May 24, 2010

Calendar

May

25-26  Kindergarten Parent - Teacher Conferences (optional)

27   Eagle Museum Tour, 8:40 - (approx.) 9:30 a.m.

28   *No BS or LS Classes - Report writing day

31   No School - Memorial Day

June

4     Lifer Celebration, 9:00 a.m., Kindergarten Courtyard

10   Kindergarten Olympics, 10:00 a.m., Track

11   Kindergarten Boat Trip

       Last Day of Classes

*Prearranged childcare available as space permits

•Eagle Museum Tour, Thursday, 8:40 - 9:30, Kindergarten Classroom.

•No School:  Friday, May 28th—Report Writing Day

                    Monday, May 31—Memorial Day

This is an exciting week in kindergarten with the Eagle Celebration coming up, and the chicks off to their new home—Dorothy’s Hen House, also known as  “chick paradise.” The children have been busy in every area! Our focus this week will be completing eagle projects that will be shared with you this coming Thursday morning.

This Thursday, May 27th, at approximately 8:40 a.m., parents will be invited to join their kindergartner in the classroom for our EAGLE CELEBRATION! Children should arrive promptly at 8:20 on that day because they have an important morning job to complete before the celebration begins. We can’t emphasize early arrival enough. Once the doors are open to you (the parents), please help your child put on their eagle costume and get their Eagle Tour Book. They will then take you on a tour of our entire wonderful eagle artifacts, collections, and artwork. We will finish in the Well for a few eagle songs and poems that we have been practicing just for you. We should be finished by 9:30 a.m. Following our songs, we ask that you take your child’s eagle costume home for safekeeping. Also, please take their precious clay eagle that will be waiting in the Little Eagle Creek exhibit. Please let us know ahead of time if you will not be here for our eagle party, and we will be sure that your child gives you a “tour” at a different time. This Eagle Celebration is just for adults. You are invited to bring siblings another day after school to view the exhibit. Thanks so much.

 

 

 

Our second week of delivering the kindergartners to you at the curb has been successful. The teachers try to be prompt and parents have been, too. If you park in the parking lot, you must walk and meet your child on the sidewalk. We cannot allow the children to walk to you in the parking lot. Also, we rely on an accurate list coming from the Village. If your Village plans change, you must let the Village know ahead of time. Thanks for your help.

 

Memorial Day weekend and teacher report-writing day is coming up. There will be no school on Friday, May 28th or Monday, May 31st.

 

May 10, 2010

Calendar

May

20   PFA Meeting, 8:15 - Coffee, 8:30 Meeting, Gerlinger, Alumni Panel

25-26  Kindergarten Parent - Teacher Conferences (optional)

27   Eagle Museum Tour, 8:30 - (approx.) 9:30 a.m.

28   *No BS or LS Classes - Report writing day

31   No School - Memorial Day

June

4     Lifer Celebration, 9:00 a.m., Kindergarten Courtyard

10   Kindergarten Olympics, 10:00 a.m., Track

11   Kindergarten Boat Trip

       Last Day of Classes

*Prearranged childcare available as space permits

Thank you for helping us SELL OUT our Worm Power casting/compost mixture at Spring Festival. We will now be transferring the remainder of our compost into the developing garden site next to the pre-school. It will nourish the pumpkin seeds that we plan to plant with the soon to visit pre-schoolers who will enjoy the garden as kindergartners next year. Following our visit to Jackson Bottom Wetland Preserve we are going to be asking the Eagles about contributing to their campaign to collect one million eagles (quarters). Our $100.00 + profit from Spring Festival will be a meaningful contribution. Stay tuned. How many quarters would that be, anyway?

 

A very special "thank you" to Dancy Jubb for helping the children make the beautiful necklaces for their mothers.   She spent several mornings working with each one of the Eagles to create this lovely gift. We thank her for her gift of time and creativity!

 

Sadly, our incubator and eggs have resulted in only one healthy chick as this newsletter is being written. A second chick, that had been born Wednesday night, died Thursday afternoon. We buried him near the courtyard and decorated many slips of colored papers to mark his passing. Happily, we have a few new chick friends joining our remaining chick this Monday. Thank you to Tina Koehler (Madalyne’s mom) for this compassionate gesture.

