WOH For Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Science: Down and Dirty by Lisa Richardson, 5th grade teacher
This year, 5th grade was the proud recipient of new FOSS science kits. FOSS, which stands for Full Option Science System, is a hands on science learning program that really brings science alive. This year, we have been able to study two kits titled, Environments and Soil, Rocks and Landforms.
In Environments, we spent several months investigating living and non-living components in terrestrial environments. They set up a mealworm environment in two temperatures using the scientific process to find out the ideal temperature for a meal worm’s lifecycle. This was super entertaining as well as educational. I’ve never seen kids get so attached to their little larvae and burst into excitement when they pupated and emerged as Darkling Beetles. One thing’s for sure, every 5th grader has lost their fear of creepy crawly critters. We also spent time investigating aquatic environments. In study groups, they researched and created ideal living environments for gold fish and guppies, which I can proudly say are still alive! We even got to take a walking field trip to Petco to purchase items that were needed for these environments.
Currently we are still digging our way through our Soils, Rocks and Landforms kit. So far we have learned about different forms of weathering, discovered aspects of soil, experimented with erosion and deposition and created fossils. The students LOVED setting up their trays and getting their hands (and arms, desks and floor) dirty as they constructed stream tables to test different variables of slope and its effect on erosion and deposition. Needless to say, besides learning a lot, the students also had a lot of fun.
We are ending the year with our study of topography. We are learning how to read, construct and artistically create topographic maps and 3-D models. As a culminating event, we are traveling to Mt. St. Helens. I can’t think of a better way to end this science kit. The best reward is seeing how excited the kids are for science in class.
Calendar of Events – Click Here
Tues. 4/26: 7:00 PM Academic Fair / Tuition Contracts for Fall Due
Wed. 4/27: 8:40 AM Chapel led by Grade 3
May 2 – 6: Teacher Appreciation Week
Wed. 5/4: 8:40 AM Chapel led by Grade 1 / 6:30 PM General PTH Meeting
Fri. 5/6: Free Dress Day
Academic Fair – Tonight Night @ 7:00 PM
Everyone is invited to join us tonight at 7:00 PM for our annual Academic Fair.
An event for the whole family! Tour each of the classrooms to see presentations, reports and displays on a variety of historical time periods, focusing on exploration, encounters and exchanges. In order to appreciate the work and care that each student put into their projects, we ask that families tour the classrooms together.
PIP Opportunities – Click Here – Ends May 31
There are several PIP opportunities coming up: Teacher Appreciation Week, Grandparents Day, Scholastic Book Fair, Family Movie Night, and more! Visit Signupgenius.com and click “Find a Sign Up” and search by the PTH’s email address pth@hopeseattle.org and see where you could help out.
Teacher Appreciation Week – May 2-6
Calling all Super Kids: Make every teacher and staff member at school feel like the super heroes that they are next week. A superhero sheet is coming home today (extras may be available in the office) that students can write or draw a message of thanks or say why they think a teacher or staff is super. These pages will be bound into a book that will be given to the homeroom teacher. It would be really SUPER if we have 100% student participation.
PTH General Assembly Meeting – May 4th at 7 p.m. (Dessert Social at 6:30)
Join PTH to celebrate the successes of the 2015/2016 school year, plan the budget for 2016/2017, say farewell to outgoing board members, and elect incoming board members. There is still at least one board position that is vacant. All attendees will be entered into a drawing for a fabulous prize AND PIP hours apply! Childcare will be provided. We look forward to seeing you there!
Clothing Drive Results
PTH cannot thank you enough for the recent clothing donations. Look for the final results in next week’s newsletter!
Labels For Education And Box Top Programs
Labels for Education (found on Campbell’s Soups and other items) are offering bonus points if we send in sheets by early May. If you have Labels ready, please send them into the office by May 6th. We are also hoping to mail in more Box Tops so keep them coming! We still have prizes in the Treasure Chest for bringing in a full sheet of either Box Tops or Labels for Education. Thanks for your support of both these programs to help the school buy much needed items for the classrooms!
Hope Lutheran School Open Positions 2016-2017
Hope Lutheran School in beautiful West Seattle, Washington, has four job opportunities for the 2016-2017 school year:
- Full-time K-8 PE/middle school math or history teaching position – applicants must be certified teachers
- Part-time preschool through 8th grade Spanish teacher – applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, preferably in Spanish or education
- Full-time or close to full-time position working with preschool extended care students
- Part-time kindergarten assistant
Additional required qualifications: Hope staff must be understanding of and supportive of the ministry of Hope Lutheran Church and School. Candidates must hold a strong personal Christian faith and a servant heart, and must be professional and strong communicators. All positions begin August 22, 2016.
Visit Hope’s website at http://hopeluthstg.wpengine.com/home/about/job-opportunities/
for more information, job descriptions and an application form, or call the school office at (206) 935-8500. Applicants should submit a resume and application to Hope School Principal at kokabayashi@HopeSeattle.org /mail by May 8, 2016.