Thursday, September 1, 2016

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Dear Parents,

            The second and third graders have done a great job making the first graders feel welcome and modeling proper work habits. The first graders are working hard to learn the new routines and new work. It’s been a super first couple of days and I’m having a blast working with your children.

            This week we have been working on learning the routines, reviewing math operations, writing, practicing our handwriting, and getting to know each other. As part of Maria Montessori’s first Great Lesson, we have also been reading Creation Stories from around the world. Tomorrow we will learn about the scientific story of how the universe began. The students have enjoyed listening and acting out the various stories and will be writing their own.

             I send homework home in the Thursday folders and it is due by the following Friday. If you can’t finish it by Friday, I’ll take it whenever it is done. Friday will be the day the students are tested on their spelling words. Our first spelling test will be next Friday, September 9. This week I have one extra piece of homework and that is the All About Me Treasure Bag activity. I would like those to come in as soon as possible, so we can share a few of them daily and get to know everyone.

            We do not have a snack calendar in Room 177. I ask that students that bring their own lunch pack a snack to eat during the morning, as they get hungry. We do have a snack cupboard for those that have hot lunch or forget their lunch. If you would like to help stock the snack cupboard with items such as goldfish, pretzels, string cheese or other items, it would be very much appreciated.

Our specialist schedule is as follows:

Monday: 9:35-10:35 Art/Health

Tuesday: 9:35-10:05 P.E.; 10:05-10:35 Music

Wednesday: 10:45-11:15 P.E.

Thursday: 10:10-10:40 P.E.; 10:45-11:15 Music

Friday: 9:35-10:05 Library

Our recess is daily from 11:45-12:10 followed by lunch from 12:15-12:40.

            I will be sending home a paper copy of the newsletter the first couple of weeks, but I would like everyone to sign up for our newsletter online. You can go to www.denalimontessori177.blogspot.com and enter your email to receive an automatic email anytime I post a newsletter or other item.

            On Wednesday, September 14 the Denali Montessori Primary Team has been offered a very generous donation of materials for hydroponic grow towers to grow lettuce year round. We have invited volunteers from the United Way’s Day of Sharing program to help us build the towers. I believe the gentleman that designed these grow towers will be joining us from Fairbanks along with staff and maybe even the Lieutenant Governor himself for this project. We are looking for horticulturists, hydroponic experts, anyone who would like to share their knowledge of plants or anything related to plants to join us and share their knowledge at a booth that the students could rotate through. We are hoping for good weather on this day so it can take place on the playground, but will move into the gym and classrooms if necessary. Thanks for your support in this incredible opportunity for learning!

Please mark your calendars for Thursday, September 22 from 6:30-8:00. This is your chance to visit the classroom and find out more about the Montessori program at the Denali Open House. I will also have parent volunteer sign up sheets for a variety of needs, but if anyone is interested in giving spelling tests, you can start next Friday at 9:00am. I am also looking for a new Thursday folder person to come in on Thursday anytime to fill the Thursday folders. I would love for this position to start next week as well. I look forward to seeing you all at the Open House on Thursday, September 22.

            If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at moyer_craig@asdk12.org or call or write me a note.

Have a wonderful sunny (I hope) weekend!

Sincerely,

Craig Moyer