Little Elk River Update: Final Thoughts

Little Elk River Update, June 17, 2019: Final Thoughts

• I am working on finishing up the progress reports. They are hard to write ("I am capable of hard work!") and very rewarding ("Hard work pays off!"). They are a challenge to write because there is so much to say, and so little time. And yet taking the time to think intently about each child is a worthy task that leaves me realizing how much we've accomplished together—and how much work lies ahead of us.

• Outdoor Play: A beautiful day was had by all playing Ultimate at McMurray with Ottertail and Shingobee on the penultimate week of school. And on that Friday, swimming, diving, splashing, zip-lining at Como Pool. It was fun to be together simply to play.

• Spelling Bee: Competition is good. Life is competitive. Highly competitive. As long as "competitive" is not equated with "combative" (substitute adversarial, selfish, petty, etc.), I try to encourage it. Competition serves to bring out the best in us, either as individuals or as a team. Being competitive means that we seek something in us that we were not sure, or not aware, that we had.  For that reason, I've always found that Montessori children enjoys Spelling Bees.

• The 2019 Spelling Bee was also a success. Children sat attentively for 2 hour supporting each other and cheering for each other. Those who went out in the early rounds got a taste of what they need to work on next year. Those who made it into the later rounds discovered that many English words come from other languages, and that "chandelier" is not as easy to spell as it sounds. (This is what our champion spelled to win in the 14th round).

• Leadership: 5th years and I had a great trip to Groundswell Cafe where we discussed leadership and ways that we, together, can make our learning experience in Little Elk better next year. I hope we can make it a tradition.

• I will not be responding to email communications until mid-August.  If you have questions or concerns during that time, please reach out to office@greatriverschool.org.

• Summer Learning Resources from GRS

• A great Summer Book List is attached, courtesy of GRS. Print it out and check off books as you and your family read them!

I hope you enjoy your summer of swimming, biking, gardening, reading and road-tripping as much as I will. 

In partnership,

John

Second Call for Guinea Pigs

This is a second call. If you are able to take the guinea pigs for 3 (or even 2) weeks this summer, please let me know!

Thank you.

--

John Albright

ice cream needs for Monday

Everyone, thank you for your generosity! I just signed you up in the order that you replied. (I couldn't fit everyone in, or we'd have to make ice cream all week :( 

For the sake of clarification, this is what people are bringing:

Thank you!

Whole Milk 4 C  (Greta)

Heavy Whipping Cream 4 C  (Milkko)

Half and Half 4 C  (Azalea)

Eggs   (Ollie, Audra)

Vanilla Extract, 5 tsp.  (Greta)

--

John Albright

Re: homemade ice cream

Eggs, Milk and Vanilla, are already taken! This is what's left: 

Heavy Whipping Cream 4 C

Half and Half 4 C 

On Thu, Jun 6, 2019 at 3:44 PM John R. Albright <jalbright@greatriverschool.org> wrote:

We are making vanilla ice cream in Little Elk next week. I didn't have time today to send out a sign-up sheet with children, so I am going directly to parents:

This is what we need: 

Whole Milk 4 C

Heavy Whipping Cream 4 C

Half and Half 4 C

Eggs 10

Vanilla Extract, 5 tsp.

If you and you child would like to bring in one of these items on Monday, please let me know!  (We will make it on Tuesday, but need  to assemble the ingredients Monday).

Thank you!

 

--

John Albright

homemade ice cream

We are making vanilla ice cream in Little Elk next week. I didn't have time today to send out a sign-up sheet with children, so I am going directly to parents:

This is what we need: 

Whole Milk 4 C

Heavy Whipping Cream 4 C

Half and Half 4 C

Eggs 10

Vanilla Extract, 5 tsp.

If you and you child would like to bring in one of these items on Monday, please let me know!  (We will make it on Tuesday, but need  to assemble the ingredients Monday).

Thank you!

 

Order Rodentia Boarding Request

Cinnamon and Hazel are seeking room and board the summer. If you are able to take them in (along with feed and water them daily, clean the cage at least weekly, and provide love as needed), please shoot me an email.

Ideally, you would keep them for about three weeks before passing them on to the next family. 

In your email, indicate which 3 week period you prefer, and which other dates, if any, you could help out. I will try to make a schedule.

Thank you!

--

John Albright

Friday afternoon at the Park

We are going to the park tomorrow, and it will be warm. Please remind your child to dress appropriately. Please send a second water bottle if possible. Thank you!

--

John Albright