just how much everyone has grown this past year, myself included.  I am blessed with the opportunity to teach and learn from these amazing children each and everyday.  It both saddens and excites me as we send our third graders off into upper el.  We grow so attached, but celebrate their own unique blossoming.  They are ready for their new chapter.

I am so grateful for the Montessori philosophy and how we are able to guide these children beyond just one year.  I already know the needs of my  soon-to-be second and third graders before we start the new school year.  My summer planning becomes so much more valuable and we are able to start exactly where we left off in the spring. The relationships we develop are foundational in the growth of each child.  In the traditional public classroom , we spend nearly half the year getting to the know the student and then send them off to the next teacher just to start all over once again.  These three year cycles are so valuable from an educators perspective.   With this being said, we are always thoughtful in the placement of our graduating third graders.  My hope was to visit with you over parent teacher conferences regarding the qualities you would like to have in a teacher for your child, in addition to the qualities you would like to see develop in your child.  Ms. Kacee has asked me for these before the beginning of the week, so I would like to offer the opportunity for you to email me any thoughts or hopes for your advancing children.  I would like for us to do all we can to insure the best possible fit as they each move on into upper el.  Your child’s education is a team effort.  Thank you so much for sharing these bright faces with me each and everyday.

Reminder that third grade bridging will be taking place on Tuesday starting at 11:30 a.m.  Like today, we will be outside and eating lunch picnic style.  Parents are welcome to come join the celebration.

Tomorrow at 11:00 will be our kindergarten bridging ceremony.  The students will be outside during this time.  Even if it is a light drizzle,  the show will go on.  Students should dress accordingly.  The field is pretty wet, so good shoes would be ideal. Our hope is to have a picnic lunch with our soon to be first graders.  Since the field is wet, we will plan to eat on the black top.   Please plan on sending a lunch that will not need to be warmed.

Thank you to those families who helped to make our parts of a plant salad fantastic.  We really appreciated it.

The students are super excited.  We have set the date for our classroom store and they are busy earning money.  We will be having classroom store on Wednesday, May 27th.  The students earn money in our classroom for completing work, classroom jobs, etc.  The students then use the money they earn on store day.  Each student creates their own business.  They can make goods, offer services, or sell small trinkets and such.  The students may not go to the actual store to buy things to sell.  If they want to bring old trinkets that are no longer of value to them, they may bring those items to sell.  Examples would be small items from birthday party favors and such.  If the original value is more than a dollar, the students need to bring a signed note from parents in order to sell it at store.  Some ideas students have come up with are: paper origami, painted rocks, yarn bracelets, and such.  Once the students complete their daily work, they will have a little class time each day to work on their goods.  The students are really excited and working hard to gain a better understanding of money.

Hi Families,

Our level ones will be having a Botany celebration this Friday and we need your help. They have been working hard to learn the different parts of the plants. Please sign up here and shop with your child for the assigned part of a plant.  I gave an example, but feel free to explore and bring your own idea.  The students will wash and prepare the items in class.  Thank you so much!

Sign up for end of year parent teacher conferences here.

Thank you for all of you kind words and generous gifts last week.  It meant a great deal to both myself and Ms. Lily.  I wanted to wish all of our Mothers a wonderful Mother’s Day.  When we were working on our Mother’s day gifts, it was so fun to hear the students get all excited and share their love for their moms.  It is moments like these that  I cherish most with these students.  I wanted all of our wonderful mothers who help in the classroom to know just how much we love and appreciate you.  The help from these ladies makes a world of difference and I just want them to know how much you mean to me and to the growth of these students.  Thank you so much ladies!  We also have a great dad who comes in as well.

Our school is participating in the scholastic summer reading program.  Your child should have brought home a packer with a bright green card stapled to the front.  Reading minutes can already be logged.  Your child was given a login name and a password.  (DISCLAIMER:  I did not come up with either the login or the password, and yes I know they are weird.)  When your child logs in for the first time they will need to log out, log back in through the scholastic.com/summer link and change their password. Otherwise it will not take them to the right place.

My plan was to take the student to the county library in order to get them excited about their summer reading program.   Unfortunately, this opportunity will not be happening as a class, but I strongly encourage you to stop in with your children and sign up for their reading programs.  They are fantastic!  My own children have really enjoyed them and it helps to prevent the summer slide.  I have asked the county library to bring in some information and we should have that next Monday.

Happy Reading!

May 8th- Spelling Bee at 1pm.  Parents welcome to come.

May 11th- Third grade Sage Test.  9:00 a.m.

May 14th- 3rd grade party 1-2:30.  Parents help needed.

May 18th-19th- Kindergarten shadowing.

May 20th- Kindergarten bridging to Lower Elementary ceremony 11am-12pm

May 22nd- Field Day

May 25th- Memorial Day, no school.

May 26th- 3rd Grade Bridging 11:30-12:30.  1:00 p.m. dismissal,  Parent Teacher Conference

May 27th- Crazy hat or hair day. 1:00 p.m. dismissal,  Parent Teacher Conference

May 28th- Crazy sock day.  6th grade Graduation (Lower El does not attend), 1:00 dismissal p.m., Parent Teacher Conference.

May 29th- Last day of school, yearbook signing, teacher 6th grade kickball game, 1:00 p.m. dismissal.

The third graders are ready to celebrate!  Our final sage test will be Monday morning.  Please have your child ready with a good nights sleep, a good breakfast with protein, water bottle, and personal snack.  Their party is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.  We are asking for third grade parents to help.  If you are willing to come and chaperone on Thursday afternoon, from about 1-2:30 p.m., would you please let me know as soon as possible.  There will be a wejoin in coming out soon for needed items.  The students are really excited and have worked really hard to accomplish this celebration.

Also, starting next week, the third graders will be shadowing in the upper elementary classrooms.  This will start on Tuesday.  We will do a few students each day.

Third grade bridging is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26th.  This will begin at 11:30 and should conclude by 12:30.  This is the ceremony where the third graders are welcomed into the upper el classrooms.  I get teary eyed just thinking about sending them along. They have grown and changed so much.