The start of a new school year is always exciting. So many possibilities lying before teachers and students alike. It is natural for students and adults to feel varying emotions as a new year begins. Fraser Woods provides a nurturing environment that naturally eases this transition for many.

During our first week we spent time community building, setting up routines, having fun using charades to show how to properly clean the classroom and building up to a regular work cycle. Mrs. Faust and I are enjoying the start to this new school year and look forward to getting to know everyone better as the year progresses!

 

As this school year comes to a close we recall many great memories shared with families, friends, teachers and students. Spirit week was a thrill as we enjoyed the themes of the day and participated in Field Day!

We wrapped up some final lessons, shared stories and many celebrations. This included our moving up ceremonies for the 5th Year students and the incoming 3rd Year students.

We ended last week with our last sandwich making event on Thursday. Thank you once again for the overall coordination by Michele Nieminen and the generous donations of food and supplies by parents to make this successful!

On this same day after school the students joined together for a large sport’s celebration with snacks, refreshments and playing games together. Thank you Liz Bashawaty for coordinating the donations and another thank you to those that contributed! We look forward to another fun-filled sports season beginning next fall.

Our final birthday breakfast of the year was a celebration of both June and July birthdays. This was a celebration for Ayden, Nadia, Logan and James. Thank you, Mary Knox for the additional breakfast snack!

Finally, we wish all of you a wonderful summer! As I told the fifth year class on their moving up day they are a very special group. They are like brothers and sisters to one another and we are going to miss their camaraderie in the Upper Elementary! This class is going to do great things!

With much love from your teachers, Mr. Comstock & Miss Hope

Our overnight trip to Nature’s Classroom last week was a nice break from the classroom routine. While on the trip the students formed tighter bonds as they challenged themselves, took risks and had an all around good time together. For some students the challenge may have been their first time overnight away from home. For others it may have been standing up in front of a number of students from another school to share something positive about their experience at Nature’s Classroom. We were very proud of how well the students behaved while still having a blast with things such as a Fortnite Dance challenge before bedtime.

On Tuesday we resumed our normal classroom routine. Although we all feel the school year coming to a close the classroom is buzzing with lessons, collaboration and acts of kindness. We are sad to think of the fifth year class moving on soon, but we know they will do great things in sixth grade.

Last week we welcomed many special visitors and friends to our classroom for the morning. We began their visit on circle with us to learn about our morning routine and then we played a group game. The room was filled with laughter and smiles. Next, each student had an opportunity to write an acrostic poem about their visitor and their special visitor did the same for them.

This week the students were immersed in play preparations for James and The Giant Peach, Jr.  It’s a break from our routine but the students came together to support one another in their efforts to put on a memorable show. We hope to see you Friday evening!

Lastly, we want to wish a Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms in each of our lives. We hope you have a weekend filled with joy, love and pampering.

The students enjoy our morning routine of outdoor exercise to get their brains primed for learning. They play group tag games, run laps, World Cup Soccer, or stroll and chat with friends and teachers. As educators, we observe and allow for natural play to take shape among children as they engage and sometimes negotiate challenges. At times a student may get injured and others will step in to see if they are feeling okay. This week I observed a student get hurt during a soccer game. The other students gathered around to see how he was feeling. Then two of the students walked him to the nurse’s office.  I was glad to see empathy take over among the children and that the two students were okay missing a few minutes of play to assist a fellow student.

Much of our time moving forward into next week will focus on immersion for James and The Giant Peach, Jr.  This will be a break from our normal routine yet it is an enjoyable experience as we see many students stretch themselves. For some, it may be their first time on stage or their first time in a principal role. With that comes some anxiety but it leads to growth. We look forward to a great show next week, May 11th!

One last piece of important information. As temperatures rise, it is important children remain hydrated.  Therefore, please have your child bring to school a filled water bottle with his or her name clearly written on the bottle or a label. Thanks for your cooperation.

This week the students’ efforts shone through in the knowledge they shared during our annual science fair. The focus for their study was sound, light and magnetism. They each chose a problem and then formulated an educated guess, or hypothesis for a solution to that problem. Next, they made a material list, wrote a procedure of steps to test their hypothesis and then recorded results. Lastly they wrote a conclusion which was a reflection on the overall experience.

The first goal of the science fair is to learn and apply the scientific method. The second goal is for the students to understand the process and learn to apply problem solving techniques for future studies, not only in science but in life as they encounter daily challenges.

During these next two weeks excitement and enthusiasm will grow as all elementary students prepare for James and The Giant Peach, Jr. Rehearsals are coming along nicely and our principle characters should continue to practice at home daily so they may rehearse off-script while in school.

Thank you for taking some time to join us for Parent/Child Night last week. The children enjoyed your company in the classroom.