Monday AM Notes, June 17 2024

Well, we made it! Time always moves so quickly at the end and so much has happened in the last few weeks of school–thanks for all the fun and celebrations, the community feel has been amazing!

I can’t end the year without sharing my deepest gratitude for all of you. This is a special group of people and I couldn’t feel more fortunate to do the work we do together. The children of Amity are so lucky to have you in their lives, loving them, inspiring them, guiding them, and being there for them in some of their most challenging moments. You are a truly extraordinary, compassionate, funny, silly, inspiring group of people and I am so proud to be a part of this team.

A very few notes to get you going:
1) Invitation Bonanza today. 3 rounds: 9-9:30, 10-10:30, 12-12:30. Be sure you have signed up: Invitations June 17

2) Memory Book signing on Tuesday starting at 10am. A couple notes on this:
*We talked about not using sharpies as they end up making a big mess, and no signing of clothing. Please review expectations prior to signing time, this will help to avoid books being defaced (we’ve struggled with this in recent years!)
*Best to have your own class do their signing of each other’s books prior to the 10am start time.

3) I owe all the classes popsicles on the last day for their stewardship efforts at Aspen Hall–they did a good job cleaning up after themselves. Let’s do this at 12:45pm and then send ’em home.

4) Please let me know when you are done with your Grows and Glows so I can do a quick read through before you print-just another set of eyes looking for anything you may have overlooked. Mostly I’ve been fixing minor formatting things.

5) Let’s meet at BBC at 2:30pm on Tuesday. This will give you a little time to tie up loose ends after school and perhaps keep you from having to come back!

Upcoming
June 17: Invitation Bonanza
June 18: Memory Books from 10-11, popsicles at 12:45, out at 1pm.
June 18: Staff gathering at BBC, 2:30pm

Here’s to a great last 2 days!
Andy

Monday AM Notes, June 10 2023

It’s the last full week of school! Lots of fun ahead this week and I’m excited for all the festivities!

In the spirit of gratitude, I cannot thank you all enough for pulling off what by all accounts was an amazing family BBQ! Thanks for all the extra efforts in my absence, I am truly grateful!

A few notes to get you rolling:
1) More than anything be sure you are keeping an eye on the Last 2 weeks 2023-24 notes–there’s a lot to keep track of and it should all be on this calendar. If there is something missing or you’ve added events for the week please update this calendar so we are all aware. Things really pick up on Wednesday and keep rolling!

2) For the Volunteer Tea we’ll have the EAs each supervise 2 classrooms so you can free yourself up for 15 minutes to come down and share your appreciations for our amazing volunteers. Please plan something kiddos can do mostly independently during this time.

3) We’ll start the Grade 5 Community Celebration at 9:45 on Wednesday, with Choice time at 9:15-9:35. Please have kiddos bring down chairs.

4) SIW this week is a Teacher Work Day. While I am sure you are all keeping track of end of year stuff, here is what I have on my list of things that need to get done:
*Sign up for last week Invitations extravaganza: Invitations June 17
*Grows and Glows
*Share Gratitude!

5) Kickball on Thursday will start at 9am. Let’s have all students on and around the field to start the game–no students on the playground at the start. As in year’s past students will slowly drift into Choice Time as they lose interest in the game. Is there anyone (or any two) who don’t plan on playing (due to injury only๐Ÿ˜ณ) who would be willing to supervise students as they make their way to the playground?

6) Water Play on Friday, 1:30-2pm. Water truck and sprinklers! Please be sure to communicate this to families so students come with dry clothes to put on if they want. High of 72 predicted for Friday.

Upcoming (also keep track of last 2 weeks activities: Last 2 weeks 2023-24)
June 11: Grade 4 Lava Lands/Cave
June 12: Grade 5 Celebration, 9:45-11am
June 12: SIW, out at 1:00pm
June 12: iPad roll-in for Grade 5
June 12: Volunteer Tea (hosted by Andy and Patti), 8:30-9am
June 13: Grade 5 Graduation, 5-7pm
June 14: iPad roll-in for Grades 2/3/4
June 14: Bread and Jam
June 17: Invitation Bonanza
JUne 18: Memory Books, 10-11
June 18: Last day, 1pm release. Staff gathering shortly after school gets out!

Here’s to a great last full week ahead!
Andy


Monday AM Notes, June 3 2024

New School-Wide Theme: Gratitude…this shouldn’t be too hard to get into!

It’s June…I can’t believe we are already here! We have just over 2 more full weeks to go, let’s really enjoy and appreciate this time of year!

Before the notes for this week, I need to let you know that my dad is being discharged from his rehab facility this Thursday–it’s great news, of course, but they are sending him home in a wheelchair which will present some significant challenges. I will be heading to LA on Wednesday to make final preparations at the house for my dad’s return and then pick him up on Thursday. I’ll take the weekend to help my folks settle in with the hope that I will return late Sunday night or early Monday morning. So, I will be out Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Brad will be here Thursday and Friday and will stick around on Thursday to help out at the BBQ. I love this time of year with the kids and all of you and I’m super disappointed to miss even a moment of it! Thanks once again for your understanding and support.

A few notes to get you rolling:
1) Gratitude is our new theme and I think we chose this one well in terms of the time of year. The end of the year can truly be a wonderful time of reflection, and a perfect time to acknowledge and express gratitude for all that has been shared throughout the year. Please take time in the next 2 weeks to tap into this theme with your kiddos, and be sure to share with parents as well.

2) Camp Amity Monday and Tuesday! We leave at 9:30am and busses should be pulling up along Broadway.

3) Staff Meeting on Tuesday at 2:45pm. Ray’s room. Add to the agenda here: Staff Meetings 23-24

4) The final Cafe Amity of the year is this Wednesday–Grade 5 hosts for the last time!

5) Camp Fire has invited the Bend Fire Dept for a visit on Wednesday after school. They will be blocking off the parking lot from 2-3pm for a truck to pull in. Be sure not to park in the lot if you have somewhere you have to go before 3pm.

6) BBQ on Thursday, 5-7pm. Please arrive early to help with set up and to get the grills fired up and ready to go. There are always little things that need to get done before the show starts. New Kinder families (for next year) will be joining us!

7) SIW this week is a Teacher Work Day. While I am sure you are all keeping track of end of year stuff, here is what I have on my list of things that need to get done:
*Sign up for last week Invitations extravaganza: Invitations June 17
*Grade 5 gift
*Grows and Glows
*Share Gratitude!

Upcoming (also keep track of last 2 weeks activities: Last 2 weeks 2023-24)
June 3/4: Camp Amity!
June 4: Staff Meeting (last one of the year!), 2:45pm in Ray’s room
June 5: Cafe Amity, Grade 5’s last cafe to host
June 5: SIW, Teacher Work Day
June 6: End of Year Community BBQ
June 11: Grade 4 Lava Lands/Cave
June 12: Grade 5 Celebration, 10-11am
June 12: SIW, out at 1:00pm
June 12: iPad roll-in for Grade 5
June 12: Volunteer Tea (hosted by Andy and Patti), 8:30-9am
June 13: Grade 5 Graduation
June 14: iPad roll-in for Grades 2/3/4
June 14: Bread and Jam
June 18: Last day, 1pm release. Staff gathering shortly after school gets out!

Here’s to a great week ahead!
Andy