Bodhi and Maren share snack

This week the children have been practicing ways to care for each other and their environments. Lessons continue on grace and courtesy as we learn to get along as individuals and as a community.  In our environment, we have been preparing the garden for fall planting and learning about the properties of land, air, water, and fire.

 

Did you know that a raisin can be explored with all five senses?  In Ms. Katrina's class, the senses were explored with a simple raisin.

 

In Spanish we are playing games with the primary colors; rojo, amarillo, y azul.

 

Thanks to Ms. Laura, Mallory's mom, for coming to read to Ms. Denise's class.

 

Thank you, Ms. Brigitte, Greyson's mom, for the wonderful, custom-made napkins for Ms. Katrina's class.   

Nicholas blows the shofar

We have had another fabulous week here in the Lower Elementary.  This week we had a special guest, Steve Falkowitz.  Mr. Steve and Elana (his daughter and a 2nd year) taught us all about Rosh Hashanah.  This is a festive Jewish holiday that signifies a new year.  The children loved hearing all about the traditions and all of the children got a chance to blow into the shofar.  This is a ram's horn that is blown at certain times throughout the service.  The horn the children blew was from a kudu from Israel.  We also ate apples and honey, a traditional treat for Rosh Hashanah.  A common greeting on Rosh Hashanah is shana tovah u'metukah, Hebrew for "a good and sweet new year."

 

This week we started our study of creation.  We have heard The Five Sisters, (a Canadian Creation Story), the Dance of Life, (a Mexican Creation Story) and On Turtles Back, (an Iroquois Creation Story).  The children were mesmerized.  After the story was told, the children then went to their sketch pads and drew their impression of the story.  It is pretty amazing to see what they got or took away from the story.  We will continue our creation stories next week.  We have a very special and interactive creation story saved for the end of next week!   I will give you a hint:  it starts with a bang!

 

Remember: 1st,2nd and 3rd grade spelling homework starts on Monday, September 9th.  Please look for the purple folders to come home on that date and be sure to look inside for homework instructions.

 

As always, we are available if you need us.  Please call the front office and leave a message or email me at patti@beachparkschool.org.

Wyatt works with fractions

It seems as if the week has flown by!  

 

On Wednesday, Ms. Ann gave the Second Montessori Great Lesson on the earth's preparation for life and the unfolding of life on earth. When we look at the big picture, it's always amazing to see that humans have only been on the earth such a short time.

 

We began listening to the audio of "The Golden Goblet" by Eloise Jarvis McGraw. This is a Newberry Award winning book set in ancient Egyptian times. Each student is following along in their copy of the book.

 

Next week, we'll have the Third Great Lesson on the coming of humans to earth and we'll also learn just how long it was before human beings began recording history. After that lesson, we'll be moving on to learn more about history through some story telling by Ms. Ann and then we'll begin reading the book, "The Story of the World." 

Fun with algebra

Middle School has been working on the Ancient China Unit which we started last week.   We've been working on geography and filled out a map of China.  

 

Middle School is progressing in math doing a lesson each day. 

 

On Friday, September 6 we started our first P.E Unit, bowling.  We also had our first Latin Vocabulary test on Friday.

 

From The Administrative Managers:  Berkeley Kittredge, Julia Parrino, and Lauren Robinson

Co-chairs Tacy Troncoso and Steve Falkowitz led the annual PTA meeting on Thursday evening. Thank you to all who attended.

The BPS PTA is long on action and relies on the one organizational meeting in September to set the agenda of activities and volunteer opportunities for the year.  If you were not able to attend, please stop in the school office any time to review the activities and sign up for those in which you would like to participate.  If you put your name on the sign-up sheets, you will be invited to get involved when the activity happens during the year.  As people's schedules are busy and sometimes change, it is not a problem if you can't do something you hoped to do.  All involvement is appreciated - no matter how much or how little.  

The activities include the Cultural Days, the annual Spring Auction, the Art Show, helping in the Library and more.  Questions?  Just contact Tacy (ttroncoso@tampabay.rr.com) or Steve (stevefalk@gmail.com).

Two years ago, several Beach Park parents of same-age boys got together to form Cub Scout Pack 334, which currently consists of a single fourth-grade "den" (Webelos) in which two younger, male siblings also participate.

 

If anyone else is interested in scouting for their sons and would like assistance in forming another den for a different grade as part of Pack 334 (Pack 334 is not a "BPS" pack or officially affiliated with the school but happens to consist mainly of kids who attend Beach Park), please contact Karin Hoppmann or Rachelle Bedke.  They would be more than happy to work with you.  

 

As well, we welcome any parents who wish to form a Girl Scout troop.

 

Generally the menu is open for one week at the end of the month for the next month's ordering.

Photo after school will be starting on September 30th (ages 8+) and on October 3rd (ages 5-7).  Kim Hicks, mom of Lyden and owner of Shutterbug Academy, is teaching both groups.  Last year's after school Photo group was a great success.  A form was sent home this week with children and more are available in the school office. For more info, contact Kim by email or at 813-618-SNAP.

- French (Lower Elementary Mon/Wed or Upper Elementary/Middle School Tues/Thurs)

- Chess (ages 5 and up on Wednesdays)

- Creative Dance (ages 3, 4 and 5)

We continue to seek a yoga instructor for an after school program.

 

There will be a fundraiser for medical equipment, diabetes screening tools, medications, etc. at Drs. Mona and Anjan Shah's home on Saturday, September 21.  We will have Indian music, hors d'oeuvres, dancing, jewelry (including bindis), and henna tatoos - a Journey to India.  For more information, check our website and look under Events.  You can buy tickets on line (and even be a sponsor) or at the door.  We would love to see the Beach Park moms and dads there!   Any questions, call or e-mail Kathryn at 813-541-0871 or kkepes@yahoo.com.  Looking forward to seeing you on the Journey to India! 

 

Friday Morning Coffee

Every Friday morning at BPS, you will find the coffee pot on the front patio with steaming hot coffee. We hope you will take advantage of this small hospitality to come in during drop-off time and have a cup or take some with you on your way into your Friday activities.  Hope to see you next Friday morning!

 

Target - Keep Voting!

This year, Target will give money to schools all over the country for one simple act: a vote. Our school needs just 25 votes to earn a $25 donation from Target. But that's only the beginning. For each additional vote, our school will get $1 more. 

 

So please remember that, although the gesture is small, the rewards are potentially huge. Go to  GiveWith.Target.com to vote for Beach Park School once a week through September 21 or until Target has given away all $5 million. And please forward this email to your friends. 

 

Vote and see rules at GiveWith.Target.com.  Thanks!

 

Inkwood Books - Wimpy Kid Hard Luck Truck

 

If your child enjoys the Wimpy Kid books, then you may want to stop by Inkwood Books this Sunday between 2 and 4 pm to visit the Wimpy Kid Hard Luck Truck as it makes an appearance.  Free goodies, photos with the truck  and other fun activities are part of the promotion.  Inkwood Books is located at 216 S. Armenia Avenue.