Coming to America

The girls have had a wonderful time learning about the process of immigration in the early part of the twentieth century.  As they  concentrated on the journey of Rifka, the Russian immigrant in our class book, they investigated the reasons why millions of people left Europe for the freedom that awaited them in America.  They read, researched and took notes from many books and websites. In culmination of the unit, the girls decided that they wanted to simulate the process of immigration. The stories and memorabilia that they shared, much of it from your families, provided an incredible learning experience for all of them.

Pool Party Tomorrow and more......

Rain or shine, we are having a pool party for the Fourthies tomorrow!  Thank you, St. Catherine's, for having a pool.  Not that many years ago, we would be in trouble if there was rain on the horizon.

Please remind your girls to bring their swimming suits, swimming caps, and goggles to school tomorrow.  We will eat our usual lunch, and then swim for an hour.  This will be followed by snacks and a  movie chosen by our wonderful room mothers. The girls are so excited, and they have earned this day.  What a fabulous group of hardworking girls!  Honestly, they are still invested in learning about immigration.  The diaries they are creating are filled with interesting details that they have gleaned from their research.  They are a lot of fun to read.  As well, we are on board for Immigration Day next Tuesday.  Ask your daughters for the details!

Graduation Information

                                                                                                                                                                  May 14, 2015

Dear Parents,

                 

It seems hard to believe, but Final Assembly is closer than you realize. You may already be thinking of what your daughter will wear.  There are a few guidelines that you should know before that first shopping trip!

Although the dress may be any color, your daughter should be appropriately dressed for this special occasion.   If the dress does not meet the requirements of the dress code, then your daughter may wear a light sweater.  You should be aware that the girls will be under bright lights, and it can get very hot.  The length of the dress should be a consideration, as well.  Dresses that are too short or too tight can often reveal more than you think as the girls walk up the steps and across the stage.  Dresses that are too long can trip them as they navigate the stairs.

Shoes are another consideration.  Safety is our first concern.   For safety reasons, backless shoes are prohibited.  The girls will be walking up steps, across the stage, and to their seats in these shoes.  The steps leading up to the stage can be difficult to navigate.  For this reason, we are also skeptical of higher heels.  Please have your daughter practice walking up and down steps in her new shoes so that she is comfortable wearing them.  She will also be wearing them during practice.

The 5^th grade orientation was held on Wednesday, May 13, from 9:00-12:35.  The 5^th grade leaders spoke briefly, and this was followed by a Power Point slide show of current 5^th graders in action.  The 4^th grade was matched with 5^th grade buddies for lunch.  This was  followed by a tour and a brief visit to the four main academic classrooms.  Mrs. Beausang, Mrs. Cohen, Mrs. Smith, and Mrs. Mangum talked about homerooms, advisory, lockers, dining hall, recess/extra help, performing arts/enrichment, assemblies, and chapel.

We hope that these opportunities will alleviate any anxiety and put your daughters at ease about Final Assembly and the transition to Middle School.

Sincerely,

Pam Roberts      Judy McCallum                   

Sloan Hiscock    Mayan Cavallo

Newseum Field Trip-April 29, 2015

Lower School Field Trip Information

April 2015

Grade:  4

Date of Trip:  April 29, 2015

Location:    Newseum,  555 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, DC 20001

Time of Student Drop Off at School: 7:00 a.m. (Students should go promptly to their classrooms. Teachers and chaperones will walk with the girls to the buses parked on Grove Ave.)

Time of Trip Departure:  7:15 a. m.

Time of Trip Return:   3:25 p.m. (Parents will be notified if we are delayed.)

Trip Attire:  Field Trip Attire and yellow Fourthie hat

What to bring:  Money for lunch. (Please refer to your daughter’s class blog to view lunch options. The girls will complete a math activity using the Newseum menu to familiarize themselves with the food choices.)

Special Instructions: The girls may bring a book to read on the bus or enjoy the pleasant company of their classmates. No electronics, please.

Biking Field Trip on Monday, April 27

Lower School Field Trip Information

Grade:  3 and 4

Date of Trip:  April 27, 2015

Location:    Goochland Fields

Time of Student Drop Off at School:  Regular school day

Time of Trip Departure:  4’s at 9:00 and 3’s at 10:30

Time of Trip Return:   4’s at 12:00 and 3’s at 2:30

Trip Attire:  Appropriate for biking

What to bring:   bag lunch and water

helmet and bike (optional)

Special Instructions:  bike to be brought to the Goochland fields Sunday, April 26th, between 3:00 and 5:00p.m.

Smash Hit!

The production of 101 Dalmatians will be a hard act to follow!  The Fourthies were wonderful, the costumes were spectacular, and the entire play was so much fun to watch.  The girls had a fantastic time, and I cannot imagine a better play to end their experience in the Lower School.  Dave Masucci was everywhere taking pictures, so we are fortunate to have incredible, professional pictures because of him... and Suzanne Lamberth, what can I say about her ability to make the Dalmatians come alive with the dog ears she made.  Unbelievable!  There is a wealth of talent in this class, not only with the girls, but also among the parents!

Grandparents' Day is this Thursday.  The girls are working furiously on a project to share with them.

We are so excited that they will be with us beginning at 12:45 with the program in the LSAR.  Then at 1:15 they will be split into two groups.  Half will go to the classroom, while the other half go to Religion until 1:45, when we flip.  The girls will know the logistics of that!

As well, the girls have been working very hard on their collaborative projects on different aspects of Early New England.  They began presenting last week.  Their growth as readers and researchers is amazing!  Make sure to ask your daughter what she has learned!