Friday Letter - 04.15.11

April 15, 2011

Dear River Run Families,

It's hard to believe Spring Break is here. The nice weather has made outside play even better, if that is possible, and has given the children a lot of good energy. The children are working in all areas of the curriculum diligently. I love to observe the children working; they are all busy using everything on the shelves. This is a class of readers and writers, when you have a moment take time to listen. Every one of them has improved either in phonics or fluency. Their writing and illustrating has also become more detailed and interesting. All the writing journals will go home at the end of the school year.

This week we looked at flags and discussed that they are symbols which have meaning to the countries they represent. The children made flags of themselves, using pictures to tell others things about themselves. They went home today so they can share them with you.

I hope you all enjoy your week together.

Amy
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

This week the class traveled to the Hudson Valley Community College campus to attend a show by Mark Tayac and the Piscataway Indian Nation Singers and Dancers. We learned more about Native American history, traditions, songs, and dances. Our students even participated in the Snake Dance on stage. Thank you to Debbie Proulx for assisting with driving and chaperoning RiverRun students.

Later in the same day, some RiverRun families met at the Pine Bush Preserve to participate in a Woodcock Educational Program and nature hike. Everyone got to see at least one woodcock performing their mating flight. Thank you to Teresa Foster for continuing to organize family events for our RiverRun community.

This week we also began working on a humanitarian project that was planned by the older students who attended the RiverRun Preview Program (for 4th - 6th graders) a few weeks ago. For this project, our students are making small carp kites to be sold to raise money for the children of Japan. The carp is a symbol of strength, courage, and loyalty because the carp demonstrate these qualities in swimming against the current, even up waterfalls, to get to their location. We are doing this project in conjunction with Children's Day in Japan on May 5st. We are planning to make 100-200 kites and hoping to sell them at the Schenectady Green Market or another venue. More information will follow later.

While we have not given the students an assignment over the break week, we do hope that you will all continue your daily reading as often as possible. I hope you all have new adventures, quality family time, and lots of fun outdoors over the break week.

Best wishes, Nancy

Upcoming Dates:
April 18th - 22nd – No School – Spring Recess
May 6th – Class Field Trip to The Egg for the New York Theatre Ballet’s “Alice In Wonderland Follies”