Yes, we know that Culmination is next Tuesday and that perhaps thinking about it being over is premature, but there are still two-plus weeks after May 27 and we have a lot planned as we finish up the year.
First, the school Talent Show is Wednesday, May 28 at 1:15 in the Community Meeting Room. The girls have been practicing their guitar pieces and will be performing at that time.
Second, we head back to Peggy's farm on Friday, May 30. This is an all-day event. We will leave promptly at 8:30 so please have your daughters dressed and ready for the day (warm layers, sack lunch, and close-toed/appropriate shoes) and please, do your best to be on time.
Next, on Tuesday, June 3 the girls will be beach naturalists for students from Puesta del Sol at South Alki. Again, they'll need to dress appropriately and bring a sack lunch and close-toed shoes -- boots are preferable for the tidepools.
Fourth, on Thursday, June 12 we'll have our Moving Up Ceremony at Powell Burnett Park (rain or shine!) from 11:00-1:00. Families need to bring a potluck dish and we'll provide plates, cups, napkins, utensils, and desserts! At that time we'll celebrate the year and wish the girls all the best in their 6th grade year! It will be a time to visit with families and remember those moments throughout the year that have shaped us all.
That night (Thursday, June 12) is 8th grade graduation. Everyone is invited and it's a great event for the younger students as they get to see their 8th grade friends move on as well as picture themselves in those chairs on the stage in just a few years.
Finally, the last day of school is Friday, June 13 and it's an early release day (12:30 with no after care). I know that CAP and families are organizing a celebration for the 5th graders at a pool after that so watch your email for announcements. Thanks for organizing all of that. We know the girls are very excited about the end of the year and their time of play together!
Culmination is fast approaching and we know the girls are excited and nervous about the big event. We have no doubt they'll rise to the occasion and give a stellar performance. We ask that they get lots of rest this weekend (if at all possible) and come in Tuesday ready to go. Students need to be at the Aquarium at 5:30. We know this can be an imposition, but we ask that families and friends not enter the Aquarium until we invite you in as we have set up to perform in between the time the Aquarium closes (5:30) and when our Culmination begins (6:30). We have it down to the most minimal of set ups so you won't have to hang out for too long...we hope!
Have a great Memorial Day Weekend and we'll see all of you next Tuesday for Sea. S. I!
Ms. GreNini
Friday, May 23, 2008
Friday, May 9, 2008
Stages of Life
Four years ago, when I first arrived at Seattle Girls’ School, I was offered a wonderful opportunity to create the new 5th grade curriculum. After a long time in the trenches of public education, it was a joy to actually decide which direction my students’ learning should head. In addition, I was offered a chance to put into place ideas I’d had for years about the best ways to teach stewardship to young people.
Teaching has always been a creative endeavor for me – a balance between science and art. I love to design lesson plans, take kids out into their communities to understand the natural connections, and bring inspiring stewards into the classroom. I love to brainstorm ways to teach a specific concept or create projects that get kids involved on levels they normally wouldn’t – through art, through drama, through physical activity.
But all the creative energy I’ve put into my teaching over the past 22 years, has depleted my own creative well. While teaching is a passion I’ve pursued for a long time, I have other passions in my life that have been placed on the back burner. One of them is writing. I’ve been writing, in one form or another, for most of my life, but have never seen myself as a “writer” until a few years ago when I earned my MFA in Creative Non-fiction. At that time I decided that even though I’ve never really been published, it was okay to call myself a writer in a quest to begin seeing myself living a writer’s life.
My other passion is animals, dogs specifically. 15 years ago I almost left teaching to become a dog trainer, but I wasn’t sure if I was willing to leave the teaching of children to pursue a whole new career. Now I am. Working with Rubin in the classroom has brought me back to my original instincts that sometimes the best teachers walk on four legs, not just two. So, in addition to creating more space in my life to write, I’ll be apprenticing with two fabulous dog trainers in Woodinville.
I am both excited and sad about leaving SGS. I will miss the kids the most and of course, my esteemed colleagues (Nini in particular!). I will miss the silliness and drama of middle school girls and their amazing belief in their power to change the world. I will miss the field trips and even Culminations (though not the prep work involved!). Even the tough stuff I will miss, believe it or not.
I’m not sure what the future will hold, but it’s time to find out. At least, that’s what I tell myself in the early morning hours when I panic about by decision to leave teaching. I won’t be a stranger to SGS, though. This place is in my blood and I imagine, in one way or another, I will always be involved with the school and the community. Rubin will want it that way and I’m certain, I will too.
