"The world's favorite season is the spring.
All things seem possible in May."
(Edwin Way Teale)

May 2013

Dear Friends,

This month begins as we finish up the excitement of International Week and continue with our study of butterflies and their life-cycle!
We will also be selecting and readying our work for the annual Clothesline Art Festival, and begin preparing for our Celebration of Friends Day event with Lower School. We will celebrate the season in song during our Spring Concert. In addition, we will continue with our exploration of plants and plant characteristics. Later in the month we will begin an in-depth ocean study and participate in Lower School Game Day. More information will be coming home about these exciting school events!

As always, if you have a question or concern during this month please don't hesitate to contact us. We will try to respond as quickly as possible!

Highlight on the Quaker "SPICES":
In keeping with the Quaker values of "Integrity" and "Community", we will continue to work on peaceful problem-solving and discuss issues of truth and fairness as they relate to our interactions with self and others. We will also be involved in exciting school-wide projects, themes, and events that bring our community together as a fellowship of learners.

Reminders:
Don't forget the light outerwear and boots for mud or rainy days! Please practice tying shoelaces at home whenever possible to increase independence. Many students are proud to help their friends and demonstrate their new shoe-tying skills!

Dates to Remember:
International Week May 1st (school events)
International Week 2nd (school events)
International Week 2nd (school events)
One World Café 2nd (5:30-7:00 p.m.)
NO SCHOOL (in-service) 3rd
Celebration of Friends Day 7th (2:00 p.m.)
Clothesline Art Festival 7th (begins at 3:00 p.m.)
Community Cares 13th
Lower School Spring Concert 15th (K/1st at 6:00 p.m.)
Lower School Game Day 30th

In friendship,
Tr. Michele and Tr. Kara

Kindergarten Home-School Connection:
Don't forget to make reading together a daily part of your lives! Try to read to and with your child every day. 15-10 minutes around bedtime makes for a cozy routine.

Other fun May activities:
1. Draw and write about your favorite country! (Japan, Sri Lanka, Turkey)
2. Hope from your kitchen to the front door. Count each hop aloud.
3. Write your first and last names.
4. Share a word of kindness with a family member or friend.
5. List as many words as you can that rhyme with "May".
6. Name your favorite springtime sport or activity.

"I saw also that there was an ocean of darkness and death,
but an infinite ocean of light and love, which flowed over the ocean of darkness."
(George Fox)

Kindergarten explores the pond habitat at the Great Valley Nature Center (April 2013).	Searching for tadpoles and frog eggs!
Collecting pond water samples.	Learning about sustainable agriculture during an Earth Day trip to Rushton Farms, Willistown Conservation Trust (April 2013).
Planting lettuce at Rushton Farms.	Learning about bird banding at the bird banding station, Willistown Conservation Trust.