What a great week we had preparing for Grandparents and Grand Friends’ Day!  I have a shelf of books reserved for this event, and last week we read them all.  The class also created their own book about the many things they enjoy doing with the grandparents, aunts and uncles, and this was read aloud to our special guests.  Each child had also made several hearts out of Sculpy (a sort of plastic clay), and young and old alike enjoyed using beads to make their own heart necklaces.  The class had learned a new poem that we recited at the morning gathering – here are the words:

WHAT ARE GRANDPARENTS FOR?
Grandmas are for stories 
about things of long ago.
Grandpas are for caring 
about all the things you know.
Grandmas are for rocking you
 and singing you to sleep.
Grandpas are for giving you 
nice memories to keep.
Grandmas are for knowing 
all the things you’re dreaming of.
But the very most important thing?  Grandparents are for love!


This week we also had our first fire drill.  Everyone remembered what to do and were great listeners.  We also discussed fire safety and everyone practiced the technique “Stop, Drop, and Roll.”  I encouraged the children to go home and ask their parents to check that the batteries in the smoke alarms were current, and also to make sure to come up with a family plan, in case they ever have a fire at home (and we also discussed how unlikely that is it to happen!).  Today Chief Cardillo of the Stockbridge Fire Dept. came to talk about fire safety, present a fire fighter and demonstrate his gear, and brought a fire truck for children to look at.

Mountain Day was our other highlight this week.  Yesterday, along with the rest of Lower School, strong kindergarten legs hiked a total of 2-1/2 miles in Kennedy Park.  At the top, all enjoyed a variety of nature games and activities and had a picnic lunch together.  I know there were some very tired children last night, but they did a wonderful job!


Have a wonderful weekend.

Andrea