 

Following our visit to the Wetland Preserve, the Eagles are now ready to begin learning the four main categories of eagles: Fish, Booted, Harpy, and Snake. We will soon be posting a wall book in each classroom that high-light these groups through a catchy poem. Check it out in the coming days.  Children are continuing to make individual clay eagles in the project studio, as well as completing stunning close observational drawings and paintings of specific eagle body parts in the art studio.

 

Beginning Tuesday, teachers will begin delivering children to the curb at 1:30 p.m., for parent pickup for the rest of the year. It is very important if your child is not going to the village to call the village so that they are taken off of the list. Again, if your child is going home with another parent, we need to know. You can give Tammy a call at extension 379. Thank you for your cooperation. We know that the children are feeling much more grown up and meeting you at the curb is a fun idea for them. With the weather hopefully turning nicer, we also encourage you to take your child to the playground before the 8:20 a.m., opening. This is a wonderful way to run off steam before school.

 

April 27, 2010

Calendar

May

2    Spring Festival, (Beehivers lead off the festivities with a parade.) Meet in Beehive at 12:00 p.m.

5    Kindergarten Field Trip to Jackson Bottom Wetland Preserve, 10 - 12:30 p.m.

7    "Special" Friday Sing, 8:40, Cabell Center

12   Kindergarten Transition and New Family Social, Well

20   PFA Meeting, 8:15 - Coffee, 8:30 Meeting, Gerlinger

25-26  Kindergarten Parent - Teacher Conferences (optional)

27   Eagle Museum Tour, 8:30 - (approx.) 9:30 a.m.

28   *No BS or LS Classes - Report writing day

31   No School - Memorial Day

June

10   Kindergarten Olympics, 10:00 a.m., Track

11   Kindergarten Boat Trip

       Last Day of Classes

*Prearranged childcare available as space permits

 

•May 5:  Jackson Bottom trip – 10:00-12:30, Parents welcome! No siblings!

 

•May 7:  "Special" Friday Sing, 8:40 a.m.  Dancing and singing in the Cabell Center.

•May 27:  Eagle Museum sharing – 8:30-9:30 

The incubator in the Well filled with all of our little chick embryos is working out very well. Thank you for helping your child observe the signs for keeping everything safe for the eggs. We feel grateful that we haven’t had a single incident of unsafe behavior since the incubator was installed last Monday. We hope you are keeping up with your egg calendar at home as well. On this day inside the egg, the embryo looks like a chick, but without feathers.  All the important body parts are in place and developing. The chick’s eyes and head are the largest body parts, and the chick can now open and close its beak. There are tiny bumps all over the chick’s skin that will soon grow into feathers. The children are vigilant in keeping their 21-day timekeepers snipped and up-to-date. We all are keeping good thoughts for the baby chicks. You will see them decorating the area soon. 

 

Spring Festival at Catlin is a wonderful combination of school fair, and class performances. We pray for a beautiful day so that the Spring Parade led by the kindergarten and preschool will be a grand opening to the day. This parade will begin in the Kindergarten Courtyard and conclude at the Paddock. It is quickly followed by the first grade May Pole dance. Your child should stop by their classroom at 12:00 p.m., to pick up their crowns and streamers and meet in the courtyard. Please be on time, but not early. We plan to begin the parade at noon.  Dress for the weather, but summer hats and sunglasses are hoped for. There will be performances to watch, goodies to buy and taste, plants to purchase and best of all, the Eagles own WORM POWER compost to buy for your gardens! There will be many booths throughout the campus, and it is all great family fun! We hope everyone can come.  F.Y.I. - The booths take only cash and you'll need your own shopping bag for purchases from the farmer's market.

 

Join us in the Cabell Center for some singing and dancing, and afterwards Moms are invited to stay after for a special Mothers' Day treat.

 

All families will receive a written kindergarten end-of-year report about their child which will be mailed directly to your home. Your child’s teacher will contact you if they feel a parent conference is preferable along with the report. These conferences will be scheduled after the school day during the week following Memorial Day. As a parent you may choose to schedule a conference as well.  To do this, please email your child’s teacher by May 7th to establish a conference day and time. 

 

We are keeping track of many things these days: the egg calendar, the tadpoles, Worm Power compost, not to mention our study of Eagles. It is a busy place indeed! This is spring in the kindergarten. Get plenty of rest, please send a jacket or sweater on these cool mornings, and have a great week.

 

April 12, 2010

Calendar

April

15   PFA Meeting, 8:15 - Coffee, 8:30 Meeting, Gerlinger.  
Topic:  Upper School Seniors discuss their cumulative experiences at Catlin Gabel School.

