Mrs. Santayana´s Class: From seeds to Trees

Posted on by Rhodora Santayana

 

One tree, two tree, alder tree, aspen tree, hazel tree, willow tree, old tree, new tree. Trees go well with Dr. Seuss´ rhymes.

We learned about trees and plants. Plants do a lot for us. Plants give us most of the food we eat. Fruits, vegetables, and even things like bread come from plants. Bread is made from wheat plants. Something else we get from plants is wood. Wood is from trees. Most of our clothes are made from cotton plants. So plants are very important to us. We talked more about things we get from plants.

Mrs. Doyle’s Class: Fun On the Farm

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

 

Today our class spent the morning at Sticks and Stones Farm in Newtown, CT.  We are grateful the weather cooperated.  Our journey began with a brief introduction to the farm from our guide Jim.  The farm at Sticks and Stones is comprised of many natural treasures such as moss gardens, cedar forests, beaver dams, ponds, and wooded trails. We explored them all.  One unexpected treasure that we were pleasantly surprised to come across was a bus full of llamas!  The llamas are brought to the farm each week to walk the trails with guests.  Each child had a chance to go on the bus and see the llamas up close.  It was a peaceful way to spend our morning together, exploring nature.

On Monday, June 4th, we will be having a lock down drill in the morning. As always, we speak to the children beforehand, explaining in simple terms what to expect.

Mrs. Carroll’s Class: Take a Hike!

Posted on by Cindy Carroll

 

Today our class spent the morning at Sticks and Stones Farm in Newtown, CT.  We are grateful the weather cooperated.  Our journey began with a brief introduction to the farm from our guide Jim.  The farm at Sticks and Stones is comprised of many natural treasures such as moss gardens, cedar forests, beaver dams, ponds, and wooded trails. We explored them all.  One unexpected treasure that we were pleasantly surprised to come across was a bus full of llamas!  The llamas are brought to the farm each week to walk the trails with guests.  Each child had a chance to go on the bus and see the llamas up close.  It was a peaceful way to spend our morning together, exploring nature.

On Monday, June 4th, we will be having a lock down drill in the morning. As always, we speak to the children beforehand, explaining in simple terms what to expect.

Enjoy your week!

Cindy & Samantha

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Design Thinking comes to Kindergarten

Posted on by Danielle Ulacco

Our Extended Day students have “officially” jumped head first into our 3D printing realm! They created amazing and original designs for their end of year project.

Collaboration is a beautiful thing. To complete this co-curricular project we had several Middle School Techsperts assist throughout our kindergarten MakerSpace class.

When Extended day students arrived, they were given an overview of how to use Morphi: Our resident 3D printing application in the MakerSpace. Once the tech was understood and questions were answered, we moved to our mobile whiteboard tables that were set up and ready forour kindergarten makers. At each seat you would notice their name, their animal, an iPad, and a marker to start drawing their 2D animal. Middle Schoolers assisted by pulling up photos of their animals on our iPads to serve as a reference. They took their time in drawing, critiquing, requesting feedback, and then finally asking for approval from one of the Techsperts.

Once their rough draft was approved, they were given a stylus and proceeded to recreate their draft on Morphi’s application. Upon completion, they used the “type” feature to add their name and the name of their animal. The beauty of our technology that we chose to implement in the MakerSpace is that everything works seamlessly. With a tap of a few buttons, all files were Airdropped to one of our MacBook Pro’s where I would later slice and send the files to the 3D printers in our MakerSpace.

Our school functions entirely on community and collaboration, and this project is a perfect mirror image of who we want to be. Thank you to Mrs. Doyle for inviting me to be a part of this project. Thank you to my Middle School students for their guidance and tech-knowledge. And a big thank you to my Extended Day students for their hard work and eagerness to learn new things.

Here in the MakerSpace, it’s ALL possible.

Mrs. Doyle’s Class: One Step At A Time!

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

 

 

The first week of school is always filled with many emotions for children, parents and teachers.  It takes time for the new rhythms of scheduled days to become familiar.  So, while we are taking one step at a time it definitely feels like we hit the ground running!

It just a few short days we as a class are learning:

  • how to navigate our way around the environment
  • how to wait for a lesson
  • the routines of our school day
  • how to prepare for snack and lunch independently
  • being part of a large group meeting by listening and sharing
  • how to be responsible for the environment

Our returning friends have been role models for our new friends.  It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to be a leader.  It wasn’t so very long ago they were new to the classroom themselves and they accept this responsibility with excitement and confidence.

Here’s to new beginnings and a peaceful, fun school year for everyone!

Mrs. Doyle & Mrs. Lyga

 

 

Mrs. Carroll’s Class: Our Inspiration

Posted on by Cindy Carroll

Another school year is coming to a close. As we watch each child leave our beautiful environment for the summer Ms. Kayser and I can’t help but remember their 1st days with us. It is always humbling to be a witness to their development.

While many of our children and families are returning, some will be moving on. To EVERYONE, regardless, we wish the best of summer and the best in the years ahead.

Thank you all for your inspiration. It is a beautiful thing to have a career and a passion come together!

With  peaceful hearts,

Samantha & Cindy

Mrs. Santayana’s Class: Have a Happy Summer!

Posted on by Rhodora Santayana

 

This is our last week of school. As always, working with the children is such a pleasure.

We wish to thank you all for the wonderful experience. We would also like to thank you for your generous gifts! We wish you a safe and happy summer!

I have worked with your flower, and helped it to grow.

I´m returning it now, but I want you to know

This flower is precious, as dear as can be.

Take care of it, and you will see

A bright new bloom, with every day.

It grew and blossomed, in such a wonderful way.

In August, just a bud, then January, a bloom, now a lovely blossom

I´m returning to you.

Remember, this flower,

As dear as can be.

Though rightfully yours,

Part will always be with me!

With all our love, Mrs. Santayana and Mrs. Simmons

Mrs. Doyle’s Class: Make Your Summer Memorable!

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

 

It’s hard to believe we have completed the 2017-18 school year.  We wish you a summer filled with peace, love, happiness and the chance to make lifetime memories.  Enjoy the time with your loved ones and may you all have a chance to relax and enjoy a calmer time of year.  Thank you for sharing your children with us and thank you for all the behind the scenes help that makes our year so much smoother!

We leave you with a poem that resonates deeply with us every single year.

Whose Child Is This?      

“Whose child is this?” I asked one day
Seeing a little one out at play.
“Mine,” said the parent with a tender smile.
“Mine to keep a little while
To bathe his hands and comb his hair
To tell him what he is to wear
To prepare him that he may always be good
And each day do the things he should.”

“Whose child is this?” I asked again
As the door opened and someone came in.
“Mine,” said the teacher with the same tender smile.
“Mine, to keep just for a little while
To teach him how to be gentle and kind
To train and direct his dear little mind
To help him live by every rule
And get the best he can from school.”

“Whose child is this?” I ask once more
Just as the little one entered the door.
“Ours,” said the parent and the teacher as they smiled
And each took the hand of the little child.
“Ours to love and train together
Ours this blessed task forever.”

—–Author Unknown

 

Michelle & Sonja