Wow! It’s crazy to think we’ve reached the point in the year where we only have one Friday remaining! It has been a great year of teaching & learning, and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your friendship and support.

In the middle of packing away materials, finishing report cards & last minute projects, there is one part of the year that is so bittersweet….the good-byes! Remember to take time to tell your students what they mean to you this week. Have lunch in the classroom or outside. Ask each student to share their favorite memory. Share your favorite memories with your class. Send a Kennedy Kubbie positive postcard to every student and put it in the mail on the last day of school to wish them a great summer! ENJOY THESE LAST FEW DAYS! It’s the happiest & saddest time all in one. Things will never be the same. You’ll never have another group JUST like them. So, while you’re counting down the last 5 days and trying to cross off those final items from your never-ending to-do list, remember to enjoy your final time together & make your end of the year count! 🙂

Here’s our final week at a glance for the 2012-2013 school year:

Monday, May 20th
PreK Celebrations (9am-Rooms 112/133AM, 10:15am-Rooms 134/135AM, 1:00pm-Rooms 112/133PM, 2:15pm-Rooms 134/135PM)
3rd Grade Fly Up Day: Visit to Washington School at 9:15am
1st Grade Picnic to North Park
2nd Grade & 103/107 ZOO Trip
Multiage Class Building @ 2:30pm

Tuesday, May 21st
Kindergarten Graduation @ 9:00am (rooms 129, 131, 132)
& 11:00am (Rooms 127, 128, 130)
Kindergarten Class Building @ 1:30pm
Faculty Meeting @ 2:30pm
Mentor Celebration @ 3:45pm

Wednesday, May 22nd
1st Grade & 101/109 ZOO Trip
1st Grade Class Building @ 10:00am
Assessment & End of the Year Records Common Plan
2nd Grade Class Building @ 1:45pm

Thursday, May 23rd
3rd Grade Picnic
Pre School class building @ 9:00am
3rd Grade Class Building at 2:30pm

Friday, May 24th
Last Day of School (1 hour long: students dismiss at 8:55am)
End of the Year Check-Out with Donna/Melissa *click here for the checklist*

As the last day of school is approaching, it’s very tempting to hit the “cruise control” button. Let’s make a commitment to finish the year as strong as we started & not hit the cruise control button….our kids deserve better! Students will feed off our attitude and if we expect the best from them, then we must give them the best of us! 🙂

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, May 13th
FIELD DAY!
Cycle 6 Assessments This Week
Celebrations Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm (Room 104)
3rd-8th Spring Choral Concert @ LMS (6:30pm)
Happy Birthday Carrie Sipple 🙂

Tuesday, May 14th
3rd Grade Zoo Trip
Kindergarten Picnic

Wednesday, May 15th
1/2 Day (K-3 students dismiss @ 10:55am, AM PreK @ 11:30am)
Support Staff Luncheon 11:30am-12:30pm
Board of Education Meeting @ 7:00pm

Thursday, May 16th
Volunteer Breakfast @ 8:15am-8:45am (cafeteria)
**Info about classroom coverage will be emailed out later this week**
Second Grade Picnic
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm
3rd Grade Dinosaur Fair @ 6:00pm
Happy Birthday Rebecka Mirandola 🙂

Friday, May 17th
Spirit Assembly (Trustworthiness)
District SLC/SLBC Picnic @ Kennedy Park
Multiage Picnic
DARE Graduation
LMS Graduation

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! The entire week is about celebrating ALL OF YOU who influence the lives of our students. I certainly appreciate all the little things you do, but what I appreciate the most is the safe, nurturing learning environments you create for our children. Our Kennedy Kubbies LOVE coming to school each day & know that each person cares about them.

In last week’s blog, I wrote about the relationships we must build and foster throughout the school year with our students in order for meaningful learning to occur. I encourage you to take some time & watch the TED Video below. Rita Pierson, an educator, speaks about the value of relationships & “how every child deserves a champion–an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection & insists that they become the best that they can possibly be!”

I hope you know how much I enjoy working with each of you and how proud I am to be your colleague. Thank you for all that you do here at Kennedy School. You are changing lives!

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, May 6th
Teacher Appreciation Luncheon in faculty lounge (10:30am-1:30pm)
Kindergarten Zoo Trip

Tuesday, May 7th
Faculty Meeting @ 2:30pm
Special Board Meeting @ 7:00pm

Wednesday, May 8th
SLBC to Jewel
PreK Visits Washington School for Buddy Activity
Technology Common Plan

Thursday, May 9th
Memorial Day Dress Rehearsal <–click for schedule
Pre School Picnics
SEL Committee Meeting @ 3:45pm (Faculty Lounge)
Kennedy Memorial Day Concerts @ LMS

Friday, May 10th
FIELD DAY <—click for schedule
Technology Inventory Check-In <—All teachers: Sign up for a time slot with Eric
(Print Out This Inventory Checklist for your time slot)