Service Project

Today Emily and Kirk came and taught us more about the challenges that people experiencing homelessness face and some of the ways organizations helping them. Emily and Kirk also showed us how we could help by leading us in packing lunches for a shelter. Our class divided into two groups: one half made sandwiches and the other half packed bags. Students were focused and enthusiastic. I was proud of them and I think they were proud of themselves too. Thanks to everyone who sent donations to make our service project a success!

Dear Families,

Service Project: Our class has a wonderful opportunity to participate in a service project sometime during the last week of January. Emily and Kirk, Pita’s mom and dad, work for Transitions Projects, an agency that housing support, basic services, and shelters for adults experiencing homelessness. They are volunteering their time to come to our classroom to support a conversation about homelessness and poverty and lead students in putting together sack lunches for one of their shelters. I have set up an Amazon Wishlist in hopes that we can include some extra supplies. If you are able to donate towards getting socks, hand warmers and granola bars, click here.


Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Assembly: This Friday, Grout will have our annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Assembly. During choir with Maestro Ryan, we have been learning a song “Free at Last.” The second grade classes will be joining together to perform it at the assembly. Here is a video of the song, so students can practice at home.

Social Studies Curriculum Team: This past Wednesday your students had a substitute teacher because I was at the first meeting for the Social Studies Curriculum design team. I applied for the team last November and found out that I was accepted right before Winter Break. It is a two-year commitment with 5 more meetings this year. I really hate missing days with your students, but I felt like this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up, given my passion for social studies, ethnic studies and social justice issues and my belief that a good Social Studies curriculum helps students be better citizens and better people. The other days I will be gone for this are: 2/11, 3/20, 4/10, 4/11 and 5/8.
Thank you,
Karen

Show and Tell Party Tomorrow (and other information)

Dear Families,

I hope you had a wonderful Winter Break. I enjoyed my time in Taiwan and am very grateful I had the chance to visit Jon’s relatives and my relatives. This was my children’s first time visiting Taiwan. River, my sixth grader, was in charge of converting between New Taiwan Dollars and USD. She was amazed that our family of four could have a delicious Taiwanese-style breakfast for $5USD. When arrived at the airport, my third grader Archer was delighted that everyone had black hair, just like her. I told her that we were in the land that Taiwanese people come from and her eyes got all big from amazement!

Self-Manager Badge: On Wednesday morning, I was so happy to see all of your students again. We started a new Self-Manager Badge system where students who demonstrate 10 days of safe, responsible and kind choices will earn the privilege of being able to move around the school without a hall pass and extra Choice Time. I sent a blue sheet home with your student on Monday with the details. Students are very motivated to be more independent and mindful of the choices they make.

Show and Tell Party: Your students earned enough compliments for another party and voted to have a Show and Tell Party which will happen tomorrow (Friday, January 4). Students can bring in one thing that fits in to their backpack.

SUN School Schedule: SUN school schedules went home today.

Homework: I will not be giving new homework this Friday. Please have your students finish their Family Traditions poster and return it by Monday, January 7. If you need another poster, email me and I will send it home with your student tomorrow.

Thank you,
Karen