POND-erings

Today we launched our spring expedition, Down by the Banks!  The children came into school eager to share their predictions as to what our expedition topic might be.  “P” was their only clue, and their guesses ran the gamut from “penguins” to “pencils!”  After brainstorming the “P”ossibilities, the students passed around a Mystery Jar, filled with tiny creatures, grasses and murky water.  Using “I notice/I wonder” statements, they exchanged ideas and challenged each other’s thoughts until they came to the final declaration: “P is for POND!”  They spent the rest of the morning exploring in the “play pond” (kiddie pool with fish, turtles, birds, horses, polar bears, bugs, sticks, etc.) and using the “I notice/I wonder” protocol in small groups.  Ms. Seaborg worked individually with your children on an “Is This a Pond?” pre-assessment, while Tina Cook volunteered in the Math Center helping students with a frog-sorting activity.  All in all, it was a wonderful beginning to our study on PONDS. 🙂

 

Stepping back a bit, our Strength of a Bear expedition finished with a flourish as the kindergartners presented their new knowledge and the SELS mascot to the entire school community last Friday.  It was exciting to see them brave the “butterflies” and speak loudly and clearly to such a large audience.  We will let you know when the video-version of their presentation is officially linked to our school website.  Stay tuned!  In the meantime, please be on the lookout today for their bear medicine bags (representing strength); they are in zip-locks in their backpacks.

 

Crew News

Goal-Setting Conferences: Reminder…this Wed./Thurs. we will be having 20-minute goal-setting conferences to revisit your child’s October goal and to set a new goal for the next 7 months.  PLEASE BE PROMPT AND PREPARED.  NO CONFERENCE WILL LAST MORE THAN 20 MINUTES.

Upcoming Field Work: We will make our first pond visit to the Glenshire Pond on Friday, 13th from 10:00am-1:00pm.  Our field work coordinators will be in touch about chaperoning.

Red Folders: There will be no homework this week.  Enjoy the break and read many wonderful stories to your children!

Book Orders: I did not receive any orders for the last round.  Please let me know if for some reason I missed your order.  We will send a new order after break.

Illness: The stomach flu seems to be making the rounds in Kindergarten.  Please keep your child home if s/he is feeling sick or is running a fever.  The general rule for fevers/vomiting is to keep your child home for 24 hours after vomiting/fever subsides.  Thank you for helping to keep us all healthy! 

 

SELS NEWS

Important Dates:

▪           Informational Meetings: March 28 and April 10

▪           A performance, “Student Expressions of Health Rhythms Drum Beats, the Elements,” will highlight the completion of a 5 week enrichment block: Community Meeting on Friday, March 30 from 9:15-10:30

▪           Spring Break – NO SCHOOL – April 2-6

▪           Board Meeting, Monday, April 9, 5:30-8:30, M-4

▪           Applications for 2012-13 lottery must be received by Wed, April 11 at 3:30 pm

▪           SELS lottery, Tues, April 17, 6 pm, M-4