First Grade Buddies

Our sixth graders this year have been paired up with the two first grade classes for room buddies! After playing a few "get to know you" games a few weeks ago, we dove right in yesterday and started a globe project with them made out of paper machet. The first graders are learning about the continents and the bodies of water that make up our world so what better way to learn than to make their own mini-worlds themselves! We're all excited to continue our globe making in a few weeks after our sixth grade trip! Next on the to-do list - PAINT! 

Message About Ki's Lunch

Hello TCS families,

We are pleased to see so many students enjoying Ki's Hot Lunch program!  We hope that you are finding the ordering process to be smooth and easy to work with. I wanted to provide you with some reminders and bullet points to reference throughout the year should the need arise:

• Our Ki's Parent Association Chairperson is Jackie Fisk (Jackie@onlinesd.com).  She is the one to talk to about volunteering!
• Our school "access code" is: 1956.  You will use this to create your account when signing onto https://kis.naturallunches.com
• Ki's employees are very receptive and are dedicated to ensuring that your children receive delicious, healthy lunches, and that your interactions with them both in person, and on-line, are positive and helpful.  Should you ever have questions about orders, charges or options, please direct your questions directly to Ki's at:info@kisschoollunches.com and by phone at (760) 828-5236.  Janet and her team will do their best to help resolve issues, and answer your questions.
• In response to some questions about second helpings, Janet sent the following: 
  
  There are only seconds on Fruits and Veggies, and the student needs to bring back their original plate to receive these.
  
  But every rule has an exception.... we generally ask the little ones how many nuggets they would like: 4, 5 or 6. They are entitled to six but it is silly to simply put it on their plate to be thrown away, and in some cases some of them are extra hungry, or bigger eaters so for the ones that take less than 6 they can come back for more, and some of their bigger eating friends can come back and ask for one or two more to consume the extras. I trust Peter (the Ki's server) to be aware of how many "less and more" he has given.
  
  I do the same thing with the garlic toast and corn bread on Mondays and Fridays. The little ones are entitled to 3 and the older kids are entitled to 4, we usually only put 2 on the preschool plates and then have 5 or so to give to the big boys. But the preschool teachers can always come back and ask for additional toast, and of course, fruit.
  
  I try to never give seconds on the popcorn, corn chips and cheddar puffs, again, unless they have cleaned their plates. These snacks are "clean" but they are still high in salt and fat content and are meant as a side order. The kids need to eat their entrees and veggies before being given more, and the biggest problem allowing seconds here is that many of them will begin asking if they see their friends getting more, and I have seen kids throw their left over lunch away and then come to the table as if they have eaten everything.
  
  Janet

With thanks to Ki's and our wonderful PA who make this program what it is, 

Kelly Parisa 

FREE Parent Education Workshop

Hi Parents!

Please take a look at the flyer below regarding a FREE Parent Education Workshop on Wednesday, October 23rd from 6:30-8:00pm!

PLP Introduction

Andddd....they're off! Today during open studio, the students started brainstorming ideas they have for their Personal Learning Projects this year. They were each given a guideline (check under the PLP tab at the top) that they are to bring home and look over with you. We have asked them to make their PLPs this year more academic so between now and Tuesday, they are to be thinking of 2-3 proposal ideas as to what they would like their PLPs to be. We will then reconvene as an advisory during open studio on Tuesday for each student to give their proposal presentations. This will give the students a chance to be asked questions and be provided feedback from their peers to help guide them in their final PLP choice.  Some of the ideas floating around have been fabulous! We are excited to hear all the ideas they come up with!

Whirlwind of Whirlybirds

It has been a whirlwind of whirlybirds the past few days as the sixth grade students have flown their way through the scientific method. We've discussed the steps of the scientific method and how to design and execute a successful experiment! Now, it's time to be true scientists and use our results to develop a scientific lab report! We're excited to get underway and become real life scientific investigators! 

What a busy first full week! We have already started our first group project in our prehistory/early man unit, and the students received a little taste of what it was like to be a prehistoric cave artist. The 6th graders have also written a perspective story as a continuation of the classic Three Little Pigs story. Finally, in our advisory, we have been working hard to foster and grow tight and lasting relationships as an NMY community. 

Hello TCS NMY! From Tina and Justin

Dear Sixth Grade Friends and Families,

I am very excited to be joining the Nelson Middle Years faculty and be a part of the TCS family this school year as the 6th grade math/science teacher. Last year I had the opportunity to meet some of the NMY students and faculty and was overwhelmed with the sense of community and support that is apparent the moment you step onto campus. I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to join this team of learners and educators this upcoming year!

Prior to coming to The Children’s School, I taught at The Child’s Primary School teaching science to elementary and middle school students and for four years at a middle school in Northern Virginia. I received my masters in secondary education at James Madison University with a concentration in science education. It was there that I attended STEM workshops and developed a passion for integrating science and math curriculums with technology to enhance the learning process. I am excited to continue this here at TCS and help the students explore how science, technology, engineering and mathematics are interconnected in the real world.  

Outside of school, I love to travel, complete triathlons and spend time outdoors with my dog, Koda. Every other summer I travel to Rwanda to work at a boys orphanage teaching them English and science, which is by far my biggest passion outside of teaching. I am very excited to begin this new adventure at TCS and eager to get to know the students and families that make up this fabulous community! If you have any questions or concerns before the start of school, feel free to email me tmiller@tcslj.org

Sincerely,

Tina Miller

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Dear TCS Community,

It is an honor to have the opportunity to join the Nelson Middle Years staff as the new 6th grade humanities teacher. From day one I have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm that the teachers, students, and parents have for The Children's School. 

For the past five years I taught at Sinai Akiba Academy, a private Jewish school in Los Angeles. I received my Bachelor's degree in history from U.C.L.A. in 2007, and earned a Master's degree in education, with a focus in teaching secondary history, from Harvard in 2010. My teaching philosophy can be described as student-centered, with a focus on critically analyzing historical texts and teaching students how to synthesize and apply their knowledge through critical writing and in-depth discussion. My ultimate goal is to make my students independent, open-minded thinkers who have the ability to adapt and succeed in a variety academic settings. 

In my free time I enjoy reading historical non-fiction, taking my dog to the beach, and cooking French and Mexican food. I originally hail from beautiful Bakersfield, California, but have lived in either Los Angeles or Boston for the last decade. I currently live in Hillcrest with my girlfriend of ten years, and our dog, Gigi. Thank you again for the warm welcome to the TCS community and I look forward to an exciting and productive year. 

Sincerely,

Justin Lemucchi