Keep Calm and Camp On

"Teaching children about the natural world should be treated as one of the most important events in their lives."  Thomas Berry

"It's hard to imagine how the next generation is going to save the environment if they haven't actually spent time in it." Anonymous 

"Time in nature is not leisure time; it's an essential investment in our children's health (and also, by the way, our own). " Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods

I'm not going to lie.  Last week, I was exhausted, stressed, and hungry most of the time.  I rode in an ambulance, stayed up past midnight regulating blood sugars, drove the luggage truck at night, and felt like I was doing three jobs at once.  I actually thought...maybe it's too much to do camp anymore.  

Yet, I love camp.  I know, probably more surely than anything else, that camp is good for kids.  Kids, and adults for that matter, need more time in nature.  New research suggests that spending time in nature improves our health, happiness, and overall well being.  In Dr. Marilyn Price-Mitchell's article, "Does Nature Make Us Happy?", she argues that connections with nature are linked with happiness and ecological sustainability.  In Richard Louv's book, Lost Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature Deficit Disorder, he alleges that kids are so plugged in to their video games and technology that they have lost their connection to the natural world.  We know this is true.

On Saturday, my husband and I let Carys ride her bike to the neighborhood park.  By herself.  Without a cell phone (she doesn't have one).  She returned flushed with excitement, feeling responsible, and proud of herself.  On Saturday night, we went to an outdoor Fall Festival party and Tamsin declared the best part of the night playing hide and seek in the old pine trees that lined our friend's property.  Our children today are not that different from children 10 years ago, 20 years ago, or 30 years ago.  They want to learn, play, discover, explore.  They are still curious.  They still want to be loved, be viewed as responsible, and be respectful.  If they are not, it is not because they don't want to be.  They have not been taught.  Let us be their teachers.  Be patient.  Be kind.  If they need to move, incorporate it into the day, go outside, take a walk, move around in your classroom, don't take away recess from the students who need it the most.  Remember, kids can't bounce off walls if there aren't any. :)

Big Rocks:

Thank you so much to everyone who helped with camp.  Everyone has heard all of our thank yous.  A special thank you to Diane for staying late to cover on Wednesday when Bill got hurt. Thanks again to Robin for securing a truck and driving it back and forth to camp!  We would love to debrief with 6th grade teachers when we have a free minute!

There were incorrect dates in the Critical Dates with regard to marking periods and report cards.  Here are the correct dates:
Marking Period Ends: 10/30
Deadline for Report Card Completion: 11/3
Report Cards Go Home: 11/9

LPS I-Ready trainers are receiving training on I-Ready: Understanding Data this week.  Administrators are receiving training the following week.  There are parent reports and there has been conversation about how and when we share this information.  We want to be transparent but we also want to understand the data fully ourselves.  We are waiting for more specific information but I believe, at this time, central office only wants us to touch briefly on this at conferences.  We will provide talking points if this occurs.

Please feel free to sign up for a monthly PTA meeting if you are interested in attending a PTA meeting.  I believe that Bill sent out a sign up sheet this week.  The next PTA meeting is Tuesday, November 17 at 6:30 in the LMC.  PTA has budgeted $50 for each teacher for various classroom reimbursements.  However, you must be a PTA member ($6 for dues) and turn in your receipts by February 1, 2015 to receive your $50.

Please consider supporting the PTA by attending the Cooper Fall Festival on Friday.  All my munchkins will be in attendance!

Kiwanis is sponsoring a Shoe Drive.  The winning school receives $1,000!  Right now, Riley is beating Cooper.  Let's get them!  The school with the most pounds of shoes wins.

Calendar for the Week of October 19:

Monday: 11:45 Student Lighthouse

Tuesday: 3:45-5:00 Lighthouse Team

Wednesday: 8:00 IST

                     Learning Walks

                     2:45 A.B 3 Year IEP Meeting

Thursday: 10:00 Lock Down (John Raymond here.)

                  1:00-4:00 I-Ready training at Cooper (Robin, Sandy, Shawn)

                  3:45-4:45 Extended Staff Meeting DSIT, Phil Francis visiting

Friday: I-Ready test window closes

            Family Fun Festival 5:45-9:00