23  Marimba Band and Viewfinder Films

30 Kindergarten Spring Parade
Kindergarten Spring Parade has been moved to May 2nd.  Friday Sing  canceled.

May

2    Spring Festival, (Beehivers lead off the festivities with a parade.)

5    Kindergarten trip to Jackson Bottom Wetland Preserve, 10 - 12:30 p.m.

20  PFA Meeting, 8:15 - Coffee, 8:30 Meeting, Gerlinger

25-26  Kindergarten Parent - Teacher Conferences (optional)

27  Eagle Museum Tour, 8:30 - (approx.) 9:30 a.m.

28   *No BS or LS Classes - Report writing day

31  No School - Memorial Day

June

10  Kindergarten Olympics, 10:00 a.m., Track

11  Kindergarten Boat Trip

     Last Day of Classes

*Prearranged childcare available as space permits

The classrooms continue to be “abuzz” with eagle projects. In every corner Eagle representation is taking place. Following a daily time to share projects, the children’s work is being collected in folders for safe keeping until we turn the classrooms into an Eagle Museum! You will be invited for a special tour on Thursday, May 27th.  Mark your calendars for this Eagle event from 8:30 a.m., to approximately 9:30 a.m.  Parents who would like to join us for a trip to Jackson Bottom Wetland Preserve are invited May 5th.  We will leave school at approximately 10:00 a.m., and return to school by 12:30p.m.  This is an outstanding facility, with a real eagle’s nest to view. There are many eagle exhibits with which to interact, so this trip would not be appropriate for younger sibs.

 

Today Scott Bowler, (Mr. Science) was an eagle expert visitor to our class. He has artifacts, stories, and information to share with our class that will further contribute to their becoming an expert themselves.

 

On Wednesday morning from 9:30 -10:30, we will have a real eagle visitor from the Oregon Zoo! The eagle will arrive with its handler to the mini gym where we will gather to learn about this particular bird of prey. We will take our clipboards and black line pens to draw portraits of this eagle before we head back to class.

 

 

This Wednesday we will be the lucky recipient of about three dozen fertilized chick eggs. Each year Dorothy Chenovich, a past grandparent in our classroom, delivers eggs to our class. We place them in an incubator and keep track of the 21 days that it will take for them to develop inside the shell and hatch into baby chicks. A chick calendar will be sent home with each child so that you can keep track along with us. We learn about this miraculous process step by step. We keep the chicks for about three weeks to observe, study, and play with them before we say goodbye. Dorothy arrives and takes them to her beautiful Hen House where they happily live out their lives laying beautiful eggs! You will have to stop by the classroom during this exciting time.  

 

 

 

Come to the Middle School Commons on Wednesday, April 21, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., to learn about bicycle safety, handling, fixing, and purchasing from our guest Brian Lacey of BikeEMPOWERED.

 

As spring weather improves, this is the time to learn the skills and strategies for safe bike commuting and bike maintenance. Feel free to bring your own bike for an assessment.

Parents, students, and friends are welcome to join us for this free workshop.

 

 

We have a variety of wonderful creative, dynamic and fabulous offerings for children across the curriculum.

 

Of special interest to Beehive families is our Summer Beehive which offers day long workshops surrounding the arts, woodshop, literacy, creative play and the outdoors. It's week long sessions, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., for preschool through second grade children. We will group students by activity interests and age. Summer Beehive is directed by our own Jennifer Marcus - Jennifer is more than happy to field your Summer Beehive inquiries.

 

We have numerous other offerings as well - art, PE, writing, science, cooking to name a few - for all ages.

 

Catlin Gabel Summer Programs are open to ALL in the community.

 

Feel free to pass this information on to friends, neighbors and relatives.

