Friday Letter - 02.04.11

February 4, 2011 
 
Dear RiverRun Families,

This snow has thrown my best laid plans off course. Weather has been a big topic in our classroom as we continue to explore the work of air. We have seen that the earth's rotation, the heating and cooling of land and today we saw how the changing of the seasons effects wind and causes rains. I demonstrated how hot air carries moisture by using a blow dryer as my hot air and having them see how it takes the moisture from and circle of water put on our chalkboard. I have also started to talk with the children about goods and services/economic geography. The first question we are looking at is Where Does Bread Come From?. After seeing the long journey from farm to store we can see how much work goes into getting goods to market and therefore what is behind the pricing of goods.

On Tuesday we are having a special Chinese New Year celebration with Madeleine's Dafu Greg. I look forward to partaking in that. I also hope to see everyone at the Gallery and Parent Education night.

Have a nice weekend,
Amy

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Last week I said it was a four-day week in our Friday letter, but I was mistaken. This week it really did end up to be only four days of school! And what a busy week it was. In the afternoon session, the students spent lots of time discussing inventions which have improved our lives and problems which still remain. They brainstormed creative solutions to problems and improvements to products. We even worked on some hands-on problems intended to get those creative juices flowing. Our entries in the Invention Convention program will be submitted this weekend, but that won’t be the end of our discussions and activities related to inventions. We’ll continue to work with this theme now and again all spring. Then in May we’ll plan a field trip to the Schenectady Museum to view ideas from other school children all over the Capital Region.

Looking ahead on our school calendar, you will note that next Friday is the only other Friday of this month in which we are in session. Therefore, by popular request, we are going to have another Pizza Friday. Next week please send in $1 per slice for one or two slices of pizza if your child is interested.

Next Thursday is our Gallery Showcase and Parent Education Night from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. and we are looking forward to welcoming you to the classroom to share projects we’ve been working on. Our recent artwork will be on display in the gallery (hallway) for your viewing pleasure as well. Students will be taking on the role of "teacher" or "guide" and showing parents how to do some of the works they most enjoy. It is important that each student attend this event as their role is considered part of their program of study.

Finally, Friday the 18th is Parent-Teacher Conference Day and no school for students. We are looking forward to meeting with parents to discuss your child’s progress this year. Please sign up with Jacqui Foster (Board of Trustees Member) for a parent conference, which are available between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on the half hour. You can reach Jacqui by phone at 382-5982 or by email at jacqfo@nycap.rr.com and are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible.

Best wishes,
Nancy Adis

Upcoming Dates:
Thursday, February 10th – 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Gallery Showcase and Parent Education Night
Friday, February 11th – Pizza Friday
Friday, February 18th – No School - Parent-Teacher Conferences
February 21-25 – No School – February Recess