Update from Alfonso – 4/23

This is the whirlwind season! Last week students in grades 1-3 (and 4 Kindergarten students who met the 6 book challenge) celebrated the Beverly Cleary reading challenge with popsicles, games, and even a game of literary musical chairs in which they have to give the name of a character from the book chair they land in. Last week at Friday assembly grades 3-5  were entertained with a song from 5th grade music class and then enjoyed a very interesting presentation from representatives of the Red Cross on disaster preparedness.

This week we have students going out to analyze public spaces and how they enhance community life, and some grade 4’s will be travelling to the Hatfield courthouse. On Wednesday Paulanne Peterson, the delightful Poet Laureate of Oregon will be on hand to share readings and have students read from their collected works. On Thursday Kindergarten and grade 3 students who are studying transportation and the development of cities respectively will hear a presentation from our Tri Met friend Dee Ann Sandberg. Dee Ann has not only been wonderful in considering our needs during light rail construction but she also takes the time to come and tell students about the rationale behind and work involved in the light rail project. Finally, on Friday we will all have a chance to enjoy the 5th Graders’ PYP Exhibition! As you may know, the exhibition is a culminating project of every IB primary school. We have linked our exhibition with the Capstone trip, so students can study many facets of the countries and cultures they visit. If you have time at all, do stop in and listen to their wonderful presentations. When I look at the totality of what our students learn and discover and make and do, I am in awe of our teachers and filled with gratitude.

Enjoy the rest of this lovely day and see you all at the corner,
Alfonso
Dr. Alfonso Orsini, Head of School, AOrsini@intlschool.org, 503-226-2496 x122