 

March 30, 2010

Calendar

April

2    Dr. Viola Vaughn, 12:45 - 1:30pm, MS Commons

8    First Grade Parent Orientation Meeting, (for parents of current kindergarten students) 6:30 - 7:30pm, LS first grade classroom

15   PFA Meeting, 8:15 - Coffee, 8:30 Meeting, Gerlinger 

16  Viewfinder Global Film Series

30 Kindergarten Spring Parade
Kindergarten Spring Parade has been moved to May 2nd.  Friday Sing has been canceled.

May

2    Spring Festival, (Beehivers lead off the festivities with a parade.)

20  PFA Meeting, 8:15 - Coffee, 8:30 Meeting, Gerlinger

25-26  Kindergarten Parent - Teacher Conferences (optional)

28   *No BS or LS Classes - Report writing day

31  No School - Memorial Day

June

10  Kindergarten Olympics, 10:00 a.m., Track

11  Kindergarten Boat Trip

     Last Day of Classes

*Prearranged childcare available as space permits

 

Thank you to all who have sent in Eagle Memories. These personal stories are the perfect starting point and connect us through family experiences to a new study. Several parents have asked for clarification about the “Eagle Memory” homework. It is simply a family memory, or direct experience that you may have had with an eagle during your lifetime. Some people have actually lived where eagles are a common sight. Others look online for an eagle fact that they can discuss with their child. Usually the parent writes the story and the child draws a picture to go with it. However, sometimes a kindergartner does the writing and draws the picture. Photographs have been included at times, magazine pictures, and even an occasional newspaper clipping. Please don’t worry. The act of parent and child chatting about an eagle experience, or looking up information together is the important part. Then, when it is shared in class, we all get to learn more together. Often we hear about a parent vacation, or time of life that happened before their child was even born. No matter what it is, the grandeur and awesomeness of the eagle shines through. Thank you so much for participation at home that contributes greatly to our classroom. We are also looking forward to any Eagle memento that could temporarily be included in our Eagle museum. Look around the house, there is often something with an Eagle on it!

 

 

We hope you enjoyed our “budding branches” collection as much as we did. They were a wonderful sign of spring just inside the classroom door. Even when it was cold and rainy outdoors, it was blooming indoors. Thanks for your help. Now, that classroom area has been dedicated to “construction inventions.” The children’s classroom construction projects are now being turned into short stories with illustrations, diagrams, and labels added to the project. It is a logical next step that invites the kindergartener to tell about their project by creating a story that can be shared with the class. Please check them out.

 

 

Please have a chat with your kindergartner about the size of their lunch. We have been hearing, “I’m starving, I’m starving,” even before lunch. They wolf down their lunch in about two minutes and then stare longingly at their lunch box. It may not be every Eagle, but many seem to need more. Thanks for checking.

 

Please check your child’s extra clothes at school. Most of them need to be replenished. Muddy spring weather can make for a very uncomfortable day if there is nothing to change into.

 

Our dear Kelly will be away from Betsy’s classroom for at least a week, maybe more. She has developed a case of mono which was diagnosed over spring vacation. We have made her a beautiful get-well card to cheer her up.

 

 

 

College counselors Kate Grant and Nancy Donehower provide expertise and insight to Portland families who seek guidance about the college search process. This outreach event is a way for Catlin Gabel to share one of our strongest programs with students and parents who have limited access to college counseling services. The program is free and open to the public. Tell your friends and neighbors.

 

6:30 p.m.

Hollywood Library, 4040 NE Tillamook, Portland 97212

 

6:30 p.m.

Hillsdale Library, 1525 SW Sunset Blvd., Portland 97239

The Parent-Faculty Association (PFA) is accepting nominations from March 1st until April 15th, for the 2010-11 school year.  Anyone interested may apply. The PFA welcomes parents who are new to the school and parents who have not considered leadership involvement before. Generally, it is best to start out by volunteering as a grade representative before serving on the executive council. Nominating yourself is encouraged.

 

Please e-mail pfa@catlin.edu to nominate a candidate (including yourself) for any of the following positions:

Thank you to all our donors, bidders, volunteers and sponsors. The Gambol event on March 13 was a successful and festive evening for our community. Were you unable to attend or didn’t win something you bid on? Well, here’s your chance! We have fabulous activities and parties, offered by generous and thoughtful donors that still have spots available. Please review the selection below. All proceeds support professional development for our teachers. If you would like to purchase a spot, please email gambol@catlin.edu. Don’t miss out on these fun community activities!

 

Private art party for 12 children or adults at Ano’s Art Academy in Cedar Hills. $50 per person. September 26, 2010.

 

A summer tradition continues with outstanding food and wine for 75 people. $50 per person. July 31, 2010.

 

30 kids at a soccer camp at PGE Park ages 5 -12 years old. $50 per person. May 15, 2010. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

50 adults party in the Barn, D.J. spinning tunes, kegs, and food by chef Hen Troung. We love your children but this party is for adults only. $50 per person. May 15, 2010. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

 

15 women design and build a masterpiece with teacher Jennifer Marcus ’73. $75 per person. April 11, 2010.

