Ducks and Coming to Sexton Mountain School-April 30, 2013

Dear Sexton Mt. Families:                                                                                                  

I was on bus duty Friday afternoon when a group of first graders asked if I’d seen the baby ducks.  “There are ten!” they exclaimed.  They had also observed black birds with red wings and other plants and animals in the pond in front of our school.  Our young scientists are making many observations.  It seems that even the animals know that great schools make for great communities and that Sexton Mountain is a great place to grow!

The duck family may be one of the newer families in the neighborhood.  As I was walking in the neighborhood last week, I noticed several “SOLD” toppers on real estate signs.  One of our grandparents shared that it’s easier to downsize when you live in a place where there are great schools since young families want strong schools for their kids.  What brought you to our neighborhood?  In the next month, I’m going to be putting together a book called Coming to Sexton Mountain School.  The book will include imaginative stories by our kids about how the ducks made it to our school.  It will also include interviews of our Canfield volunteers.  Did you know one of the ladies, now almost 100 years old, came to America on a boat in the 1920s.  The crossing took several weeks and she was very sick. 

How did you make it to Sexton Mountain School?  I’d like to include YOUR story in our book. I know some of our parents attended our school as children and moved back to stay close to grandparents.     I would guess that there will be stories that originate in different counties, states or countries.  Please send your story and a picture.  The book will be shared with our students during Culture Week the last week in May. 

Great books can teach us so much! I love learning through books and I see that many of our students do too.  On Monday I visited Powell’s to see if I could find books about ducks for our students to enjoy.  I ran in to several Sexton Mountain students and even bought some books based on their suggestions.  I’m glad that books and reading are important to kids on non-school days too!

Take Care,

Dr. Teresa Clemens-Brower

a.k.a. Mrs. C.-B.

Principal

Thank you!

§  Thanks to Mark Tsakistos, Michele Cobain and her mom, Karen Stratton and Jacob Brower for working so hard for our students on Tuesday.  You ROCK!!!!

§  Thanks to Kim Hurd’s scout troop for spending free time doing a service project for our school.  The girls cleaned out the former music portable and it’s beautiful!  Thanks girls!

§  Thanks to someone for the donation of an exercise ball.

§  Thanks to another someone for the donation of sugarless chewing gum for our kids to enjoy while testing.

Wish List--These are little things or jobs that will make a difference to our kids. Feel free to send items in or let Mrs. CB know if you are willing to do a project.

§  Volunteer needed to spend one-hour packing boxes in a portable.  This can be done anytime between 8:00am and 4:00pm

§  Volunteer woodworker (or someone who knows how to use a drill) needed to fix up existing but slightly broken book shelves so that they are usable in our book room.

§  Donations of small (saucer size) plates and metal spoons or forks are wanted for the staffroom.

Upcoming Events

April-OAKS Statewide Assessment for 3-5^th grade this month during technology class

May 3-Community Engagement Committee meeting -- 9:00 am

May3-PTC meeting -- 9:30 am

May 6-10-Staff Appreciation Week-TOP SECRET PROJECTS DUE TO THE OFFICE BY MAY 1

May 15-Passport Club Check -- 8:30 am -- 12:00 pm

May 17-PTC Carnival

May 23-Volunteer Appreciation Day-2:00pm

May 23-PBIS Assembly-8:25am-Students go straight to the cafe on these days.

May 24-Assessment Day

May 27-Memorial Day Holiday-No School

May 28-Pizzicatto Night-Dining for Dollars

May 30-Cultural Celebration Assembly- Grupo Condor-   (Thank you PTC!)

8:30-9:20-Olson, 4th and 5th Grade

9:35-10:35-Baldwin, Pfaff, K, 1st, 2nd Grade

May 30-3^rd Grade Performance-2:00pm

May 31-1st Gr. Field Trip

May 31-Kindergarten Field Trip

June 4-3^rd Gr. Field Trip

June 7-Community Engagement Committee meeting -- 9:00 am

June 7-PTC meeting -- 9:30 am

June 7-Field Day-PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

June 7-4th Grade Human Growth and Development Lesson-Materials available for preview in office.

June 12-Mt. Guide picnic

June 13-PBIS Assembly-8:25am-Students go straight to the cafe on these days.

June 13-5^th grade party at Conestoga Rec Center

June 13-Last day of school