March/April 
Dear Klamath Families,

We love school and we also love Spring Break. There's plenty to learn on a beautiful sunny or rainy day outside for us all, too! I hope you enjoyed it!

Student -led conferences were wonderful, both reflective and helpful for the next few months. I wouldn't have said anything more than what we came up with as a group. Students did an excellent job of leading the conversations.

In the classroom the weeks before break, there was so much great work happening! I'm sure you have seen or at least heard about the conductivity testers, game boards, switches, electromagnets, batteries and motors the students have built themselves. They are loving the Tuesday science unit put together by parent volunteers Maria Svinth and Jaana Nieuwbohr and learning so much about electricity hands-on. Meanwhile, our Friday cooking projects have brought us applesauce, soda bread, shortbread and bread pudding, as we explore the development of major ingredients and American favorites in the past 200 years. Thanks again to Maria and Jaana their work on that unit. They will continue with both units after
break!

Meanwhile, our study of anatomy became hands-on when parent volunteer Cindy Lohrentz came with two other nurses to make slides of our blood for microscope study, spin some in the centrifuge to separate and study the components, and lead students in dissecting sheep hearts for study. Next up: the skeletal and muscular
systems.

In history studies, we have been exploring
the formation of the new American government after the Revolution. (I'm sure you
saw the e-mail I sent about the "revolution" in our classroom.) Parent volunteer
  Anne Leonard came to discuss the Constitution, amendments, and how these
  original ideas are interpreted and implemented in our country today. We'll
  continue with American history, considering the Civil War and Reconstruction,
  and touch on industrialization and immigration in the 19th century. The
  research students have done on their chosen states will inspire good discussion
  about the growth of our country, expecially the War of 1812, western expansion,
  and the Mexican War. Next, 4th and 5th year students will take a close look at
  our own state California, while 6th year students get an overview of ancient
  world civilizations.


Art projects continue with parent volunteers Donna Stegman, Kate Osborne, and Terri Anne Cooper. Last year's self-portraits are now on display at the library and new students to Klamath this year are creating theirs now. Portfolios are very
impressive!

 Here are some important notes about right now

Earth Day Faire, March 30:
Students have by now used their loan money to purchase supplies, created their
products (except maybe last minute food/living items), and are now preparing
their signage, table cloth, MONEY BOX w/lid to bring for Friday’s big sale day!
Students can bring in all their things Wednesday, Thursday or Friday and leave
them directly in the multi-purpose room. Please let them set up for themselves.
And remember, you are invited to drop by between 11 and 12 to shop and/or view
the fair.


MarinHeadlands for 4/5th year students:
You should have received you permission slips, packing list, and long letter of
explanation about the trip we’ve been talking about all year on Monday. If you
want to ask more questions, please go to the NatureBridge website. We will leave
the school Monday, April 23 at about 9am and return on Wednesday about
11:30am.


Klamath’s trip dates ARE April 23 through April 25! I made a mistake on the permissionslip and put Yuba’s dates on our form, so please change the dates as you review the form and sign everything. Also,
please note that this is a new form the school board has adopted so it is coming
to you fairly late. Please do NOT delay in sending in all forms and notify me of
any issues immediately.


Astro Camp for 6th year students:
There will be a student and parent meeting about our May 16-18 trip on Tuesday,
April 3 at 6pm in Yuba. Please try to come for all the info you
need!


Human Development-Puberty Education for 5/6th year students only:
Most
of you received the permission slip to attend our human development/puberty
education classes at conferences. A few went home Monday, so please sign and
return if you have it now. The classes will be similar to last year’s format.



STAR testing:
April 16-20 is STAR testing week, so be sure to remind students about eating and
sleeping well. Yes, we are practicing with test booklets quite a bit right now
so we’ll be ready to do our very best.


“The Giver”Performance April 19 for 6thyear students only at WF Center: Please turn in this permission slip asap. We
will either be done with testing or complete it Friday.
Are you an approved driver?! We need 3 or 4 (and you’ll get to see the show,
too.


“Ellis Island” performance on May 7 for all UE:
You should have received this permission slip on Monday as well. This is a
wrap-up of American history for this year. No drivers needed; we will take buses
(which is why the extra expense). Thank you for turning these forms/money in
asap, too.


Remember to save these
dates:

 *Mission/Project Day (end-of-the-year open house): Thursday, May
24, 12-3pm.
*Father’s Day BBQ with Yuba: new for us,
bring your father figure, May 25, eve

*Promotion for 6ths: Wednesday, May 30,
evening

 *Field Day: for students, but we need
volunteer help! Thursday, May 31, all
day

Last thoughts: We need pencils and notebook
paper for the last few weeks of work. Can you help us with
that?

 And finally, a few notes about the coming
months. The school survey that you filled out gave us some valuable information,
including that fact that you want more communication. To address this, I am
enlisting the help of the students. They will be writing a letter to you at the
end of each week about what they did and important things to remember. Hopefully
this should help you understand what we are doing more. Also, PLEASE read the
letters I put on the website because I try to help you plan for events by
posting dates and information there once a month. When additional things come
up, I will send e-mails directly, such as this one! The Work-at-Home Log is
intended to keep you up to date about current home projects and late work as
well.


