Classroom News: Week of April 29th

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Last week we began needle felting the animals that students researched.  The students are very excited about making wool animals!  The first graders have been busy with penguin math.  They played a subtraction game and have been working on penguin story picture problems.  The students have used, shared and explained various strategies for solving problems.  Second graders continued to work on fluency with single digit addition.  They reviewed regrouping and played a new BINGO game that helped with fluency.  During our Out and About students harvested their own radishes that they started from seed.  We had many different colors to enjoy.  We also planted potatoes in the Backyard Garden.  On Thursday we participated in the All School Fund Run to support efforts to safe critically endangered lemurs. Many students ran a mile or more!  Please remember, no school this Friday, May 3rd.

Thank you families!S

Sincerely,

Sherry

A letter from Vanessa:

Dear FGCS Families:
I am writing to let you know about changes in our teaching staff that are planned for the 2013-14 school year. 

First, I am delighted to reported that founding teacher Gretchen Ziemer is returning to FGCS. As many of you know, Gretchen took a one-year leave of absence starting at the end of last school year following the birth of her son, Zander. Kent McCord very ably stepped in as the Merlins’ teacher this school year during Gretchen’s absence. We’ve all enjoyed having Kent as part of our school community and wish him all the best with whatever the future holds for him.

As we look forward to Gretchen’s return to the Merlins’ classroom, I also want to let you know about some other changes. As most of you know, Level 4 teacher Shannon Perry recently gave birth to her second child, Julian. After much discussion, it has been decided that Gretchen and Shannon will be co-teachers in the Merlins’ classroom. Both Shannon and Gretchen want to continue teaching at FGCS but, like many parents of young children, they are trying to find a balance between work and family, so we have created this job-share position. I am confident that, with Shannon and Gretchen, the Merlins will have a very strong teaching team. 

Of course, this change at Level 3 means that Shannon will be leaving her full-time position as Level 4 language arts/social studies teacher. The position will be advertised beginning this week and we will begin interviewing applicants soon. I will notify students and families as soon as we have filled the position. If at all possible, we will arrange for students to meet the new Great Horned Owls teacher before the end of the school year. 

Teachers all have discussed these changes with their students. There will be class discussions with the opportunity for students to ask questions and talk about how they feel about the changes. The news will undoubtedly raise questions for parents, too. Please feel free to contact me at v.gray@fgcschool.org or 503-359-4600. While change can be difficult, I am confident that we will continue to have a strong program with excellent teachers who are deeply committed to scholarship, stewardship and citizenship.

Sincerely, 

Vanessa Gray, Principal

Classroom News: Week of April 22nd

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Last week we were busy preparing for conferences.  In all areas of study, the students choose work to share that represented their best work from the past and present.  They spent time reflecting on their growth, strengths and learning experiences.  The students paired up to practice conferences so that they would be prepared for your visit.  Thank you to all of you for coming and celebrating with your children!  I hope that you found the conferences valuable, and that you are as proud of your children as I am.

This Friday after school we are having our Earth Day bike ride.  Participation at level 1 requires an adult chaperone.  All participants, including adults are required to wear a bike helmet.  Permission slips are required, and can be downloaded from the school website. 

Thank you families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: Week of April 15th

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Last week we began planning for our student-led conferences.  The students have been reflecting on their growth over the year, and selecting and organizing work to share with you.  If you have not yet signed up for a conference, please stop in, or contact the office (503-359-4600).  The conferences will be held this Thursday, April 18th.  Your children have been working hard to prepare for these conferences!  Please remember, this is a time to celebrate your child's growth and success at school and your child will be leading the conference.   

In math first graders have been playing games that reinforce skills such as addition facts and adding dollar amounts to 200.  Second graders practiced getting ready for their math conference.  They will be sharing their skills on: telling time, measuring in inches and centimeters, regrouping with addition and subtraction, and manipulating coins.  We had a busy Out & About last week.  We began by cleaning up and pulling weeds in our class garden beds and we measured our pea plants and graphed their growth.  The tomato, tomatillo, pepper, and eggplant seeds have been sprouting and we have been recording the germination regularly.  Ask your child what seeds he or she planted and also see if he or she remembers what the 'cotyledons' of the seedling are.

Please see below for information about upcoming school events:

Friends & Family Night Fundraiser at McMenamins Grand Lodge
5-11 p.m. Tues., April 16
50% of all food and drink sales in the Ironwork Grill go to FGCS 

Earth Day Bike Ride
2-3:30 p.m. Fri., April 26
1st-3rd graders must have parent/guardian ride with them
All students must turn in signed permission slips (attached).
All participants - adults and minors - must wear bike helmets.

Thank you families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: Week of April 8th

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

We had a great week back from spring break!  On Wednesday we planted many kinds of tomatoes, peppers, and tomatillos.  We are hoping to plant our little transplants in the school gardens.  You and your family might like to begin to consider signing up to be a school garden volunteer over the summer!  Families commit to one week at a time and water the garden, as well as other small garden jobs, including harvesting.  Each student is in charge of his or her 'crop' and will be in charge of taking care of two pots of plants.  Ask your child what his or her crop is.

After we planted, we went on a beautiful spring blossom walk.  Students used categorization and tally mark skills to collect data on blossom colors on trees, bushes, and 'ground plants.'  We noticed that yellow and pink are very common spring blossom colors.

During math, the first graders worked on measuring and began adding dollar amounts to $200.  Second graders continued to review regrouping with subtraction.  They are concentrating on being able to use the ones, tens, and hundreds pieces as they work through the problems.

Students started to publish their mammal research using their neatest handwriting and will be ready to share their published research at the student led conferences on Thursday, April 18th!  Students are looking forward to sharing their growth at the conference and will continue to prepare and practice this week.

Thank you families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: Week of April 1st

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

I hope you had an enjoyable spring break!  

Last week our class was busy counting the many coins they brought in for the leukemia 'Pennies for Patients' fundraiser.  We are very close to $300 and the students are very excited about their accomplishment!  This citizenship project will continue through the end of this week.  Students finished their mammal research and they look forward to sharing some facts about their mammals with you at the student led conferences in a few weeks.  
In math, the first graders spent the week measuring and comparing lengths using non-standard measurement (popsicle sticks, unifix cubes, etc.), and practicing addition facts. The second graders continued to work on coin amounts under $1.00 and practiced regrouping with subtraction.  On Wednesday we all began measuring and graphing the height of our pea plants in the garden. 

I hope you all are enjoying this beautiful weather!

Sincerely,

Sherry