End of May Update:

 

Our trip to the North End was a big success!  Thank you to all of the chaperones, particularly for your patience as we dealt with the weather and the dropping off of our students at the wrong “End”!! Apparently our drivers followed the buses for the other 2 elementary schools, rather than follow the original instructions.  We had lots of exercise!  Here is a cute photo….

Meanwhile back in the classroom, we are very busy wrapping up math units, finishing our Community, writing Poetry, and doing some fun STEAM experiments!  Here is a photo from “Bird Nest Building” last week.  Children follow the steps of the "Engineering Design Process for a truly valuable scientific experience!

We are also putting the plants into the ground that will be cared for over the summer, by families, and will supply us with food for “Harvest Day” in the fall.  I will be sending home the link to sign up to “Adopt the Gardens” this summer, to weed, water and HARVEST! Last summer the weeks went fast!  Let me know if you have any questions.  

Finally, please watch for requests coming home from Dan O’Connor to help on Field Day… children love it, but it requires “many hands” to make light work.  Enjoy these last few weeks of the year and all of the events, as we will at school.  

Remember to breathe, and soak in the warm friendship and memorable days with your children!  I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed this class, and these very special students, this year!

Deborah Niles

Mid May Update

Thank you so much to the parents who were able to come to our Open House last week. A slide show is in the works! To those who were not able to come- please feel free to drop by anytime before or after school to see your child's amazing work, up until our Picnic on June 12.  After that we will begin the process of taking things down and celebrating our time together.

The field trip to the North End might have to be postponed- as you know our rain date is Friday, June 2. We will let you know by Thursday morning (by email) if this is necessary.  If you want to chaperone for the new date and were not available for this Friday, please let me know asap, and contact our office to check your CORI status.

Performances:

We were delighted to see the high school band, orchestra, and chorus perform last Thursday. Tomorrow, we get to see the fifth grade play!  

Other Volunteer Opportunities:

• We have been planting and preparing new seedlings for our gardens- and your children are very excited to put them into the ground this week!  I can only do this in small groups so I would appreciate any parent volunteers. Just let me know if you have even an hour this week, and we can work around your schedule (as much as possible).  No prior experience necessary!
• Field Day is June 7, and it is also a big favorite among students.  Watch for information from Dan O’Connor.  Volunteers are essential!

That’s it for now- as always please contact me with any questions.

Early May Update

Hi all- I know none of us have time to read lengthy messages so I'm putting some quick and important updates here:

1. Thank you to all the families who came to our "Spring Reset" Night of Mindfulness last Thursday.  This was put on, and announced, by the School Council, and our class was featured because we've been using it so successfully this year.  The students made me so proud! Here is a picture:

2. ​Thanks to everyone for sending in coins and small items for our Yard Sale last Friday.  It was a big success!  Thank you to Liane Hicks and her daughter Lily Rose for helping us manage the sale!  It was really fun, and despite the surprise fire drill everything went really smoothly! We are donating the coins to Children's Hospital via a Service Learning Project, run by Emily and Eliana from our class, and Callie from Ms. Morrison's class.

3. I hope everyone has received the Interview Homework and can help their child with this project that is such a great kick off to our Community unit. If you have any questions please let me know.

4.  As soon as the details are worked out we will send you a Permission Slip for our last field trip- to the North End of Boston!  This is a favorite among students and parents.  Any chaperone may join us, as long as they have contacted Leslie Corner to check their CORI status.  It is on May 26 from 9 to 2.  

5. The other VERY IMPORTANT event coming up is the Open House!  Please plan to join us in Room 6 on Friday, May 19 from 8:30-9am.  All family members are welcome.  A reminder will come home soon.

6.  A messages from our Guidance Counselor: 

From the Guidance Counselor

Dear Parents,

I am offering a six-session Changing Families group this spring for children whose parents are separated or divorced.  We will meet for one half-hour per week during the school day, reading books together, writing, drawing, and talking in a semi-structured format.  I have found these groups to be enormously powerful for kids.  Even if other students’ situations and responses do not mirror their own, it is healing and comforting to know that peers have had some similar experiences.  If you are interested in having your child participate or you have further questions, please contact me at (508) 358-8650 (my direct line) or at joann_kline@wayland.k12.ma.us.

Thank you,

JoAnn S Kline, Ph.D.

School Psychologist/Guidance Counselor

7. LAST!  Here is an exciting an fun event coming up:

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That's it!  Enjoy the spring weather!
Deborah Niles