Lower School Header 09-10 
 "In Partnership with Families..." 
1/29/10
 
4th sci 2 
 

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Grade Level Coffees

   
 
Grade Level Coffee Dates 
As the year flies by, we invite our families to join us for a glimpse at what next year has in store. Each year, our lead teachers host an hour-long Parent Coffee highlighting next year's program and expectations. Each coffee begins at 8:05 a.m. and runs to 8:50 a.m. Please note the schedule below for dates and locations.
 
 
K going into 1st    -Keith/Von Busch          Tuesday, February 2    Rm. 6
 
1st going into 2nd  -Fiely/Blevins                 Thursday, February 4   Rm. 4
 
2nd going into 3rd -O'Neal/Epstein              Tuesday, February 2    Rm. 3
 
3rd going into 4th  -Strull/Aboud                 Thursday, February 4  Rm. 13
 

 
Cell Phone Use Reminder: A Safety Issue
 
For the safety of our children, please remember that cell phone use is strictly prohibited during morning and afternoon carpool. Since the holidays, we've had several instances of driver inattention due to cell phone use in the carpool lines. This issue is more prevalent during the afternoon when babysitters or younger relatives are picking up. This is an issue which is easily resolved, and we ask you to remind anyone picking up your children as well. We cannot compromise the safety of our students and children.
 
 
Yes . . .Walden Has Talent.
 
February 23 at 6:30pm is the time for you to come and see for yourself. This will be a night that students in grades 3 through 12 can share their performing talents with the entire school.  Students may sing, dance, play instruments or share any other talent they would like to show off on stage. 
 
This is a juried event.  Students will need to audition their acts for our review committee on Tuesday, February 2 after school.  The key elements  the committee is looking for is competence and preparation.  The student should demonstrate that they have prepared the piece for audition and that they have mastered the fundamental skills.  Students may sing to background tracks provided they do not have the lead vocal (Karaoke Style).
 

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Baaaaa? Oink? Cluck? MackMack? Mooo?
 
No "Mooo." We can promise you that. But a lot of springtime lower school animal ideas are on Mrs. A's science table right now. Last year's hatchery and inevitable imprinting was too much fun to pass up for this year. In fact, the chickens and ducks may be just the beginning of our aspirations for Springtime Crittering.
We are currently seeking a dog-run-sized enclosure for possible habitation by some kind of four-legged herbivore. If you have, or know of, a good-sized run or pen which could be put to use outside our back door, please contact me (Mr. A.) or Mrs. A -no relation- at your earliest convenience.


 
 Spotlight On... Ms. Aboud 
 
       


angela

 
 

So Far...
 
I was born in Louisville and have lived here my whole life minus my 4 years in Ohio for college and 1 ½ years I lived in Nashville. I went to Children's House Montessori for Preschool and Kindergarten which is now St. Francis Preschool. I went to St. Aloysius Catholic school through 6th grade. I had 38 kids in my class when my parents decided to send me to Kentucky Country Day for the small class sizes. I went to Denison University in Granville, OH for college and majored in history. I came back to Louisville and was a substitute teacher at KCD and for JCPS while a completed my Masters of Arts in Teaching. At the time I graduated, there were a ton of teachers and it was impossible to get a job. I was guaranteed a job with JCPS through Spalding, so I went that route.  I taught at an inner city school which was a complete culture shock for me, but I loved it, and it made me a better person.  I have two children, Briley and Brennan (Bucky) who are in 2nd and 1st grade at Walden. I have two sisters who you might see at Walden on any random day visiting my kids.

 
 
Why Walden?
 
I had a few reasons for wanting to teach at Walden. Walden is a lot different from the schools I had taught in before. At the time I started, I was teaching Adult Education classes at night and selling real estate. My children were getting ready to start school full time and I wanted to get on their schedule. When I saw the opening at Walden I knew I had to apply. The school has such a good reputation and I loved the idea of small class sizes (last 4th grade class before Walden I taught had 29 kids in it!). My son was enrolled at a different school at the time of my employment but fell in love with Walden, so I pulled him out and put him here. One of the things as a parent and a teacher that I love about Walden is that we firmly believe in being a school that is in partnership with families. Not only do we have this philosophy with our school families, but we carry this on with our work families as well. This creates such a happy, positive work environment; everyone at Walden loves the school and our jobs. 

 
Favorites...
 
I have taught every grade from Kindergarten through Fourth and a lot of them mixed grades. Each grade I taught I thought "This is my favorite grade! I never want to teach another grade besides this." When I would switch to a new grade, I would be a little sad because I was leaving my "favorite" age group, and then I quickly found a new favorite. Every age group is so unique and has its own special qualities. Fourth grade is such a wonderful grade to teach. The children are becoming their own people and developing their own thoughts and personalities they will have when they are adults. It's such a privilege to be a part of that process. You can have such interesting conversations with them about real issues and topics. They still have the clarity of their innocence which can open up adult eyes. You can do projects with them on a higher level. I love using technology in 4th grade and they have enough experience to do some really neat hands on projects.

 
 
Secrets...
 
One thing you might not know about me is that I have always loved to read even as a young child. I am usually reading three books - a biography, an educational or self improvement book, and a best seller. Buttttt I also love reading the tabloids.
 
Another thing is I am motivated by having a lot going on. If there is nothing written in my planner, I'll stay in my pj's until noon! Because of this, I have always worked two jobs and done a lot of volunteer work at my church or for different organizations like the Junior League or Younger Women's Club. During my stint teaching at JCPS, I also was the Coordinator for the Extended School Services Program. I was responsible for 216 kids, 16 staff members, designing the curriculum for the after school program and camps during the summer, assigning kids classes, arranging bus transportation, purchasing supplies, etc. etc. I was very, very motivated those years and it made me a better teacher!
 
Lastly, I don't like taking care of pets but I always seem to have a lot of them. I haven't figured that one out yet. At one point in time I had a dog, 2 cats, 4 red bellied toads, 1 chinese fire bellied newt and Iggy from school! 
 
 
If?
 
I don't know what I'd be doing if I weren't a teacher. I have a paper I wrote in 2nd grade about what I wanted to do when I grew up; it was all about how I wanted to teach and work with children. I like to write especially children's books. I have written several which are stored away on my computer so I guess it would be to actually publish one.