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JANUARY/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!

If you need to refer back to last month's newsletter for any reason, please click here to do so. As always, many thanks to all of you for taking on some part of making this wonderful class experience happen! 

Many thanks as always,
Deanna