Fwd: UEW upcoming events

Hello,

Sorry for the delay, thought this went our last week!  We had a great day today- finishing up projects and packing and a PJ movie afternoon!  Please see the student email below for details on the rest of the week.

Thanks!

Jean and Amanda---------

- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Jean Peters" <jpeters@greatriverschool.org>
Date: May 31, 2017 3:47 PM
Subject: UEW upcoming events
To: "Amanda O'Dowd" <aodowd@greatriverschool.org>
Cc:

 Hello,

The students would like to let you know their plans for the last week of school. During the week, we will be cleaning and packing up materials. In addition, students have planned some fun events. 

Tomorrow afternoon the A3 students are hosting a field day for the elementary students.  Please remember to send a water bottle and sunscreen. 

Friday is our work share from 2-3, students are looking forward to showing you what they have been working on!

See you soon,

Jean and Amanda

From the students:

Hello U.E.W parents!,  

The week of May 5 we will be having a fun week! 

Monday: We will be having pajama and movie day! Blankets and stuffed animals are optional.

Tuesday: We will be having a read in and art day! And don't forget your crazy hair because its crazy hair day as well.

Wednesday: We will be walking to the Como pool! Please bring water,sunscreen, and a paper bag lunch!

Thursday: We will be having a fort and games day! Feel free to bring blankets, games (NO electronics!), and other fort building supplies! And don't forget to dress up as your favorite character from any book or movie.

Thank you!

 

_Upper El West! 

Montessori Model United Nations

Hello Upper El Parents,

 

As we close down this school year we are beginning to look forward to next fall.  We are thrilled to let you know that interested upper elementary students at GRS will have an opportunity to participate in the Montessori Model United Nations next year!  This program offers students an opportunity to work with other Montessori students to solve real life issues facing the world.  It gives students an opportunity to develop public speaking, writing, researching, and negotiating skills while crafting solutions to challenges we, as humans, face.  Conferences can be local, national or even international.  It is a powerful experience for all that attend.  

 

Last week, students learned about the MMUN program and had an opportunity to ask questions.  You can find more information at MMUN.  We look forward to sharing more information with you in the fall, but wanted to give you a preview of this amazing opportunity.

 

Best,

Upper Elementary Guides

UEW update 5/25/17

Dear Parents,

 

The year is quickly coming to an end and we have some very exciting things coming up! The students have been busy planning outings, working on big projects and putting beautiful work into their portfolios. We are very excited to share all of this with you!

 

Important upcoming dates:

 

Field Day- Thursday, June 1st-1-2:30pm - This event will be led by our Adolescent students and is for the kids only.  However, they will be spending extended time outside on this day, send children with sunscreen, tennis shoes and a hat if needed.

 

Parent work share- Friday, June 2^nd - 2-3pm – This is a day for your children to share some of their favorite works with you. This is an open house event and we hope to see you there. This event is scheduled the same day as the Lower Elementary work share for your convenience. 

 

 

 

Como Pool Day - Wednesday, June 7th - All of Elementary will spend the day at the pool.  We have many staff and a full set of volunteers coming along.  Please look for the permission slip sent home, sign and return by May 26th.  You can find all the details on the permission slip sent home.  This is a much anticipated event and great fun! 

 

 

Last Day of School and Community Social - HALF DAY on Friday, June 9th. Students will be dismissed at 12:00pm.  Look for details to come in the GRS Announcements about the end of year ceremony and social.

 

 

 

 Reminders:

 

Remember that with the weather warming up we are trying to be outside as much as possible, please help your child remember to bring a water bottle and be prepared for sporadic spring rain!

 

We are looking for families to take care of our sweet gerbils for the summer and our very quiet and adorable goldfish.  Please let us know if you are interested in providing them a fantastic summer adventure in your home.

 

Many thanks,

 

Amanda and Jean

UEW Update

Hello UEW Parents,

Spring has sprung and the classroom is filled with energy and work.  So many projects are going on!! Students are learning about the systems of the human body and the follow up work is amazing!!!  We have life size drawings, charts and models made out of clay, and even a magic bone wand! We have also been writing poetry and learning about US history.

