Dear Cerrito families,

Welcome to week two! I will write more in these next few weeks as we get oriented, because there is so much to tell. Make sure to make it out to Back to School Night next Thursday, 9/13, so we can tell it to you in person, as well.

First, students published their first piece of writing on Tuesday, and they have begun sharing with their peers in the Author’s Chair. You can see their smiling faces in the photo gallery below as they create final drafts and share aloud. This expedited publishing cycle both serves as a pre-assessment of students’ writing and gives them a chance to share a fun story from their lives. Best of all, it helps build community around writing–there is nothing as motivating as writing for an audience that loves you. These guys love hearing each other’s writing. And when I say publish, I mean it–Cerrito has a literary magazine called the Chanterelle that has some twenty-five issues in circulation. Look forward to some amazing writing this year from your children.

Birthdays! In Cerrito, it’s simple and very sweet. You bring some photos–I suggest 10 to 20, some folks do a photo per year of life–which we can share digitally or hard copy. Tell some stories, the students will give a wonderful round of appreciations, we will sing, and after students do jobs and write down homework, they will enjoy an edible treat. Now, here comes the complicated part. We have many food allergies at the school, as I am sure you have heard, so be mindful of nuts, dairy, buckwheat, coconut, soy, fish, shellfish, eggs, and soy. Popsicles are a pretty safe bet, and so is popcorn. Fruit is yummy, as well. Maybe you have non-edible ideas…nifty pencils? Party favors? Be creative! Thanks for helping keep the school safe and inclusive. Let me know if you have any questions, and shoot me an email when you want to schedule the day for your child’s celebration. Summer birthdays can be in Jan/Feb on their half-birthdays.

Oh boy, now for homework. A big topic. Trust me, it will normalize. I will talk about this extensively at BTS night, but the usual load is this: 20 minutes of math, 20 minutes of reading, a page of writing (student choice),  and study spelling words. If you can keep it between teacher and student, great. That being said, I am sure some students need a nudge, or at least support setting up good routines, especially around when and where. There is support in ex day, a kind of study hall each afternoon. I will delve into my philosophy around it next week, but my greatest hope is to help students simultaneously develop discipline and self-care. Let’s partner to put good routines in place that will support your children all the way through their school careers.

It’s already been my pleasure to teach this group. Here’s to a fantastic year together!

 

 

Homework

  • Math
    • 4th graders complete 2-sided worksheet by Friday.
    • 5th graders finish your packet.
  • One page of writing in your writer’s notebook. Just like we did today. You can continue your work from class or take on a new topic, genre of your choice.
  • Study the Western States: you have 13 to spell and put on the map by Friday: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.
  • Always 20 minutes of reading in a chapter book