Dear Fifth Grade Families:

Fall is in the air and cooler temperatures now greet us each morning. While we will start in our indoor classroom when it is chilly, it is important to send your child with needed layers for sitting at their desks in the cooler forest air. Your child may bring a lap blanket, if desired, and should dress in layers. A warm body is a happy body that is able to better take in lessons.

Last week, we began our first Botany block with an overview of a flower. After looking at the flower and all that makes it special, we then moved to observe a dandelion in all its obvious and varying phases of life. We ended the week moving into Lower plants and learned about fungi. This week we will explore and learn about algae, lichen, ferns, and horsetails.

Moving forward, Mr. Matan will join us many mornings a week at the start of our school day to begin a more comprehensive pentathlon training schedule. Activities and exercises are intentional to help to develop strong proprioceptive skills, build grace and stamina, and get us ready for the pentathlon in fun and meaningful ways. Arriving on time and ready for school (8:35 is our start time) will allow your child to participate fully in these developmentally important exercises and will increase their self-confidence in their own abilities as well.

Parent-Teacher conferences are this week! If you have not signed up, please do so now. Please remember school will be in session half days this Wednesday-Friday with pick-up at 12:30. I look forward to talking with each of you soon.

Reminders:

Oct. 12-14 Early dismissal at 12:30; Parent-Teacher conferences
Oct. 22 Community Workday
Oct. 29 Kingdom of Halloween

With gratitude,

Melissa