Earth Day 2014

Dear Parents,

It is not too late to clean out those closets, toy rooms, basements/attics or garages and help our school at the same time.  Pinewoods will host their annual spring yard sale next Saturday, April 26, at school starting at 8 a.m.  We are still looking for some participants who are willing to barter, negotiate, and haggle as we sell and swap those items that we no longer have use for.  In keeping with Earth Day, why not allow others in the community to reuse toys and clothes that you would otherwise throw out.  I hope to see you there. If you are unable to come out on Saturday morning and would still like to donate items, we will be accepting items all week. We can store items at school starting on Monday morning.

But before the yard sale, Pinewoods will host a discussion forum, Beyond the Label, where the labels given to children are explained by some experts in their respective fields.  Dr. Michelle Manzon as well as experts in occupational therapy and behavioral therapy will explain ADD, ADHD, autism and other diagnoses affecting children.  Join us on April 23 at 6:30 p.m. for what we expect will be an evening of education and lively discussion. Child care will be provided.

Right around the corner, will be the Pinewoods Annual Auction on May 17.  While the Special Events Committee as been hard at work soliciting donations from the local business community, we still need help from our own school community.  What are you known for among family and friends?  Are you an expert party planer, local brew master,  artist,  musician, cake decorator, gardener, computer expert, chef, animal trainer,  or butcher, baker, and candle stick maker?  Whatever your special skill set, we NEED you. Please send in your donor forms, we are counting on you for your expertise. Then, join us on May 17 for end of year blow out! There will be a jazz band and photo booth to capture all of the memories.  The photo booth will be managed by Ms. Summer's husband, Nathan. Each classroom will create a one-of-a-kind project to be included in the auction.

Earth Day is Tuesday and weather permitting we will be spending sometime outdoors in the elementary learning environment.  We will be cleaning up winter debris, making and laying decorative pavers, planting, and creating outdoor learning stations.  If you have any plants, herbs, or vegetable plants that you are splitting we would love to include them in our garden. I am also looking for help creating a weather station and compost bin.  Please let me know if you are able to join us for any part of the day on Tuesday. Students should dress appropriately for working outside.

STEM Fair

I am in the process of surveying parents as to the optimal date for the STEM Fair.  The date will be announced in my next blog post. I will be working with the students next week to determine how many students are expecting to participate. Please support your child as he/she works to develop a project. Ideally, I would hope for 100% participation. Expectations are of course based on age appropriateness.

Gallery Walk

I will be opening the classroom on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning  for any parents wishing to come in and see some of the animal research projects.  Third through fifth graders will have their projects on display. Please stop in and lend your support to these students.

Jo Ann and Summer