Friday, March 25, 2011
A Trip to Mars
I had the pleasure of joining our Sciensations club on a field trip to the Mars Education Program at Arizona State University. Our students received a tour of the facility, where they saw replicas of the exploration rovers and learned how ASU researchers are helping map the surface of Mars. We also were given a brief look at the history of space exploration and how we have benefited from our first trips to the moon. The Mars Education Program partners with K-12 schools to enhance classroom learning and further student interests science. A special thanks to Mrs. Arn for bringing this amazing experience to our students!
World Connections!
Our 6th grade students just completed their country reports and celebrated with a world's fair. In addition to learning about the customs, tradition, and history of other countries, our students made an extra connection with the Marines in Afghanistan. Corey H. chose to learn more about Afghanistan since his brother is stationed there. When Lance Corporal Brandon Swisher learned about his brother's report, he sent back several photos expressing a big hello to Mrs. Urlaub's class. The students were certainly excited about the message, and we hope to establish an opportunity for Lance Corporal Swisher to communicate via Skype with the class before school lets out.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Foreign Language Update
Our FLITE program is taking off as we have received a healthy interest in people wanting to enroll their students in a Spanish immersion program.
We currently have enough students to commit to a FLITE section in 1st grade, and we hope that enrollment will continue to grow so that we can open a second section. We have already ordered classroom supplies and have collected resources from retired teachers who were willing to donate their Spanish materials. In April we will post a position and begin the interview process for hiring a bilingual teacher.
Our kindergarten program for next year is growing well ahead of last year's pace, and many of these parents are expressing an interest in FLITE for the following year. Even though we are not planning for an immersion offering at the kindergarten level in 2011-2012, our teachers are committed to introducing Spanish through vocabulary and basic phrases. This exposure will benefit all of our students, and it will help build a foundation for those students enrolling in the immersion option in the 1st grade.
We are also getting many phone calls about our Pre-K program, and we expect that this will be another great addition to Sandpiper.
We currently have enough students to commit to a FLITE section in 1st grade, and we hope that enrollment will continue to grow so that we can open a second section. We have already ordered classroom supplies and have collected resources from retired teachers who were willing to donate their Spanish materials. In April we will post a position and begin the interview process for hiring a bilingual teacher.
Our kindergarten program for next year is growing well ahead of last year's pace, and many of these parents are expressing an interest in FLITE for the following year. Even though we are not planning for an immersion offering at the kindergarten level in 2011-2012, our teachers are committed to introducing Spanish through vocabulary and basic phrases. This exposure will benefit all of our students, and it will help build a foundation for those students enrolling in the immersion option in the 1st grade.
We are also getting many phone calls about our Pre-K program, and we expect that this will be another great addition to Sandpiper.
Sandpiper Rocks!
I want to thank everyone who helped make our Sandpiper Rocks! night such a great success! More than 150 students, including new kindergarten students and invited guests, attended our scavenger hunt/showcase/sock hop, and everyone had a great deal of fun. Our teachers and parents invested many hours during the week to make the night happen, and I can't begin to express my appreciation for such a committed group of adults who come together as a community to support our students... another sign that Sandpiper truly does ROCK!
Congratulations to our poetry contest winners!
1st Grade - Luka Z., Nia S., Elisabeth M.
2nd Grade - Ella B., Kyle S., Ron B.
3rd Grade - Josh L, Peyton S., Hunter A.
4th Grade - Ayah O., Annie S., Kyler S.
5th Grade - Caroline K., Diana L., Daniel F.,
6th Grade - June O., Paula C., Kobe R.
Each grade level submitted entries at the end of their poetry units in January and February, and the following students were recognized for their work: You can see their poems in the hallway just past the entrance.
With the addition of our character education program this year, we have been using the morning announcements to celebrate student success outside of the school:
Playground Update
Progress is being made on repairing the damage to our playground that occurred over winter break. The canopy was replaced last week, and we expect that the students will have their equipment available to them in the next month!
Congratulations to our poetry contest winners!
1st Grade - Luka Z., Nia S., Elisabeth M.
2nd Grade - Ella B., Kyle S., Ron B.
3rd Grade - Josh L, Peyton S., Hunter A.
4th Grade - Ayah O., Annie S., Kyler S.
5th Grade - Caroline K., Diana L., Daniel F.,
6th Grade - June O., Paula C., Kobe R.
Each grade level submitted entries at the end of their poetry units in January and February, and the following students were recognized for their work: You can see their poems in the hallway just past the entrance.
With the addition of our character education program this year, we have been using the morning announcements to celebrate student success outside of the school:
- Henry W. (6th grade) was a national finalist in the NBA Dribble, Dish, and Swish contest and earned a trip to the NBA All-Star Game, where he served as a ball boy!
- Our 3rd grade Brownie Troop recently visited an animal shelter and made a $200 donation to help support their cause.
- Mark M. (4th grade) recently took 3rd place overall in gymnastics at the Arizona State Champions, and he was state champion on the pommel horse. Mark will compete on the All-Star Arizona Boys team for regional competition in April.
Playground Update
Progress is being made on repairing the damage to our playground that occurred over winter break. The canopy was replaced last week, and we expect that the students will have their equipment available to them in the next month!
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