Friday, September 13, 2013


Headlines    -                                 September 13, 2013


It is a beautiful day.  Already, at 7:45am, I can tell.  The air is crisp, the sun is out and the sky has that special hue of blue that lets one know there should be a great day ahead.   A good time to be outdoors.  Clearly, (pun intended) some of  State College's best weather is in late summer and fall.  The sun seems to shine more, the temperatures are moderate, and the colors seem to vibrate from the plants and trees as they begin their winter preparations. 

Here at the school, we always try to take advantage of this season.  Yesterday, Tr. Tim’s class went to Black Moshannon State Park to learn about beavers and paddle kayaks.  This year everyone stayed dry (mostly) and the class had a great time being together outdoors.  Last week, both the 4th and 5th grade took a trip to Penn’s Cave, not to see the cave, but to tour the annual antique farm machinery show that is held there.  Guides explained and demonstrated how some of these early inventions worked and several students got an opportunity to try them out.  This will have a big payoff when the 4th grade begins their study of simple machines and creates their Rube Goldberg machines.  Later this month, the middle school will be challenging themselves on a high ropes course and the 2/3 classrooms will take a trip to Millbrook Marsh.  Almost every class will make a trip outside the classroom this fall.  Some are as far as Harrisburg and others are out to the gardens on the edges of the playground.  These trips often provide students with opportunities for experiences that cannot be replicated in the classroom.  I’m also sure that the fresh air and open spaces will provide extra benefit and opportunity for students to experience and assimilate new knowledge and insight.

I love being outdoors during this time of year.  Whether I’m working or playing, it just feels good.  I would also argue that we do not get outside enough.  Being outdoors encourages creative play, provides opportunity for physical exercise, and can give us all a sense of well-being.  So, stop reading this, close the computer, turn off the Gameboy, unplug the TV, and get out.    

Announcements and Reminders

The Community Room – The first issue of The Community Room – Back-to-School Edition, is included in Friday folders.  The Community Room is a monthly communication providing a connection to the events, activities, and happenings of the school.  It is also available on-line at www.scfriends.orgShare the link with relatives and friends too!


All-School (K-8) Potluck is Friday, September 27thPlease read details online at  www.scfriends.org, in your child's Friday Folder, and in upcoming weekly letters emailed from teachers.  This event is a great way for families to build community within the school.  We hope your family will join us. Please RSVP by September. 25th. We can always use help with set up and clean up, so when you RSVP, also let Diane know if you are able to lend a hand.


Substitute Teachers NeededEach year, we put out a call to our parent community to ask if any of you might be interested in being on our substitute teacher list. You don’t have to be a certified teacher to sub, and we often find that school parents can fill the role perfectly. We use substitutes when classroom teachers or assistant teachers are absent, and also coverage of special classes such as art, music, Spanish, PE, and yoga. This isn’t parent volunteer work, and our substitutes receive financial compensation for their time. Let Mary know if you’d like to be on our sub list. She’d love to have you.

Foxdale Yard Sale - Our neighbors, Foxdale Village, will be holding their semi-annual garage sale on Saturday, October 5, from 8:30 to 11:30am and the Resident's Association needs help in the furniture section.  We enjoy a very enriching relationship with Foxdale and residents serve on our school committees and volunteer in our classrooms.  However, moving furniture is not something that they can do easily.  So if you would like to help out, please let Diane know.

Please enjoy the weekend!

Dan