Saturday, June 10, 2017

Final LEW Newsletter and Summer "Homework"


Hello Families!

Happy Summer! For this last newsletter I, Ms. Jessy, would like to begin with just how grateful I am to all of you, your children and what a joy it has been to be apart of the LEW community. I will miss this community dearly and seeing the second and first graders grow into third grade leaders, but we will be neighbors and I expect to get updates on the playground:) 

Secondly, a desperate request for our buddy, Gex. As we were about to send him off with an eager third grader and her family, the bottom of Gex's terrarium cracked and an enormous hole formed. Before we go out and buy and new cage, we thought we would take a chance and see if anyone in our community happens to have an extra 3ft x 1.5ft terrarium lying around :) If you have any leads or insights, please feel free to contact Jessy.

Summer "Homework"

Some of the families have asked about things they can do with their child over the summer.  Please choose any or all of these things to do with your child over the summer!

EXECUTIVE FUNCTION:
  • Engage your child in the everyday chores around the home - yard work, preparing meals, cleaning around the house, etc. This a great way to foster your child's independence and sustained attention.
  • Make a written plan for the day, like a to-do list, and check things off as the day progresses. 
READING: 
  • Work through the books that your child enjoys.  If the reading is above their reading level, then read to them; or practice by reading a page, then they read it back to you; or sometimes you read for long stretches, then trade off--mix it up to keep them engaged.  If it becomes frustrating, just read to your child for the joy of the story.
  • Use the attached exercise for research-proven fluency building in reading.
WRITING: 
  • Writing letters, poems, stories, grocery lists, vacation journals, to-do lists, anything else!  Anything, no matter big or small!  (If your child needs it, you can have her dictate to you, and the child can read it when you're done.)
MATH
  • Most importantly, Math Fact Flashcards will do a world of good.  If you can make it into a game, all the better.  Just addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts 1-10.  We strongly recommend this one.
HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, AND SCIENCE:  
  • You could research together some aspect of your summer experience (animals? vacation locations? other interests that pop up?)--it doesn't matter--but we've found that the children are willing to go after knowledge greedily when 1) They're really interested, and 2) They have support.
OTHER STUFF
  • More time to play outside!!!  (Put it on the to-do list!)
  • More Arts and Crafts
  • Less Screen Time!!!
  • Trips to the library
That's just a few ideas, but if you would like more formal or structured examples of summer activities, please feel free to ask and we will share some more ideas.  

Finally, here are some photos from the last days of school...
Once again, Erik and I want to extend our gratitude out to all of you and we wish you a beautiful summer.

All the best and more,

-- 
Jessy Eaton Fabel
Lower Elementary Guide

"Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." ~ Maria Montessori    

Saturday, June 3, 2017

Re: LEW Newsletter 6-2-2017 Important Dates!

Important information about the Camp Fire and Sing-Along!

I forgot to mention that the Elementary Camp Fire and Sing-Along is a Great Gathering and it does cost $5 as a donation to GRS.  If you are interested in attending, please contact Heather Thomas - she is a LEW parent and graciously hosting this event :) 

Heather Thomas Contact Information:  nathatddt@yahoo.com

On Sat, Jun 3, 2017 at 1:13 PM, Jessy Fabel <jfabel@greatriverschool.org> wrote:
Happy June All!

First of all, thank you to all of you that took the time to come to the Museum Project yesterday. It meant so much to the children and the guides that you could come to see all of the hard work they've done over the last three weeks.  For today's newsletter, we are just going to post the major upcoming dates, summer requests, and photos from the Museum Project, Field Day, and a fun outdoor lesson with the third years :)

UPCOMING DATES of IMPORTANCE

TUESDAY, JUNE 6: PARENT APPRECIATION DAY at 1:30-3:00
We will host you for an event that is all about You, and how wonderful you are to and for all of us.  Come and let us shower you with gifts!  Let us show you our talents in the LEW 2017 Talent Show!  The classroom opens at 1:30, and the talent show begins at 2:15.  (For parents of child in both  lower el classrooms: LEE will start their parent appreciation day celebrations at 1:00 and their talent show will begin at 1:30.)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7: COMO POOL
Thanks to all those who signed up to help! Please just send sunscreen, a sack lunch, a towel, and bathing suite with your child. If your child requires a life jacket, Como pool has them or you may send your own personal life jacket. Just to be on the safe side, please let us know if your child requires a life jacket. Please do NOT send pool toys or money with your children.  Goggles are acceptable.  

