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Congratulations to the spelling teams from David’s room and the Junior High! Each group worked with me over several weeks honing their spelling skills and trying to remember which words have double consonants and which vowel is correct. Steven John, the principal of Leland and Gray Middle School, and the announcer at the Junior High spelling bee, told us that English speaking countries are the only ones to hold spelling competitions. In many other languages, spelling is much simpler and words are spelled the way they sound. The 5th-6th grade team made a very respectable showing as they competed against seven other schools on Tuesday. The Junior High team won their bee and will go on the regional competition on November 3.

Whooping cough has dominated the scene here at school this week. Nurse Susan has put in lots of extra hours communicating with the Department of Health and with all of us. Thanks, Susan, for giving us the information necessary to make decisions for our children’s health. On Wednesday there were seventeen students out, on Thursday fifteen, and today twelve, so we’re hoping this is the trend we’ll continue to see.

And, of course, we’re hoping for great attendance at the postponed P&F meeting on Monday. I’ve attached the information about the parenting presentation and class. Registration forms for the class will be available at the meeting. Don’t forget to use the Junior High Rent-A-Kid babysitters. Once again, they are: Mandy, 254-2246; Zoe, 368-7621; Ashleigh, 254-3832; Emma, 254-9736; Maddie, 464-2174; Starcie, 254-2739; and Ferne, 579-4762.

Have you seen the playground this week? Last Saturday’s work day was a great success. The uprights are up and work on the frame is ready to begin. We will plan to work again next Saturday, October 20, 9-noon and weather permitting. Gino Redfield, Mason and Mitchell’s dad, and Fana Cyr, Shane and Aleah’s dad, will coordinate this work with help from Tim Hayes and me. Please contact Gino at 348-9899 with questions and offers of help.

Thanks to Lauren for getting our students’ art work out into the community. Did you see the mural made by the kindergartners through fourth graders? It’s in the River Garden and was on display for last week’s Gallery Walk. It even made it into the Gallery Walk Guide!

Meanwhile, there are great things going on at school. The kindergartners are taking apart a bike and learning about the function of all the different parts. They will be very knowledgeable when they follow Ellen’s cross country ride next spring. Judy’s class is learning about insects firsthand as they collect them at home and on the playground and research in books and on the web – worldwide, that is. Jodi’s class is into pirates – a great topic for their water theme and full of lots of adventure and exciting vocabulary, such as “mutiny” and “shipwrecked”. Preparations for field research on Cape Cod are consuming David’s students and the Junior High has been learning about learning and analyzing their own learning strengths and challenges.
Jodi, Gail, and I are published! In this quarter’s issue of HORACE, the journal of the Coalition of Essential Schools, there’s an article written by Jodi and one by me, as well as photos by Gail Chaine. Jodi’s is entitled “No Child Left Inside” and is a passionate description of the importance of learning in the out of doors. “On the Road Again: Field Research in a Rural Elementary School” is my attempt to describe Marlboro’s rich tradition of field research. Gail’s photos bring our ideas to life – Erik and Rose in the woods and Elizabeth on Cape Cod. Stop by the office if you’d like a copy.