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Lower El: Grandparents Day and The Aristocats Play

This Friday’s Grandparents Day was nothing short of magical. It was so lovely to see such a huge turnout of proud grandparents, special guests, and parents, all gathered to support our incredible students. The energy in the room was full of joy, and the love these children felt from their audience was unmistakable.

The students have been pouring their hearts into The Aristocats play for weeks, and their hard work absolutely paid off. From the first note to the final bow, they were outstanding—confident, creative, and full of life. Watching them shine on stage was a moment I’ll never forget.

This week, I felt especially grateful to be the Lower Elementary teacher at Fraser Woods. To be with these children five days a week, watching them grow, take risks, and support one another—it’s a gift. I’m honored to be a safe, steady presence for them during their school days, and Friday reminded me just how meaningful that role is. Their performance was a beautiful reminder of the joy and purpose in this work. I left feeling deeply humbled and incredibly proud.

I’m excited for all that’s still to come in our final five weeks together—it’s a special time, and I’m loving every bit of it.


This Week in Upper El

 

Upcoming UE Important Dates

  • Wednesday, May 7: Section 5 of Fish in a Tree Due
  • Wednesday, May 14: Section 6 of Fish in a Tree Due
  • Friday, May 16 at 8:30: May & Summer Birthday Breakfast (this is a change of date from the original date of May 9)
  • Tuesday, May 27 to Thursday, May 29: Nature’s Classroom Big Trip!

What an incredible night we had on Friday! After a five-year break from performing musicals, the Upper El and Middle School students, under the excellent direction of Megan Kirk, amazed us with an outstanding performance of Finding Nemo Jr. All of the students should be very proud of themselves and the weeks of hard work they put in. Bravo!

We also enjoyed a wonderful Grandparents and Special Friends Day on Friday morning. Students proudly showcased their hard work, with a strong emphasis on math materials. Several students even enthusiastically gave tours of the school to their guests.


Mrs. Sargeant’s Weekly Update

This week was full of excitement, hands-on learning, and joyful moments. Here are some of the highlights:

Bug Hunt Adventure
We kicked off the week with a bug hunt, sparking curiosity and enthusiasm as the children explored the outdoors and discovered tiny creatures in their natural habitats.

Tasty Activities
The children practiced their fine motor skills by slicing strawberries and spreading butter or cream cheese on bagels—delicious and fun!

A Trip to the “Theater”
We had the pleasure of attending the Upper School’s truly phenomenal production of Finding Nemo. The children were an amazing audience and all enjoyed the performance.

Chick Hatching News!
Our much-anticipated chicks have finally hatched! We welcomed five fluffy friends—one more than we expected after candling. Next week, they’ll be heading to Palmieri Farm in Easton, where their journey began.

Grandparents & Special Visitors Day
To finish the week on a high note, the children proudly welcomed their grandparents and special visitors into our classroom. Thank you to everyone who came to visit with us!

Enjoy the week, Happy May!

Christine & Hailey


Ms. Handibode: Nature’s Classroom

 

Spring is the perfect time to go for a nature walk and bug hunt, and that’s exactly what we did this week. Going on a nature walk is a simple, fun, and meaningful way to spend time outdoors. A bug hunt is a really fun way to help incorporate what we are learning about insects inside the classroom and what we observe outside in nature. The best thing about a bug hunt? Once the children get in the habit of learning, observing, and studying insects, their reaction is less likely to be, “Aarrghhhh, a bug!”

We are so excited to welcome six baby chicks to our classroom. Four chicks hatched overnight on Wednesday and were peeping away when we arrived at school Thursday morning. The fifth and sixth chicks hatched later that afternoon. The chicks will spend some time in the incubator and then be moved to a large crate outside the zen garden. On Monday, they will be delivered to the farmer who gave us the eggs. We voted as a class on what to name our six chicks, and the winning names were Fluffy, Marshmallow, Nugget, Peach, Lovey, and Raven Hawk. It was a wonderful experience for everyone, and we all learned so much about the life cycle of a chick.

Wishing you a week filled with peace and love,

Michelle and Maria


Mrs. Lopes: A Look at Our Week

Spring is the perfect time to go for a nature walk and bug hunt, and that’s exactly what we did this week. Going on a nature walk is a simple, fun, and meaningful way to spend time outdoors. A bug hunt is a really fun way to help incorporate what we are learning about insects inside the classroom and what we observe outside in nature. The best thing about a bug hunt? Once the children get in the habit of learning, observing, and studying insects, their reaction is less likely to be, “Aarrghhhh, a bug!”

We were so excited to welcome three baby chicks to our classroom last week.  They spent a week in our classroom and then went home with the Neugolds to live on their family farm.  It was a wonderful experience for everyone, and we all learned so much about the life cycle of a chick.

Wishing you a week filled with peace and love,

Amanda and Hema


Mrs. Wilson: A Special Week!

This week, our classroom has begun a gentle transformation as we introduce the fascinating world of pond life and insects. Throughout the month, the children will explore various life cycles firsthand. We’re excited to observe painted lady butterflies and praying mantises, and we’re hopeful that tadpoles will make an appearance soon!

On Thursday, the children had the delightful opportunity to attend a special performance of Finding Nemo Jr., presented by the Upper Elementary and Middle School students. They sat attentively and respectfully throughout the show—we were incredibly proud of them! The performance was full of energy and heart. Bravo to our talented older students!

We also celebrated Grandparents and Special Friends Day, a truly joyful occasion. The children were thrilled to welcome their loved ones into the classroom. It was a pleasure to meet everyone and see the joy shared between generations.

Love and Light

Cynthia and Sara


Ms. Handibode: Head, Thorax, Abdomen…Abdomen!

We are hard at work becoming entomologists. This is always a favorite unit of study for the children. An entomologist is a scientist who studies insects. We began our unit by discussing what we already know about insects, what they are, and what they can do. We discovered that insects are slimy, little, gross, soft, and hard. Insects can crawl, sting, bite, eat, fly, walk upside down, and jump. We learned that insects lay eggs and have antennae and three main body parts: a head, thorax, and abdomen, eyes, and six legs. Insects are also cold-blooded, have an exoskeleton, and many have wings. Finally, we found out why a spider is not an insect. Ask your child to see if they know why.

Wishing you a week filled with peace and love!

Michelle & Maria


Mrs. Lopes: A Look at Our Week

We are hard at work becoming entomologists. This is always a favorite unit of study for the children. An entomologist is a scientist who studies insects. We begin our unit by discussing what we already know about insects, what they are, and what they can do. We discover that insects are slimy, little, gross, soft, and hard. Insects can crawl, sting, bite, eat, fly, walk upside down, and jump. We learn that insects lay eggs and have antennae and three main body parts: a head, thorax, and abdomen, eyes, and six legs. Insects are also cold-blooded, have an exoskeleton, and many have wings. Finally, we will find out why a spider is not an insect.

Wishing you a week filled with peace and love!

Amanda & Hema