September 20, 2024
If you happen to come up to the front of the school, you will see that the playground is really coming along. This week the contractor started installing the actual play equipment. It’s been interesting to hear the students' comments about what they think will be included in their new playground.
Students have been accessing our project areas for small group work. These spaces located in each grade level neighborhood provide alternative work spaces within close proximity to the grade level classrooms. Students from different classes can come together to work in these spaces.
Mrs. Kelly is using the iLab patio this week to test student created model sailboats. This engineering challenge needed to meet two requirements for a successful design. Does it float and does it move with a force of wind? As part of the engineering process, students were also asked what they might do to improve their designs. I observed students to be highly engaged and excited during the testing process.
Mrs. Allen and her kindergarten students were the first group to perform on our cafeteria stage. As a culminating activity to their study of The Three Billy Goats Gruff, students made stick puppets and small groups performed retellings of the story in a puppet theater format. They performed in front of an audience that included some of their kindergarten peers, their principal and assistant principal along with our superintendent and assistant superintendent. They were amazing!
Fourth grade students worked with poet Andrew Green from Potato Hill Poetry to craft their own poems. This enrichment experience is funded through a generous grant from the Groton Commissioners of Trust. We look forward to Mr. Green’s return next week to finish his work with our students. I’ve been impressed with how quiet and focused students have been when they are drafting their poems.
The Lost and Found table will be cleared at the end of each month and any unclaimed items will be donated. We do not have the space to store what gets left behind. Please follow up with your student if you believe they are missing an item of clothing or a water bottle. Students walk by this table every day when they exit the cafeteria.
Happy Fall!
Brian