I hope is everyone having a wonderful 4th of July! Yes, I AM on vacation, and in spite of the gray and cool weather I have been enjoying every minute of my time; celebrating my daughter’s graduation from the University of Chicago, my own birthday, and today, the birthday of our country. I added the last of the classroom photos to my ‘09-10 file and I couldn’t help but reflect. Your children grew in so many ways over the course of the year and so did I. I can honestly say that the diversity of learning abilities in this class provided more challenges and opportunities for my own professional growth than any other in my 26 years of teaching. I was amazed and encouraged at the many ways the children in this class showed empathy and patience with classmates who were learning and socializing along a time line and in styles very different from the norm. While it may not be your child that is getting service from the special education department of Seattle Public Schools it is in the best interest of ALL students that parents are aware of the changes being made. The new system of delivery that will serve many of our special needs students is called an integrated comprehensive services delivery model. Educators and parents of the students being served will often referred to this model as ICS. You can read a list of frequently asked questions here. The integration of  special needs students into regular classrooms has an impact on all students. In order for it to become a workable system we (parents and teachers) all need to be aware and willing to give feedback to teachers and administrators.  The collegiality of the Sanislo staff, collaborative planning with Ms. Parker, the support of the Instructional Assistants, Tutors, and Parent Volunteers (you are SAINTS!) were all a part in making this year a successful learning year for the class of 09-’10. I hope you are reading to your child EVERY DAY and that as“> role models of reading, you have summer reading of your own. How many trips to the library have you made? Strive for one a week; our downtown library is spectacular but the Southwest, Delridge, and White Center certainly have enough open hours to serve southwest Seattle’s reading needs.Here are some parting photos:

Here we are getting ’suited up’ in our life jackets and learning how to hold our paddles.

Here are some of the happy crew in the umiaq. They quickly learned that paddling is exercise!

Some of us got more than a little bit wet, but we kept our smiles.

O.K. I must say that this group, the first ones on the water, look pretty well drenched! They didn’t really complain too much to me. But then you don’t see me in the boat. Honestly, I didn’t plan it that way!

Until we got back to school and unpacked the soggy coats I really didn’t realize just how hard it had rained. One of the advantages of going first was that this group saw seaplanes taking off. The second group didn’t get that experience.

Here we are listening intently for directions on how to make our model boats.

We had lots of grown up helpers; grandmas and moms! They helped us  hammer nails, drill holes, tie strings, and add decoration  to our  boats.

Look who was first to write numbers  up to 1000 on his number scroll! He was very diligent, even taking home grids to write numbers at home. Did he stop at 1000? Oh no! Last I checked he was up to 1200.

It was really catorce de Mayo but the mood was festive all the same!

Delicious food, lively music, colorful attire, and enthusiastic performers made for a well attended performance by some of our Latino students and Los Oaxacans, a guest mariachi band. Guests were greeted at the door with mariachi music, tables in the hall were laden with food, and the gym was the dancing floor for the performance.

That’s Mrs. Rojas  crouched down in front. She practiced AND PRACTICED with Los Polittos for this performance!

Here we are with our best audience manners, listening to the Talking Tree. I think  the adults in attendance were impressed with all the  knowledge about trees and the environment  that we already had! Hands were raised quickly to answer questions and usually the answers were ‘right on’.

Here is M. Amy, the naturalist who was our guide on the hike. She is talking to us about Douglas fir cones and how they can be identified by the little seed casings that poke out of the creases in the cone, looking  much like the tails and hind feet of little mice.

Here are the boys, hands all washed and ready for lunch!

The girls are ready to eat too!

How come food always tastes better on a field trip?

The whole group of us, after eating. I fussed with editing the photo quite a bit but still did not totally capture the beauty of the blue sky, the new green of the leaves and the sparkling of Lake Washington with Mt. Rainier in the distance. I just couldn’t pull the mountain into view, no matter what edits I chose. You’ll just have to believe me; it was a spectacular day!

Proud artist!

Proud builders!

The designers of this town insisted I take a picture. They were so industrious that they used every block on the shelves!

Joyous dancing!

What happens when you sand wood? Can you change the shape of wood by sanding? Those were the focus questions for this Science activity.  This is one of those rare activities that keeps a kindergarten class absorbed and quietly intent on the work that is in their hands.

Kudos to Raeya,

the one and only science fair exhibitor from 102A!