FRIDAY, JUNE 9: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: HALF DAY - dismissal @ 12:00
After an official goodbye to the third years, and a final all-school ceremony, the year will be over. It's almost here!

SUNDAY, JUNE 11: ELEMENTARY CAMP FIRE AND SING-ALONG
Join lower elementary guides and families at Como Park for singing, laughing, s'mores and enjoying each other's company as we celebrate the end of yet another school year!
When: Sunday, June 11th 6:00-8:00 PM
Where: Como Park Fire Circle on the north side of Horton Ave. and just west of Midway Pkwy and Horton Ave. 

SUMMER REQUESTS

Replenishing our Library. 
If you happen to have any books appropriate for first-third graders, we are looking to replenish our library. Nonfiction books about animals, science, history, geography are wonderful are always in high demand.  Poetry, picture books, and easy readers are also great to have on hand.  This can be something that you can donate to us by June 14th, so we can pack it up or we can coordinate at the end of August when we're starting to work on our environments.  

Plant Care. If you would be willing to care for some large and/or small plants this summer, our community would greatly appreciate it.


PHOTOS FROM THE WEEK

Museum Project Photos




All the best and more,
--
Jessy Eaton Fabel
Lower Elementary Guide

"Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." ~ Maria Montessori    



--
Jessy Eaton Fabel
Lower Elementary Guide

"Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." ~ Maria Montessori    

LEW Newsletter 6-2-2017 Important Dates!

Happy June All!

First of all, thank you to all of you that took the time to come to the Museum Project yesterday. It meant so much to the children and the guides that you could come to see all of the hard work they've done over the last three weeks.  For today's newsletter, we are just going to post the major upcoming dates, summer requests, and photos from the Museum Project, Field Day, and a fun outdoor lesson with the third years :)

UPCOMING DATES of IMPORTANCE

TUESDAY, JUNE 6: PARENT APPRECIATION DAY at 1:30-3:00
We will host you for an event that is all about You, and how wonderful you are to and for all of us.  Come and let us shower you with gifts!  Let us show you our talents in the LEW 2017 Talent Show!  The classroom opens at 1:30, and the talent show begins at 2:15.  (For parents of child in both  lower el classrooms: LEE will start their parent appreciation day celebrations at 1:00 and their talent show will begin at 1:30.)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7: COMO POOL
Thanks to all those who signed up to help! Please just send sunscreen, a sack lunch, a towel, and bathing suite with your child. If your child requires a life jacket, Como pool has them or you may send your own personal life jacket. Just to be on the safe side, please let us know if your child requires a life jacket. Please do NOT send pool toys or money with your children.  Goggles are acceptable.  

FRIDAY, JUNE 9: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: HALF DAY - dismissal @ 12:00
After an official goodbye to the third years, and a final all-school ceremony, the year will be over. It's almost here!

SUNDAY, JUNE 11: ELEMENTARY CAMP FIRE AND SING-ALONG
Join lower elementary guides and families at Como Park for singing, laughing, s'mores and enjoying each other's company as we celebrate the end of yet another school year!
When: Sunday, June 11th 6:00-8:00 PM
Where: Como Park Fire Circle on the north side of Horton Ave. and just west of Midway Pkwy and Horton Ave. 

SUMMER REQUESTS

Replenishing our Library. 
If you happen to have any books appropriate for first-third graders, we are looking to replenish our library. Nonfiction books about animals, science, history, geography are wonderful are always in high demand.  Poetry, picture books, and easy readers are also great to have on hand.  This can be something that you can donate to us by June 14th, so we can pack it up or we can coordinate at the end of August when we're starting to work on our environments.  

Plant Care. If you would be willing to care for some large and/or small plants this summer, our community would greatly appreciate it.


PHOTOS FROM THE WEEK

Museum Project Photos




All the best and more,
--
Jessy Eaton Fabel
Lower Elementary Guide

"Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." ~ Maria Montessori