Coupla Things wk32 (5/7/17)

Post date: May 07, 2017 2:44:57 PM

Hi All. I'm not quite done packing and prepping for SF, so this email will have to be quick.

1. Spring Fundraiser: I heard from Debby Perry that the Star Wars party and auction was a blast. Those of you who sent in contributions for the basket helped us a bunch and it is very much appreciated.

2. SF: A few reminders for those going to SF: Most important thing to know tonight is to please be at the Winchester Transit Center by 7:15 so that we can make the last CalTrain bullet to SF. Here is the itinerary, here is the route map, and here is the meal plan.

3. Super Eight: Those kids who have already done SF will be at school in rooms 29 and/or 26 and doing the activities that they have planned and documented on this calendar chart. Stella will be at DCS tomorrow to help you with the mosaic project (tiles are by the door). Please check in with Kim each day and let her know which room you will be in (she'll assume 29 though).

4. Science quizzes: As I was scoring the two science quizzes from last week I noticed a bipolar distribution of performance. Many high scores, many low scores, and few in-between. It was interesting for me to notice that I could, with high accuracy, predict whether a paper was a high or low score one simply by checking whether it was put into the turn-in pile face up or face down.

5. Science demonstrations: After my urging to step up their game, the kids who did science demonstrations this past week did a much better job and I assume that the trend will continue. Thanks for responding to my "do better" message from last week.

6. Book Club Books: The groups have chosen wisely by reading some books that will be expected of them in high school (Of Mice and Men, Catcher in the Rye, Lord of the Flies) and the parents and I are depending on the kids to run their groups maturely, with independence, and with good rich discussion.

7. Court Visit: This was quite an experience! Some kids told me it was confusing and boring, and others were engaged and became quite well educated about the courts, about people, and about the unavoidable and sometimes harsh relationship between actions and consequences.

Thanks everyone, and lets have a great week no matter where we are.

Chris