 

25 people enjoy pampering and cocktails in a beautiful Dunthorpe garden. $75 per person. July 17, 2010.

 

100 people watch a movie on the big screen under the stars and campout in tents on the Lower School field. $40 per family. August 27, 2010.

 

8 kids twist, tie and dye anything 100% cotton with parent Jenny Wilson Prendergast ’87. $75 per person. June 15, 2010.

 

March 8, 2010

Calendar 

March

13  GAMBOL

20 - 28  No School - Spring Break

29  Classes Resume

April

7    Dr. Viola Vaughn, 12:45 - 1:30pm, MS Commons

8    First Grade Parent Orientation Meeting, (for parents of current kindergarten students) 6:30 - 7:30pm, LS first grade classroom

15   PFA Meeting, 8:15 - Coffee, 8:30 Meeting, Gerlinger 

16  Viewfinder Global Film Series

30  Spring Parade

May

2    Spring Festival, (Beehivers lead off the festivities with a parade.)

20  PFA Meeting, 8:15 - Coffee, 8:30 Meeting, Gerlinger

25-26  Kindergarten Parent - Teacher Conferences (optional)

28   *No BS or LS Classes - Report writing day

31  No School - Memorial Day

June

10  Kindergarten Olympics, 10:00 a.m., Track

11  Kindergarten Boat Trip

     Last Day of Classes

*Prearranged childcare available as space permits

Thank you for the time that you provided in your schedules for us to chat with you about our most important topic…your children! We love sharing insights and information during these valuable conferences. It was a most rewarding two days. Be sure that you contact us if you have any lingering questions!

 

Spring, rainbows and leprechauns have begun to influence the kindergarten. A variety of colorful collage material is being used in the Art Studio as well as rainbow colored tempera paints at the easel. The question “How does a rainbow happen?” will be considered during our group times. We will share our thoughts together and then individually draw our ideas. Look for these theories displayed in your child’s classroom. The possibility of leprechauns is a compelling topic for book making. That, along with making specialty marbleized papers will be scheduled during morning Exploration time. We have set up a few “spring” experiments for the children to keep an eye on in each classroom as well.

 

Have a great week,

The Kindergarten Team

---

 

Gambol Auction News

Go to www.catlin.edu/giving/gambol to purchase admittance and tuition raffle tickets. The Gambol auction catalog is online! Check it out and start making plans to bid on fantastic items. Go to http://www.catlin.edu/giving/gambol/catalog.

See you on March 13 at the Nines!

 

Class Art Projects for the Gambol

Click here to view the AMAZING class art projects that will be auctioned off at the Gambol.

 

Bus Alert!

Catlin Gabel’s AM and PM route bus service will not run during Experiential Days, Breakaway or Winterim, Tuesday, March 16 through Friday, March 19.

 

 

Parent - Faculty Association Accepting Nominations

• Grade representatives (preschool through twelfth)
• Volunteer coordinator
• Spring Festival
• Advisor to Council
• Beginning School coordinator
• Lower School coordinator
• Communications coordinator
• Treasurer
• Vice president

 

 

Dr. Viola Vaughn to Speak at Catlin Gabel School

Please gather in the Middle School Commons at 12:45-1:30 pm, on Wednesday, April 7th to hear Dr. Viola Vaughn, founder and Executive Director of the non-profit, 10,000 Girls in Kaolack, Sénégal, West Africa.  She will speak at Catlin Gabel about her work educating girls.  Dr. Vaughn is an American with an Ed.D. from Columbia University who received a CNN “Hero” award in 2008.   She is a social entrepreneur who has built 10,000 Girls from an idea to a vibrant program currently serving 2,567 girls in 10 towns and villages in rural Sénégal.  Veronique de la Poterie, French teacher in the US, is creating ties between Senegalese and CG  French language students.  
Viola Vaughn clips:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIvdwUKDTxA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyOWV3VlnEY

 

 

Catlin Gabel Summer Programs

We are pleased to announce the launching of Summer Programs 2010!   We have numerous programs available for students preschool through high school and even some adult offerings. Please peruse our online catalog and registration material. We have a number of wonderful new creative classes as well as the return of many favorites. Remember, Summer Programs are open not just to Catlin Gabel families, but to the entire community - please pass the word to friends, relatives and neighbors.  Summer Programs - Our Difference Is Learning!