Please make sure your child has a water bottle to keep at school.  With the weather warming up we will be spending more time outside and walking to different places. If anyone has a pet stroller we would love to be able to take our bunny on these walks with us. He also loves the rain……

Please check in with your child about homework, we have had a decline in homework turned in on time.  It is handed out on Wednesday and is due the following Tuesday.

Enjoy the beautiful weather!

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Jean and Amanda

UEW Update 4/20/17

Dear UEW Families,

 

We have had a rise in cell phone use at school among elementary students.  School policy says that elementary students are not allowed to have personal technology at school, and if it is necessary for a student to have a phone, it should remain off and in their backpack.  However, as students are taking their phones to the bathroom, the hall, or elsewhere to use them for varied purposes, we have a few reminders:

 

·       Please do not call or text your child during the day.  Call the office if you need to get in touch with your child

·       If your child has a phone out, they will be asked to turn it in to the office and a parent can pick it up.

 

We are in need of a few supplies:

·       We are seeking cleaning wipes donations (both with bleach and without) to get us through the remainder of the year. 

·       We are also in need of Ticonderoga pencils, glue sticks and erasers.

·       As always, greens for the bunny are much appreciated!

 

Thank you in advance for considering our request.  

 

 

6th Grade Families:  You will receive a letter shortly inviting you to an info night for OWL classes (Our Whole Lives: Sexuality Education for Grades 4-6 ), but in order to help you plan better, here's the basic details - Next Wednesday, April 26th, the instructors will introduce the curriculum from 6:30-7pm. Keep an eye out for the letter, which should be sent home later this week.

 

4-11-17 update

Hello UEW Families,

 

This week is going by quickly as the students in UEW are finishing up biography projects!  We have songs being written, timelines being created and many other projects going on at the same time.  Students will be presenting their work to each other next week after taking the MCA Math assessment, which will be next week on Monday and Tuesday.  Students should come to school well rested and having eaten a good breakfast as snack will be later than usual.  The make up day for the Reading MCA will be on Thursday of this week.

We will not have early Wednesday work tomorrow.  We have a meeting we need to attend at that time.  Sorry for any inconvenience.  

Please think of our bunny Leo, or as we call him Bunbun, when you have any leftover greens, he sure would appreciate them!

Let us know if you have any questions,

Jean and Amanda

UEW Update

Greetings UEW Families, 

 

We are having a potluck tomorrow!  Students have chosen what they want to bring to share.  This will be part of the iRace event.   We will do iRace programming with A2 students in the morning, will host 3rd grade students for our potluck lunch, and then will head to Griggs Park with the 3rd graders in the afternoon.

 

We have influenza in our classroom.  Please keep an eye out for symptoms.  We'll encourage students to wash their hands and keep up with table washing here too.  

 

MCA Testing on Thursday and Friday- Please let us know if your child will not be at school on these days so we can plan accordingly.  Our MCA math test isn't scheduled for a month - we'll test on April 20 and 21.  

 

Homework this week will not be due until following spring break.  We're asking kids to plan a meal (and hopefully prepare it) and wanted to give them extra time as it'll be a larger work.  

 

It was great seeing all of you at conferences!

Jean and Amanda

UEW update

Hello UEW Families, 

 

Thanks much to those of you who have brought in greenery, both living plants and veggies for our bunny!  We are trying to grow lettuce for him, but he seems to eat it faster than we can grow it, so keep those donations coming!  He is happy to eat slightly wilted greens!

 

Students have been focusing on averages and data representation this week along with a variety of writing.  One of our student picked the weekly writing prompt this week.  His question was "What is the meaning of life?'  Fascinating responses!

 

The iRace Potluck will be elementary only this year and will take place on 3/22.  We will ask students to sign up for dishes closer to the date, but wanted to give you some lead time.  

 

Upcoming dates:

March 15 – ½ day- early dismissal

March 16-17- parent teacher conferences (5th and 6^th year students will participate in conferences)

March 22 – iRace potluck

March 27-31 spring break

 

Thanks!