Also, attendance is very important to our
school funding. Not only that, but there’s a lot of great activity going on now
that students don’t want to miss. I really appreciate that you e-mail me when
your student will be absent, and that you request and complete independent
studies. Thank you!


See you all very
soon,

 Deanna

FEBRUARY
2012

Dear Klamath Families,

The two weeks at school since returning from break
have been an absolute whirlwind of activity, adventure, and learning for all. We
served burritos on Thursdays for the first times and that system is going
smoothly. Some sixth year students' parents met and have begun an in-depth
dialogue about their choices for middle school next year. Students at every
level are delving into algebra and have done some great creative writing. And,
most memorably, Klamath headed out to Hyde Street Pier to the great
Balclutha for high adventure on the seas. Well, at the dock. The trip was
fantastic in so many ways, from learning to work as a team, lead, and follow, to
spending the night away, to discovering the capacity to endure weather and work
at a new level. You will be hearing stories for many years to come. The
experience compliments our history curriculum as we discuss the interactions
between European countries and American colonies across the ocean during
revolutionary times.

So, the next months are equally exciting and
fulfilling for our children. You'll get all the information about upcoming
events and dates by reading this very lengthy letter. We have great plans!


Earth Day Faire 2012:Students were introduced to this project this
week. For the next nine weeks, they will be participating in a model business of
  their own creation. They will create a partnership, a business plan and
  philosophy, a loan application for startup funds, an earth-friendly product or
  service, and cost analysis worksheet. They will advertise and sell their
  products at the Earth Day Faire on March 30, then figure profit and loss. Their
  proceeds will go toward upper elementary field trips. Last year this event was
  very successful, and this year we hope to offset the cost of trips in April and
  May significantly! Parents part in this project is to allow the children to do
  it themselves and NOT give any help or materials for free! More details to come
  soon.

Square Dancing: We are arranging for Steve Minkin, Petaluma
schools' favorite caller, to come back this year in February/March for some
excellent exercise, coordination, cultural learning, and fun! Please look for a
notice home, as there may be a small donation requested to cover his costs.


February 14: Please note now that we will not spend this day giving
your children sugary treats and a myriad of paper cards that will be recycled
later. We have a nice classroom tradition of making one special card IN CLASS
for each student, appreciating each one. We do this with music playing, giving
great thought to how we really care about each other. Students will make a paper
heart basket to carry their notes. Please do not go buy or make valentines, or
send in anything else.

Work-at-Home Logs: These were sent home the
week of January 16. If your student didn't give you one to sign and needs
another, s/he can ask me. Many students are remembering on their own to have you
sign and to return them, which is encouraging. There is no specific genre to be
reading during the 100 minutes per week this or next month.


Autobiography Project for Fifth Year Students: Fifth year students will
  receive information about how to write their autobiography next week. This is a
  writing project that goes through the end of the school year, preparing them
  for their bigger, culminating sixth year, year-long project. Students should
  keep their autobiography assignments in their Work-at-Home folder, returning
  them to me on Mondays and as needed. Much of the writing will be done at
home.

Graph-paper Notebooks, One-pint Canning Jars, and A Cheap
  81/2"x11" Frame and Two Poster boards for Portfolios: As mentioned in
December newsletter, many students have filled their math notebooks from last
semester and need a new one. Please get one if asked by your student asap! Also,
each student was given a canning jar last semester (for sauerkraut, yoghurt,
etc.) and was asked to keep it in the cubby at school when not in use. Some
students have lost or broken their jars and need new ones. Please ask your child
if s/he needs a new one, as great new food science projects are coming up this
week. Students are creating new wonderful works of art and need poster board to
make a portfolio. Some have asked if they can bring theirs from last year, which
is an excellent idea!
The frame is for artwork.

Other Upcoming
Events At a Glance:
Beginning of February: Report Cards sent home

February 20: President's Day/ No school
February 25: River Pancake
Breakfast
February 27-March 2: Montessori Education Week
March 3: Music
Concert 4pm, featuring River students w/ RMCS Music Guide Maria
March 9-23:
Spring Break
March 30: Earth Day Faire 2012
April: 4th Grade Writing Test
(state mandated) and Puberty Education TBA April 23-25: 4th/5th Year Outdoor
Science Camp at Marine Headlands
April/May: STAR Testing (state-mandated)

April 28: Butter and Eggs Day Parade w/RMCS float
May 11: 6th Yr Science
Fair
May 16-18: 6th yr Astro Camp in southern California
May 21-25: 6th yr
Year Long Project Presentations in class
May 24: 4th/5th yr Mission Day/Open
House
May 28: Memorial Day/No school
May 30: 6pm Promotion Ceremony at
RMCS
May 31: Last day of school

Be sure to mark your calendars with
these dates and look for assignment information and permission slips in your
students' Work-at-Home folder. Thank you for all the support you give to make
these wonderful things happen for the children!