Thursday, November 11th: Veterans Day, NO SCHOOL
November 24th-26th: Thanksgiving Break, NO SCHOOL
2021-22 School Year Calendar
A Note About Water Bottles:
This year, all students need to come to school with a labeled water bottle. Due to Covid, we had to turn our water fountains into water dispensers so that students wouldn't be drinking from the fountain. Students can fill their water bottles at the water fountains but can't drink from them. Please make sure your kiddo brings their water bottle to school each day.
Dressing for Cold & Rainy Weather :
To ensure comfort and general happiness, please make sure that your kiddo is prepared for the weather.
- Students should wear or bring weather/activity appropriate footwear and an outer jacket that can repel water.
- Having an extra layer in the backpack (warm sweater/hoodie) to put on after being outside is really helpful.
- We have also seen a lot of cold hands lately, so please consider keeping a pair of warm gloves in your kiddo's backpack.
Recess: Twice Everyday
NOTE: Students can always bring extra clothes/socks/shoes and masks (these can be kept in backpack or tote bag that they hang on their hallway coat hook).
If you need any help getting rain gear/warm gear for your kiddo, please let us know!
What’s happening in the Puffin Nest?
NW Coastal People Storypath: EPISODE 6
This week, a “European Trader” arrived by ship on the shores of our NW Coastal village. After meeting with our chief, it was decided that trade would be allowed. Families decided to trade their artwork and fur pelts for metal, glass beads and buttons. Many characters were excited to barter with this new trader, and some even happily traded special items from their homes. But after he left, the class reflected on how shrewd the trader had been, and how the trading experience could affect the community. We also learned that traders often brought diseases that had a devastating effect on the native population.
To encourage reflection, we discussed the following questions:
- How did our village respond to this event?
- How might our village change as a result of the trading?
- Why do you think the trader brought the goods that he did to trade?
- Do you think the members of our village made good trades? Why or why or not?
- If the trader were to return, what would you do differently?
Writing:
After topic discussions and planning, students worked independently to write short narrative about their experiences with a trader from their character's perspective. Our focus as writers this week included: beginning with a lead sentence to spark interest and draw the reader into the story, focusing on the important event by providing interesting details in order, and ending with a reflection.
What we're learning in Mystery Science this week:
This week, we considered what would happen if we didn't have bones. We discussed evidence for why we have so many bones. Then we did an activity that combines science with art, where students traced their hands and added see-through bones to their picture, making their own skeleton hand. You can encourage your child's curiosity at home! Ask them to teach you: "what would happen if we didn't have bones?", and "Why do we have so many bones?"