Jean and Amanda

UEW update

Hello UEW Families, 

 

We won't be giving out new homework this week.  We're asking students to catch up on all missing homework assignments.

 

Please help your child remember indoor shoes!  We're entering mud season, and are hoping to keep our classroom floors as clean as possible, especially as we sit on the floor for so much of the day.  

 

We have been doing a lot of work with geometrical constructions and many of our compasses have been worn out!  We would love to have some new ones in the classroom.  If you are interested in donating a compass to our classroom, we would appreciate it.

 

We are also looking for a variety of plants in our classroom.  As spring is right around the corner, I hope, we will be focusing on biology.  If you have any extra plants or would be willing to purchase one, we would love to have it.

 

Thanks,

Jean and Amanda

 

UEW Update

Hello UEW Families, 

 

We are doing a big push to help all students master math facts. The first goal is to do 100 facts in ten minutes in all four operations, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.  Once they have achieved this goal, we want them to work at getting 100 done in five minutes!  We will be working daily on this goal.  Please check in with your student and give extra support at home as needed!

 

Thank you so much for everything you've donated to the Soiree basket!  We're very grateful for your generosity.  We hope to see you all at Como Dockside this weekend!

 

Sixth grade students will be attending a naturalization ceremony this coming Monday.  We'll be taking the city bus to the RiverCentre and will be gone all morning.  4th and 5th grade students will have work time as usual.

 

All Upper El students will be visiting Dodge Nature Center for an all day field trip on Wednesday, 2/15.  Students need to dress for the weather, as they will be outside for most of the day.  Students should also bring a lunch that doesn't need to be heated that day.  

 

A note about Valentine's Day:  We will not be handing out cards and candy at school this year.  We'll take time to make gifts and notes for each other at school, and to appreciate the strong community students have built at school this year with craft and play time.  

 

Best,

Jean and Amanda

UEW Update

Hello UEW Families, 

 

 Happy February!  We are very busy in UEW, 4th and 5th grade students should be wrapping up their state and native peoples reports this week.  Their work is due next week.  We will not formally share this work with families, but students will have an opportunity to share their research/projects with their peers.  6th year students presented their immigration studies project today!   Not only did they share with parents, but A1 faculty came and got a chance to meet students and see their work.  

 

Our Soiree basket donations are due!  If you have something to contribute, please send it as soon as possible!

 

Upcoming dates:

 

2/13 - 6th Grade trip to the St. Paul RiverCentre to watch a naturalization ceremony and sing the national anthem as part of the ceremony

 

2/15 - All Upper El trip to Dodge Nature Center, 9:15am-2:45pm

 

2/20 - No School

 

I've attached this week's homework.  We have been getting very low returns on homework.  We don't want to monopolize your family's time, but please help your child set aside time to complete their work.  

 

Stay warm,

 

Jean and Amanda 

1/20/17 UEW Update

Greetings UEW Families,

The Soiree is coming up quickly!  The students voted to put together a cooking basket.  They composed and sent home a note yesterday requesting items for the basket.  Any donation would be greatly appreciated!  Please bring in items on Monday.

 

We are going to see the A1 JTerm Play next Wednesday.  We will leave school around noon and return around 2:45pm.  We will be taking the city bus to Mixed Blood Theater in Minneapolis.  Students from A1 are visiting this week to talk about their writing process and what we will see next week.  We're excited to see their hard work!

 

Please check in with your child to make sure they have a pair of shoes to wear indoors.  We have many students with only boots.  This makes our classroom wet and messy!

 

Thanks to all who have sent in greens for our very special bunny.  He loves fresh greens!

 

Enjoy the January thaw,

Jean and Amanda

UEW 1/12/17 Update

Hello UEW Families, 

 

What a snowy week we are having!  The students in UEW have really enjoyed the snow this week, and getting back outside after our latest bought of cold weather.  UEW has chosen to do a cooking basket for the Soiree!  Students voted on a theme and brainstormed what could be included. One pf the ideas that they have is to place items in a large pot instead of a basket.   They will be sending more information home soon.

