Osiyo, Chickadee Families,
Last week, the Chickadee class heard a traditional Choctaw story about an eclipse. In this story, which takes place in what we now call Oklahoma, the Choctaw people notice the sun disappearing and the sky becoming darker. The people relied on the sun to help grow their crops and to live by, and were concerned that it was disappearing. When they look up at the sky, the people notice that a large, hungry black squirrel named Fvni Suna is eating the sun, nibbling at it a little at a time. The people discuss their predicament and decide they will make loud noises to scare Fvni Suna away. They grab all their pots and pans and look up at the disappearing sun, banging them together and yelling to create loud, startling sounds. Others throw sticks at the squirrel to scare him away. Finally, the people succeed in frightening Fvni Suna, who jumps down from the sky, allowing the sun to shine again. Since squirrels are forgetful, sometimes Fvni Suna forgets and tries to eat the sun again. Then, the Choctaw people bang their pots and pans, yell, and throw sticks until the squirrel jumps down again. The students will continue hearing this story this week with an interactive puppet show on Thursday and Friday.
Last week, students planted their marigolds and parsley in outdoor planters. They drew with wet chalk in the outdoor classroom and observed how this was a different experience from drawing with dry chalk before the break. The children showed great joy and enthusiasm in puddle jumping, mud digging, and recipe preparation as they played outdoors. This week, the students will complete our auction project, a beautiful sun catcher wall decoration made of healing chakra stones. Students worked hard to sand and polish a beautiful branch and string gems. Pictures of the work will be in next week’s Messenger.
Announcements and Reminders
Please continue to dress your children in layers every day. It is ok to provide layers in their backpack if they feel too warm in the morning. The forest is cooler, especially when it is damp or cloudy. An expected temperature in the 60s and even lower 70s feels significantly different in different conditions, and we can not predict what layers will feel most comfortable. As a rule, students should always have lighter and thicker pants, short and long-sleeved shirts, and a sweatshirt or light jacket. Additionally, students must have full rain gear and rain boots every day. The outdoor classroom remains wet for several days after rain.
Please send your full-day students with a blanket for rest time if you have yet to return theirs following the break.
Please ensure your children eat a filling breakfast daily that will sustain them until snack time at 10:30 a.m.
Insects are making their return! Please begin sending insect repellant in backpacks.
Upcoming Events:
4/23 Third Grade class play
4/23-4/25 Fifth Grade Pentathlon
4/26 Annual Auction Fundraiser and Half-day
4/27 Community Work Day 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
4/30 First Grade class play
5/01 Second Grade class play
Thank you for sharing your children with us and for being part of our community.
Gvyalieliga,
Ki Holly
