Family Learning Activities, 3/3-3/7

• Write a creative story about space. (You could be an astronaut and write about what you see in space. You could imagine that a planet is alive and write about what it’s like to be a planet.) Share your story with the class.
• Surf the web with a parent for appropriate “space” websites that we could enjoy as a class. It might be a resource for information, or it might be games we could play during Centers.
• Measure and record items in your house. A unit of measure can be anything you have in your house – paper clips, pennies, DVD cases.
• Color the Girls’ Day doll display.
• Read a book about St. Patrick’s Day. Bring it in to share with the class.

Posted at 9:51 AM| Permalink

Happy Girls’ Day!

Last week Friday was a busy day for us! In the morning, we walked over to the middle/high school tech lab to view a Girls’ Day doll display. Hinamatsuri (Dolls' Festival), or Momo no Sekku (Peach Blossom Festival), is celebrated on March 3. The dolls were donated to the school by a former MPI parent who visits the dolls every year. The 6th grade Japanese teacher met us and talked with us about the display. The emperor and empress sit on the top step, and their attendants, ministers, and guards sit on the steps below. Miniature furniture and treats (to honor the royal couple) sit on the lower steps. The dolls are put on display to celebrate the daughters in a family and to wish them a year of good health and happiness. 

In the afternoon, we went to the school book fair and made out our “wish lists.” You should have received this list in your child’s folder. If you will be purchasing those items for your child, kindly total the cost of the books and mark it on the “wish list.” Send in a check (made out to Mid-Pacific Institute) or cash (exact change, please) by Thursday, 3/6. We will go back to the book fair on Thursday to make our purchases. Families are welcome to browse the book fair at their own convenience. It is open until 4:00 p.m. Remember, about 20% of the profits go to Mid-Pacific Institute!

Our space inquiry unit is at its end. Two weeks ago, the children discussed how they would like to share their information with parents. Since we’d like to keep it a surprise, all we’ll say is that everyone will be speaking to our audience as we “travel” through space. The children will be sharing the answers to their questions, as well as other information that was learned. Topics include planets, moon, sun, black holes, stars, aliens, and space. Mark Friday, March 7, 1:00 p.m. for our space inquiry share! We will need to vacate the turn-around by 1:50 to make way for the preschool auto line pick-ups; therefore, we will begin our inquiry share promptly at 1:00. 

Next week Friday, March 14, is the MPI Ho’olaulea. It will be a fun time of food and games, which the middle and high school students organize and run. We are looking for 5 parent volunteers who are able to chaperone a small group of Kindergartners. Please let us know as soon as possible if you are able to chaperone. The elementary school will be going to the Ho’olaulea at 11:00 a.m. to beat the middle school and high school rush for lunch. By March 6 (this Thursday) send in your child’s scrip money to Margie in the office. Please purchase no more than $10 worth of scrip. Help your child to plan ahead by looking at the papers you receive about the cost of food and games (in the Thursday packets).

New pictures have been added to our photo gallery. There are new albums of recent events. New pictures have also been added to “old” albums.

If you have any recyclable items we can use in our art center, please send them with your child. Items need to be stored on a shelf in our classroom, so please, no bulky items. Suggested items include paper towel/toilet paper rolls, styrofoam pieces, and fabric/wallpaper squares. Thank you!

Everyone looks forward to the Guest Reader on Friday afternoons. If you are interested in coming into the classroom to read to the children, please contact Sabrina Ako.

Parent volunteers are such a help and blessing to us, especially when projects arise. If you are able to volunteer your time (no skill or experience needed, training provided), please contact Sabrina Ako.

The new set of Family Learning Activities has also been posted. Some items have been removed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go back to them and complete the activity. Remember, these activities are optional; please enjoy them, as your family’s schedule and available time will allow.

Our Students-of-the-Week are AG  and ZH. Please bring in things you would like to share about yourselves. Everything needs to be able to hang on a bulletin board. Parent volunteers or teachers will assemble the board next Wednesday.

The following dates show when the new bulletin boards will be assembled for display. The initials of the Students-of-the-Week are listed after each date.

3/12 – AG, ZH (Items may be brought in from 3/5)

4/9 – BH, DJ (Items may be brought in from 4/2)

4/16 – RJ, GK (Items may be brought in from 4/9)

4/23 – JM, TS (Items may be brought in from 4/16)

4/30 – LY, WC (Items may be brought in from 4/23)

Posted at 9:39 AM| Permalink