Thursday, April 21, 2016
Dear Parents,
I
can’t tell you how proud I am of your children. We had an incredible field trip
yesterday to the federal courthouse where we acted out a trial of the “United
States v. Goldilocks”. The third and a few second graders played the parts of
judge, prosecuting attorneys, defense attorneys, courtroom deputy, probation
officer, witnesses and defendant. The first graders and remaining second
graders made up the jury. Judge Deborah Smith invited us to perform and tour the
U.S. Marshall’s Office as well. Not only did Judge Smith give us her time and
expertise, but she also invited a U.S. prosecuting attorney, defense attorney,
a probation officer, the clerk of the court, her assistant, a deputy U.S.
Marshall, another federal judge and others that were so generous with their
time. It was an unbelievable experience. The students did a fantastic job and
represented Denali Montessori so well! The judge commented that she was
impressed that 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders
listened and participated so well. Thank you to all the chaperones that made
this and every trip we take possible. These learning experiences are such a
vital part of the students’ education. Thank you all for your support!
The
Denali Montessori Gala will be at the Anchorage Museum on Friday, May 13. We
will be auctioning baskets that evening to raise funds for our Montessori
program. Our class has been assigned to gather items for a basket to be
auctioned. Our basket theme is “Garden Lover”. If you would like to help build
our basket by sending in gardening items like trowels, gardening gloves, a
tractor, gift certificates to gardening shops, a weed whacker or anything else
gardening related, we would really appreciate it. Please send those items in by
May 6. Thanks for your support!
Tuesday,
April 26 we will take a three-mile round trip hike and have a picnic along
Eagle River at the Eagle River Nature Center from 9:15-1:45. Chaperones please
meet in Room 177 by 9:00. Students need to have good walking shoes, be dressed
for any kind of weather, which should include a jacket, raincoat, hat and
gloves. Students will need to bring their own lunch and plenty of water, unless
they ordered a lunch from the cafeteria. The weather in Eagle River can be very
different than out your front door in Anchorage and I want the kids to be
prepared so we can enjoy our trip no matter the weather. Thursday, April 28 we
will walk to the Pioneer School House for a tour from 12:30-3:00. Chaperones
please meet in Room 177 by 12:15. You are welcome to join us for lunch at
12:00. We will leave the school at about 12:30. Tuesday, May 3 we will be going
to the Native Heritage Center from 9:20-1:30 for a tour of all the wonderful
things they have to offer. Thursday, May 5 we will go to the Performing Arts
Center to see “Scrap Arts Music”. Tuesday, May 10th we will be going
to Russian Jack Park for the primary grade orienteering meet. We’ll be driving
to this one and will leave at about 9:30 and return about 12:30. Thursday, May
12, we will make our final museum visit from 9:45-2:00. Friday, May 13 we will
be going to the West High Pool for the Kids Don’t Float activities. We will
drive to the pool at about 1:00 and return at about 3:15. Monday, May 16 is
Field Day from 1:15-3:15. The last day of school, Thursday, May 19 we will have
our annual Primary Wing Barbecue at Valley of the Moon Park from 10:00-2:30.
One more important event will be the 3rd Grade Recognition ceremony,
we have to say good-bye to our third graders and wish them well as they move on
to fourth grade. We are planning to have this ceremony on Friday, May 6 from
2:20-3:15. 3rd grade parents please let me know if that date will
not work for you as soon as possible. Put these dates on your calendar and we
would love to have you join us if possible. I have sent home permission slips
for our trips on Tuesday, May 3 and Thursday, May 5 in today’s folder.
The students have been focusing on work this week very well.
We have been reading, writing using similes and descriptive language, math
operations and facts, algebra, poetry, friendly letters, and more. We had a
class meeting about treating others with respect, using a friendly tone when we
solve problems, and being in control of our bodies. This time of year when the
light returns to Alaska, students and adults take advantage of the good weather
and stay up later. We get a little manic with the influx of light and this
often leads to emotional children and adults. This is such a wonderful, caring
and compassionate class and I want us to end the year on a positive note. Please
help reinforce this with your child at home and make sure your child is getting
enough sleep. Thanks for all you do!
Sincerely,
Craig Moyer
