Headlines
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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.org. Share the
link with relatives and friends too!
All-School (K-8) Potluck is
Friday, September 27th – Please
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 Needed – Each 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
