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
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