 

All students have started a new round of research. 6th grade students are working on their MN Immigration Study projects. Imaginary Island projects are just beginning, and students are working with materials at school.  You can support them by simply asking them about their islands - they should have an idea about where their islands will be located and how big they are. 5th grade students are working on their Native Peoples Projects.  You can support your children by taking them to the library to get additional sources and helping them stay on track with their work by frequently checking in with them.   If they are not, you can encourage them to bring their work home to catch up.  4th grade students are working on their US State Reports.  You can support your children by helping them construct their "state floats" if they are choosing to build them, and by checking in frequently to see if they are on track.  If they are not, you can encourage them to bring their work home to catch up.

 

January 16 -no school Martin Luther King day

January 30- no school

January 25th – field trip -we will be taking the city bus to see the A1 JTerm Play from roughly 11-2:30

February 13th - 6th graders are attending a naturalization ceremony at the River Center from roughly 9:15-Noon

February 15th – field trip to Dodge Nature Center learning outdoor survival skills and environmental ed

 

Please consider donating your children's gently used gear to GRS.  The lower el classrooms are in constant need of warm gear - several students do not have the gear they need.  Both upper and lower el commons spaces have "borrow boxes" for students to use gear when they forget theirs.  

 

Please let us know if you have any questions!

Jean and Amanda

UEW Update 1/4/2017

Hello UEW Families, 

 

Happy New Year!

We have had a wonderful start to the new year, even with the ice and cold.  Please make sure your children have gear for the cold weather!  Even on days like today where the -27 wind chill forces us inside, we still have time at parent pick up or waiting for the bus to bundle up for, and many kids don't have gloves and boots.  

 

Each grade level is working on a big project for January.  4th graders are doing state reports and will choose to make a slideshow or a float that demonstrates their learning.  5th graders will study native peoples of North America, and 6th graders will begin their semester-long Imaginary Island projects.  

 

The 6th graders are also working on their Minnesota Immigration Study projects.  This work emphasizes the use of primary sources and is intended to develop critical thinking skills as well as strengthen students' understanding of Minnesota cultures.  Students will present their Immigration Projects on Wednesday, February 1st from 3:45-4:15pm.  We would like to invite 6th grade families to attend our project sharing, and will invite the A1 faculty as well in order to introduce them to our students.  

 

We won't be giving out new homework this week.  We'll work on getting organized starting our projects and will resume homework next week.  

 

Thank you to those families that have already sent greens for the bunny this week!  He's a voracious eater and we very much appreciate having a stash of lettuce, kale, cabbage, and other leafy greens to feed him.  

 

Stay warm!

 

Jean and Amanda

UEW Update 12/15/16

Dear UEW Families,

It was great to see so many of you at the Science Fair yesterday.  The students really enjoyed sharing their work.  Today's fort day was a great success!  We had a city of forts in UEW. If your child is participating in Secret Snowflake, please check in with them to make sure they have given their gift.

For our weekly writing prompt, the students have been writing poems about snow.  Here are some for you to enjoy over winter break. 

Have wonderful break and we will see you next year!

Jean and Amanda

 

Daddy, daddy! Look it snowed,

Daddy, daddy! Where did your car go?

It's three feet below,

A mound of snow.

I think we'll stay,

Instead of go.

By Finn

 

The cold wind blows,

There's frost on my clothes,

And there's snot of my nose.

I looked around,

No one to be found,

Then I fell to the ground.

By Silo

 

Snow is a white substance that falls from the sky,

Please tell me why it falls from the sky.

It makes me cold,

So I am told,

It's time for me to blow my nose.

By Mandi

 

Snow is fuzzy,

Snow is fun.

I like snow falling on my tongue.

Snow is crystally,

Snow is cold.

Snow is funny,

Snow is bold.

When things get chilly,

Snow falls, and that's fun.

Snow is cool,

Snow is flakey,

Snow is perfect,

Snow is delicate.

I LOVE SNOW!

By Sofie

 

Snow is awesome,

Snow is cool,

Snow is white,

Snow is cold.

Snowball fights,

Afton too,

Chair lifts,

Moguls,

Jumps too.

