November 7, 2016

It's a busy week in Turquesa. Students will be finishing revisions on their Early Humans reports, exploring density and lift in science, and more. 
 
This morning we have a couple of quick updates. Later this week, look for more information about our Student Ambassador program and Mary's Place.
 
The Odyssey
 
As we hope you are aware, we are producing an original musical theater performance this year based on The Odyssey by Homer. Ms. Nicole has written the script, Ms. Amy is composing the music, and Ms. Alyx will be directing the play. Last week we had our first production meeting! It's going to take lots of work, and we are so excited to be starting.
 
The students are going to be deeply involved in all parts of the process from acting and singing to making props to designing costumes and sets. We are starting our work this week and will be sending home regular updates. Make sure you put the performance date (Feb. 10) on your calendar right now and invite your friends and family.
 
We are also excited to reach out to you, Elementary parents, for help! We need people to help design the sets and lighting, create costumes and more. Some of the volunteering will need to happen with students during the school day or on Wednesday afternoons. There are also many, many things that need to be done outside of school hours or off-campus. Would you like to be part of our epic production? We need you!
 
Please join us for a parent volunteer production meeting on Monday, Nov. 21 at 4:00 in Turquesa. We'll share the script, some of the music, and our planning. We'll send out a Bloomz invite too, so be on the lookout.
 
We have rented Happy Valley Grange as the performance space, so make sure you come to K/El Family Night on Nov. 18 to get a feel for the space before the production meeting.
 
 
Going Outs
 
Students have started to plan their own field trips! This is a Montessori Elementary tradition, and we view it as the ultimate practical life activity. It starts with a student's idea, then grows into a small team of interested people through the use of a sign up sheet. We encourage fair and inclusive groupings. Basically, this means that a group of people who might make a weekend playdate to do the same trip are not the people who go together on a school going-out. 
 
The group schedules a meeting with Ms. Nicole to plan the logistics of the trip, including details like cost, transportation, and scheduling. Members of the group produce a permission slip with all of the details and set a strict deadline for the return of those documents. They collect the documents, confirm transportation and arrange for a teacher chaperone. It is entirely fine for a parent to drive a going out group, but a teacher will also accompany the group on the trip. On the Going Out trip, the students are completely in charge. They give driving directions and parking instructions. They pay their own admission fees and manage their own time. The adult's responsibility is to go with the group, monitor safety, stay away from decision-making or advice-giving, and ensure that the group returns to school at the stated time.
 
If your child brings home a new, interesting permission slip, please be aware that it is related to a student-planned Going Out. Ask your child lots of questions, and help them navigate this new process. Also, feel free to reach out to us with your questions too.
 
Please get in touch with any questions. ​