Note from Francie, Nov. 1, 2007
What fun to see all of the witches, bats, princesses, monsters, and other inventive characters at our Halloween All School Sing yesterday! After singing the Monster Mash, we all danced our way out of the Outback. The younger classes then welcomed a parade of costumed visitors from the Meetinghouse Preschool and the older classes went to the New England Youth Theatre to see “A Night at the Opera”. If you didn’t make it to school, you can check out wonderful pictures on the website. Thanks, Pam!
Kids in the Primary Room are hard at work studying about insects. Judy organized a group of wonderful parent volunteers to work with groups of two to three students as they pored through books to find out about their insects. We all learned a lot! Did you know that a fly’s sense of smell is in its feet?!
On Friday, I look forward to seeing many of you at school for parent conferences. It’s wonderful to have the undivided attention of your child’s teacher and for them to have yours!
Saturday will also be a busy day at school as, after getting rained out last weekend, work on the new playground structure will continue. Please join us from 9 to noon. Call me or Gino Redfield (348-9899) for more information. That same morning the regional spelling bee for 7th and 8th graders takes place in the Outback. Teams will come from Manchester, Castleton, Stamford, and Weathersfield to compete with Starcie, Charlotte, Emma, Ferne, Zoe, and Lloyd.
Next Wednesday Ellen, David, Tim, and I leave for the Coalition of Essential Schools annual conference in Denver. We will each be presenting a workshop as well as attending workshops to learn from teachers all over the country. Tim will lead a conversation on classroom governance based on democratic principles. David will share his experience with field research on Cape Cod and in New York City as well as right in his own backyard, Applewoods. Ellen and I are presenting on the spring conference format we’ve been using where students lead the conferences with their parents. Meanwhile the school will be in good hands with the rest of the staff and tried and true substitute teachers.
Posted: November 1st, 2007 under Notes From Francie.