Classroom News: Week of February 28th

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Thank you for donating ingredients today for the Empty Bowls event this Wednesday night! Erin our Out and About coordinator will be purchasing the rest of the ingredients for our soup today after school.

We are still in need of two volunteers for cooking tomorrow, Tuesday, afternoon. We will be leaving school near 12:30 and will be cooking at the UCC until 3:00. Please email me if you are able to join us! We really need your help.

Wednesday night is the Empty Bowls event! We are looking for student volunteers to help serve soup. Would you and your child like to join us? (Students need to be supervised by an adult.)

Thank you Barn Swallow families! Please email me with any questions.

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: Empty Bowls Event

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Happy Friday! As you may know, the Level one classes are preparing for our Empty Bowls Feast on Wednesday, March 2nd. This dinner event, part of an international grassroots effort to fight hunger, will raise funds for local organizations that deal with food insecurity. The Swallows have been working hard to craft their bowls for the Feast, and now we are ready to make the soup that will fill them!

For this coming week's Out and About (Tuesday, March 1st), the Barn Swallows will be making Vegetable Barley Soup and we need your help! Here are three ways you could contribute:

1) Volunteer next Tuesday to join us on our Out and About, from 12:30-3:00. We would like at least 2 extra adults to join us!

2) Donate a small food item to our soup.

We are gratefully accepting:

- Vegetable stock

- Barley for soup

- Root Vegetables (Parsnips, rutabagas, turnips, carrots, sweet potatoes, potatoes...any others?)

-Kale

-Onions

-Fresh garlic

- Fresh herbs (basil, thyme, sage, parsley, chives)

If you are able to donate a food item, please email me and/or send the food item to school with your child on Monday, February 28th . Any other home-grown veggies or herbs would be an added treat, and are welcome. Thanks!

3) Attend the Empty Bowls FEAST. Tickets for a meal plus a student-hand-made bowl start at only $10, and can be purchased in the front office. Your support is welcome! Email k.torry@fgcschool.org for more information.

Thank you for your support, and enjoy the weekend,

Sincerely,

Sherry

Erin

Teresa

Rachel

Karen

Classroom News: Week of February 14th

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Students have been working very hard on the writing process and all have completed their very descriptive paragraphs about their birds' diets! We are displaying our paragraphs in the hallway and we invite you to come read them!

Last week after visiting the Portland Art Museum students created Andrew Goldsworthy art in the park. We took photographs of the natural art and students made cards which included the title of their art, the media, and the artist's name. We hope to share this natural art with you!

Here are some important upcoming dates:

• Family Resource Center walking trip (Tuesday, February 15th) Students will be learning more about the local Family Resource Center and look for ways that they can help deliver food to local families in need.
• Presidents' Day, No School (Monday, February 21st)
• Empty Bowls Night (Wednesday, March 2nd at the UCC) Level 1 students have been very busy in art class hand making ceramic bowls to donate to the Empty Bowls project. This will be a great community event and I hope you consider joining us! Please read the following note about this project from Ms. Teresa: "Forest Grove Community School presents the Empty Bowl Feast on Wednesday, March 2nd, 5:30pm at the United Church of Christ in Forest Grove. This is an event that takes place around the world to end hunger and food insecurity. For a donation of $10 and up, you will receive one handcrafted bowl and homemade soup created by 1st-3rd graders at FGCS. Tickets are available in the main office, there will also be a limited number of tickets available at the door. When you arrive at the feast you will select a bowl, fill it with delicious soup and eat amongst the wonderful members of your community. All proceeds will go to the Family Resource Center and Family Bridge.
  Questions? contact Teresa Perrin, FGCS Art Teacher, (503) 359-4600 ext.111 or t.perrin@fgcschool.org."
  
  
  Thank you Barn Swallow Families!
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  Sherry
  
  

Classroom News: Valentines Celebration Monday the 14th

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

As you know, we are having a small party on Monday afternoon from 2:05-3:00. We will eat healthy foods, hand out Valentines (if you choose to participate) and enjoy each others' company. (I do believe that Apollo is doing a few magic tricks for us! All talent is welcome for the party!) If you would like to send a small plate of a healthy treat, we would welcome it! We are trying not to use disposable bowls/plates/utensils, so finger food is best. (We will have napkins.) Ideas are cheese and whole grain crackers, fruit, vegetables. I understand that Gage is bringing something, Tommy and Emma are bringing popcorn, Colby is bringing apple slices, and Ben is bringing vegetables. The Barn Swallows have hefty appetites and if you also wish to send something to school with your child, we would love to have it! Candy attached to Valentines are allowed. Students will be able to eat a some candy as long as they are also enjoying the healthy treats. Please let me know if you would prefer differently! :)

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: Week of February 7th

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

We had a great turn out last Wednesday for our open house Celebrations of Learning. The students enjoyed sharing their bird models and bird diet paragraphs that they are working on! Be sure to ask your child what his or her bird eats. We have been talking about attention grabbing introductions, interesting verbs/action words, and adjectives. Ask your child to share some examples from his or her paragraph.

Important Reminders:

• Portland Art Museum Trip: (Tuesday, February 8th, from 9:00-2:15) We are still in need of at least 2 parent volunteers. Are you able to join us? Please email me today!
• Valentine's Day: (Monday, February 14th) We will have a little celebration at the end of this day. Valentines can be exchanged as long as everyone is included. We have 19 students and I can send a class list home. Sounds like a good time to practice neat handwriting! Would anyone like to send a vegetable tray, sliced cheese, or whole grain crackers?
• Presidents' Day: (Monday, February 21st) No school on this day

Please email if you have any questions or ideas to share.

Thank you Barn Swallow families!

Sincerely,

Sherry