Berms,

Grab rails are cool,

That's why snow is cool.

By Reid

 

 

Snow…

  

  Inside I sit and peer…

 At the snow, so crystal clear…

 It makes not a sound,

 As it rests on the ground,

 And I know that Winter is here…

 

 It seems the wind has come…

 Yet the Spring has nearly begun…

 And as I rest,

 I see the white crest,

 And I brace for the light of the sun…

 

 And every year, when it is over…

 The world will begin a nova…

 And I cannot wait,

 In this prolonged state,

 Of longing for the bloom of the clover.

 

By Daniel

 

Snow

A poem involving snow.

 

In the night,

A pretty sight,

Will greet us in the morning.

When we wake up,

Because of our pup,

We see the snow adorning.

 

The children squeal,  

They break open the seal,

The door has been burst open.

They play in the snow,

And before they know,

Their snowman has been broken.

 

By Torben

\\

UEW Update 12/9/16

Hello UEW Families,

 

Students in UEW have spent time this week meeting and organizing some special events for the week before break.  I have attached a letter from them with details of the upcoming events.  All events are voluntary.

 

 

Science Fair!  We look forward to inviting families into our classroom to see the work your students have prepared.  Next week will be focused on preparing for the fair, with no new work and extra support to get kids ready.  The Science Fair will run from 2-3pm on December 14 and we will not be going to the park.  

 

In support of the Science Fair, we did not send new homework this week.  Students can use their extra time to finish their research and experiments, or to gather materials needed.  

 

The Upper Elementary team has meetings scheduled with Admin the next Wednesday and will not be able to receive kids that come early to make up lessons or work. We will resume early Wednesdays after break.  

 

Thursday and Friday, December 15 and 16 will be fun activities and catch up days.  Students that have missing work will have time to meet with us and finish it up. 

 

Thank you for all your support!  

 

Jean and Amanda

UEW Update 12/1/2016

Hello UEW Families,

Our classroom is filled with conversation about science and science fair projects!  The students should have a clear plan for their project with a materials list, procedure and a hypothesis.  Please check in with your child to make sure they are on track for presenting at the science fair on December 14 from 2-3.  Many of the students are choosing to do their projects at home so they can surprise their friends with the results.  The project should be displayed on a tri-fold display board, we do have some at school, but would appreciate it if students are able to provide their own.

 

We go outside every day!  Your child should come prepared for winter weather with a hat, gloves, jacket and warm footgear.

 

Every week the students have a writing prompt to do.  This week they are writing about science.  What are they interested in?  What do they want to learn more about?  What do they not understand?  The prompts change every week and on Friday, students choose to share their writing with their classmates.  In January, the students will pick one of their pieces of writing to take through the five step writing process.  It will then be put into their portfolio!

 

Our Leo, BunBun, continues to entertain and sooth us.  He loves to hop down timelines and sprawl in the middle of the room in his super-bunny pose.  He is always in need of fresh greens to eat!  He would love any gifts of greens and vegetables.

Thanks much,

Jean and Amanda

Update 11/23/16

Hello UEW Families,

 

What a wonderful day!  Thanks to all  for the delicious food we shared today.  Amanda and I would like to wish you a safe and happy holiday!   

 

Winter is finally here.  We have outside recess every day and go to the park every Wednesday, unless it is too cold or we have a weather advisory.  Please help your child remember to have winter gear (hat, gloves, snow pants, jacket and boots)available every day.

 

 

Many students are planning to do Science Fair work at home this break.  Please let us know if you are unable to get any materials necessary for your child's project and we will do our best to help find them.  Students should be running their experiments the week of 11/28 and wrapping them up by 12/5.

 

Rather than sending out new homework for the break, we are asking students to take home work that they have unfinished.  We will resume homework next week. 

 

We are in need of some supplies for our classroom.  If you are out and about and can pick up something up, we would appreciate it!

 

Cleaning supplies:

            Sponges

            Antibacterial wipes 

            Dish soap

            Hydrogen peroxide cleaner

 

Bunny supplies:

            Greens

            Toys or treats

            Timothy hay

 

Thank you!

Jean and Amanda