Thank you to all the families, past and present, who have not only trusted me with your daughters’ educations, but have also been supportive of me as a teacher and a person. This has been my best teaching experience ever and I’m so glad I found SGS at the end of my career. It’s a great way to leave the stage.
We’ll see what happens on the next stage…
Teaching has always been a creative endeavor for me – a balance between science and art. I love to design lesson plans, take kids out into their communities to understand the natural connections, and bring inspiring stewards into the classroom. I love to brainstorm ways to teach a specific concept or create projects that get kids involved on levels they normally wouldn’t – through art, through drama, through physical activity.
But all the creative energy I’ve put into my teaching over the past 22 years, has depleted my own creative well. While teaching is a passion I’ve pursued for a long time, I have other passions in my life that have been placed on the back burner. One of them is writing. I’ve been writing, in one form or another, for most of my life, but have never seen myself as a “writer” until a few years ago when I earned my MFA in Creative Non-fiction. At that time I decided that even though I’ve never really been published, it was okay to call myself a writer in a quest to begin seeing myself living a writer’s life.
My other passion is animals, dogs specifically. 15 years ago I almost left teaching to become a dog trainer, but I wasn’t sure if I was willing to leave the teaching of children to pursue a whole new career. Now I am. Working with Rubin in the classroom has brought me back to my original instincts that sometimes the best teachers walk on four legs, not just two. So, in addition to creating more space in my life to write, I’ll be apprenticing with two fabulous dog trainers in Woodinville.
I am both excited and sad about leaving SGS. I will miss the kids the most and of course, my esteemed colleagues (Nini in particular!). I will miss the silliness and drama of middle school girls and their amazing belief in their power to change the world. I will miss the field trips and even Culminations (though not the prep work involved!). Even the tough stuff I will miss, believe it or not.
I’m not sure what the future will hold, but it’s time to find out. At least, that’s what I tell myself in the early morning hours when I panic about by decision to leave teaching. I won’t be a stranger to SGS, though. This place is in my blood and I imagine, in one way or another, I will always be involved with the school and the community. Rubin will want it that way and I’m certain, I will too.
Thank you to all the families, past and present, who have not only trusted me with your daughters’ educations, but have also been supportive of me as a teacher and a person. This has been my best teaching experience ever and I’m so glad I found SGS at the end of my career. It’s a great way to leave the stage.
We’ll see what happens on the next stage…
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Check it out!
On the right of this blog you will find the Culmination Invitation! Click on the link and you'll be transported to a rough copy of our invitation. Pass the link onto friends and families and anyone else you'd like to invite to our final culmination of the year!
See you there!
See you there!
Friday, May 2, 2008
Field Trip Alert!
We have two field trips coming up and wanted to ALERT all families as to the expectations!
On Monday, May 5 we'll head to Carkeek Park. We'll leave school around 9:45, explore the beach from 10:30-noon, eat a picnic lunch (therefore the girls should bring a portable, sack lunch), and then head back to school around 1.
PLEASE remind your daughters to bring a sack lunch, dress in layers, and wear shoes that can get wet!
Next, on Thursday, May 8 we'll head to South Alki Beach at 11:30 (after a brunch in class), explore the beach from noon-1:30 and head back to school around 1:45 at which time the girls can finish up their lunches.
And again, PLEASE remind your daughters to bring a sack lunch/brunch (we'll be eating in the classroom), dress in layers, and wear shoes that can get wet!
Thanks for your support and your "gentle" reminders to the girls to come prepared for each field trip. While the weather looks promising, after this year of late snow and chilly winds, anything is possible!
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact us!
Ms. GreNini
On Monday, May 5 we'll head to Carkeek Park. We'll leave school around 9:45, explore the beach from 10:30-noon, eat a picnic lunch (therefore the girls should bring a portable, sack lunch), and then head back to school around 1.
PLEASE remind your daughters to bring a sack lunch, dress in layers, and wear shoes that can get wet!
Next, on Thursday, May 8 we'll head to South Alki Beach at 11:30 (after a brunch in class), explore the beach from noon-1:30 and head back to school around 1:45 at which time the girls can finish up their lunches.
And again, PLEASE remind your daughters to bring a sack lunch/brunch (we'll be eating in the classroom), dress in layers, and wear shoes that can get wet!
Thanks for your support and your "gentle" reminders to the girls to come prepared for each field trip. While the weather looks promising, after this year of late snow and chilly winds, anything is possible!
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact us!
Ms. GreNini
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